BIR Ruling

September 20, 1977 Technology Research Center P.O. Box 5195, Makati Main Makati, Metro Manila Attention: Miss Flordelisa Jose Officer-in-charge Textual Data Services Gentlemen : In reply to your letter of even date, requesting that the Center be furnished with the latest financial data of all foundations existing and operating in the Philippines. I have the honor to inform you that your request cannot be granted in view of the prohibition contained in Section 347 of the Tax Code quoted as follows: "SEC. 347. Unlawful divulgence of trade secrets . Except as provided in Section 81 of this Code and Section as provided in Section 81 of this Code and Section 26 of Republic Act Numbered Six Thousand Three Hundred Eighty-Eight any officer or employee of the Bureau of Internal Revenue who divulges to any person or makes known to any other manner than may be provided by law information regarding the business, income, or inheritance of any taxpayer, the secrets, operation, style of work, or apparatus of any manufacturer or producer, or confidential information regarding the business of any taxpayer, knowledge of which was acquired by him in the discharge of his official duties, shall be fined in a sum of not more than two thousand pesos or imprisoned for a term of not less than six months nor more than five years, or both." Very truly yours, CONRADO P. DIAZ Deputy Commissioner of Internal Revenue TAN-D2567-D1025-A-2