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IT 21 - General Principles of Taxation
IT 21 - General Principles of Taxation
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b. Deduction for capital expenditure and
prepayments is not allowed as it Inherent limitations: PENTI
effectively defers the collection of a. Public purpose – this is the purpose affecting the
inhabitants of the state as a community and not merely
income tax.
as individuals. It cannot be exercised to further any
c. A lower amount of deduction is private interest.
preferred when a claimable expense is The best test of rightful taxation is that
subject to limit. the proceeds of the tax must be used:
d. A higher tax base is preferred when the a. For the support of government
tax object has a multiple tax bases. b. For any of the recognized objects of
government
Purpose of taxation: c. To promote welfare of the
a. The principal (primary) purpose is to raise revenue for community.
governmental needs. This is also called revenue or
fiscal purpose. b. Exemption of the Government- government
b. The secondary purpose of taxation are: agencies performing essential governmental functions
1. Compensatory purpose are exempt from tax unless expressly taxed, while
a. To reduce excessive inequalities of wealth. those performing proprietary functions are subject to
b. To maintain high level of employment. tax unless expressly exempted. However, the
c. To control inflation. government normally does not tax itself as this will not
2. Sumptuary or regulatory purpose raise additional funds but will only impute additional
a. To implement the police power of the state to costs.
promote general welfare. Government agencies operated for profit
shall be taxed in the same manner as
Basic principles of a sound tax system (Canons of Taxation): private business enterprise.
FAT
a. Fiscal adequacy- this means that the sources of c. Non-delegation of the power to tax – the power to
revenue should be sufficient to meet the demands for tax is purely legislative, and cannot be delegated by
public expenditures. the legislature to executive or judicial department of
b. Administrative feasibility- this means that the laws the government. The power of the lawmaking,
should be capable of convenient, just and effective including taxation, is delegated by the people to the
administration. legislature. So as not topsoil the purpose of delegation,
c. Theoretical justice- this means that the tax burden it is held that what has been delegated cannot be
should be proportionate to the taxpayer’s ability to further delegated.
pay. The limitation arises from the doctrine of
separation of powers among the three
Characteristics or nature of the State’s power to tax: branches of the government.
a. It is inherent in sovereignty, hence it may be exercised The following are exceptions to the rules
although not, expressly granted by the constitution. against the delegation of taxing power:
b. It is legislative in character, hence, only the legislature a. Delegation of the President to
can impose taxes ( high prerogative of sovereignty) fix, within specified limits,
c. It is subject to constitutional and inherent limitations, tariff rates, import or export
hence, it is not an absolute power that can be exercised quotas, tonnage and wharfage
by the legislature anyway it pleases. dues and other duties or
imports.
Scope of the Power of Taxes: CPUS b. Delegation to local
The power of taxation is comprehensive, plenary, unlimited and governments the power to
supreme. This power is, however, subject to inherent and create its own sources of
constitutional limitations revenues and to levy taxes,
subject to such limitations as
Matters within the competence of the legislature to may be provided by law.
determine: c. Delegation to administrative
a. The subject matter or object to be taxed. agencies certain aspects of
b. The purpose of the tax so long as it is a public purpose. taxing process that are not
c. The amount or rate of the tax. legislative, such as:
d. Kind of tax to be imposed 1. The power to fix value
e. The manner, means and agencies of collection of the of property for
tax. purposes of taxation
f. The exemptions from the imposition. pursuant to fixed
g. Methods of collection rules.
2. The power to assess
Process included or embodied in the term taxation: and collect taxes.
a. Levying or imposition of tax which is a legislative act. 3. The power to perform
b. Collection of tax levied which is essentially any of the
administrative in character. innumerable details of
computation
LIMITATIONS ON POWER OF TAXATION appraisement, and
Distinction between inherent and constitutional limitations: adjustments, and the
a. Inherent limitations are those which caused by the delegation of such
very nature of the power itself. duties.
b. Constitutional limitations are those which are
expressly found in the Constitution or implied from its d. Territoriality – Public services are normally provided
provisions. within the boundaries of the state. Thus, tax can be
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imposed only within the territories of the state. There The tax laws (and this is true to all laws)
is no basis in taxing foreign subjects abroad since they do not operate beyond a country’s
do not derive benefits from our government. territorial limits.
Furthermore, extraterritorial taxation will amount to
encroachment of foreign sovereignty. Meaning of situs of taxation –situs of taxation
EXCEPTION: Resident Citizen and literally means place of taxation.
Domestic Corporation are taxable on income Basic rule on situs- situs is the State which has
derived within and outside the Philippines. jurisdiction or which exercise dominion over the
Residents or citizens such subject in question. Situs rules serve as frames of
as resident citizens, non-resident citizens and reference in gauging whether the tax object is within
resident aliens or outside the tax jurisdiction of the taxing authority.
are taxable on transfers of properties located
within and outside the Philippines.
Situs of Taxation
SUBJECT SITUS
Poll tax on persons Residence of the Person
Real property tax State where the property is located, whether the owner is
resident or not
Tax on tangible personal properties State where it is physically located, although the owner
resides in another jurisdiction
Tax on intangible personal property Domicile of the owner
Business, occupation and transaction tax Place where the business is done, or the occupation is
engaged in, or the transaction took place.
Gratuitous transfer of property State where the transferor is/was a citizen or resident, or
where the property is located.
Multiplicity of situs – income or intangible personal properties may be subject to taxation in several taxing jurisdiction.
CONSTITUTUINAL LIMITATIONS:
1. Due Process of Law. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law nor shall any person be
denied the equal protection of law.
a. Any deprivation of life, liberty, or property is with due process if it is done:
a. Under authority of law that is valid or of the Constitution itself; and
b. After compliance with fair and reasonable methods of procedure prescribed by law.
b. Procedural due process in judicial proceedings requires “opportunity to be heard before judgment is rendered affecting
one’s person or property.
c. Due process in taxation requires:
a. Tax must be for public purpose
b. Imposed within the territorial jurisdiction.
c. No arbitrariness or oppression in assessment and collection.
d. All persons subject to legislation shall be treated alike under circumstances and conditions both in privileges conferred
and liabilities imposed.
e. The constitution does not require things which are different in fact to be treated in law as though they were the same.
f. Classification is allowed. It is valid when:
a. There is substantial distinction.
b. The classification is germane (relevant) to issue.
c. The Classification applies not only to existing conditions but further conditions as well.
d. The classification is applicable to all members of the same class.
g. There is denial of equal protection in the following cases:
a. Where an ordinance imposes a property tax on motor vehicles using the streets of Manila, such being payable
only by owners of vehicles registered in the City of Manila but those residing outside Manila who also use the
streets are not made to share the corresponding burden.
b. Where tax provision is enforced against manufacturers of filled milk only, but not against persons similarly
situated such as manufacturers of condensed skimmed milk.
2. Power of the President to veto any particular item or items in a Revenue of Tariff Bill
a. As a general rule, under the Constitution, the President may not veto a bill in part and approve it in part. The exception is with
respect to revenue or tariff bill.
3. Non-impairment of the obligation of contracts. “No law impairing the obligations of contracts shall be passed”.
a. The obligation of contract is impaired when items or conditions are changed by law or by a party without consent of the other,
thereby weakening the position of the latter.
4. Non-imprisonment for non-payment of poll tax. No person shall be imprisoned for debt or non-payment of poll tax”.
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a. The prohibition is against “imprisonment” for “non-payment”. Hence, an imposition of a fine (but not subsidiary
imprisonment), or even imprisonment for any other violation than non-payment would not be unconstitutional.
b. Only non-payment of poll tax (or community tax) is covered by the limitation. Non-payment of other (additional) taxes can be
validly be subjected by law to imprisonment.
5. The congress may authorize the President to fix tariff rates, import and export quotas, tonnage and wharfage dues and
other duties or imposts.
6. Rule of uniformity and equity in taxation. “The rule of taxation shall be uniform and equitable”
a. All taxable articles or properties of the same class shall be taxed at the same rate.
b. A tax is considered uniform when it operates with the same force and effect in every place where the subject may be found.
c. The concept of equity in taxation requires that apportionment of the tax burden be, more or less, just in light of the taxpayer’s
ability to shoulder the tax burden and, warranted, on the basis of the benefits he receives from the government.
d. To ensure enhance the equity objective, the constitution enjoins Congress to evolve a progressive system of taxation.
e. Progressive system of taxation means that the tax shall be place emphasis on direct rather than indirect taxation, with ability
to pay as the principal criterion. A system that places emphasis on indirect taxes said to be regressive tax system.
f. Equal protection refers more to like treatment of persons like circumstances, uniformity and equity refer ti the proper relative
treatment for tax purposes of persons in unlike circumstances.
7. No appropriation for religious purposes. “Exemption of religious, charitable or educational entities, non-profit cemeteries,
and churches from property taxation”
a. The tax exemption covers property taxes only and not other taxes.
b. Conveyance (transfer) of exempt property would be subject to transfer taxes.
c. The test of the exemption of the property is the use and not the ownership.
8. Non-appropriation of public funds or property for the benefit of any church sect, or system of religion.
9. Free Worship Rule
10. Exemption from the taxes of the revenues and assets of non-profit, non-stock educational institution including grants,
endowments, donations or contributions for educational purposes.
11. Non-diversification of tax collections
12. Non-delegation of the power of taxation
13. The requirement that appropriations, revenue, or tariff bills shall originate exclusively in the House of Representatives
14. The delegation of taxing power too local government units.
15. Non-impairment of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in tax cases.
16. Concurrence by a majority of all members of the Congress for the passage of a law granting tax exemptions.
1. What is exemption from taxation?
a. Tax Holiday
b. Privilege of immunity from a tax burden of which others are subjected to.
c. The power of taxation carries with it the power no to tax or the power to exempt.
d. The general rule, however, is the taxation and exemption is the exception.
e. Strictly construed against the taxpayer claiming the exemption and in favor of the state.
f. The exemption must be based on reasonable grounds.
g. It requires a majority vote of congress on tax exemption grant.
h. It is personal and cannot be assigned or transferred by the person to whom it is given without the consent of
the state given in clear and unmistakable terms.
2. Kinds of Tax Exemption
a. Express or affirmative –clearly provided for in the constitution, statutes, or tax treaty with other countries. Examples
are:
a. Exemption from real property tax on real properties used for religious and charitable purposes by religious and
charitable institutions per the Constitution.
b. Exemption from income taxation of non-profit organizations and exemption from the gift tax of certain donations
per the NIRC.
c. Reciprocity agreements with other nations intended to minimize tax burdens of their respective subjects.
d. Grounds for statutory or express exemptions:
Contracts – franchise grant exemption from tax entered into between the State and the grantee.
Public policy – those enjoyed by religious and charitable institutions and non-profit organizations.
Reciprocity
b. Exemption by omission or implied exemption. Occurs when a tax is imposed on certain class of taxpayers without
mentioning the other class. Those mentioned are therefore exemptions by omission, either intentional or accidental.
3. Tax Exemption and tax amnesty distinguished:
a. Tax exemption is an immunity from civil liability only. It is immunity or privilege, a freedom from a charge or burden
of which others are subjected to. It is prospective in application.
b. Tax amnesty is a immunity from all criminal and civil obligations arising from non-payment of taxes. It is a general
pardon given to all taxpayers. It applies only to past tax periods, hence of retroactive application.
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a. A tax on mortgage of property when the mortgaged property is also taxed at its full value as real estate.
b. A tax upon the same property imposed by two deferring States.
2. Capitalization- this pertains to adjustment of the value of an asset caused by changes in tax rates.
3. Transformation- this pertains to elimination of wastes or losses by the taxpayer to form savings to compensate for tax
imposition or increase in taxes.
1. TAX- is an enforced contribution levied by the State by virtue of the sovereignty on persons and property within its jurisdiction
for the support of the government and all public needs.
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3. Excise –any tax which does not fall within the classification of a poll tax or a property tax. This is a tax on the excise
of certain rights or privileges (e.g. income tax, estate tax, donor’s tax, VAT, other percentage taxes)
Note: This is different from the excise tax which is a business tax imposed on items such as cigars, cigarettes, wines,
liquors, automobiles, mineral products.
e. As to who bears the burden:
1. Direct – tax which is demanded form the person who also shoulders the burden of the tax or tax which the taxpayer
cannot shift to another (e.g. income tax, estate tax, donor’s tax).
2. Indirect – tax which is demanded from one person in the expectation and intention that he shall indemnify himself at
the expense of another or tax which the taxpayer can shift to another.
f. As to scope:
1. National – imposed by the National Government (e.eg. income tax, estate tax, donor’s tax, value added tax, other
percentage taxes, documentary stamp tax).
2. Local or Municipal – imposed by municipal corporations (e.g. real estate tax, community tax).
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Amount is based on the cost of construction or Amount is based on the necessities of the State
maintenance of public improvements used
May be imposed by the government or by private entities Imposed by government only
CONSTRUCTION OR INTERPRETATION OF
TAX LAWS IN CASE OF DOUBT OR
AMBIGUITY
1. Tax statutes are constructed strictly against the
government. Taxes, being burdens, are not to be
presumed beyond what the statute expressly and
clearly declares.
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