DA ITAD BIR Ruling No. 102-09

November 20, 2009 DA ITAD BIR RULING NO. 102-09 Sec. 106 of the NIRC of 1997; Article 34, Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations; BIR Ruling No. DA-ITAD-038-09 Embassy of Australia 23rd Floor, Yuchengco Tower, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Ave. cor. Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City Gentlemen : This has reference to your Note No. 335/09 dated October 8, 2009 referred to this Office by the Department of Finance and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), requesting for the exemption from payment of value-added tax (VAT) on the local purchase of a motor vehicle for the official use of the Embassy of Australia specifically described as follows: Type of Use: Official Make: Mitsubishi Montero Sport GLS SE Model Year: 2009 Color: Savanah White Frame Number: MMBGRKH809F012625 Engine Number: 4M41UCAS7659 In reply, please be informed that Article 34 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations reads: "ARTICLE 34 A diplomatic agent shall be exempt from all dues and taxes, personal or real, national, regional or municipal, except : (a) indirect taxes of a kind which are normally incorporated in the price of the goods and services; xxx xxx xxx." (Emphasis supplied) Thus, the tax exemption privilege of an Embassy and its diplomatic agents does not include exemption from VAT on its local purchases of goods and services. In other words, purchases by that Embassy of goods and/or services shall, in general, be subject to the VAT prescribed under Sections 106 and 108 both of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended (NIRC of 1997). HDIATS However, applying the principle of reciprocity, this Office may confirm the VAT exemption of the Embassy of Australia and/or its personnel on their local purchase of motor vehicles it appearing from the list submitted by the DFA dated February 10, 2009 that the Government of Australia allows similar exemption to the Philippine Embassy and/or its personnel on their local purchases of motor vehicles thereat. Hence, the local purchase of one (1) unit of 2009 Mitsubishi Montero Sports GLS SE for the official use of the Embassy of Australia is exempt from VAT. (BIR Ruling No. DA-ITAD-038-09 dated March 18, 2009) This ruling is issued on the basis of the facts as represented. However, if upon investigation it shall be disclosed that the actual facts are different, then this ruling shall be without force and effect insofar as the herein parties are concerned. Very truly yours, Commissioner of Internal Revenue By: (SGD.) JAMES H. ROLDAN Assistant Commissioner Legal Service