BIR Ruling No. 416-12

June 25, 2012 BIR RULING NO. 416-12 Section 32 (B) (6) (b) of the Tax Code, as amended; BIR Ruling No. 199-11; BIR Ruling No. 084-10; BIR Ruling No. 131-10; BIR Ruling No. 021-10 Elro de los Reyes 1045 M.J. Cuenco Avenue Mabolo, Cebu City Sir : This refers to your letter dated February 17, 2012 duly indorsed by Revenue Region No. 13-Cebu City, requesting for ruling that the separation benefits and other benefits as a result of redundancy are exempt from income tax and consequently from withholding tax. It is represented that you are a former employee of Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc.; that you were released from your employment on December 31, 2011; and that the main reason for your retrenchment is redundancy/restructuring program in the company. In reply, please be informed that pursuant to Section 32 (B) (6) (b) of the Tax Code of 1997, as amended, any amount received by an official or employee or by his heirs from the employer as a consequence of separation of such official or employee from the service of the employer due to death, sickness or other physical disability or for any cause beyond the control of the said official or employee shall not be included in the gross income and shall be exempt from taxation under Title II of the same Code. (BIR Ruling No. 084-10 dated October 6, 2010) THaDEA The above-mentioned law requires the presence of two (2) conditions in order that the employee benefits may be granted tax exemption, namely (1) the employee is separated from the service of the employer due to death, sickness or other physical disability or for any cause beyond the control of the said official or employee, and (2) the employer pays benefits to the official or employee or his heirs as a consequence of such separation. (BIR Ruling No. 131-10 dated December 1, 2010) Accordingly, the separation pay to be received by the employees deemed as occupying redundant positions as a result of their separation from the service are exempt from income tax and consequently from the withholding tax prescribed by Section 79, Chapter XIII, Title II of the Tax Code of 1997, as implemented by Revenue Regulations No. 2-98, as amended. (BIR Ruling No. 021-10 dated July 30, 2010) Moreover, pursuant to Section 2.78.1 (A) (7) of RR 2-98, as amended, the terminal pay, i.e., commutation and payment of monetized unused vacation leave credits not exceeding ten (10) days during the year are not subject to income tax and consequently to the withholding tax. Conversely, the cash equivalent of vacation leave exceeding ten (10) days is subject to tax. However, this same principle cannot apply to SICK leave credits since an employee must actually go on sick leave to be able to avail of said leave credits. (BIR Ruling No. 199-2011 dated June 29, 2011) It is, however, understood that this exemption does not include the payment of the separated employees' salaries and the payment of the 13th month pay and other benefits in excess of the Php30,000.00 threshold under Section 2.78.1 (A) (3) (a) and (A) (7) of RR 2-98, as amended. (BIR Ruling No. 199-2011 dated June 29, 2011) 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. EADSIa Very truly yours, (SGD.) KIM S. JACINTO-HENARES Commissioner of Internal Revenue