Philippines May Exempt Humanitarian Relief from VAT

27 April, 2014

Bill 4054 in the Philippines would provide for a VAT exemption for medical and educational goods that are imported into the country as a result of donations from abroad, and would also introduce a similar VAT exemption for goods donated from abroad

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Treaty between Iraq and Philippines authorization for signature by Iraq

25 April, 2014

On 22 April 2014, Iraq authorized the Minister of Finance to commence negotiations for the conclusion of a double tax treaty with the

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Philippines Legislates To Cut Back Income Tax Relief

27 March, 2014

In the Philippines there is some concern in the Department of Finance (DOF) that tax relief is being granted to applicants without sufficient consideration of their entitlement. The Department is therefore keen for legislation to be passed to

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Philippines achieves Higher Tax Ratio In 2013

23 March, 2014

The fiscal deficit in the Philippines decreased in 2013 as there was a rise in the tax to GDP ratio in that year. The ratio of tax to GDP increased by 0.4 percent as compared to the previous year and reached a ratio of

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Philippines improves tax collection from large businesses

16 March, 2014

The Large Taxpayers Service (LTS) of the Philippines' Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has begun the 2014 tax season by praising corporate taxpayers for their contribution to the growth in collected revenue. In 2013 the LTS improved its 2013 revenue

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Treaty between Philippines and Nigeria

09 March, 2014

The 1997 double taxation treaty between the Philippines and Nigeria entered into force on 18 August 2013 and applies as from 1 January 2014. A 12.5% maximum withholding tax applies to dividends paid to a company (other than a partnership) that holds

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Treaty between Philippines and Kuwait

09 March, 2014

The 2009 double taxation treaty between the Philippines and Kuwait entered into force on 22 April 2013 and applies as from 1 January 2014. A 10% maximum withholding tax applies to dividends paid to a company (other than a partnership) that holds

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Philippines: Congress to prioritize bill raising tax exemption cap on 13th-month pay

09 March, 2014

Despite objection from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Congress will prioritize the passage of the bill raising the tax exemption cap on 13th-month pay, Christmas bonus and other work benefits. Congress leaders have agreed to give "urgent

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Philippines: Importers Require Tax Authority Accreditation

23 February, 2014

The Philippines' Department of Finance has issued a department order requiring all importers to be accredited by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) before they can obtain an import permit from the Bureau of Customs (BOC). This measures aims to

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Philippines Business Requests Elimination of Aviation Fuel Tax

19 February, 2014

The Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFC) have requested that the Government cuts the excise tax on aviation fuel for international carriers, after a Supreme Court (SC) decision to cancel refunds had effectively imposed higher taxation. In

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Philippines: Stock Exchange Presses For Tax Reform on REITs

18 February, 2014

The Philippines Stock Exchanges (PSE) will attempt to persuade the Government to loosen up regulations, most importantly the tax rules that apply to real-estate investment trusts. The tax rules in relation to real-estate investment trusts (REITs)

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Philippine: Welcome ejection from Italian ‘Black List’

11 December, 2013

The Philippines Government has signed a double taxation agreement (DTA) with Italy to taken off the “black list” of countries that Italy evaluates to be tax havens on 9 December  2013. On December 5, 1980 DTA originally signed between

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Philippines: Tax Exemptions for Haiyan Relief Goods

10 December, 2013

The Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue of Philippines has ensured that foreign donations and relief goods arriving for the victims of the Haiyan super typhoon in the Philippines will not be taxed, if their arrival is correlated with

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Signing of Protocol to DTA between Philippines and Italy

10 December, 2013

The Government of the Philippines confirmed on December 9, 2013 regarding the signing of a Protocol to the double taxation agreement (DTA) with

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Philippine: Collect taxes from online sellers

01 September, 2013

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) of Philippines’ has released a memorandum, which is ensure that it will start accumulate taxes from individuals and businesses for selling products online. This measure is already permitted under the tax law

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Philippines: New regulation on tax deduction in the event of failure to withhold tax

28 July, 2013

The Philippines issued Revenue Regulation 12-2013 (Rev. Reg. 12-2013) on 13 July 2013. Rev. Reg. 12-2013 is applicable to payments made to both domestic and foreign beneficiary and it will effective from 28 July 2013 for payments that are related

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Income Tax Treaty between Philippines and Thailand

25 July, 2013

The governments of Philippines and Thailand signed a new Income Tax Treaty on 21 June 2013. After completing necessary ratification procedures by both countries the treaty will enter into force. After entering into force and becoming effective, the

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Philippines: New Transfer Pricing Regulations

24 February, 2013

The Philippines’ Secretary of Finance issued Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 02-2013 – the transfer pricing regulations – on 23 January 2013, which became effective from 9 February 2013. The new regulations provide guidance in applying the

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