BIR Ruling No. 342-12

May 15, 2012 BIR RULING NO. 342-12 Section 30 (E) of the Tax Code of 1997; BIR Ruling No. 244-11; BIR Ruling No. 286-11; BIR Ruling No. 220-11 Shepherd's Voice Radio and Television Foundation, Inc. 60 Chicago Street Cubao, Quezon City 1109 Attention: Herminio R. Morelos President Gentlemen : This refers to your letter dated August 7, 2007 , requesting on behalf of SHEPHERD'S VOICE RADIO AND TELEVISION FOUNDATION, INC. for the issuance of a certificate of tax exemption enjoyed by non-stock corporation or association organized and operated exclusively for religious purposes under Section 30 (E) of the Tax Code of 1997, as amended. It is represented that SHEPHERD'S VOICE RADIO AND TELEVISION FOUNDATION, INC. with Taxpayer's Identification No. 239-263-664, is a non-stock, non-profit corporation duly organized under the laws of the Philippines; that it is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under Registration No. CN200511823; and that the purposes for which it was incorporated are the following: 1) To produce inspirational television program that will bring people to a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ; and to his/her fellowmen as well; 2) To contract or make arrangements with local or foreign television network companies and other similar network at the least cost, on the most advantageous terms, but for high quality service to the company, including sub-contracting jobs if necessary; 3) To produce Radio program that will help people become closer to our Lord Jesus Christ; 4) To build text and SMS network with other companies for Kerygma TV as a means of fundraising for the Foundation; 5) To produce internet shows that will help the viewers to become better person; 6) To produce internet shows in the web for members and non-members of the www.kervmaramiiv.com website and for www.preacherinbluejeans.com; 7) To develop other internet shows for the youth and kids to help them cope up with the changing environment. In support of its request, SHEPHERD'S VOICE RADIO AND TELEVISION FOUNDATION, INC. has completely submitted on December 6, 2011 the following documents: 1) Letter application for tax exemption; 2) Certified true copy of the Certificate of Registration with the SEC; 3) Certified true copy of the Articles of Incorporation which includes the following provisions: 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 (E) of the Tax Code of 1997, as amended; c. That no part of the net income shall inure to the benefit of any its members; d. That the trustees do not receive any compensation; and e. In case of dissolution, assets of the corporation shall be transferred to similar institution or to the government. 4) Certified true copy of the By-Laws; 5) Certified true copy of the Annual Information Return and Financial Statements for the last three (3) years of operation; 6) Certification under oath that there has not been any change in the By-Laws, Articles of Incorporation, manner of activities as well as the sources and disposition of income; 7) BIR Certificate of Registration. In reply, please be informed as follows: Income Tax Section 30 (E) 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 (E) Non-stock corporation or association organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, athletic, or cultural purposes, or for the rehabilitation of veterans, no part of its net income or asset shall belong to or inure to the benefit of any member, organizer, officer or any specific person; . . ." Under the above-quoted provision, a non-stock corporation or association organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, athletic, or cultural purposes, or for the rehabilitation of veterans, no part of its net income or asset shall belong to or inure to the benefit of any member, organizer, officer or any specific person is exempt from income taxation. (BIR Ruling No. 286-11 dated August 12, 2011) SHEPHERD'S VOICE RADIO AND TELEVISION FOUNDATION, INC. falls within the purview of an association contemplated under the above cited provision. Accordingly, it is exempt from the payment of income tax on income received by it as such organization. However, it is subject to the corresponding internal revenue taxes imposed under the National Internal Revenue Code on its income derived from any of its properties, real or personal, or any activity conducted for profit regardless of disposition thereof, which income should be returned for taxation. Likewise, interest income from currency bank deposits and yield or any other monetary benefit from deposit substitute instruments and from trust funds and similar arrangements, and royalties derived from sources within the Philippines are subject to the 20% final withholding tax: Provided, however, that interest income derived by it from a depository bank under the expanded foreign currency deposit system shall be subject to 7 1/2% final withholding tax pursuant to Section 27 (D) (1) in relation to Section 57 (A), both of the Tax Code of 1997. (BIR Ruling No. 244-11 dated July 26, 2011) Moreover, it is required to file on or before the 15th day of the fourth month following the end of the accounting period a Profit and Loss Statement and Balance Sheet with the Annual Information Return under oath, stating its gross income and expenses incurred during the preceding period and a certificate showing that there has not been any change in its By-laws, Articles of Incorporation, manner of operation and activities as well as sources and disposition of income. (BIR Ruling No. 220-11 dated July 7, 2011) It is requested that a copy of this letter of exemption be attached to the aforementioned Annual Information Return. It should be understood that the said exempt corporation/association shall be constituted as withholding agent for the government if it acts as an employer and its employees receive compensation income subject to the withholding tax under Section 79 (A), Chapter XIII, Title II of the Tax Code of 1997, as implemented by Revenue Regulations No. 2-98, as amended, or if it makes income payments to individuals or corporations subject to the withholding tax pursuant to Section 57 of the Tax Code of 1997, also as implemented by Revenue Regulations No. 2-98, as amended. (BIR Ruling No. 286-11 dated August 12, 2011) Under Section 235 of the Tax Code of 1997, any provision of existing general and special law to the contrary notwithstanding, the books of accounts and other pertinent records of tax-exempt organizations or grantees of tax incentives shall be subject to examination by the BIR for purposes of ascertaining compliance with the conditions under which it has been granted tax exemptions or tax incentives, and its tax liabilities, if any. Finally, it is 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 the Association is registered [Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 76-2003]. Value-Added Tax 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. Section 105 of the Tax Code of 1997 provides that any person who, in the course of trade or business, sells, barters, exchanges, leases goods or properties, renders services, and any person who imports goods shall be subject to the value-added tax (VAT) imposed in Sections 106 to 108 of the same Code. The phrase "in the course of trade or business" means the regular conduct or pursuit of a commercial or an economic activity, including transactions incidental thereto, by any person regardless of whether or not the person engaged therein is a non-stock, non-profit private organization (irrespective of the disposition of its net income and whether or not it sells exclusively to members or their guests), or government entity. Accordingly, if SHEPHERD'S VOICE RADIO AND TELEVISION FOUNDATION, INC. is engaged in the sale of goods or services in the course of a business pursuit, including transactions incidental thereto, in general, it shall be liable for VAT. (BIR Ruling No. 244-11 dated July 26, 2011) Notwithstanding that it is a non-stock, non-profit corporation, its purchase of goods or properties or services and importation of goods shall nevertheless be subject to the 12% VAT pursuant to Section 107 of the said Code (BIR Ruling No. 244-11 dated July 26, 2011) 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. 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. Revenue from contributions and donations, not being derived from sale of services or sale of goods made in the course of business but rather in connection with its non-stock, non-profit activities, is exempt from the 12% VAT. Donor's Tax In as much as SHEPHERD'S VOICE RADIO AND TELEVISION FOUNDATION, INC. is a religious organization, donations to it 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 thirty percent (30%) of said gift shall be used for administration purposes. (BIR Ruling No. 220-11 dated July 7, 2011) Deductibility of Donation Section 34 (H) (1) of the Tax Code of 1997, as amended, provides that for contributions or gifts actually paid or made within the taxable year to, or for the use of corporations or associations organized and operated exclusively, among others, for religious purposes, their donors shall be entitled to the limited deductions in an amount not in excess of 10% in the case of an individual and 5% in the case of a corporation. This ruling is being issued on the basis of the foregoing facts as represented. However, if upon investigation, it will be disclosed that the facts are different, then this ruling shall be considered null and void. Very truly yours, (SGD.) KIM S. JACINTO-HENARES Commissioner of Internal Revenue