Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Noval and Bunag Law Office for petitioner. Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) as a value-added tax
The Solicitor General for respondent. (VAT) entity in 1996 under Certificate of Registration
RDO Control No. 96-540000713. It is likewise
4
CALLEJO, SR., J.: registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority
(PEZA) as an Ecozone export enterprise. 5
Code.
xxxx Petitioner prayed that, after due proceedings, judgment
9. The export sales of the petitioner are not subject to 10% be rendered in its favor, as follows:
value-added tax but are zero-rated. Hence, such zero-rated “WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that this Honorable
sales will not result to any VAT output tax pursuant to Sec. Court after trial render judgment:
106(A)(2)(a)(1) and Sec. 108(B)(1) of the Tax Code;
10. Petitioner, for the period covering April 01, 1998 to 1. 1.Declaring Petitioner entitled to the issuance of tax
June 30, 1998, having generated zero-rated sales and paid credit certificate in the amount of PhP11,770,181.70
VAT input taxes in the course of its trade or business, which representing VAT input taxes paid by it during the
VAT input taxes are attributable to the zero-rated sales and period from April 01, 1998 to June 30, 1998, for
have not been applied to any VAT output tax liability of the which no tax credit certificate was issued;
Petitioner for said period or any succeeding quarter or 2. 2.Ordering respondent to issue the tax credit
quarters nor has been issued any tax credit certificate, it certificate in favor of petitioner in the amount of
follows that petitioner is entitled to the issuance of a tax PhP11,770,181.70 referred to above; and
credit certificate for VAT input taxes in the amount of 3. 3.Granting petitioner such other reliefs as may be just
PhP11,770,181.70 x x x. and equitable under the premises.” 9
xxxx
11. On May 18, 1999, petitioner in compliance with the The Commissioner, as respondent, opposed the petition
requisites provided for by law for the issuance of a tax credit and prayed for its dismissal. The following special and
certificate filed a claim for tax credit in the total amount of affirmative defenses were raised:
PhP11,770,181.70, with respondent through the One Stop
Shop Inter-Agency Tax Credit and Duty Drawback Center 1. “4.Petitioner, being allegedly registered with the
per BIR Form No. 2552 entitled ‘APPLICATION FOR TAX Philippine Economic Zone Authority, is exempt
CREDIT/REFUND OR VALUE-ADDED TAX PAID’ and
from all taxes, including valueadded tax,
Claimant Information Sheet No. 35418. x x x
pursuant to Section 24 of Republic Act No. 7916,
665 in relation to Section 103 of the Tax Code, as
VOL. 522, APRIL 27, 2007 665 amended by RA 7716. Since its sales are not
Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner zero-rated but are exempt from VAT, petitioner
of Internal Revenue is not entitled to refund of input tax pursuant to
Section 4.106-1 and 4.103-1 of Revenue The CTA commissioned the services of an independent
Regulations No. 7-95; auditor, Eliseo Aurellado, to conduct an audit and
2. 5.Petitioner’s alleged claim for refund is subject evaluate petitioner’s claim. On March 22, 2001, he
to administrative routinary submitted a Report to the CTA with the following
investigation/examination by the Bureau; conclusion:
3. 6.The amount of P47,582,813.72 being claimed by In performing the above procedures, except for the net effect
petitioner as alleged VAT input taxes for the of the Input VAT paid on its purchases as compared to the
period of 01 July 1997 to 31 December 1997 was results of my review of supporting documents, as shown in
not properly documented; Annex “B” no other matters came to my attention that cause
me to believe that the attached Schedule of Input VAT Paid
_______________ should be adjusted. We believe that only the amounts of
P9,688,809.39 is a valid claim for tax credit. This report
8 Id., at pp. 56-61. relates only to the application of Intel Technology
9 Id., at p. 62. Philippines, Inc. for tax credit/refund specified on page 1 of
this report and does not extend to the Financial Statements,
666
taken as a whole, for any period where the aforementioned
666 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED
tax refund is present. 11
the taxpayer to establish its right to refund, and Petitioner adduced testimonial evidence and offered
failure to sustain the burden is fatal to the claim the following documents in evidence:
for refund/credit; EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION PURPOSE
2. 8.Petitioner must show that it has complied with “A” A copy of Petitioner’s To prove that Intel
the provisions of Sections 204(c) and 229 of the Certificate of Registra Technology
Tax Code on the prescriptive period for claiming Philippines, Inc. is
tax refund/credit; _______________
3. 9.Claims for refund are construed strictly against 10 Id., at pp. 25-26.
the claimant for the same partake the nature of 11 Id., at p. 76.
exemption from taxation.” 10 12 Rollo, p. 242.
667
VOL. 522, APRIL 27, 2007 667
Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner “E” Copies of Petitioner’s To prove that
of Internal Revenue Quarterly VAT Return Petitioner filed its
tion No. 95-133 issued registered with for the second quarter of Quarterly VAT
by Philippine Econ PEZA as Ecozone 1998. return for the second
omic Zone Authority Export Enterprise. quart er of 1998.
(PEZA). This was “E-1” Signature of Pablo V. To prove that
already subject of Pablo Petitioner’s
stipulation of facts. authorized agent
“B” A copy of Petitioner’s To prove that properly signed the
BIR Certificate of Petitioner is duly Quarterly VAT
Registration with RDO registered with the Return for the
Control No. 96-5400 Bureau of Internal second quarter of
00713 issued on January Revenue. 1998.
30, 1996 by Revenue This was already subject
District Office No. 54. to stipulation of facts
This was already subject To prove that “F” & Copies of Petitioner’s To prove that
of stipulation of facts. Petitioner is a duly “F2 ” Amended Quarterly Petitioner filed its
registered VAT Amended Quar
entity. 668
“C” & “D” Copies of the Monthly To prove that 668 SUPREME COURT REPORTS
VAT Returns for the Petitioner filed its ANNOTATED
month of April and May Monthly VAT Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner
of 1998. These were Declaration for the of Internal Revenue
already subjects of month of April and VAT Return for terly VAT return for the
stipulation of facts. May of 1998. the second second quarter of 1998.
“C-1” & To prove that the quarter of 1998.
“D-1” monthly VAT “F-1” Signature of To prove that Petitioner’s
Signature of Pablo V. Returns was duly Pablo V. Pablo authorized agent properly
Pablo. signed by signed the Amended Quart
Petitioner’s erly VAT Return for the
authorized agent. second quarter of 1998.
This was already “G” to “L” Copies of To prove that Petitioner
subject to and “H-2” Petitioner’s filed its Quarterly VAT
stipulation of and “K2 ” Quarterly VAT Returns for the third and
facts. Returns for the fourth quarters of 1998 and
“F-3” Box No. 16A of To prove that Petitioner third and fourth first and second quarters of
the Amended properly reported its sales quarters of 1998 1999 including the
Quarterly VAT subject to zero-rated for and first and amended returns for the
return for the the second quarter of 1998. second quarters third and first quarters of
second quarter of of 1999 including 1998 and 1999,
1998. the amended respectively.
“F-4” Box No. 16B of To prove that petitioner returns for the
the Amended paid and remitted the third quarter and
Quarterly VAT output VAT for the second first quart er of
return for the quarter of 1998. 1998 and 1999,
second quarter of 669
_______________ that it was able to prove its export sales by the following
documentary evidence:
13 Id., at pp. 169-174.
authority to print its TIN-V in some of the invoices is while under Section 106(A)(2)(a)(1) of the Tax Code,
not fatal to its claim for refund or issuance of a tax credit VAT-registered entities are entitled to claim VAT
certificate as to invalidate the documents used to prove refund on their input taxes if their export sales are zero-
its export sales. It declared that it used computerized rated, the claim is nevertheless subject to the invoicing
accounting forms as sales invoices and accounting requirements of VATregistered persons
675 under Section 113 in relation to Section 237 of the Tax
VOL. 522, APRIL 27, 2007 675 Code. It is therefore clear, the appellate court
Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner concluded, that what should be proven are not only the
of Internal Revenue export sales but also compliance with the requirements
in its export sales based on the letter-authority dated under the aforesaid sections of the Tax Code. 19
April 17, 1997 of the BIR. It was only through plain The CA further ruled that Revenue Regulations (RR)
mistake and inadvertence that the sales invoices it used No. 7-95 requires VAT-registered persons to issue duly
had no authority to print. Such omission should not registered receipts, and enumerates the entries that
allegedly render the said sales invoices altogether should be contained in the said duly registered receipts.
invalid or inadmissible for purposes of substantiating Section 237 of the Tax
petitioner’s actual export sales covering the period _______________
April 1, 1998 to June 30, 1998. Petitioner opined that 18 Supra note 1.
19 CA Rollo, p. 130. registered and that its sales are classified as zero-rated.
676 According to the appellate court, however, this
676 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED treatment is without prejudice to the right of the
Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner taxpayer to charge the input taxes to the appropriate
of Internal Revenue expense account or asset account subject to
Code further mandates that persons required to issue depreciation, whichever is applicable. 23
receipts or invoices should register these documents The CA further declared that petitioner failed to
with the BIR. In fact, RR No. 2-90 restored the establish that its computer-generated sales invoices
requirement to register and stamp receipts and invoices were duly stamped with the approval of the BIR as
prior to their use. Thus, VATregistered persons are
20
shown by the letter-authority
_______________
directed to issue duly registered invoices for every sale
or lease of goods, properties or services, containing the 20 Id., at p. 131.
required information under the law. 21 21 Id., at p. 132.
22 Id.
According to the CA, since petitioner issued invoices 23 Id.
invoicing requirements would result in the disallowance “WHEREFORE, in view of the foregoing, the instant petition
of the claim for input tax by the purchaser-claimant. is DENIED. The Decision of the Court of Tax Appeals in CTA
Hence, the CA ruled, if the claim for refund or issuance Case No. 6128 is hereby AFFIRMED. No pronouncement as
of a tax credit certificate is based on the taxpayer’s zero- to costs.
SO ORDERED.”
rated sales, but the invoicing requirements in the
25
issuance of sales invoices are not complied with, the Undaunted by the adverse ruling of the appellate court,
claim for tax credit/refund of VAT on its purchases shall petitioner now seeks recourse to this Court on the
be denied. This is because the invoices issued to its following grounds:
customers failed to depict that the taxpayer is VAT- I.
THE DECISION OF THE COURT OF APPEALS DENCE, SUFFICIENTLY PROVE PETITIONER’S
AFFIRMING THE DENIAL OF PETITIONER’S CLAIM EXPORT SALES. 26
PETITIONER’S EXPORT SALES INVOICES, WHICH ARE 238 of the Tax Code is a requirement that is separate
ADMISSIBLE, COMPETENT AND MATERIAL EVI from and independent of the information that ought to
be reflected in the invoice or official receipt as mandated
_______________
by Section 113, in relation to Section 237 of the Tax
24 Id., at p. 133. Code. The BIR has even ruled, in BIR Ruling DA-375-
29
25 Id. 03, that receipts which do not reflect that the taxpayer
678
is VAT-registered do not automatically invalidate the
678 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED claim for an input tax credit. Moreover, RR 290 (which
30
37 Rollo, p. 42.
Petitioner asserts that even if it were assumed for
the sake of argument that the BIR has issued a 680
regulation to the effect that failure to indicate the 680 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED
authority to print on the face of a sales invoice would Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner
render it invalid, such regulation cannot prevail over of Internal Revenue
the law that it seeks to implement. It insists that any receipts and invoices. Even granting arguendo that it
additional requirement imposed by the BIR for a valid was still required by RR No. 7-95 to indicate its
claim other than those mandated by law is invalid, and 33
authority to print in its invoices, it was not mandated
that the provisions of a taxing act are not to be extended to obtain an authority to print as the burden of securing
by implication. 34
the same falls upon the printer of the receipts.
38
Further, petitioner contends that it was authorized Petitioner further contends that the invoicing
by the BIR to use a computerized accounting requirement of stating the TIN-V applies only to
system through the letter-authority dated April 17,
35
domestic or local sales, given that the output tax (the
1997. It avers that even if the letter-authority was not
36
input tax on the part of the local purchaser), may be
offered in evidence, the Court ought to take judicial claimed by the latter as a credit against its output VAT.
In such a case, the invoicing requirements should be way to its substantive rights. While it may be true that
41
complied with in order for the local purchaser to have a taxes are the lifeblood of the government, technicalities
valid basis in its claim for crediting of input VAT. This, and legalisms, however exalted, should not be misused
however, does not apply in the instant case for the by the government to keep money not belonging to it
following reasons: petitioner’s export sales with its and thereby enrich itself at the expense of its law-
foreign purchaser is subject to zero-rated VAT; its abiding citizens.
foreign purchaser cannot claim input VAT as it is The Respondent’s Counter-Arguments
governed by a foreign taxing jurisdiction; and the latter For his part, respondent Commissioner, through the
is not a VAT-registered entity in the Philippines. To 39 Office of the Solicitor General, maintains that the
buttress its claim, petitioner cites the decision of the CA absence of the BIR authority to print and the TIN-V in
in Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. v. CIR. 40 its export sales invoices is fatal to petitioner’s claim for
In any case, petitioner argues, it sufficiently proved refund. Section 113 of the Tax Code enumerates the
42
its export sales since, other than the subject invoices, it invoicing requirements for VAT-registered persons,
also submitted in evidence the following: certifications which include, among others, a statement that the
of inward remittances; airway bills; export declarations; seller is VAT-registered and the seller’s TIN. Section
43
certification by Eliseo Aurellado, the independent CPA 237 of the same Code, and Section 4.108.1 of RR No. 7-
duly commissioned by the tax court, attesting that 95, further require the issuance of duly
petitioner made export sales of P2,538,906,840.16 registered receipts or invoices for every sale or
during the second quarter of 1998. transaction, indicating thereon the purchaser’s TIN. 44
Petitioner pleads that its application for tax A VAT-registered person is, therefore, required to
credit/refund should be granted to serve the higher issue a receipt or invoice with a TIN for every
interest of justice, equity and fairness, and claims that consummated sale, and which, following Section 19 of
technicalities should give RR No. 2-90, must be duly registered with the BIR as
45
45 Id., at p. 303.
46 Id., at p. 303.
authorized to use computerized invoices, it was not
47 Id., at p. 304. excused from complying with the stamping and
invoicing requirements. 55
682
Lastly, respondent contends that it is incorrect for
682 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED
petitioner to state that the invoicing requirement under
Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner the Tax Code finds relevance only in domestic or local
of Internal Revenue sales. The provisions of the law and the BIR regulations
ing requirements, it can be implied from said provisions on invoicing do not
that such information must be reflected on the receipt _______________
or invoice, as the stamping of the said BIR authority to
print is a proof of the invoice being BIR- 48 Id., at p. 306.
49 Id.
registered. Absent the said authority to print,
48
50 Id., at p. 307.
53 Rollo, p. 309.
documents to prove its input tax and eventually, its 54 Id.
1. (4)In the case of sales in the amount of one thousand pesos (P1,000)
or more where the sale or transfer is made to a VAT-registered 690
person, the name, business style, if any, address and taxpayer 690 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED
identification number (TIN) of the purchaser, customer or client.
Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner
1. (C)Accounting Requirements.—Notwithstanding the provisions of of Internal Revenue
Section 233, all persons subject to the value-added tax under ing the date of transaction, quantity, unit cost and description
Sections 106 and 108 shall, in addition to the regular accounting of merchandise or nature of service: Provided, however, That
records required, maintain a subsidiary sales journal and
subsidiary purchase journal on which the daily sales and purchases in the case of sales, receipts or transfers in the amount of One
are recorded. The subsidiary journals shall contain such Hundred Pesos (P100.00) or more, or regardless of amount,
information as may be required by the Secretary of Finance. where the sale or transfer is made by a person liable to value-
2. (D)Consequence of Issuing Erroneous VAT Invoice or VAT Official
Receipt.—
added tax to another person also liable to value-added tax; or
where the receipt is issued to cover payment made as rentals,
1. (1)If a person who is not a VAT-registered person issues an invoice or commissions, compensations or fees, receipts or invoices
receipt showing his Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) followed shall be issued which shall show the name, business style, if
by the word “VAT”: any, and address of the purchaser, customer or client;
Provided, further, That where the purchaser is a
1. (a)The issuer shall, in addition to any liability to other percentage
taxes, be liable to:
VATregistered person, in addition to the information herein
required, the invoice or receipt shall further show the
1. (i)The tax imposed in Section 106 or 108 without the benefit of any Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) of the purchaser.
input tax credit; and The original of each receipt or invoice shall be issued to
2. (ii)A 50% surcharge under Section 248 (B) of this Code; the purchaser, customer or client at the time the transaction
is effected, who, if engaged in business or in the exercise of
1. (b)The VAT shall, if the other requisite information required under
Subsection (B) hereof is shown on the invoice or receipt, be
profession, shall keep and preserve the same in his place of
recognized as an input tax credit to the purchaser under Section 110 business for a period of three (3) years from the close of the
of this Code. taxable year in which such invoice or receipt was issued,
while the duplicate shall be kept and preserved by the issuer,
1. (2)If a VAT-registered person issues a VAT invoice or VAT official also in his place of business, for a like period.
receipt for a VAT-exempt transaction, but fails to display
prominently on the invoice or receipt the term “VATexempt Sale”, The Commissioner may, in meritorious cases, exempt any
the issuer shall be liable to account for the tax imposed in Section person subject to an internal revenue tax from compliance
106 or 108 as if Section 109 did not apply. with the provisions of this Section.” (emphasis supplied)
65
_______________ 1. (1)Names, Taxpayer Identification Numbers of the
persons or entities for whom the receipts or sales or
65 As amended by R.A. 9337, the provision now reads: commercial invoices are printed; and
Sec. 237. Issuance of Receipts or Sales or Commercial Invoices.—All persons
subject to an internal revenue tax shall, for each sale or transfer of 2. (2)Number of booklets, number of sets per booklet,
merchandise or for services rendered valued at Twenty-five pesos (P25.00) or number of copies per set and the serial numbers of
more, issue duly registered receipts or sale or commercial invoices, prepared at the receipts or invoices in each booklet.” (emphasis
least in duplicate, showing the date of transaction, quantity, unit cost and
description of merchandise or nature of service: Provided, however, That where supplied)
the receipt is issued to cover payment made as rentals, commissions,
compensations or fees, receipts or invoices shall be issued which shall show the RR 2-90, as cited by respondent Commissioner, also
name, business style, if any, and address of the purchaser, customer or client.
The original of each receipt or invoice shall be issued to the purchaser, states in its Section 19(d) that:
customer or client at the time the transaction is “Section 19. Authentication and registration of books,
691
register, or records; authority to print receipts, sales or
commercial invoices; and registration and stamping of
VOL. 522, APRIL 27, 2007 691
receipts and invoices.
Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner
of Internal Revenue _______________
Sec. 238. Printing of Receipts or Sales or Commercial effected, who, if engaged in business or in the exercise of profession, shall keep
Invoices.—All persons who are engaged in business shall and preserve the same in his place of business for a period of three (3) years
secure from the Bureau of Internal Revenue an authority to from the close of the taxable year in which such invoice or receipt was issued,
while the duplicate shall be kept and preserved by the issuer, also in his place
print receipts or sales or commercial invoices before a printer of business, for a like period.
can print the same. The Commissioner may, in meritorious cases, exempt any person subject
No authority to print receipts or sales or commercial to an internal revenue tax from compliance with the provisions of this Section.
invoices shall be granted unless the receipts or invoices to be
692
printed are serially numbered and shall show, among other
692 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED
things, the name, business style, Taxpayer Identification
Number (TIN) and business address of the person or entity Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner
to use the same, and such other information that may be of Internal Revenue
required by rules and regulations to be promulgated by the xxxx
Secretary of Finance, upon recommendation of the (d) Registration and stamping of receipts and invoices
Commissioner. Before being used, the printed receipts, sales or commercial
All persons who print receipt or sales or commercial invoices shall be registered with the revenue district officer
invoices shall maintain a logbook/register of taxpayer who where the principal place of business of the taxpayer is
availed of their printing services. The logbook/register shall located within thirty (30) days from the date of printing the
contain the following information: same. The registration of the printed receipts or invoices shall
be evidenced by an appropriate stamp on the face of the
taxpayer’s copy of the authority to print as well as on the front Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner
cover, on the back of the middle invoice or receipt and on the of Internal Revenue
back of the last invoice or receipt of the registered booklet or If the taxable person is also engaged in exempt operations,
pad, authenticated by the signature of the officer authorized he should issue separate invoices or receipts for the taxable
to place the stamp thereon.” (emphasis supplied) and exempt operations. A “VAT-invoice” shall be issued only
RR 7-95, the Consolidated VAT Regulations, also states for sales of goods, properties or services subject to VAT
imposed in Sections 100 and 102 of the Code.
in Section 4.108-1 that:
The invoice or receipt shall be prepared at least in
“Section 4.108-1. Invoicing Requirements.—All
duplicate, the original to be given to the buyer and the
VATregistered persons shall, for every sale or lease of goods
duplicate to be retained by the seller as part of his accounting
or properties or services, issue duly registered receipts or
records.”
sales or commercial invoices which must show:
It is clear from the foregoing that while entities engaged
1. 1.the name, TIN and address of seller; in business are required to secure from the BIR an
2. 2.date of transaction; authority to print receipts or invoices and to issue duly
3. 3.quantity, unit cost and description of merchandise
registered receipts or invoices, it is not required that the
or nature of service;
BIR authority to print be reflected or indicated therein.
4. 4.the name, TIN, business style, if any, and address
of the VAT-registered purchaser, customer or client; Only the following items are required to be indicated in
5. 5.the word “zero-rated” imprinted on the invoice the receipts or invoices: (1) a statement that the seller
covering zero-rated sales; and is a VAT-registered entity followed by its TIN-V; (2) the
6. 6.the invoice value or consideration. total amount which the purchaser pays or is obligated
to pay to the seller with the indication that such amount
In the case of sale of real property subject to VAT and includes the value-added tax; (3) date of the transaction;
where the zonal or market value is higher than the actual (4) quantity of merchandise; (5) unit cost; (6) description
consideration, the VAT shall be separately indicated in the of merchandise or nature of service; (7) the name,
invoice or receipt. business style, if any, and address of the purchaser,
Only VAT-registered persons are required to print their customer or client in the case of sales, receipt or
TIN followed by the word “VAT” in their invoices or receipts
transfers in the amount of P100.00 or more, or
and this shall be considered as a “VAT-invoice.” All
purchases covered by invoices other than “VAT Invoice” shall
regardless of the amount, where the sale or transfer is
not give rise to any input tax. made by a person liable to VAT to another person also
liable to VAT, or where the receipt is issued to cover
693 payment made as rentals, commissions, compensations
VOL. 522, APRIL 27, 2007 693
or fees; and (8) the TIN of the purchaser where the 1. (a)Any person who, being required under Section 237
purchaser is a VAT-registered person. to issue receipts or sales or commercial invoices, fails
It should be noted that petitioner is engaged in or refuses to issue such receipts or invoices, issues
export sales, such that the purchasers of its goods are receipts or invoices that do not truly reflect and/or
contain all the informations required to be shown
foreign entities, which are, logically, not VAT-registered
therein or uses multiple or double receipts or
in our country or liable to pay VAT in our jurisdiction.
invoices, shall, upon conviction for each act or
Items (7) and (8) in the above enumeration do not, thus, omission, be punished by a fine of not less than One
apply to petitioner; that is, they need not be reflected or thousand pesos (P1,000) but not more than Fifty
indicated in the invoices or receipts, given that it is an thousand pesos (P50,000) and suffer imprisonment
entity engaged in export sales, and the purchasers of its of not less than two (2) years but not more than four
goods which are foreign entities are not (4) years.
694 2. (b)Any person who commits any of the acts
694 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED enumerated hereunder shall be penalized in the
Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner same manner and to the same extent as provided for
of Internal Revenue in this Section:
VAT-registered in our country nor liable to pay VAT in
1. (1)Printing of receipts or sales or commercial invoices
our jurisdiction.
without authority from the Bureau of Internal
In any case, the above cited provisions of law and Revenue; or
revenue regulations do not provide that failure to 2. (2)Printing of double or multiple sets of invoices or
reflect or indicate in the invoices or receipts the BIR receipts;
authority to print, as well as the TIN-V, would result in 3. (3)Printing of unnumbered receipts or sales or
the outright invalidation of these invoices or receipts. commercial invoices, not bearing the name, business
Neither is it provided therein that such omission or style, Taxpayer Identification Number, and business
failure would result in the outright denial of a claim for address of the person or entity.
tax credit/refund. Instead, Section 264 of the Tax Code
imposes the penalty of fine and imprisonment for, 695
among others, invoices or receipts that do not truly VOL. 522, APRIL 27, 2007 695
reflect or contain all the required information, to wit: Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner
“Section 264. Failure or Refusal to Issue Receipts or Sales or of Internal Revenue
Commercial Invoices, Violations Related to the Printing of The appellate court’s reliance on RMC No. 42-2003 is
such Receipts or Invoices or Other Violations.— misplaced. The said Circular clarified, inter alia, that
failure to comply with the invoicing requirements on the
documents supporting the sale of goods and services 66Among others, Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Benguet
Corporation, G.R. No. 134587, July 8, 2005, 463 SCRA 28,
would result in the disallowance of the claim for refund 41; Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Court of Appeals, et al., G.R.
or issuance of a tax credit certificate of creditable input No. 117982, February 6, 1997, 267 SCRA 557, 564; Commissioner of
taxes. The said Circular mentioned as an example the Internal Revenue v. Telefunken Semiconductor Philippines, Inc., G.R.
failure to state the TIN of the taxpayer in the invoice or No. 103915, October 23, 1995, 249 SCRA 401.
receipt. However, in petitioner’s case, the principal 696
ground for the denial of its claim for refund or issuance 696 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED
of a tax credit certificate is its failure to reflect or Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner
indicate in its invoices the BIR authority to print. As of Internal Revenue
earlier discussed, the BIR authority to print is not one to print is that it has been secured or obtained by the
of the items required by law to be reflected or indicated taxpayer, and that invoices or receipts are duly
in the invoices or receipts. In any case, the said Circular registered.
was issued on July 15, 2003 by then Commissioner To stress, petitioner, as a VAT-registered entity, is
Guillermo L. Parayno, Jr., while petitioner’s claim was engaged in export sales of advanced and large-scale ICs
filed on May 18, 1999. Hence, RMC No. 42-2003 cannot and, as such, under Section 106 (A)(2)(a)(1) of the Tax
be applied retroactively because to do so would be Code, its sales or transactions are subject to VAT at 0%
prejudicial to petitioner. In a long line of cases, the
66
rate. Further, subject to the requirements stated in
Court has affirmed that the rulings, circulars, rules and Section 112(A), it is entitled to claim refund or issuance
regulations promulgated by the Commissioner on of a tax credit certificate for input VAT taxes
Internal Revenue would have no retroactive application attributable to its export sales. As the Court had the
if to so apply them would be prejudicial to the occasion to explain since no output VAT was imposed on
taxpayers. the zero-rated export sales, what the government
It bears reiterating that while the pertinent reimburses or refunds to the claimant is the input VAT
provisions of the Tax Code and the rules and paid – thus, the necessity for the input VAT paid to be
regulations implementing them require entities substantiated by purchase invoices or official
engaged in business to secure a BIR authority to print receipts. These sales invoices or receipts issued by the
67
invoices or receipts and to issue duly registered invoices supplier are necessary to substantiate the actual
or receipts, it is not specifically required that the BIR amount or quality of goods sold and their selling price,
authority to print be reflected or indicated therein. and, taken collectively, are the best means to prove the
Indeed, what is important with respect to the BIR input VAT payments of the claimant. 68
refund or issuance of a tax credit certificate, in Even as the Court now holds that petitioner is legally
accordance with the requirements of Sections 106 entitled to a refund or issuance of a tax credit certificate
(A)(2)(a)(1) and 112(A) of the Tax Code, then its claim of its unutilized VAT input taxes on domestic purchases
should not be denied, notwithstanding its failure to of goods and services attributable to its zero-rated sales,
state on the invoices the BIR authority to print and the the case shall nevertheless be remanded to the CTA for
TIN-V. Worthy of mentioning again is the fact that even proper determination and computation of petitioner’s
the CTA and the CA have found petitioner to be legally tax credit/refund, considering that in the Report of the 71
entitled to a claim for refund or issuance of a tax credit independent auditor, Eliseo Aurellado, only the amount
certificate of its unutilized of P9,688,809.00 was deemed as petitioner’s valid claim
_______________ for tax credit. According to Aurellado, the difference of
72
67 Commissioner
P2,081,372.32 from petitioner’s input VAT claim of
on Internal Revenue v. Manila Mining
Corporation, G.R. No. 153204, August 31, 2005, 468 SCRA 571, 587. P11,770,181.70 was not supported by sufficient
68 Id., at p. 590. documentary proof. The Court, not being a trier of
73
697
facts, cannot certainly decide this factual circumstance.
_______________
VOL. 522, APRIL 27, 2007 697
Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner 69 Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Seagate Technology
of Internal Revenue (Philippines), supra note 62, at p. 158.
70 Commissioner of Customs v. Philippine Phospate Fertilizer
VAT input taxes on domestic purchases of goods and Corporation, G.R. No. 144440, September 1, 2004, 437 SCRA 452, 457.
services attributable to its zero-rated sales. 71 Rollo, pp. 242-247.
73 Id., at p. 245.
export enterprise, is the Court’s pronouncement that
leniency in the implementation of the VAT is an 698
imperative, precisely to spur economic growth in the 698 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED
country and attain global competitiveness as envisioned Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner
in our laws. The incentives offered to PEZA
69
of Internal Revenue
enterprises, among which are tax exemptions and tax
WHEREFORE, premises considered, the petition is
PARTIALLY GRANTED. The Decision dated August
12, 2004 of the CA in CA-G.R. SP No. 79327 is
REVERSED and SET ASIDE. The instant case is
REMANDED to the Court of Tax Appeals for the
determination and computation of petitioner’s tax
credit/refund.
SO ORDERED.