BIR Ruling No. 321-14

August 13, 2014 BIR RULING NO. 321-14 Section 4 (3), Article XIV, 1987 Constitution; Sections 27 (A), (B), (D) (1), 30 (H); 57; 101 (A) (3); 105; 109 (H), 235; 236 (B); 237 of the 1997 Tax Code, as amended; Department Order No. 137-87, as amended by Department Order No. 92-88; Department Order No. 149-95; RMC No. 76-2003; BIR Ruling No. 459-13; BIR Ruling No. 455-13; BIR Ruling No. 438-13; BIR Ruling No. 059-13; BIR Ruling No. 548-12 La Finn's Scholastica, Inc. #181 Purok III, Brgy. Biday, San Fernando City, La Union 2500 Attention: Ms. Zenaida C. Finn President Gentlemen : This refers to your letter dated September 23, 2013, requesting for a certificate of tax exemption enjoyed by non-stock, non-profit educational institutions pursuant to Section 30 (H) of the Tax Code of 1997, as amended. It is represented that LA FINN'S SCHOLASTICA, INC.,with Taxpayer's Identification No. 006-105-923-000, is a non-stock, non-profit educational institution duly organized under the laws of the Philippines; that it is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under SEC Registration No. CN200255861 dated September 30, 2002; that it is recognized by the government and permitted by the Department of Education (DepEd) in accordance with Government Recognition (GR) Nos. PE-002, s. 2010 for Pre-Elementary Course, E-22, s. 2013 for Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) (Grades I-VI),and SE-001 s. 2010 for Basic Education Curriculum (High School);by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to offer the following courses in accordance with Government Recognition Nos. herein enumerated, to wit: 1. GR No. 005, s. 2014 for Bachelor of Science in Business Administration majors in Financial Management, HRDM and Marketing Management; 2. GP No. 006, s. 2012 for Bachelor of Science in Computer Science; 3. GP No. 012, s. 2011 for Bachelor of Science in Criminology; 4. GR No. 013, s. 2012 for Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management; 5. GP No. 007, s. 2012 for Bachelor of Science in Information Technology; AcICHD 6. GR No. 001, s. 2007 for Bachelor of Science in Nursing; 7. GR No. 031, s. 2012 for Bachelor of Science in Technical Teacher Education Majors in Garments, Fashion and Design, Food and Service Management; 8. GR No. 014, s. 2012 for Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management; 9. GR No. 015, s. 2012 for Bachelor of Science in Travel Management. and by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to offer the following TVET Registered Courses, to wit: 1. Caregiving NC II (384 Hours) under Certificate of TVET Program Registration No. 201201032011; 2. Caregiving NC II (786 Hours) under Certificate of TVET Program Registration No. 201201032005; 3. Health Care Services NC II (384 hours) under Certificate of TVET Program Registration No. 201201032012; aDIHTE 4. Health Care Services NC II (986 Hours) under Certificate of TVET Program Registration No. 201201032004; 5. Commercial Cooking NC II (610 Hours) under Certificate of TVET Program Registration No. 201201032009; 6. Bartending NC II (406 Hours) under Certificate of TVET Program Registration No. 201201032010; 7. Computer Hardware Servicing NC II (552 Hours) under Certificate of TVET Program Registration No. 2011010302006; 8. Programming NC IV (364 Hours) under Certificate of TVET Program Registration No. 2011010304007; and 9. Hilot (Wellness Massage) NC II (168 Hours) under Certificate of Program Registration with WTR No. 2011010302005. and that the purposes for which it was incorporated are the following: 1. To create, establish, maintain, operate and administer an educational institution, with a pre-school, elementary, high school and offers bachelors' degree in nursing, sciences, health, arts and technology, non-degree courses, graduate studies, including the opening of a Review Center and Review Courses for Nursing which envisions itself to be a leading, client-oriented and dynamic institution in the Philippines producing graduates who are recognized for their competence and commitment to genuine service in the locality, country, and the world; 2. To establish an Assessment Center for Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) Programs; 3. To establish LUCNAS (now La Finn's Scholastica, Inc.) Security Training School; and cDTIAC 4. To operate an Extension of LUCNAS (now La Finn's Scholastica, Inc.) in any part of Region I which will cater to the needs of clients on Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Courses with full adherence to the policies and guidelines of TESDA in provinces concerned. In support of its request, LA FINN'S SCHOLASTICA, INC. has submitted the following required documents: 1. Original copy of application letter for issuance of Tax Exemption Ruling; 2. Certified true copy of the Certificate of Incorporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); 3. Certified true Copy of the amended Articles of Incorporation issued by the SEC which include the following: a. That the corporation is non-stock, non-profit; b. That the primary purpose for which it was created is one of those enumerated under Sec. 30 of the Tax Code of 1997, as amended; c. That no part of the net income shall inure to the benefit of any of its members; d. That the trustees will not receive any compensation; and e. That in case of dissolution, assets of the corporation shall be transferred to a similar institution or to the government. 4. Certified true copy of the By-Laws; CSAcTa 5. Original copy of Certification under Oath by its President as to: (i) all previous amendments/changes in the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, (ii) manner of activities, and (iii) the sources and disposition of income of the subject corporation or association; 6. Certified true copy of the Certificate of Registration with the BIR; 7. Original copy of the Certification under Oath by the Treasurer certifying that the Board of Trustees do not receive any compensation, salaries, or any emoluments; 8. Original copy of the Certification issued by the OIC-Revenue District Officer, RDO No. 3, City of San Fernando, La Union, that the corporation has no pending investigation/on-going audit, no pending tax assessment, no claim for tax refund or issuance of tax credit certificate, and no collection proceedings; 9. Certified true copies of the Income Tax Returns or Annual Information Returns and Financial Statements of the corporation for the last three (3) years; 10. Original copy of a statement under Oath its as to its modus operandi; 11. Certified true copy of Government (DepEd, CHED, TESDA) Recognition Certificates; 12. Original copy of Certification under oath by its Treasurer as to the allocation and utilization of its annual revenues; and 13. Certification under oath against Forum Shopping. In reply, please be informed that paragraph 3, Section 4, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution provides, viz. : cEaTHD "All revenues and assets of non-stock, non-profit educational institutions used actually, directly and exclusively for educational purposes shall be exempt from taxes and duties." Likewise, Section 30 (H) of the 1997 Tax Code, as amended, provides, viz. : "Sec. 30. Exemptions from Tax on Corporations. The following organizations shall not be taxed under this Title in respect to income received by them as such: xxx xxx xxx (H) A non-stock and non-profit educational institution; ...." A non-stock, non-profit educational institution is exempt from tax on all revenues derived in pursuance of it purpose as an educational institution and used actually, directly and exclusively for educational purposes. The exemption contemplated herein refers to internal revenue taxes imposed by the National Government on all revenues and assets of non-stock, non-profit educational institutions used actually, directly and exclusively for educational purposes. (BIR Ruling No. 459-13 dated December 6, 2013) Private non-profit educational institutions whose gross income from unrelated trade, business or other activity does not exceed fifty percent (50%) of their total gross income derived from all sources, shall pay a tax of ten percent (10%) on their taxable income, except those covered by Section 27 (D) of the Tax Code. However, if their gross income from unrelated trade, business or other activity exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the total gross income derived from all sources then the entire taxable income shall be subject to the regular corporate income tax rate prescribed under Section 27 (A) of the Tax Code." (Section 27 [B] of the Tax Code of 1997, as amended: Commissioner of Internal Revenue vs. St. Luke's Medical Center, Inc., G.R. Nos. 195909 and 195960 dated 26 September 2012) Unrelated trade, business or other activity means any trade, business or activity, the conduct of which is not substantially related to the exercise or performance by such educational institution of its primary purpose or function. (Section 27 [B], Tax Code of 1997) DaAETS From the foregoing, and since LA FINN'S SCHOLASTICA, INC. is a non-stock and non-profit educational institution as contemplated under the said provisions, it is exempt from the payment of taxes and duties on all its revenues and assets used actually, directly and exclusively for educational purposes. (BIR Ruling No. 459-13 dated December 6, 2013) However, LA FINN'S SCHOLASTICA, INC. shall be subject to internal revenue taxes on income from trade, business or other activity, the conduct of which is not related to the exercise or performance by such educational institutions of their educational purposes or functions. (Sec. 2, Finance Department Order No. 137-87, as amended by Finance Department Order No. 92-88) Likewise, LA FINN'S SCHOLASTICA, INC.'s gross receipts from operations as a non-stock, non-profit educational institution are exempt from value-added tax (VAT) pursuant to Section 109 (1) (H) of the 1997 Tax Code, as amended. However, other activities involving sale of goods and services not in connection with its primary purposes are subject to the 12% VAT imposed under Sections 106 and 108 of the Tax Code of 1997, as amended, or 3% percentage tax imposed under Section 116 in relation to Section 109 (1) (V) of the same Code if the gross sales or receipts from such sale of goods and services do not exceed One Million Nine Hundred Nineteen Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (P1,919,500.00) which tax payment may legitimately be passed on to buyers of such goods and services. (BIR Ruling No. 455-13 dated November 27, 2013) Hence, as long as LA FINN'S SCHOLASTICA, INC. will not engage in the regular conduct or pursuit of a commercial or economic activity including transactions incidental thereto, it will remain exempt from VAT. (BIR Ruling No. 438-13 dated November 21, 2013) Moreover, the tax exemption granted to it as a non-stock, non-profit corporation under Section 30 of the Tax Code of 1997 covers only income taxes for which it is directly liable. It should be noted that VAT is an indirect tax payable by the seller and not by the purchaser of goods. However, being an indirect tax, it can be shifted or passed on to the buyer/purchaser, transferee or lessee of the goods, properties or services. Once shifted to the buyer/customer as an addition to the cost of goods or services sold, it is no longer a tax but an additional cost which the buyer/customer has to pay in order to obtain the goods or services. CHEIcS Thus, the shifting of the VAT to it does not make it the person directly liable and therefore, it cannot invoke its tax exemption privilege under Section 30 of the Tax Code of 1997 to avoid the passing on or shifting of the VAT. (BIR Ruling No. 059-13 February 11, 2013) Under Department Order No. 149-95 dated November 24, 1995 amending Department Order No. 137-87, interest income from currency bank deposits and yield from deposit substitute instruments used actually, directly and exclusively in pursuance of its purpose as an educational institution, are exempt from the 20% final tax and 7 1/2% tax on interest income under the expanded foreign currency deposit system imposed under Section 27 (D) (1) of the Tax Code of 1997, subject to compliance with the conditions that as a tax-exempt educational institution it shall on an annual basis submit to the Revenue District Office concerned an annual information return and duly audited financial statement together with the following: (a) Certification from their depository banks as to the amount of interest income earned from passive investment not subject to the 20% final withholding tax and 7 1/2% tax on interest income under the expanded foreign currency deposit system imposed by Section 27 (D) (1) of the Tax Code of 1997; (b) Certification of actual utilization of the said income; and (c) Board Resolution by the school administration on proposed projects ( i.e., construction and/or improvement of school buildings and facilities, acquisition of equipment, books and the like) to be funded out of the money deposited in banks or placed in money markets, on or before the 15th day of the fourth month following the end of its taxable year (Sec. 4, Finance Department Order No. 137-87). HCEcAa Moreover, revenues derived from assets used in the operation of cafeterias/canteens and bookstores are exempt from taxation provided they are owned and operated by LA FINN'S SCHOLASTICA, INC. as ancillary activities and the same are located within its premises. In addition, gifts, donations, and other contributions received by LA FINN'S SCHOLASTICA, INC. as an educational institution, are exempt from the payment of donor's tax pursuant to Section 101 (A) (3) of the Tax Code of 1997, as amended, subject to the condition that not more than 30% of said gift shall be used for administration purposes. Donors cannot avail of full deductibility for purposes of computing taxable income under Revenue Regulations No. 13-98 without the accreditation of LA FINN'S SCHOLASTICA, INC. as a donee institution with the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC). Organizations seeking certification shall file with the PCNC Secretariat a letter of intent to apply for certification and submit the necessary documents. If the applicant NGO has met the minimum criteria for certification, the Board gives a 3-year or 5-year certification to the organization and informs this Office which then issues to said organization a certification of Donee Institution Status. LA FINN'S SCHOLASTICA, INC. is advised to contact The Secretariat, Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC),tel. nos. 782-1568, 715-9594, 715-2756 or telefax 715-2783. It must be emphasized that its tax exemption does not cover withholding taxes. As an educational institution, LA FINN'S SCHOLASTICA, INC. is constituted as withholding agent for the government required to withhold the tax on compensation income of its employees, or the withholding tax on income payments to persons subject to tax pursuant to Section 57 of the Tax Code of 1997, as amended. Moreover, LA FINN'S SCHOLASTICA, INC. is also subject to the payment of the annual registration fee of Php500.00 as prescribed in Section 236 (B) of the Tax Code of 1997, as amended. It is also required under Section 6 (C) in relation to Section 237 of the same Code to issue duly registered receipts or sales or commercial invoices for each sale or transfer of merchandise or for services rendered which are not directly related to the activities for which they are registered. (RMC No. 76-2003) EACIcH Under Section 235 of the Tax Code of 1997, as amended, any provision of existing general or special law to the contrary notwithstanding, the Revenue District Officer shall conduct an audit of annual information return filed, the books of accounts and other pertinent records of LA FINN'S SCHOLASTICA, INC. to determine compliance with the conditions set forth in the certificate of tax exemption and tax liabilities, if any. (BIR Ruling No. 548-12 dated August 31, 2012) Please note that this tax exemption ruling shall be valid for a period of three (3) years from the date of issue, unless sooner revoked or cancelled. The tax exemption ruling may be renewed upon filing of a subsequent application for Tax Exemption/Revalidation provided under Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) No. 20-2013, otherwise, the exemption shall be deemed a revocation upon the expiration of its validity period. This ruling is being issued on the basis of the foregoing facts as represented. However, if upon investigation, it will be ascertained that the facts are different, then this ruling shall be considered null and void. Very truly yours, (SGD.) KIM S. JACINTO-HENARES Commissioner Bureau of Internal Revenue