ITAD BIR Ruling No. 174-15

June 2, 2015 ITAD BIR RULING NO. 174-15 Article 10, Philippines-Japan tax treaty, as amended International Wiring Systems (Phils.) Corporation Luisita Industrial Park Special Export Processing Zone San Miguel, Tarlac City Attention: Mr. Robert S. Balatbat Accounting Manager Gentlemen : This refers to your tax treaty relief application filed on July 28, 2014, requesting confirmation that dividend paid to Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. (" Sumitomo ") by International Wiring Systems (Philippines) Corporation (" International Wiring ") is subject to a preferential tax rate of 10 percent pursuant to the Convention between the Republic of the Philippines and Japan for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income (" Philippines-Japan tax treaty "), as amended by a Protocol 1 effective January 1, 2009. It is represented that Sumitomo is a non-resident foreign corporation organized and existing under the laws of Japan and a resident thereof based on the Certificate of Residence issued by Yokkaichi Tax Office on July 17, 2014; that Sumitomo is not registered as corporation or partnership in the Philippines based on the Certification of Non-Registration of Company issued by Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on November 22, 2013; and that, on the other hand, International Wiring is a domestic corporation organized and existing under the laws of the Philippines and registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA). It is further represented that on July 11, 2014, the Board of Directors of International Wiring , in its annual meeting, declared cash dividends amounting to US$3,379,090.00 in favor of the stockholders of record according to their capital contribution and paid on August 22, 2014; that Sumitomo is the legal and beneficial owner of 37,416,000 common shares constituting 80 percent of the entire stockholdings of International Wiring , which were acquired on various dates from 1991 to 2012. It is finally represented that the dividend subject of the above application is not under investigation, on-going audit, administrative protest, claim for refund or issuance of a tax credit certificate, collection proceedings, or judicial appeal, based on the Certification issued by the President of International Wiring on August 21, 2014. In reply, please be informed that Section 28 (B) (1) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 (" Tax Code "), as amended, provides that dividend paid to Sumitomo , being foreign corporation not engaged in trade or business in the Philippines, is subject to income tax at the rate of 30 percent, thus: "Section 28. Rates of Income Tax on Foreign Corporations . xxx xxx xxx (B) Tax on Nonresident Foreign Corporation . (1) In General . Except as otherwise provided in this Code, a foreign corporation not engaged in trade or business in the Philippines shall pay a tax equal to thirty-five percent (35%) of the gross income received during each taxable year from all sources within the Philippines, such as interests, dividends, rents, royalties, salaries, premiums (except reinsurance premiums), annuities, emoluments or other fixed or determinable annual, periodic or casual gains, profits and income, and capital gains, except capital gains subject to tax under subparagraph 5(c): Provided, That effective January 1, 2009, the rate of income tax shall be thirty percent (30%). xxx xxx xxx" However, Section 32 (B) (5) of the Code provides that such dividend may be exempt from income tax or subject to a reduced rate to the extent required by any treaty obligation on the Philippines, thus: "Section 32. Gross Income . xxx xxx xxx (B) Exclusions from Gross Income . The following items shall not be included in gross income and shall be exempt from taxation under this Title: xxx xxx xxx (5) Income Exempt under Treaty . Income of any kind, to the extent required by any treaty obligation binding upon the Government of the Philippines. xxx xxx xxx" With respect to a tax treaty, you invoke the Philippines-Japan tax treaty, as amended. Paragraphs 1, 2, and 3, Article 10 thereof provide: " Article 10 1. Dividends paid by a company which is a resident of a Contracting State to a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other Contracting State. 2. However, such dividends may also be taxed in the Contracting State of which the company paying the dividends is a resident, and according to the laws of that Contracting State, but if the recipient is the beneficial owner of the dividends the tax so charged shall not exceed: a) 10 per cent of the gross amount of the dividends if the beneficial owner is a company which holds directly at least 10 per cent either of the voting shares of the company paying the dividends or of the total shares issued by that company during the period of six months immediately preceding the date of payment of the dividends; b) 15 per cent of the gross amount of the dividends in all other cases. The provisions of this paragraph shall not affect the taxation of the company in respect of the profits out of which the dividends are paid. 3. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 2, the amount of tax imposed by the Philippines on the dividends paid by a company, being a resident of the Philippines, registered with the Board of Investments and engaged in preferred pioneer areas of investment under the investment incentives laws of the Philippines to a resident of Japan, who is the beneficial owner of the dividends, shall not exceed 10 per cent of the gross amount of the dividends. xxx xxx xxx" Based on the aforequoted provisions, dividends arising in the Philippines paid to residents of Japan may be taxed in the Philippines at a rate not to exceed: (a) 10 percent of the gross amount of dividends if the company recipient of the dividends holds directly at least 10 percent of the voting shares or the total shares of the company paying the dividends during the period of six months immediately preceding the date of payment of the dividends; (b) 10 percent of the gross amount of the dividends if the domestic company paying the dividends is registered with the Board of Investments and engaged in preferred areas of activities under the investment incentives laws of the Philippines; and (c) 15 percent of the gross amount of the dividends in all other cases. Accordingly, considering that Sumitomo holds directly 80 percent of the total shares of stock of International Wiring during the period of six months immediately preceding the date of payment of the dividend which is not later than August 22, 2014, such dividend paid by International Wiring to Sumitomo is subject to income tax at the preferential rate of 10 percent of the gross amount thereof , pursuant to paragraph 2(a), Article 10 of the Philippines-Japan tax treaty, as amended. 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.) KIM S. JACINTO-HENARES Commissioner of Internal Revenue Footnotes 1. Protocol Amending the Convention between the Republic of the Philippines and Japan for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income.