DA ITAD BIR Ruling No. 143-06

November 17, 2006 DA ITAD BIR RULING NO. 143-06 Sec 106 & 108 of the National Internal Revenue Code 1997; Article 34, Vienna Convention; BIR Ruling No. ITAD-156-02 Delegation of European Commission in the Philippines 7th Floor, Salustiana D. Ty Tower 104 Paseo de Roxas Legaspi Village Makati City Attention: Mr. Gabriel Munuera Vinals First Secretary and Head of Political/Economic/Trade/Public Affairs Section Gentlemen : This has reference to your Note No. 06-180 dated October 6, 2006 referred to this Office by the Department of Finance and the Department of Foreign Affairs, Office of Protocol, requesting for the exemption from payment value-added tax (VAT) on the local purchase of one (1) unit motor vehicle for the personal use of Mr. Gabriel Munuera Vinals, First Secretary and Head of Political/Economic/Trade/Public Affairs Section of the Delegation of the European Commission, specifically described as follows: Make: Hyundai Santa Fe 4X2 CRDI 2WD 2.2L A/T Model Year: 2006 Color: Platinum Silver Engine Number: D4EB6950742 Frame Number: KMHSH81WP6U086497 In reply, please be informed that pursuant to Article 34 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, pertinent portion of which 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 goods or services: aSAHCE "xxx xxx xxx" Thus, the tax exemption privilege of an Embassy and its diplomatic agents does not include exemption from the 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 value-added tax prescribed under Sections 106 and 108, both of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997. However, applying the principle of reciprocity, this Office may grant exemption to Mr. Gabriel Munuera Vinals, a Spanish national, and whose Embassy in the Philippines is included in the updated list of diplomatic missions entitled to VAT exemption on the purchase of locally-assembled motor vehicles, on the basis of reciprocity, as confirmed by the Office of Protocol of the DFA in its letter dated October 18, 2005, that his Government allows similar exemption to Philippine Embassy personnel on their purchases of goods and services in his country. Hence, the herein request for VAT exemption on the local purchase of one (1) unit of 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe 4X2 CRDI 2WD 2.2L A/T, for the personal use of Mr. Gabriel Munuera Vinals, First Secretary and Head of Political/Economic/Trade/Public Affairs Section of the Delegation of the European Commission in the Philippines, is hereby granted. (BIR Ruling No. ITAD-156-02 dated September 10, 2002) 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, (SGD.) JAMES H. ROLDAN Assistant Commissioner Legal Service