BIR Ruling No. 485-11

December 5, 2011 BIR RULING NO. 485-11 Section 30 (G) of the Tax Code of 1997; BIR Ruling No. 140-11; BIR Ruling No. 108-11; BIR Ruling No. 080-11; BIR Ruling No. 060-11; BIR Ruling No. 052-11 Natasha Goulbourn Foundation, Inc. Suite 209, LRI Design Plaza 210 Nicanor Garcia St. Makati City Attention: Ms. Jean M. Goulbourn President Gentlemen : This refers to your letter dated December 22, 2010 requesting for the issuance of a certificate of tax exemption enjoyed by non-stock corporation or association organized and operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare under Section 30 (G) of the Tax Code of 1997, as amended. It is represented that Natasha Goulbourn Foundation, Inc. (NGFI) with Taxpayer's Identification No. 006-741-987-000, 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 Company Registration No. CN200708567 and that the purpose for which such foundation was incorporated is to organize, engage in, promote, develop, undertake and finance an association to provide training, information, support, counseling and holistic welfare services to individuals affected by depression and substance abuse. To the end of the foregoing, the Foundation shall engage and support activities such as, but not limited to the following: 1. To increase public awareness of the importance and societal impact of mental health; 2. To champion the elimination of stigmas for those seeking mental health services; 3. To promote increased, affordable access to quality mental health care for all in need; AacCHD 4. To promote an integrative approach in mental health medical practice so that the best modalities of mainstream medicine and proven alternative natural therapies may be applied as warranted in the prevention and treatment of mental health disorders without any intolerance from either system; 5. To promote healthy growing strategies for everyone, in family caregivers, health providers and others devoted to the overall mental health of the community; 6. Undertaking, pursuing and/or promoting projects which will aid, assist or support the aims of the center; 7. Acquiring, purchasing, owning, holding, operating, developing, investing, leasing, mortgaging, pledging, exchanging, selling, transferring, or otherwise and in any manner permitted by law, properties or interests in properties, real or personal, of every kind and description, or acquiring and receiving such properties by donation, contribution, gifts, bequests, or legacies from members and non-members, as may be necessary or conducive to achieving the Foundation's purposes. 8. Raising monies for the Foundation's project and from time to time, without limit as to the amount, draw, make, accept, endorse, guarantee, execute and issue slips, notes, bills of exchange, promissory notes, drafts, warrants and other negotiable instruments and evidences of indebtedness, and to secure the payment thereof and of the interest thereon by mortgage or pledge, conveyance or assignment in trust of, on whole or part of its assets, whether real or personal, mixed, including contract rights, whether at the time owned or thereafter acquired; and to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of its assets, securities or obligations for its purposes. 9. Carrying on any activity and having and exercising all of the powers expressly conferred upon it under the Corporation Code and other applicable laws of the Republic of the Philippines or as may reasonably necessary or proper for or incidental to the realization of its purposes; In support of its request, NGFI has completely submitted on February 28, 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 of its members; d. No member of the Board of Trustees shall receive any compensation; and cAHIaE 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) BIR Certificate of Registration; 7) Certificate of non-forum shopping; and 8) Other pertinent documents. In reply, please be informed as follows: Income Tax Section 30 (G) 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 (G) Civic league or organization not organized for profit but operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare; . . . ." NGFI 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 the disposition thereof, which income should be returned for taxation. (BIR Ruling No. 140-11 dated April 29, 2011) Likewise, interest income from currency bank deposits and yield or any other monetary benefits 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. 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. 108-11 dated April 7, 2011) It is requested that a copy of this letter of exemption be attached to the aforementioned Annual Information Return. EcaDCI It should be understood that the said exempt organization shall be constituted as withholding agent of 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 (Rev. Regs.) No. 2-98, as amended, or if it makes income payments to individuals or corporations subject to the expanded withholding tax provided for in Section 57 (B) of the Tax Code of 1997, also as implemented by Rev. Regs. No. 2-98, as amended. (BIR Ruling No. 080-2011 dated March 5, 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 P500.00 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] EDcIAC Value-Added Tax Moreover, the tax exemption granted to it as a civic league/organization not organized for profit but operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare 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 NGFI 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. 060-2011 dated March 4, 2011) Notwithstanding that it is not organized for profit but operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare, 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. 052-2011 dated February 25, 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 operation for the promotion of social welfare, is exempt from the 12% VAT. Donor's Tax In as much as NGFI is a social welfare institution, donations to it are exempt from the payment of donor's tax pursuant to Section 101 (A) (3) of the Tax Code of 1997, subject to the condition that not more than thirty percent (30%) of said gift shall be used for administration purposes. TSEcAD Deductibility of Donation Section 3 of Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 13-98 provides: "SECTION 3. Donations to Accredited Non-stock, Non-profit Corporations/NGOs. Donations to accredited non-stock, non-profit corporations/NGOs shall be entitled to the following benefits: (1) Limited Deductibility. Donations, contributions or gifts actually paid or made within the taxable year to accredited non-stock, non-profit corporations shall be allowed limited deductibility in an amount not in excess of ten percent (10%) for an individual donor, and five percent (5%) for a corporate donor, of the donor's income derived from trade, business or profession as computed without the benefit of this deduction. (2) Full Deductibility. Donations, contributions or gifts actually paid or made within the taxable year to accredited NGOs shall be allowed full deductibility, subject to the following conditions: (i) The accredited NGO shall make utilization directly for the active conduct of the activities constituting the purpose or function for which it is organized and operated, not later than the fifteenth (15th) day of the third month after the close of the accredited NGOs taxable year in which contributions are received, unless an extended period is granted by the Secretary of Finance, upon recommendation of the Commissioner; DcAEIS For this purpose, the term "utilization" shall have the meaning as defined under Sec. 1 c) of these Regulations. (ii) The level of administrative expenses of the accredited NGO, shall, on an annual basis, not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the total expenses for the taxable year; (iii) In the event of dissolution, the assets of the accredited NGO, would be distributed to another accredited NGO organized for similar purpose or purposes, or to the State for public purpose, or purposes, or would be distributed by a competent court of justice to another accredited NGO to be used in such manner as in the judgment of said court shall best accomplish the general purpose for which the dissolved organization was organized. (iv) The amount of any charitable contribution of property other than money shall be based on the acquisition cost of said property. (v) All the members of the Board of Trustees of the non-stock, non-profit corporation, organization or NGO do not receive compensation or remuneration for their service to the aforementioned organization." Furthermore, Section 1 (a) of RR No. 13-98 provides that: "a) "Non-stock, non-profit corporation or organization" shall refer to a corporation or association/organization referred to under Section 30 (E) and (G) of the Tax Code created or organized under Philippine laws exclusively for one or more of the following purposes: (i) religious; (ii) charitable; (iii) scientific; (iv) athletic; (v) cultural; (vi) rehabilitation of veterans; and (vii) social welfare no part of the net income or asset of which shall belong to or inure to the benefit of any member, organizer, officer or any specific person. b) "Non-government Organization (NGO)" shall refer to a non-stock, non-profit domestic corporation or organization as defined under Section 34 (H)(2)(c) of the Tax Code organized and operated exclusively for scientific, research, educational, character-building and youth and sports development, health, social welfare, cultural or charitable purposes, or a combination thereof, no part of the net income of which inures to the benefit of any private individual." Foregoing considered, donors can avail of the full deductibility only for donations, contributions or gifts actually paid or made within the taxable year to accredited NGOs. Accordingly, for purposes of full deductibility from the taxable business income of its donor, NGFI must first be accredited with the Philippine Council for NGO Certification, Inc. (PCNC) which has been duly designated by the Secretary of Finance as the Accrediting Entity pursuant to Memorandum of Agreement dated January 29, 1998 executed by and between the Secretary of Finance and PCNC's Interim Chairman. aHTcDA For further inquiries on the accreditation and certification process, please visit PCNC at 6/F, SCC Building, CFA-MA Compound, 4427 Interior Old Sta. Mesa, 1016 Manila or call their office at 715-9594, 715-2756, 782-1568 and 715-2783 (telefax). You may also visit their website: http://www.pcnc.com.ph or email them at [emailprotected]. 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