BAR EXAMINATION 2013

TAXATION LAW

October 13, 2013 2:00P.M.- 6:00P.M.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. This Questionnaire contains THIRTEEN (13) pages including these Instructions pages. Check
the number of pages and the page numbers at the upper right hand corner of each page of this
Questionnaire and make sure it has the correct number of pages and their proper numbers.
There are TWELVE (12) Essay Questions numbered I to XII, and TWENTY (20) Multiple
Choice Questions (MCQs) numbered I to XX, to be answered within four (4) hours.
The essay portion contains questions that are worth 80/o of the whole examination, while the
MCQ portion contains questions worth 20%.
2. Read each question very carefully and write your answers in your Bar Examination Notebook
in the same order the questions are posed. Write your answers only at the front, not the back,
page of every sheet in your Notebook. Note well the allocated percentage points for each
number, question, or sub-question. In your answers, use the numbering system in the
questionnaire.
If the sheets provided in your Examination Notebook are not sufficient for your answers, use the
back pages of every sheet of your Examination Notebook, starting at the back page of the first
sheet and the back of the succeeding sheets thereafter.
3. Answer the Essay questions legibly, clearly, and concisely. Start each number on a separate
page. An answer to a sub-question under the same number may be written continuously on the
same page and the immediately succeeding pages until completed.
Your answer should demonstrate your ability to analyze the facts presented by the question, to
select the material from the immaterial facts, and to discern the points upon which the question
turns. It should show your knowledge and understanding of the pertinent principles and theories
of law involved and their qualifications and limitations. It should demonstrate your ability to
apply the law to the given facts, and to reason logically in a lawyer-like manner to a sound
conclusion from the given premises.
A mere "Yes" or "No" answer without any corresponding explanation or discussion will not be
given any credit. Thus, always briefly but fully explain your answers although the question does
not expressly ask for an explanation. At the same time, remember that a complete explanation
does not require that you volunteer information or discuss legal doctrines that are not necessary
or pertinent to the solution to the problem. You do not need to re-write or repeat the question in
your Notebook.
4. MCQs are to be answered by writing in your Notebook the capital letter (A, B, C, D, or E)
corresponding to your chosen answer. The MCQ answers should begin in the page following the
last page of your essay answers.
There is only one correct answer to every MCQ; choose the BEST answer from amon2 the
offered choices. Note that .some MCQs may need careful analysis both of the questions and the
choices offered.
5. Make sure you do not write your name or any extraneous note/s or distinctive marking/s on
your Notebook that can serve as identifying mark/s (such as names that are not in the given
questions, prayers, or private notes to the Examiner).
Writing, leaving or making any distinguishing or identifying mark in the exam Notebook is
considered cheating and can disqualify you for the Bar examinations.
You can use the questionnaire for notes you may wish/need to write during the examination.
HAND IN YOUR NOTEBOOK WITH THIS QUESTIONNAIRE
J. ARTURO D. BRION
Chairman
2013 Bar Examinations
ESSAY QUESTIONS
I.
In its final adjustment return for the 2010 taxable year, ABC Corp. had excess tax credits arising
from its over-withholding of income payments. It opted to carry over the excess tax credits to the
following year. Subsequently, ABC Corp. changed its mind and applied for a refund of the
excess tax credits.
Will the claim for refund prosper? (6%)
II.
A group of philanthropists organized a non-stock, non-profit hospital for charitable purposes to
provide medical services to the poor. The hospital also accepted paying patients although none of
its income accrued to any private individual; all income were plowed back for the hospital's use
and not more than 30% of its funds were used for administrative purposes.
Is the hospital subject to tax on its income? If it is, at what rate? (6%)
III.
ABC Corporation is registered as a holding company and has an office in the City of Makati. It
has no actual business operations. It invested in another company and its earnings are limited to
dividends from this investment, interests on its bank deposits, and foreign exchange gains from
its foreign currency account. The City of Makati assessed ABC Corporation as a contractor or
one that sells services for a fee. Is the City of Makati correct? (6%)
IV.
Atty. Gambino is a partner in a general professional partnership. The partnership computes its
gross revenues, claims deductions allowed under the Tax Code, and distributes the net income to
the partners, including Atty. Gambino, in accordance with its articles of partnership.
In filing his own income tax return, Atty. Gambino claimed deductions that the partnership did
not claim, such as purchase of law books, entertainment expenses, car insurance and car
depreciation. The BIR disallowed the deductions.
Was the BIR correct? (6%)
V.
Mr. Agustin, 75 years old and suffering from an incurable disease, decided to sell for valuable
and sufficient consideration a house and lot to his son. He died one year later.
In the settlement of Mr. Agustin's estate, the BIR argued that the house and lot were transferred
in contemplation of death and should therefore form part of the gross estate for estate tax
purposes.
Is the BIR correct? (7%)
VI.
On October 15, 2005, ABC Corp. imported 1,000 kilos of steel ingots and paid customs duties
and VAT to the Bureau of Customs on the importation. On February 17, 2009, the Bureau of
Customs, citing provisions of the Tariff and Customs Code on post-audit, investigated and
assessed ABC Corp. for deficiency customs duties and VAT.
Is the Bureau of Customs correct? (7%)
VII.
XYZ Law Offices, a law partnership in the Philippines and a VAT-registered taxpayer, received
a query by e-mail from Gainsburg Corporation, a corporation organized under the laws of
Delaware, but the e-mail came from California where Gainsburg has an office. Gainsburg has no
office in the Philippines and does no business in the Philippines.
XYZ Law Offices rendered its opinion on the query and billed Gainsburg US$1,000 for the
opinion. Gainsburg remitted its payment through Citibank which converted the remitted US$1
,000 to pesos and deposited the converted amount in the XYZ Law Offices account.
What are the tax implications of the payment to XYZ Law Offices in terms of VAT and income
taxes? (7%)
VIII.
Mr. Amado leased a piece of land owned by the Municipality of Pinagsabitan and built a
warehouse on the property for his business operations. The Municipal Assessor assessed Mr.
Amado for real property taxes on the land and the warehouse. Mr. Amado objected to the
assessment, contending that he should not be asked to pay realty taxes on the land since it is
municipal property.
Was the assessment proper? (5%)
IX.
In the settlement of the estate of Mr. Barbera who died intestate, his wife renounced her
inheritance and her share of the conjugal property in favor of their children. The BIR determined
that there was a taxable gift and thus assessed Mrs. Barbera as a donor.
Was the BIR correct? (7%)
X.
In 2010, pursuant to a Letter of Authority (LA) issued by the Regional Director, Mr. Abcede was
assessed deficiency income taxes by the BIR for the year 2009. He paid the deficiency. In 2011,
Mr. Abcede received another LA for the same year 2009, this time from the National
Investigation Division, on the ground that Mr. Abcede's 2009 return was fraudulent.
Mr. Abcede contested the LA on the ground that he can only be investigated once in a taxable
year. Decide. (7%)
XI.
In 2000, Mr. Belen bought a residential house and lot for P1,000,000. He used the property as his
and his family's principal residence. It is now year 2013 and he is thinking of selling the property
to buy a new one. He seeks your advice on how much income tax he would pay if he sells the
property. The total zonal value of the property is P5,000,000 and the fair market value per the tax
declaration is P2,500,000. He intends to sell it for P6,000,000.
What material considerations will you take into account in computing the income tax? Please
explain the legal relevance of each of these considerations. (7%)
XII.
You are the retained tax counsel of ABC Corp. Your client informed you that they have been
directly approached with a proposal by a BIR insider (i.e., a middle rank BIR official) on the tax
matter they have referred to you for handling. The BIR insider's proposal is to settle the matter
by significantly reducing the assessment, but he will get 50% of the savings arising from the
reduced assessment.
What tax, criminal and ethical considerations will you take into account in giving your advice?
Explain the relevance of each of these considerations. (9%)
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
I. ABC Corp. was dissolved and liquidating dividends were declared and paid to the
stockholders.
What tax consequence follows? (1%)
(A) ABC Corp. should deduct a final tax of 10% from the dividends.
(B) The stockholders should declare their gain from their investment and pay income tax
at the ordinary rates.
(C) The dividends are exempt from tax.
(D) ABC Corp. should withhold a 10% creditable tax.
II. MGC Corp. secured an income tax holiday for 5 years as a pioneer industry. On the fourth
year of the tax holiday, MGC Corp. declared and paid cash dividends to its stockholders, all of
whom are individuals.
Are the dividends taxable? (1%)
(A) The dividends are taxable; the tax exemption of MGC Corp. does not extend to its
stockholders.
(B) The dividends are tax exempt because of MGC Corp.'s income tax holiday.
(C) The dividends are taxable if they exceed 50% of MGC Corp.'s retained earnings.
(D) The dividends are exempt if paid before the end of MGC Corp.'s fiscal year.
III. Mr. Alas sells shoes in Makati through a retail store. He pays the VAT on his gross sales to
the BIR and the municipal license tax based on the same gross sales to the City of Makati. He
comes to you for advice because he thinks he is being subjected to double taxation.
What advice will you give him? (1%)
(A) Yes, there is double taxation and it is oppressive.
(B) The City of Makati does not have this power.
(C) Yes, there is double taxation and this is illegal m the Philippines.
(D) Double taxation is allowed where one tax is imposed by the national government and
the other by the local government.
IV. Congress passed a sin tax law that increased the tax rates on cigarettes by 1,000%. The law
was thought to be sufficient to drive many cigarette companies out of business, and was
questioned in court by a cigarette company that would go out of business because it would not be
able to pay the increased tax.
The cigarette company is __________ (1%)
(A) wrong because taxes are the lifeblood of the government
(B) wrong because the law recognizes that the power to tax is the power to destroy
(C) correct because no government can deprive a person of his livelihood
(D) correct because Congress, in this case, exceeded its power to tax
V. Mr. Alvarez is in the retail business. He received a deficiency tax assessment from the BIR
containing only the computation of the deficiency tax and the penalties, without any explanation
of the factual and legal bases for the assessment.
Is the assessment valid? (1%)
(A) The assessment is valid; all that Mr. Alvarez has to know is the amount of the tax.
(B) The assessment is invalid; the law requires a statement of the facts and the law upon
which the assessment is based.
(C) The assessment is valid but Mr. Alvarez can still contest it.
(D) The assessment is invalid because Mr. Alvarez has no way to determine if the
computation is erroneous.
VI. In 2010, Mr. Platon sent his sister Helen $1 ,000 via a telegraphic transfer through the Bank
of PI. The bank's remittance clerk made a mistake and credited Helen with $1,000,000 which she
promptly withdrew. The bank demanded the return of the mistakenly credited excess, but Helen
refused. The BIR entered the picture and investigated Helen.
Would the BIR be correct if it determines that Helen earned taxable income under these facts?
(1%)
(A) No, she had no income because she had no right to the mistakenly credited funds.
(B) Yes, income is income regardless of the source.
(C) No, it was not her fault that the funds in excess of $1,000 were credited to her.
(D) No, the funds in excess of$1,000 were in effect donated to her.
VII. The municipality of San Isidro passed an ordinance imposing a tax on installation managers.
At that time, there was only one installation manager in the municipality; thus, only he would be
liable for the tax.
Is the law constitutional? (1%)
(A) It is unconstitutional because it clearly discriminates against this person.
(B) It is unconstitutional for lack of legal basis.
(C) It is constitutional as it applies to all persons in that class.
(D) It is constitutional because the power to tax is the power to destroy.
VIII. XYZ Corporation manufactures glass panels and is almost at the point of insolvency. It has
no more cash and all it has are unsold glass panels. It received an assessment from the BIR for
deficiency income taxes. It wants to pay but due to lack of cash, it seeks permission to pay in
kind with glass panels.
Should the BIR grant the requested permission? (1%)
(A) It should grant permission to make payment convenient to taxpayers.
(B) It should not grant permission because a tax is generally a pecuniary burden.
(C) It should grant permission; otherwise, XYZ Corporation would not be able to pay.
(D) It should not grant permission because the government does not have the storage
facilities for glass panels.
IX. Prior to the VAT law, sales of cars were subject to a sales tax but the tax applied only to the
original or the first sale; the second and subsequent sales were not subject to tax.
Deltoid Motors, Inc. (Deltoid) hit on the idea of setting up a wholly-owned subsidiary, Gonmad
Motors, Inc. (Gonmad), and of selling its assembled cars to Gonmad at a low price so it would
pay a lower tax on the first sale. Gonmad would then sell the cars to the public at a higher price
without paying any sales tax on this subsequent sale.
Characterize the arrangement. (1%)
A. The plan is a legitimate exercise of tax planning and merely takes advantage of a
loophole in the law.
B. The plan is legal because the government collects taxes anyway.
C. The plan is improper; the veil of corporate fiction can be pierced so that the second
sale will be considered the taxable sale.
D. The government must respect Gonmad's separate juridical personality and Deltoid's
taxable sale to it.
X. PRT Corp. purchased a residential house and lot with a swimming pool in an upscale
subdivision and required the company president to stay there without paying rent; it reasoned out
that the company president must maintain a certain image and be able to entertain guests at the
house to promote the company's business. The company president declared that because they are
childless, he and his wife could very well live in a smaller house.
Was there a taxable fringe benefit? (1%)
(A) There was no taxable fringe benefit since it was for the convenience of the employer
and was necessary for its business.
(B) There was a taxable fringe benefit since the stay at the house was for free.
(C) There was a taxable fringe benefit because the house was very luxurious.
(D) There was no taxable fringe benefit because the company president was only required
to stay there and did not demand free housing.
XI. Taxpayer A was required by the BIR to sign and submit a waiver of the statute of limitations
on the assessment period, to give the BIR more time to complete its investigation. The BIR
accepted the waiver but failed to indicate the date of its acceptance.
What is the legal status of the waiver? (1%)
(A) The waiver is valid because the date of acceptance is immaterial and unimportant.
(B) The waiver is invalid; the taxpayer cannot be required to waive the statute of
limitations.
(C) The waiver is invalid; the date of acceptance is crucial in counting the start of the
period of suspension of the prescriptive period.
(D) The waiver is valid, having been accepted by the BIR.
XII. Taxpayer Andy received on January 3, 2010 a preliminary assessment notice (PAN) from
the BIR, stating that he had fifteen (15) days from its receipt to comment or to file a protest.
Eight (8) days later (or on January11, 2010), before he could comment or file a protest, Andy
received the final assessment notice (FAN).
Decide on the validity of the FAN. (1%)
(A) The FAN is invalid; Andy was not given the chance to respond to the PAN, in
violation of his due process rights.
(B) The FAN is invalid for being premature.
(C) The FAN is valid since it was issued before the right to assess prescribed.
(D) The FAN is valid. There is no legal requirement that the FAN should await the
protest to the PAN because protest to the PAN is not mandatory.
XIII. MSI Corp. imports orange and lemon concentrates as raw materials for the fruit drinks it
sells locally. The Bureau of Customs (BOC) imposed a 1% duty rate on the concentrates.
Subsequently, the BOC changed its position and held that the concentrates should be taxed at 7%
duty rate. MSI disagreed with the ruling and questioned it in the CTA which upheld MSI's
position. The Commissioner of Customs appealed to the CTA en bane without filing a motion for
reconsideration.
Resolve the appeal. (1%)
(A) The appeal should be dismissed because a motion for reconsideration is mandatory.
(B) The appeal should be dismissed for having been filed out of time.
(C) The appeal should be given due course since a motion for reconsideration is a useless
exercise.
(D) The appeal should be upheld to be fair to the government which needs taxes.
XIV. The spouses Jun and Elvira Sandoval purchased a piece of land for P5,000,000 and
included their two (2) minor children as co-purchasers in the Deed of Absolute Sale. The
Commissioner of Internal Revenue (CIR) ruled that there was an implied donation and assessed
donors' taxes against the spouses.
Rule on the CIR's action. (1%)
(A) The CIR is wrong; a donation must be express.
(B) The CIR is wrong; financial capacity is not a requirement for a valid sale.
(C) The CIR is correct; the amount involved is huge and ultimately ends up with the
children.
(D) The CIR is correct; there was animus donandi since the children had no financial
capacity to be co-purchasers.
XV. Pheleco is a power generation and distribution company operating mainly from the City of
Taguig. It owns electric poles which it also rents out to other companies that use poles such as
telephone and cable companies. Taguig passed an ordinance imposing a fee equivalent to 1% of
the annual rental for these poles. Pheleco questioned 'the legality of the ordinance on the ground
that it imposes an income tax which local government units (LGUs) are prohibited from
imposing.
Rule on the validity of the ordinance. (1%)
(A) The ordinance is void; the fee is based on rental income and is therefore a tax on
income.
(B) The ordinance is valid as a legitimate exercise of police power to regulate electric
poles.
(C) The ordinance is void; 1% of annual rental is excessive and oppressive.
(D) The ordinance is valid; an LGU may impose a tax on income.
XVI. Aleta sued Boboy for breach of promise to marry. Boboy lost the case and duly paid the
court's award that included, among others, Pl00,000 as moral damages for the mental anguish
Aleta suffered.
Did Aleta earn a taxable income? (1%)
(A) She had a taxable income of P100,000 since income is income from whatever source.
(B) She had no taxable income because it was a donation.
(C) She had taxable income since she made a profit.
(D) She had no taxable income since moral damages are compensatory.
XVII. Mr. Mayuga donated his residential house and lot to his son and duly paid the donor's tax.
In the Deed of Donation, Mr. Mayuga expressly reserved for himself the usufruct over the
property for as long as he lived.
Describe the donated property from the taxation perspective. (1%)
(A) The property will form part of Mr. Mayuga's gross estate when he dies.
(B) The property will not fom1 part of Mr. Mayuga's gross estate when he dies because
he paid the donor's tax.
(C) The property will form part of Mr. Mayuga's gross estate because he died soon after
the donation.
(D) The property will not form part of Mr. Mayuga's gross estate because it is no longer
his.
XVIII. Mr. Z made an importation which he declared at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) as "Used
Truck Replacement Parts". Upon investigation, the container vans contained 15 units of Porsche
and Ferrari cars.
Characterize Mr. Z's action. (1%)
(A) Mr. Z committed smuggling.
(B) Mr. Z did not commit smuggling because he submitted his shipment to BOC
examination.
(C) Mr. Z only made a misdeclaration, but did not commit smuggling.
(D) Mr. Z did not commit smuggling because the shipment has not left the customs area.
XIX. Mr. A was preparing his income tax return and had some doubt on whether a commission
he earned should be declared for the current year or for the succeeding year. He sought the
opinion of his lawyer who advised him to report the commission in the succeeding year. He
heeded his lawyer's advice and reported the commission in the succeeding year. The lawyer's
advice turned out to be wrong; in Mr. A's petition against the BIR assessment, the court ruled
against Mr. A.
Is Mr. A guilty of fraud? (1%)
(A) Mr. A is not guilty of fraud as he simply followed the advice of his lawyer.
(B) Mr. A is guilty of fraud; he deliberately did not report the commission in the current
year when he should have done so.
(C) Mr. A's lawyer should pay the tax for giving the wrong advice.
(D) Mr. A is guilty for failing to consult his accountant.
XX. The BIR, through the Commissioner, instituted a system requiring taxpayers to submit to
the BIR a summary list of their sales and purchases during the year, indicating the name of the
seller or the buyer and the amount. Based on these lists, the BIR discovered that in 2004 ABC
Corp. purchased from XYZ Corp. goods worth P5,000,000. XYZ Corp. did not declare these for
income tax purposes as its reported gross sales for 2004was only Pl,000,000.
Which of the following defenses may XYZ Corp. interpose in an assessment against it by the
BIR? (1%)
(A) The BIR has no authority to obtain third party information to assess taxpayers.
(B) The third party information is inadmissible as hearsay evidence.
(C) The system of requiring taxpayers to submit third party information is illegal for
violating the right to privacy.
(D) None of the above.
NOTHING FOLLOWS
2012 BAR EXAMINATIONS
TAXATION LAW
14 October 2012 2:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
Set A
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQs)
INSTRUCTIONS
The following questionnaire consists of seventy-five (75) MCQs numbered 1 up to 75 contained
in TWENTY TWO (22) pages.
Answer each question on the MCQ Answer Sheet by shading completely the appropriate circle
corresponding to the letter you have chosen. (Read the Marking Instruction on the Answer Sheet)
Avoid erasures on the Answer Sheet. If you need to make corrections, erase completely the
answer you want to change.
Do not explain your answer in the MCQ portion of the exam. You will not earn credit for that.
Keep the Answer Sheet clean. Do not make unnecessary marks on it. Do not fold, roll, scratch,
crumple or tear it.
You may write on the questionnaire and use it as scratch paper but make sure to transfer your
Answer Sheet. Provide ample time to transfer the answers if you choose to do this.
Answer first the MCQs completely before going to the essay-type questions.
HAND IN YOUR ANSWER SHEET. THERE IS NO NEED TO RETURN THIS
QUESTIONNAIRE TO THE HEAD WATCHER.
GOODLUCK!!!
_____________________________________
MARTIN S. VILLARAMA, JR.
Chairperson
2012 Bar Examinations Committee
PLEASE CHECK THAT THIS SET CONTAINS TWENTY THREE (23) PAGES
(INCLUDING THIS PAGE).
WARNING: NOT FOR SALE OR UNAUTHORIZED USE
1. Bank A deposit money with Bank B which earns interest that is subjected to the 20% final
withholding tax. At the same time, Bank A is subjected to the 5% gross receipts tax on its
interest income on loan transactions to customers. Which statement below INCORRECTLY
describes the transaction?
a) There is double taxation because two taxes income tax and gross receipts tax are
imposed on the interest incomes described above and double taxation is prohibited under
the 1987 Constitution
b) There is no double taxation because the first tax is income tax, while the second tax is
business tax;
c) There is no double taxation because the income tax is on the interest income of Bank A
on its deposits with Bank B (passive income), while the gross receipts tax is on the
interest income received by Bank A from loans to its debtor-customers (active income);
d) Income tax on interest income of deposits of Bank A is a direct tax, while GRT on
interest income on loan transaction is an tax.
2. Which of the following statement is NOT correct?
a) In case of doubt, statutes levying taxes are constructed strictly the government;
b) The construction of a statute made by his predecessors is not binding upon the
successor, if thereafter he becomes satisfied that a different construction should be given;
c) The reversal of a ruling shall not generally be given retroactive application, if said
reversal will be prejudicial to the taxpayer;
d) A memorandum circular promulgated by the CIR that imposes penalty for violations
of certain rules need not be published in a newspaper of general circulation or official
gazette because it has the force and effect of law.
3. Which statement below expresses the lifeblood theory?
a) The assessed taxes must be enforced by the government.
b) The underlying basis of taxation is government necessity, for without taxation, a
government can neither exist nor endure;
c) Taxation is an arbitrary method of exaction by those who are in the seat of power;
d) The power of taxation is an inherent power of the sovereign to impose burdens upon
subjects and objects within its jurisdiction for the purpose of raising revenues.
4. Which statement is WRONG?
a) The power of taxation may be exercised by the government, its political subdivisions,
and public utilities;
b) Generally, there is no limit on the amount of tax that may be imposed;
c) The money contributed as tax becomes part of the public funds;
d) The power of tax is subject to certain constitutional limitations.
5. The Philippines adopted the semi-global tax system, which means that:
a) All taxable incomes, regardless of the nature of income, are added together to arrive at
gross income, and all allowable deductions are deducted from the gross income to arrive
at the taxable income;
b) All incomes subject to final withholding taxes liable to income tax under the schedular
tax system, while all ordinary income as well as income not subject to final withholding
tax under the global tax system;
c) All taxable incomes are subject to final withholding taxes under the schedular tax
system;
d) All taxable incomes from sources within and without the Philippines are liable to
income tax.
6. Income from the performance of services is treated as income from within the Philippines, if:
a) The payment of compensation for the service is made in the Philippines;
b) The contract calling for the performance of services is signed in the Philippines;
c) The service is actually performed in the Philippines;
d) The recipient of service income is a resident of the Philippines.
7. For income tax purposes, the source of the service income is important for the taxpayer, who
is a:
a) Filipino citizen residing in Makati City;
b) Non-resident Filipino citizen working residing in London, United Kingdom;
c) Japanese citizen who is married to a Filipino citizen and residing in their family home
located Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City;
d) Domestic corporation.
8. Interest income of a domestic commercial bank derived from a peso loan to a domestic
corporation in 2010 is :
a) Subject to the 30% income tax based on its net taxable income;
b) Subject to the 20% final withholding tax;
c) Subject to the 7.5% final withholding tax;
d) Subject to 10% final withholding tax.
9. A resident corporation is one that is:
a) Organized under the laws of the Philippines that does business in another country;
b) Organized under the laws of a foreign country that sets up a regional headquarter in the
Philippines doing product promotion and information dissemination;
c) Organized under the laws of the Philippines that engages business in a special
economic zone;
d) Organized under the laws of a foreign country that engages in business in Makati City,
Pihlippines.
10. A dealer in securities sold unlisted shares of stocks of a domestic corporation in 2010 and
derived a gain of P1 Million therefrom. The gain is:
a) Taxable at 30% regular corporate income tax based on net taxable income;
b) Taxable at 5%/10% capital gains tax based on net capital gain;
c) Taxable at of 1% stock transaction tax based on the gross selling price or fair market
value, whichever is higher
d) Exempt from income tax
11. An individual, who is a real estate dealer, sold a residential lot in Quezon City at a gain of
P100,000.00 (selling price of P900,000.00 and cost is P800,00.00). The sale is subject to income
tax as follows:
a) 6% capital gains tax on the gain;
b) 6% capital gains tax on the gross selling price of fair market value, whichever is
higher;
c) Ordinary income tax at the graduated rates of 5% to 32% of net taxable income;
d) 30% income tax on net taxable income.
12. During the audit conducted by the BIR official, it was found that the rental income claimed
by the corporation was not subjected to expanded withholding tax. Accordingly, the claimed
rental expense:
a) Is deductible from the gross income of the corporation, despite non-withholding of
income tax by the corporation;
b) Is deductible from the gross income of the corporation, provided that the 5% expanded
withholding tax is paid by the corporation during the audit;
c) Is not deductible from gross income of the corporation due to non-withholding of tax;
d) Is deductible, if it can be shown that the lessor has correctly reported the rental income
in his tax return.
13. A resident Filipino citizen (not a dealer in securities) sold shares of stocks of a domestic
corporation that are listed and traded in the Philippine Stock Exchange.
a) The sale is exempt from income tax but subject to the of 1% stock transaction tax;
b) The sale is subject to income tax computed at the graduated income tax rates of 5% to
32% on net taxable income;
c) The sale is subject to the stock transaction tax and income tax;
d) The sale is both exempt from the stock transaction tax and income tax.
14. The appropriate method of accounting for a contractor on his long-term construction contract
(i.e., it takes more than a year to finish) is:
a) Cash method;
b) Accrual method;
c) Installment sale method;
d) Percentage of completion method.
15. A general professional partnership (GPP) is one:
a) That is registered as such with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the
Bureau of Internal Revenue;
b) That is composed of individuals who exercise a common profession;
c) That exclusively derives income from the practice of the common profession;
d) That derives professional income and rental income from property owned by it.
16. The interest expense of a domestic corporation on a bank loan in connection with the
purchase of a production equipment:
a) Is not deductible from gross income of the borrower-corporation;
b) Is deductible from the gross income of the borrower-corporation during the year or it
may be capitalized as part of cost of the equipment;
c) Is deductible only for a period of five years from date of purchase;
d) Is deductible only if the taxpayer uses the cash method of accounting.
17. The "all events test" refers to:
a) A person who uses the cash method where all sales have been fully paid by the buyers
thereof;
b) A person who uses the installment sales method, where the full amount of
consideration is paid in full by the buyer thereof within the year of sale;
c) A person who uses the accrual method, whereby an expense is deductible for the
taxable year in which all the events had occurred which determined the fact of the
liability and the amount thereof could be determined with reasonable accuracy;
d) A person who uses the completed method, whereby the construction project has been
completed during the year the contract was signed.
18. All the items below are excluded from gross income, except:
a) Gain from sale of long-term bonds, debentures and indebtedness;
b) Value of property received by a person as donation or inheritance;
c) Retirement benefits received from the GSIS, SSS, or accredited retirement plan;
d) Separation pay received by a retiring employee under a voluntary retirement program
of the corporate employer.
19. Which statement is correct? A non-stock, non-profit charitable association that sells its idle
agricultural property is:
a) Not required to file an income tax return nor pay income tax on the transaction to the
BIR, provided the sales proceeds are invested in another real estate during the year;
b) Required to pay the 6% capital gains tax on the gross selling price of fair market value,
whichever is higher;
c) Mandated to pay the 30% regular corporate income tax on the gain from sale;
d) Required to withhold the applicable expanded withholding tax rate on the transaction
and remit the same to the BIR.
20. ABS Corporation is a PEZA-registered export enterprise which manufactures cameras and
sells all its finished products abroad. Which statement is NOT correct?
a) ABS Corporation is subject to the 5% final tax on gross income earned, in lieu of all
national and local taxes;
b) ABS Corporation is exempt from the 30% corporate income tax on net income,
provided it pays value added tax;
c) ABS Corporation is subject to the 30% corporate income tax on net income;
d) ABS Corporation is exempt from all national and local taxes, except real property tax.
21. In May 2010, Mr. And Mrs. Melencio Antonio donated a house and lot with a fair market
value of P10 Million to their sob, Roberto, who is to be married during the same year to Josefina
Angeles. Which statement below is INCORRECT?
a) There are four (4) donations made two (2) donations are made by Mr. Melencio
Antonio to Roberto and Josefina, and two (2) donations are made by Mrs. Antonio;
b) The four (4) donations are made by the Spouses Antonio to members of the family,
hence, subject to the graduated donors tax rates (2%-15%);
c) Two (2) donations are made by the spouses to members of the family, while two (2)
other donations are made to strangers;
d) Two (2) donations made by the spouses to Roberto are entitled to deduction from the
gross gift as donation proper nuptias.
22. While he was traveling with friends, Mr. Jose Francisco, resident Filipino citizen, died on
January 20, 2011 in a California Hospital, USA, leaving personal and real properties with market
values as follows: House and Lot in Quezon City P10 Million; Cash in bank in California
US$10,000.00; Citibank in New York US$5,000.00; Cash in BPI Makati P4 Million; Car in
Quezon City P1 Million; Shares of stocks of Apple Corporation, US corporation listed in NY
Stock Exchange US$1 = Php50. His gross estate for the Philippine estate tax purposes shall be:
a) P13 Million;
b) P14 Million;
c) P15 Million;
d) P16 Million.
23. In 2006, Mr. Vicente Tagle, a retiree, bought 10,000 CDA shares that are unlisted in the local
stock exchange for P10 per share. In 2010, the said shares had a book value per share of P60 per
share. In view of a car accident in 2010, Mr. Vicente Tagle had to sell his CDA shares but he
could sell the same only for P50 per share. The sale is subject to tax as follos:
a) 5%/10% capital gains tax on the capital gain from sale of P40 per share (P50 selling
price less P10 cost);
b) 5%/10% capital gains tax on the capital gain of P50 per share, arrived at by deducting
the cost (P10 per share) from the book value (P60 per share);
c) 5%/10% capital gains tax on the capital gain from sale of P40 per share (P50 selling
price less P10 cost) plus donors tax on the excess of the fair market value of the shares
over the consideration;
d) Graduated income tax rates of 5% to 32% on the net taxable income from the sale of
the shares.
24. On January 10, 2011, Maria Reyes, single-mother, donated cash in the amount of P50,000.00
to her daughter Cristina, and on December 20, 2011, she donated another P50,000.00 to Cristina.
Which statement is correct?
a) Maria Reyes is subject to donors tax in 2011 because gross gift is P100,000.00;
b) Maria Reyes is exempt from donors tax in 2011 because gross gift is P100,000.00;
c) Maria Reyes is exempt from donors tax in 2011 only to the extent of P50,000.00;
d) Maria Reyes is exempt from donors tax in 2011 because the donee is minor.
25. Jose Ramos, single, died of a heart attack on October 10, 2011, leaving a residential house
and lot with a market value of P1.8 Million and cash of P100,000.00. Funeral expenses paid
amounted to P250,000.00
a) His estate will be exempt from estate tax because the net estate is zero;
b) His estate will be subject to estate tax because net estate is P1,650,000.00;
c) His estate will be subject to estate tax because net estate is P1,700,00.00;
d) His estate will be subject to estate tax because net estate is P800,000.00.
26. Sale of residential house and lot by an official of a domestic corporation to another official in
the same corporation for a consideration of P2.5 Million in 2011 is:
a) Exempt from VAT because the gross sales do not exceed P2.5 Million;
b) Exempt from VAT because the property sold is a capital asset, regardless of the gross
selling price;
c) Exempt from VAT because the seller is not a person engaged in real estate business;
d) Taxable at 12% VAT output tax on the gross selling price of P2.5 Million.
27. An importer of flowers from abroad in 2011:
a) Is liable for VAT, if it registers as a VAT person;
b) Is exempt from VAT, because the goods are treated as agricultural products;
c) Is exempt from VAT, provided that his total importation of flowers does not exceed
P1.5 Million;
d) Is liable for VAT, despite the fact that it did not register as a VAT person and its total
annual sales of flowers do not exceed P1.5 Million.
28. A VAT-registered contractor performed services for his customer in 2010 and billed him
P11.2 Million, broken down as follows: P10 Million cost of services, plus P1.2 Million, 12%
VAT. Of the contract price of P10 Million, only P8 Million plus VAT thereon was received from
the customer in 2010, and the balance of P4 Million plus VAT was received by the contractor in
2011. How much is the taxable gross receipts of the contractor for 2010, for VAT purposes?
a) P10 Million, the total cost of services performed in 2010;
b) P8 Million, the amount received from the customer in 2010;
c) P8 Million plus VAT received from the customer in 2010;
d) P11.2 Million, the total cost of services performed plus 12% VAT.
29. MBM Corporation is the owner-operator of movie houses in Cavite. During the year 2010, it
received a total gross receipts of P20 Million from the operation of movies. It did not register as
a VAT person. Which statement below is correct?
a) MBM Corporation is exempt from the 12% VAT, but liable for the 20% amusement
tax on admissions under the Local Government Code;
b) MBM Corporation is both liable for the 12% VAT and 20% amusement tax on
admissions;
c) MBM Corporation is both exempt from the 12% VAT and 20% amusement tax on
admissions;
d) MBM Corporation is liable for the 12% VAT, but exempt from the 20% amusement
tax on admissions.
30. A pawnshop shall now be treated, for business tax purposes:
a) As a lending investor liable to the 12% VAT on its gross receipts from interest income
and from gross selling price from sale of unclaimed properties;
b) Not as a lending investor, but liable to the 5% gross receipts tax imposed on a non-
bank financial intermediary under Title VI (Other Percentage Taxes);
c) As exempt from 12% VAT and 5% gross receipts tax;
d) As liable to the 12% VAT and 5% gross receipts tax.
31. Under the VAT system, there is no cascading because the tax itself is not again being taxed.
However, in determining the tax base on sale of taxable goods under the VAT system:
a) The professional tax paid by the professional is included in gross receipts;
b) The other percentage tax (e.g., gross receipts tax) paid by the taxpayer is included in
gross selling price;
c) The excise tax paid by the taxpayer before withdrawal of the goods from the place of
production or from customs custody is included in the gross selling price;
d) The documentary stamp tax paid by the taxpayer is included in the gross selling price
or gross receipts.
32. Except for one transaction, the rest are exempt from value added tax. Which one is VAT
taxable?
a) Sales of chicken by a restaurant owner who did not register as a VAT person and
whose gross annual sales is P1.2 Million;
b) Sales of copra by a copra dealer to a coconut oil manufacturer who did not register as a
VAT person and whose gross annual sales is P5 Million;
c) Gross receipts of CPA during the year amounted to P1 Million; the CPA registered as a
VAT person in January 2011, before practicing his profession;
d) Sales of a book store during the year amounted to P10 Million; it did not register as a
VAT person with the BIR.
33. A lessor or real property is exempt from value added tax in one of the transactions below.
Which one is it?
a) Lessor leases commercial stalls located in the Greenhills Commercial Center to VAT-
registered sellers of cell phones; lessors gross rental during the year amounted to P12
Million;
b) Lessor leases residential apartment units to individual tenants for P10,000.00 per
month per unit; his gross rental income during the year amounted to P2 Million;
c) Lessor leases commercial stalls at P10,000.00 per stall per month and residential units
at P15,000.00 per unit per month; his gross rental income during the year amounted to P3
Million;
d) Lessor leases two (2) residential houses and lots at P50,000.00 per month per unit, but
he registered as a VAT person.
34. IBP Bank extended loans to debtors during the year, with real properties of the debtors being
used as collateral to secure the loans. When the debtors failed to pay the unpaid principal and
interests after several demand letters, the bank foreclosed the same and entered into contracts of
lease with tenants. The bank is subject to the tax as follows:
a) 12% VAT on the rental income, but exempt from the 7% gross receipts tax;
b) 7% gross receipts tax on the rental income, but exempt from VAT;
c) Liable to both the 12% VAT and 7% gross receipts tax;
d) Exempt from both the 12% VAT and 7% gross receipts tax.
35. Which transaction below is subject to VAT?
a) Sale of vegetables by a farmer in Baguio City to a vegetable dealer;
b) Sale of vegetables by a vegetable dealer in Baguio City to another vegetable dealer in
Quezon City;
c) Sale of vegetables by the QC vegetable dealer to a restaurant in Manila;
d) Sale of vegetables by the restaurant operator to its customers.
36. Which importation in 2011 is subject to VAT?
a) Importation of fuels by a person engaged in international shipping worth P20 Million;
b) Importation of raw, unprocessed, refrigerated Kobe beef from Japan by a beef dealer
for sale to hotels in Makati City with a fair market value of P10 Million;
c) Importation of wines by a wine dealer with a fair market value of P2 million for sale to
hotels in Makati City;
d) Importation of books worth P5 Million and school supplies worth P1.2 million.
37. Input tax is available to a VAT-registered buyer, provided that:
a) The seller is a VAT-registered person;
b) The seller issues a VAT invoice or official receipt, which separately indicates the VAT
component;
c) The goods or service is subject to or exempt from VAT, but the sale is covered by a
VAT invoice or receipt issued by VAT-registered person;
d) The name and TIN of the buyer is not stated or shown in the VAT invoice or receipt
Which statement shown above is NOT correct?
38. Claim for tax credit or refund of excess input tax is available only to:
a) A VAT-registered person whose sales are made to embassies of foreign governments
and United Nations agencies located in the Philippines without the BIR approval of the
application for zero-rating;
b) Any person who has excess input tax arising from local purchases of taxable goods
and services;
c) A VAT-registered person whose sales are made to clients in the Philippines;
d) A VAT-registered person whose sales are made to customers outside the Philippines
and who issued VAT invoices or receipts with the words "ZERO RATED SALES"
imprinted on the sales invoices or receipts.
39. A hotel operator that is a VAT-registered person and who leases luxury vehicles to its hotel
customers is:
a) Subject to the 3% common carriers tax and 12% VAT;
b) Subject to the 3% common carriers tax only;
c) Subject to the 12% VAT only;
d) Exempt from both the 3% common carriers tax and 12% VAT.
40. Which statement is correct? A bar review center owned and operated by lawyers is:
a) Exempt from VAT, regardless of its gross receipts during the year because it is an
educational center;
b) Exempt from VAT, provided that its annual gross receipts do not exceed P1.5 Million
in 2011;
c) Subject to VAT, regardless of its gross receipts during the year;
d) Subject to VAT, if it is duly accredited by TESDA.
41. For 2012, input tax is not available as a credit against the output tax of the buyer of taxable
goods or services during the quarter, if:
a) The VAT invoice or receipt of the seller is registered with the BIR;
b) The VAT invoice or receipt of the seller does not separately indicate the gross selling
price or gross receipts and the VAT component therein;
c) The VAT invoice or receipt is issued in the name of the VAT-registered buyer and his
TIN is shown in said invoice or receipt;
d) The VAT invoice or receipt issued by the seller shows the Taxpayer Identification
Number plus the word "VAT" or "VAT registered person".
42. The public market vendor below, who is not a VAT-registered person is liable to VAT in
2010, if:
a) She sells raw chicken and meats and her gross sales during the year is P2 Million;
b) She sells vegetables and fruits in her stall and her gross sales during the year is P1
Million;
c) She sells canned goods, processed coconut oils, and cut flowers in her stall and her
gross sales during the year is P2.5 Million;
d) She sells live fish, shrimps, and crabs and her gross sales during the year is P5 Million.
43. Which statement is FALSE under the VAT law?
a) A VAT-registered person will be subject to VAT for his taxable transactions,
regardless of his gross sales or receipts;
b) A person engaged in trade or business selling taxable goods or services must register
as a VAT person, when his gross sales or receipts for the year 2011 exceed P1.5 Million;
c) A person who issued a VAT-registered invoice or receipt for a VAT-exempt
transaction is liable to the 12% VAT as a penalty for the wrong issuance thereof;
d) Once a doctor of medicine exercises his profession during the year, he needs to register
as a VAT person and to issue VAT receipts for professional fees received.
44. The Commissioner of Internal Revenue may NOT inquire into the bank deposits of a
taxpayer, except:
a) When the taxpayer files a fraudulent return;
b) When the taxpayer offers to compromise the assessed tax based on erroneous
assessment;
c) When the taxpayer offers to compromise the assessed tax based on financial incapacity
to pay and he authorizes the Commissioner in writing to look into his bank records;
d) When the taxpayer did not file his income tax return for the year.
45. The Commissioner of Internal Revenue issued a BIR ruling to the effect that the transaction
is liable to income tax and value added tax. Upon receipt of the ruling, a taxpayer does not agree
thereto. What is his proper remedy?
a) File a petition for review with the Court of Tax Appeals within thirty (30) days from
receipt thereof;
b) File a motion for reconsideration with the Commissioner of Internal Revenue;
c) File an appeal to the Secretary of Finance within thirty (30) days from receipt thereof;
d) File an appeal to the Secretary of Justice within thirty (30) days from receipt thereof.
46. On April 15, 2011, the Commissioner of Internal Revenue mailed by registered mail the final
assessment notice and the demand letter covering the calendar year 2007 with the QC Post
Office. Which statement is correct?
a) The assessment notice is void because it was mailed beyond the prescriptive period;
b) The assessment notice is void because it was not received by the taxpayer within the
three-year period from the date of filing of the tax return;
c) The assessment notice is void if the taxpayer can show that the same was received only
after one (1) month from date of mailing;
d) The assessment notice is valid even if the taxpayer received the same after the three-
year period from the date of filing of the tax return.
47. A preliminary Assessment Notice (PAN) is NOT required to be issued by the BIR before
issuing a Final Assessment Notice (FAN) on one of the following cases:
a) When a taxpayer does not pay the 2010 deficiency income tax liability on or before
July 15 of the year;
b) When the finding for any deficiency tax is the result of mathematical error in the
computation of the tax as appearing on the face of the return;
c) When a discrepancy has been determined between the value added tax paid and the
amount due for the year;
d) When the amount of discrepancy shown in the Letter Notice is not paid within thirty
(30) days from date of receipt.
48. When a protest against the deficiency income tax assessment was denied by the BIR
Regional Director of Quezon City, the appeal to the Court of Tax Appeals must be filed by a
taxpayer:
a) If the amount of basic tax assessed is P100,000.00 or more;
b) If the amount of basic tax assessed is P300,000.00 or more;
c) If the amount of basic tax assessed is P500,000.00 or more;
d) If the amount of basic tax assessed is P1 Million or more;
49. The taxpayer received an assessment notice on April 15, 2011 and filed its request for
reinvestigation against the assessment on April 30, 2011. Additional documentary evidence in
support of its protest was submitted by it on June 30, 2011. If no denial of the protest was
received by the taxpayer, when is the last day for the filing of its appeal to the CTA?
a) November 30, 2011;
b) December 30, 2011;
c) January 30, 2012;
d) February 28, 2012.
50. Using the same facts in the immediately preceding number, but assuming that the final
decision on the disputed assessment was received by the taxpayer on July 30, 2011, when is the
last day for filing of the appeal to the CTA?
a) August 30, 2011;
b) September 30, 2011;
c) December 30, 2011;
d) January 30, 2012.
51. Which court has jurisdiction to determine if the warrant of distraint and levy issued by the
BIR is valid and to rule if the waiver of the Statute of Limitations was validly effected?
a) City Courts;
b) Regional Trial Court;
c) Court of Tax Appeals;
d) Court of Appeals.
52. Which statement below on compromise of tax liability is correct?
a) Compromise of a tax liability is available only at the administrative level;
b) Compromise of a tax liability is available only before trial at the CTA;
c) Compromise of a tax liability is available even during appeal, provided that prior leave
of court is obtained;
d) Compromise of a tax liability is still available even after the court decision has become
final and executory.
53. In case of full or partial denial of the written claim for refund or excess input tax directly
attributable to zero-rated sales, or the failure on the part of the Commissioner to act on the
application within 120 days from the date of submission of complete documents, an appeal must
be filed with the CTA:
a) Within thirty (30) days after filing the administrative claim with the BIR;
b) Within sixty (60) days after filing the administrative claim with the BIR;
c) Within one hundred twenty (120) days after filing the administrative claim with the
BIR;
d) Within thirty (30) days from the receipt of the decision denying the claim or after the
expiration of the 120-day period.
54. The submission of the required documents within sixty (60) days from the filing of the
protest is available only where:
a) The taxpayer previously filed a Motion for Reconsideration with the BIR official;
b) The taxpayer previously filed a request for reconsideration with the BIR official;
c) The taxpayer previously filed a request for reinvestigation with the BIR official;
d) The taxpayer previously filed an extension to file a protest with the BIR official.
55. The prescriptive period for the collection of the deficiency tax assessment will be tolled:
a) If the taxpayer files a request for reconsideration with the Asst. Commissioner;
b) If the taxpayer files a request for reinvestigation that is approved by the Commissioner
of Internal Revenue;
c) If the taxpayer changes his address in the Philippines that is communicated to the BIR
official;
d) If a warrant of levy is served upon the taxpayers real property in Manila.
56. Which statement is correct? The collection of a deficiency tax assessment by distraint and
levy:
a) May be repeated, if necessary, until the full amount due, including all expenses, is
collected;
b) Must be done successively, first by distraint and then by levy;
c) Automatically covers the bank deposits of a delinquent taxpayer;
d) May be done only once during the taxable year.
57. The prescriptive period to file a criminal action is:
a) Ten (10) years from the date of discovery of the commission of fraud or non-filing of
tax return;
b) Five (5) years from the date of issuance of the final assessment notice;
c) Three (3) years from the filing of the annual tax return;
d) Five (5) years from the commission of the violation of the law, and if the same be not
known at the time, from the discovery thereof and the institution of judicial proceedings
for its investigation and punishment.
58. The accuseds mere reliance on the representations made by his accountant, with deliberate
refusal or avoidance to verify the contents of his tax return and to inquire on its authenticity
constitutes:
a) Simple negligence;
b) Gross negligence;
c) Willful blindness;
d) Excusable negligence.
59. The acquittal of the accused in the criminal action for the failure to file income tax return and
failure to supply correct information will have the following consequence:
a) The CTA will automatically exempt the accused from any civil liability;
b) The CTA will still hold the taxpayer liable for deficiency income tax liability in all
cases, since preponderance of evidence is merely required for tax cases;
c) The CTA will impose civil or tax liability only if there was a final assessment notice
issued by the BIR against the accused in accordance with the prescribed procedures for
issuing assessments, which was presented during the trial;
d) The CTA will impose civil or tax liability, provided that a computation of the tax
liability is presented during the trial.
60. X Corporation had excess income tax payment for the year 2008, which it chose to carry over
in 2009. In filing its 2009 corporate income tax return, it signified its intention (by checking the
small box "refund" at the bottom of the return) to get a refund of the overpaid amount in 2008.
Can the refund be allowed or not, and if disallowed, does X Corporation lose the claimed
amount?
a) X Corporation may not get the refund because the decision to carry over in 2008 was
irrevocable for that year, and it may not change that decision in succeeding years;
b) X Corporation may not get the refund in 2009, but the amount being claimed as refund
may be utilized in succeeding years until fully exhausted because there is no prescriptive
period for carry over of excess income tax payments;
c) X Corporation may get the refund, provided that it will no longer carry over such
amount or utilize the same against its income tax liability in the future;
d) X Corporation may file instead a claim of tax credit, in lieu of refund.
61. Which statement is correct?
a) Legislative acts passed by the municipal council in the exercise of its lawmaking
authority are denominated as resolutions and ordinances;
b) Legislative acts passed by the municipal council in the exercise of its lawmaking
authority are denominated as resolutions;
c) Legislative acts passed by the municipal council in the exercise of its lawmaking
authority are denominated as ordinances;
d) Both ordinances and resolutions are solemn and formal acts.
62. Which of the following statements is NOT a test of a valid ordinance?
a) It must not contravene the Constitution or any statute;
b) It must not be unfair or oppressive;
c) It must not be partial or discriminatory;
d) It may prohibit or regulate trade.
63. Taxing power of local government units shall NOT extend to the following taxes, except one:
a) Income tax on banks and other financial institutions;
b) Taxes of any kind on the national government, its agencies and instrumentalities, and
local government units;
c) Taxes on agricultural and aquatic products when sold by the marginal farmers or
fishermen;
d) Excise taxes on articles enumerated under the National Internal Revenue Code.
64. Which statement on prescriptive periods is true?
a) The prescriptive periods to assess taxes in the National Internal Revenue Code and the
Local Government Code are the same;
b) Local taxes shall be assessed within five (5) years from the date they became due;
c) Action for the collection of local taxes may be instituted after the expiration of the
period to assess and to collect the tax;
d) Local taxes may be assessed within ten (10) years from discovery of the underpayment
of tax which does not constitute fraud.
65. The appraisal, assessment, levy and collection of real property tax shall be guided by the
following principles. Which statement does NOT belong here?
a) Real property shall be appraised at its current and fair market value;
b) Real property shall be classified for assessment purposes on the basis of its actual use;
c) Real property shall be assessed on the basis of a uniform classification within each
local political subdivision;
d) The appraisal and assessment of real property shall be based on audited financial
statements of the owner.
66. The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is exempt from real property tax. Which
statement below is NOT correct?
a) MIAA is not a government-owned or controlled corporation because it is not organized
as a stock or non-stock corporation;
b) MIAA is a government instrumentality vested with corporate powers and performing
essential public services;
c) MIAA is not a taxable entity because the real property is owned by the Republic of the
Philippines and the beneficial use of such property has not been granted to a private
entity;
d) MIAA is a government-owned or controlled corporation because it is required to meet
the test of economic viability.
67. For purposes of real property taxes, the tax rates are applied on:
a) Zonal values;
b) Fair market value;
c) Assessed values;
d) Reproduction values.
68. One of the local government units below does NOT have the power to impose real property
tax:
a) Bacoor, Cavite;
b) Davao City;
c) Tarlac Province;
d) Malabon, Metro Manila.
69. Where the real property tax assessment is erroneous, the remedy of the property owner is:
a) To file a claim for refund in the Court of Tax Appeals if he has paid the tax, within
thirty (30) days from date of payment;
b) To file an appeal with the Provincial Board of Assessment Appeals within thirty (30)
days from receipt of the assessment;
c) To file an appeal with the Provincial Board of Assessment Appeals within sixty (60)
days from receipt of the assessment;
d) To file an appeal with the Provincial Board of Assessment Appeals within sixty (60)
days from receipt of the assessment and playing the assessed tax under protest.
70. The City Government of Manila may NOT impose:
a) Basic real property tax at 2% of the assessed value of real property;
b) Additional levy on real property for the special education fund at 1% of the assessed
value of real property;
c) Additional ad valorem tax on idle lands at a rate not exceeding 5% of the assessed
value;
d) Special levy on lands within its territory specially benefited by public works projects
or improvements funded by it at 80% of the actual cost of the projects or improvements.
71. Importation of goods is deemed terminated:
a) When the customs duties are paid, even if the goods remain within the customs
premises;
b) When the goods are released or withdrawn from the customs house upon payment of
the customs duties or with legal permit to withdraw;
c) When the goods enter Philippines territory and remain within the customs house within
thirty (30) days from date of entry;
d) When there is part payment of duties on the imported goods located in the customs
area.
72. A protest against an assessment issued by the Collector of Customs for unpaid customs duties
on imported goods shall be filed with:
a) The Commissioner of Customs;
b) The Regional Trial Court;
c) The Court of Tax Appeals;
d) The Collector of Customs.
73. The dutiable value of an imported article subject to an ad valorem rate of duty under existing
law shall be:
a) The home consumption value;
b) The total value;
c) The total landed cost;
d) The transaction value.
74. The imported articles shall in any case be subject to the regular physical examination when:
a) The importer disagrees with the findings as contained in the government surveyors
report;
b) The number, weight and nature of packages indicated in the customs entry declaration
and supporting documents differ from that in the manifest;
c) The container is not leaking or damaged;
d) The shipment is covered by alert/hold orders issued pursuant to an existing order.
75. Which cases are appealable to the CTA?
a) Decisions of the Secretary of Finance in cases involving liability for customs duties,
seizure, detention or release of property affected;
b) Decisions of the Commissioner of Customs in cases involving liability for customs
duties, seizure, detention or release of property affected;
c) Decisions of the Collector of Customs in cases involving liability for customs duties,
seizure, detention or release of property affected;
d) Decisions of the BIR Commissioner in cases involving liability for customs duties,
seizure, detention or release of property affected.
- NOTHING FOLLOWS -
HAND IN YOUR ANSWER SHEET.
THERE IS NO NEED TO RETURN THIS QUESTIONNAIRE TO HEAD WATCHER.

2012 BAR EXAMINATIONS
TAXATION LAW
14 October 2012 3:30 P.M.-5 P.M.
Set B
ESSAY TYPE QUESTIONS
INSTRUCTIONS
The following questionnaire consists of ten (10) questions (numbered I to X) contained in SIX
(6) pages.
Begin your answer to each numbered question on a separate page; an answer to a sub-question/s
under the same number maybe written continuously on the same page and succeeding pages until
completed.
Answer the question directly and concisely. Do not repeat the question. Write legibly.
HAND IN YOUR NOTEBOOK. THERE IS NO NEED TO RETURN THIS
QUESTIONNAIRE TO THE HEAD WATCHER.
GOODLUCK!!!
_____________________________________
MARTIN S. VILLARAMA, JR.
Chairperson
2012 Bar Examinations Committee
PLEASE CHECK THAT THIS SET CONTAINS SEVEN (7) PAGES (INCLUDING THIS
PAGE).
WARNING: NOT FOR SALE OR UNAUTHORIZED USE
TAXATION LAW
I
Anchor Banking Corporation, which was organized in 2000 and existing under the laws of the
Philippines and owned by the Sy Family of Makati City, set up in 2010 a branch office in
Shanghai City, China, to take advantage of the presence of many Filipino workers in that area
and its booming economy. During the year, the bank ,management decided not to include the
P20 Million net income of the Shanghai Branch in the annual Philippine income tax return filed
with the BIR, which showed a net taxable income of P30 Million , because the Shanghai Branch
is treated as a foreign corporation and is taxed only on income from sources within the
Philippines, and since the loan and other business transactions were done in Shanghai, these
incomes are not taxable in the Philippines.
a) Is the bank correct in excluding the net income of its Shanghai Branch in the
computation of its annual corporate income tax for 2010? Explain your answer. (5%)
b) Should the Shanghai Branch of Anchor Bank remit profit to its Head Office in the
Philippines in 2011, is the branch liable to the 15% branch profit remittance tax imposed
under Section 28 (A)(5) of the 1997 Tax Code? Explain your answer (5%)
II
Foster Corporation (FC) is a Singapore-based foreign corporation engaged in construction and
installation projects. In 2010, Global Oil Corporation (GOC), a domestic corpoartion engaged in
the refinery of petroleum products, awarded an anti-pollution project to Foster Corporation,
whereby FC shall design, supply machinery and equipment, and install an anti-pollution device
for GOCs refinery in the Philippines, provided that the installation part of the project may be
sub-contracted to a local construction company. Pursuant to the contract, the design and supply
contracts were done in Singapore by FC, while the installation works were sub-contracted by the
FC with the Philippine Construction Corporation (PCC), a domestic corporation. The project
with a total cost of P100 Million was completed in 2011 at the following cost components:
(design P20Million; machinery and equipment P50 Million; and installation P30 Million).
Assume that the project was 40% complete in 2010 and 100% complete in 2011, based on the
certificates issued by the certificates issued by the architects and engineers working on the
project. GOC paid FC as follows: P60 Million in 2010 and P40 Million in 2011, and FC paid
PCC ion foreign currency through a Philippine bank as follows: P10 Million in 2010 and P20
Million in 2011.
a) Is FC liable to Philippines income tax, and if so, how much revenue shall be reported
by it in 2010 and in 2011? Explain your answer. (5%)
b) Is PCC, which adopted the percentage of completion method of reporting income and
expenses, liable to value added tax in 2010 and in 2011. Explain your answer. (5%)
III
Mr. Jose Castillo is a resident Filipino Citizen. He purchased a parcel of land in Makati City in
1970 at a consideration of P1 Million. In 2011, the land , which remained undeveloped and idle,
had a fair market value of P20Million. Mr. Antonio Ayala, another Filipino citizen, is very much
interested in the property and he offered to buy the same for P20 Million. The Assessor of
Makati City re-assessed in 2011 the property at P10 Million.
a) When is Mr. Castillo liable for real property tax on the land beginning 2011 or
beginning 2012? Explain your answer. (2%)
b) Is Mr. Castillo liable for income tax in 2011 based on the offer to buy by Mr. Ayala?
Explain your answer. (3%)
c) Should Mr. Castillo agree to sell the land to Mr. Ayala in 2012 for P20 Million, subject
to the condition as stated in The Deed of Sale that the buyer shall assume the capital
gains tax thereon, how musch is the income tax due on the transaction and when must the
tax return be filed and the tax be paid by the taxpayer? Explain your answer. (5%)
IV
Mr. Pedro Aguirre, a resident citizen, is working for a large real estate development company in
the country and in 2010, he was promoted to Vice-President of the company. With more
responsibilities comes higher pay. In 2011, he decided to buy a new car worth P2 Million and he
traded-in his old car with a market value of P800,000.00 and paid the difference of P1.2 Million
to the car company. The old car, which was bought three (3) years ago by the father of Mr. Pedro
Aguirre at price of P700,000.00 was donated by him and registered in the name of his son. The
corresponding donors tax thereon was duly paid by the father.
a) How much is the cost basis of the old car to Mr. Aguirre? Explain your answer (2%)
b) What is the nature of the old car capital asset or ordinary asset? Explain your answer.
(3%)
c) Is Mr. Aguirre liable to pay income tax on the gain from the sale of his old car?
Explain your answer. (5%)
V
Spouses Pablo Gonzales and Teresita Gonzales, both resident citizens acquire during their
marriage a residential house and lot located in Makati City, which is being leased to a tenant for
a monthly rental of P100,000.00. Mr. Pablo Gonzales is the President of PG Corporation and he
receives P50,000.00 salary per month. The spouses have only one (1) minor child. In late June
2010, he was immediately brought to the hospital because of the heart attack and he was
pronounced dead on June 30, 2010.With no liabilities, the estate of the late Pablo Gonzales was
settled extra-judicially in early 2011.
a) Is Mr. Pablo Gonzales required to file income tax for 2010? If so, how much income
must he declare for the year? How much personal and additional exemption is he entitled
to? Explain your answer. (5%)
b) Is Mrs. Teresita Gonzales required to file income tax return fot 2010? If so, how much
income must she declare for the year? How much personal exemption is she entitled to?
Explain your answer. (5%)
c) Is the Estate of the late Pablo Gonzales required to file income tax return for 2010? If
so, how much income must it declare for the year? How much personal exemption is it
entitled to? Explain your answer. (5%)
VI
The BIR issude in 2010 a final assessment notice and demand letter against X Corporation
covering deficiency income tas for the year 2008 in the amount of P10 Million. X Corporation
earlier requested the advice of a lawyer on whether or not it should file a request for
reconsideration or a request for reinvestigation. The lawyer said it does not matter wheteher the
protest files against the assessment is a request for reconsideration or a request for
reinvestigation, because it has same consequences or implications.
a) What are the differences between a request for reconsideration and a request for
reinvestigation? (5%)
b) Do you agree with the advice of the lawyer? Explain your answer (5%)
VII
a) May the bank deposits peso and foreign currency of the an individual taxpayer be disclosed
by a commercial bank to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, in connection with a tax
investigation being conducted by revenue officials, without violating the relevant bank secrecy
laws? Explain your answer. (5%)
b) In 2011, the Commissioner of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requested in writing
the Commissioner of Internal Reveneu to get the informatrion from a bank in the Philippines,
regarding the deposits of a U.S. Citizen residing in the Philippines, who is under examiniation by
the officials of the US IRS, pursuant to the US-Philippine Tax Treaty and othert existing laws.
Should the BIR Commissioner agree to obtain such informarion from the bank and provide the
same to the IRS? Explain your answer. (5%)
c) Is the bank secrecy lawq in the Philippines violated when the BIR issues a Warrant of
Garnishment directed against a domestic bank, requiring it not to allow any withdrawal from any
existing bank deposit of he delinquent taxpayer mentioned in the Warrant and to freeze the same
until the tax delinquency of said taxpayer is settled with the BIR? Explain your answer. (5%)
VIII
In the examination conducted by the revenue officials against the corporate taxpayer in 2010, the
BIR issued a final assessment notice and demand letter which states: "It is requested that the
above deficiency tax be paid immediately upon receipt hereof, inclusive of penalties incident to
delinquency. This is our final decision based on investigation. If you disagree, you may appeal
this final decision within thirty (30) days from receipt hereof, otherwise said deficiency tax
assessment shall become final, executory and demandable." The assessment was immediately
appealed by the taxpayer to the Court of Tax Appeals, without filing its protest against the
assessment and without a denial thereof by the BIR. If you were the judge, would your deny the
petition for review filed by the taxpayer and consider the case as prematurely filed? Explain your
answer (5%)
IX
On April 16, 2012, the corporation filed its annual corporate income tax return for 2011, showing
an overpayment of income tax of P1 Million. Which is to be carried over to the succeeding
year(s). On May 15, 2012, the corporation sought advice from you and said that it contemplates
to file an amended return for 2011, which shows that instead of carry over of the execss income
tax payment, the same shall be considenred as a claim for tax refund and the small box shown as
"refund" in the return will be filled up. Withi a year, the corporation will file the formal request
for refund for the excess payment.
a) Will you recommend to the corporation such a course of action and justify that the
amended return is the latest official act of the corporation as to how it may treat such
overpayment of tax or should you consider the option granted to taxpayers as irrevocable,
once previously exercised by it? Explain your answer. (5%)
b) Should the petition for review filed with the CTA on the basisof the amended tax
return be denied by the BIR and the CTA, could the corporationstill carry over such
excess payment of income tax in the succeeding years, considering that there is no
precriptive period provided for in the income tax law with respect to carry over of excess
income tax payments? Explain your answer. (5%)
X
Explain the following statements:
a) The acquittal of the taxpayer in a criminal action under the Tax Code does not
necessarily result in a exeoneration of said taxpayer from his civil liability to pay taxes.
(3%)
b) Should the accused be found guilty beyond reasonable doubt for violation of Section
255 of the Tax Code for failure to file tax return or to to spply correct information), the
imposition of the civil liability by the CTA should be automatic and no assessment notice
from the BIR is necessary? (2%)