An Overview of The Expanded Court of Tax Appeals
An Overview of The Expanded Court of Tax Appeals
An Overview of The Expanded Court of Tax Appeals
The CTA was established in 1954 pursuant to R.A. No. 1125 for the main purpose
of creating a court having exclusive appellate jurisdiction over disputed tax
assessments and transferring to its jurisdiction all cases involving assessments
previously cognizable by courts of first instance.4
When it was created, the CTA originally exercised appellate jurisdiction over the
following cases: (i) decisions of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue (CIR) in
cases involving disputed assessments, refunds of internal taxes, fees or other
charges, penalties imposed in relation thereto, or other matters arising under the
National Internal Revenue Code (the Tax Code) or other law or part of law
administered by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR); (ii) decisions of the
Commissioner of Customs in cases involving liability for customs duties, fees or
other money charges; seizure, detention or release of property affected; fines,
forfeitures or other penalties imposed in relation thereto; or other matters arising
under the Customs Law of other law or part of law administered by the Bureau of
Customs (BOC); and (iii) decisions of provincial or city Boards of Assessment
Appeals (BAA) in cases involving the assessment and taxation of real property
or other matters arising under the Assessment Law, including all rules and
regulations relative thereto.5
The CTAs jurisdiction over decisions of provincial or city BAAs was subsequently
transferred to the Central Board of Assessment Appeals (CBAA) pursuant to the
Real Property Tax Code, and had continued to remain with the CBAA with the
passage of the Local Government Code of 1991.6
The Safeguard Measures Act of 2000 expanded the CTAs appellate jurisdiction to
include decisions of the Secretary of Trade and Industry (in the case of nonagricultural products, commodities, or articles) and the Secretary of Agriculture (in
the case of agricultural products, commodities, or articles) involving dumping and
countervailing duties under section 301 and 302 of the Tariff and Customs Code
and safeguard measures.7
The CTA and its Justices
The CTA originally consisted of a Presiding Judge and two Associate Judges. The
Presiding Judge had the same qualifications, rank, category and privileges as the
Presiding Judge of the Court of Industrial Relations (the predecessor of the
National Labor Relations Commission), while the Associate Judges had the same
qualifications, rank, category and privileges as members of the Court of Industrial
Relations.8
With the passage of R.A. No. 9282, the CTA is now of the same level as the Court
of Appeals and now consists of a Presiding Justice and five Associate Justices.9
The incumbent Presiding Judge and Associate Judges will continue in office and
bear the new titles of Presiding Justice and Associate Justice. The Presiding Justice
and the most Senior Associate Justice will serve as chairman of two Divisions. 10
These provisions are necessary so as not to undermine the security of tenure
enjoyed by the incumbent Presiding Judge and Associate Judges.11
The President will appoint the additional three Justices and succeeding members of
the CTA, upon nomination by the Judicial and Bar Council. The Presiding Justice
will be so designated on his appointment and the Associate Justices will have
precedence according to the date of their respective appointments, or, when the
appointments of two or more of them bears the same date, according to the order in
which the appointments were issued by the President.12
The Justices will have the same qualification, rank, category, salary, emoluments
and other privileges, be subject to the same inhibitions and disqualifications, and
enjoy the same retirements and other benefits as those provided for under existing
laws for the Presiding Justice and Associate of the Court of Appeals.13
The Justices are disqualified from intervening, directly or indirectly, in the
management or control of any private enterprise, which in any way may be
affected by the functions of the CTA. They are likewise disqualified from sitting in
any case on the same grounds provided under Rule 137 of the Rules of Court (the
Rules) for the disqualification of judicial officers.14
The Justices will hold office during good behavior, until they reach the age of 70,
or become incapacitated to discharge the duties of their office, unless sooner
removed for the same causes and in the same manner provided by law for members
of the judiciary of equivalent rank.15 They are disqualified to act as counsel before
the CTA for a period of one year from his retirement or resignation.16
The CTA en banc and its Divisions
Four Justices will constitute a quorum for sessions en banc. The affirmative votes
of the same number of Justices will be necessary for the rendition of a decision or
resolution.
Two Justices will constitute a quorum for sessions of a Division. The affirmative
votes of the same number of Justices shall be necessary for the rendition of a
decision or resolution. However, when the required quorum in a Division cannot be
constituted due to any vacancy, disqualification inhibition, disability, or any other
lawful cause, the Presiding Justice can designate any Justice of other Division of
the Court to sit temporarily therein.
Expanded Jurisdiction of the CTA
National Internal Revenue Cases The CTA has maintained its appellate
jurisdiction to review by appeal decisions of the CIR in cases involving disputed
assessments, refunds of internal revenue taxes, fees, other charges, penalties
thereto, or other matters arising under the Tax Code or other laws administered by
the BIR.17
However, the CIRs inaction in cases involving disputed assessments, refunds of
internal revenue taxes, fees or other charges, penalties in relations thereto, or other
matters arising under the Tax Code or other laws administered by the BIR, where
the Tax Code provides a specific period of action, is now expressly deemed as a
denial which may be appealed to the CTA.18 This amendment will put in issue the
continued applicability of the ruling in Lascona v. CIR (CTA Case No. 5777,
January 4, 2000) that, in cases of inaction, Section 228 of the Tax Code grants the
taxpayer an option either to: (i) appeal to the CTA within 30 days from the lapse of
the 180 day period provided for under the said section; or (ii) wait until the CIR
decides on the protest before elevating the case to the CTA without rendering the
assessment final and executory.
The appeal from the CIRs decision or inaction is made by filing a petition for
review under a procedure analogous to that provided for under Rule 42 within 30
days from receipt of the decision or ruling or, in case of inaction, from the
expiration of the period prescribed by law to act thereon. The appeal shall be heard
by a division of the CTA.19
Local Tax Cases The CTA now has exclusive appellate jurisdiction over
decisions, orders or resolutions of RTCs in local tax cases, whether decided or
resolved by them in the exercise of their original or appellate jurisdiction. 20 If the
decision, order or resolution was decided or resolved by the RTC in the exercise of
its original jurisdiction, the appeal shall be taken by filing a petition for review
under a procedure analogous to the provisions of Rule 42 within 30 days from
receipt of the decision or ruling. The appeal shall be heard by a CTA division.21
On the other hand, if the decision, order or resolution was decided or resolved by
the RTC in the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction, the appeal shall be taken by
filing a petition for review under a procedure analogous to the provisions of Rule
43 within 30 days from receipt of the decision or ruling. The appeal shall be heard
en banc.22
It must be noted that the modes and periods of appeal to the CTA for local tax
cases are different from those applicable to ordinary civil actions. An appeal to the
Court of Appeals from a decision of the RTC in the exercise of its original
jurisdiction is taken by filing a notice of appeal within 15 days from notice of the
judgment or final order appealed from,23 while an appeal from a decision of the
RTC in the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction is taken by filing a petition for
review within 15 days from notice of the decision sought to be reviewed or of the
denial of petitioners motion for new trial or reconsideration filed in due time after
judgment.24
Customs Cases The CTA continues to exercise its appellate jurisdiction to
review by appeal decisions of the Commissioner of Customs in cases involving
liability for customs duties, fees or other money charges, seizure, detention or
release of property affected, fines, forfeitures or other penalties in relation thereto,
or other matters arising under customs laws or other laws administered by the
BOC.25
However, decisions of the Secretary of Finance on customs cases elevated to him
automatically for review from decisions of the Commissioner of Customs adverse
to the government under Section 2315 of the Tariff and Customs Code may now
also be appealed to the CTA.26
taken by filing a petition for review under a procedure analogous to Rule 43 if the
decision, order or resolution was decided or resolved by the RTC in the exercise of
its appellate jurisdiction. The appeal should, nonetheless, be filed within 30 days
from receipt of the decision in both cases.46
It must be noted that the modes and periods of appeal to the CTA for criminal cases
are different from those applicable to ordinary criminal cases. An appeal to the
Court of Appeals from a decision of the RTC in the exercise of its original
jurisdiction are taken by filing a notice of appeal within 15 days from promulgation
of the judgment or notice of the final order appealed from, 47 while an appeal from a
decision of the RTC in the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction are taken by filing a
petition for review under Rule 42 within 15 days from notice of the decision
sought to be reviewed or of the denial of petitioners motion for new trial or
reconsideration filed in due time after judgment.48
On all other matters relating to appeal of criminal offenses, the general rule
applicable in regular courts will likewise apply in the CTA.49
Tax Collection Cases - Original Cases The CTA now has exclusive original
jurisdiction over tax collection cases involving final and executory assessments for
taxes, fees, charges and penalties, except tax collection cases where the principal
amount of taxes and fees, exclusive of charges and penalties claimed is at least One
Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00).50 The Government is allowed to directly file the tax
collection case with the CTA.51
Tax Collection Cases RTC/MTC Original Jurisdiction Regular courts shall
have exclusive original jurisdiction over tax collection cases involving final and
executory assessments for taxes, fees, charges and penalties where the principal
amount of taxes and fees, exclusive of charges and penalties claimed is less than
One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00).52
Under the present set up of regular courts, jurisdiction over collection cases is
generally determined on the basis of the amount sought to be collected as well as
the place where the courts sit. MTCs have jurisdiction over collection cases where
the amount sought to be collected does not exceed P400,000.00 if within Metro
Manila, and P300,000.00 if outside Metro Manila. 53 On the other hand, RTCs have
jurisdiction over collection cases where the amount sought to be collected exceeds
P400,000.00 if within Metro Manila, and P300,000.00 if outside Metro Manila.54
Tax Collection Cases -Appealed Cases The CTA now has exclusive appellate
jurisdiction over judgments, resolutions, or orders of the RTC in criminal offenses
involving tax cases, whether decided or resolved by them in the exercise of their
original or appellate jurisdiction.55 The appeal shall be taken by filing a petition for
review under a procedure analogous to Rule 42 if the decision, order or resolution
was decided or resolved by the RTC in the exercise of its original jurisdiction,
while the appeal shall be taken by filing a petition for review under a procedure
analogous to Rule 43 if the decision, order or resolution was decided or resolved
by the RTC in the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction. The appeal should,
nonetheless, be filed within 30 days from receipt of the decision in both cases.56
It must be noted that the modes and periods of appeal to the CTA for tax collection
cases are different from those applicable to ordinary collection cases before regular
courts. An appeal to the Court of Appeals from a decision of the RTC in the
exercise of its original jurisdiction is taken by filing a notice of appeal within 15
days from notice of the judgment or final order subject to the appeal, 57 while an
appeal from a decision of the RTC in the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction is
taken by filing a petition for review within 15 days from notice of the decision
sought to be reviewed or of the denial of petitioners motion for new trial or
reconsideration filed in due time after judgment.58
Injunctive Relief
As a rule, no appeal taken to the CTA from the decision of the CIR, the
Commissioner of Customs, the RTC, provincial city or municipal treasurer, the
Secretary of Finance, the Secretary of Trade and Industry and Secretary of
Agriculture, as the case may be, shall suspend the payment, levy, distraint, and /or
sale of any property of the taxpayer for the satisfaction of his tax liability as
provided by existing law. However, when in the opinion of the CTA the collection
by the aforementioned government agencies may jeopardize the interest of the
Government and/or the taxpayer, the CTA may, at any stage of the proceeding,
suspend the collection and require the taxpayer either to deposit the amount
claimed or to file a surety bond for not more than double the amount with the
CTA.59
Decisions and Maximum Period for Termination of Cases
Cases brought before the CTA shall be decided in accordance with 1987
Constitution, Article VIII (Judicial Department), section 15[1] which provides that
all cases or matters filed with collegiate courts after the 1987 Constitution must be
decided or resolved within 12 months from the date the case or matter is submitted
for decision or resolution.60
Decisions of the CTA are mandated to be in writing, stating clearly and distinctly
the facts and the law on which they are based, and signed by the concurring
Justices. The CTA shall provide for the publication of its decisions in the Official
Gazette in such form and manner as may best be adopted for public information
and use.61
Distraint of Personal Property and/or Levy on Real Property
Upon the issuance of any ruling, order or decision by the CTA favorable to the
national government, the CTA shall issue an order authorizing the BIR, through the
CIR, to seize and distraint any goods, chattels, or effects, and the personal property,
including stocks and other securities, debts, credits, bank accounts, and interest in
and rights to personal property and/or levy the real property of such person in
sufficient quantity to satisfy the tax or charge together with any increment thereto
incident to delinquency.
This remedy shall not be exclusive and shall not preclude the CTA from availing of
other means under the Rules.62
See R.A. No. 1125, section 7[7] as amended; see also R.A. No. 8800, section 29.
See R.A. No. 1125, section 11 as amended and R.A. No. 8800, section 29.
33 See section 29.
34 See R. A. No. 1125, section 7[b][1] as amended.
35 See R.A. No. 1125, section 11 as amended.
36 See Rule 111, section 1[b].
37 See P.D. No. 1606 as amended by P.D. No. 1861.
38 See Rule 111, section 1[a].
39 See Rule 110, section 15[a].
40 See R.A. No. 1125, section 11 as amended.
41 See R.A. No. 9282, section 7[b][1] as amended.
42 See BP 129, section 32[2] as amended by R.A. No. 7691.
43 See BP 129, section 20 as amended by R.A. No. 7691.
44 See B.P. Blg 129, section 32 as amended by R.A. No. 7691.
45 See R.A. No. 1125, sections 7[b][2][a] and 7[b][2][b] as amended.
46See R.A. No. 1125, section 11 as amended.
47 See Rule 122, sections 3[a] and 6).
48 See Rule 122, section 3[b].
49 See R.A. No. 1125, section 11 as amended.
50 See R.A. No. 1125, section 7[c] as amended.
51 See R.A. No. 1125, section 11 as amended.
52 See R.A. No. 1125, section 7[c] as amended.
53 See B.P. Blg. 129, section 33[1] as amended by R.A. No. 7691.
54 See B.P. Blg. 129, sections 31[8] as amended by R.A. No. 7691.
55 See R.A. No. 1125, sections 7[c][2][a] and 7[c][2][b] as amended.
56 See R.A. No. 1125, section 11 as amended.
57 See Rule 41, sections 2 and 3.
58 See Rule 42, section 1.
59 See R.A. No. 1125, section 11 as amended.
60 See R.A. No. 1125, section 13 as amended.
61 See R.A. No. 1125, section 13 as amended.
62 See R.A. No. 9282, section 13.
63 See R.A. No. 1125, section 11 as amended.
64 See R.A. No. 1125, section 18 as amended.
65 See Administrative Circular No. 1-95 and Rule 43, section 1.
66 See R.A. No. 1125, section 19 as amended in relation to Rule 45, section 2.
67 See R.A. No. 1125, section 18 before its amendment.
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