2014 BAR EXAMINATIONS to pass the medical board examinations should offer a

TAXATION LAW dozen roses on all the Sundays of October. This was
what Dr. Taimtim did when he was still reviewing for the
I. board examinations. In his case, the folk saying proved
to be true because he is now a successful cardiologist.
Wanting to give back to the chapel and help defray the
On March 27, 2012, the Bureau of Internal Revenue
costs of its maintenance, Dr. Taimtim donated
(BIR) issued a notice of assessment against Blue Water
Industries Inc. (BWI), a domestic corporation, informing P50,000.00 to the caretakers of the chapel which was
the latter of its alleged deficiency corporate income tax evidenced by an acknowledgment receipt.
for the year 2009. On April 20, 2012, BWI filed a letter
protest before the BIR contesting said assessment and In computing his net taxable income, can Dr.Taimtim use
demanding that the same be cancelled or set aside. his donation to the chapel as an allowable deduction
from his gross income under the National Internal
Revenue Code (NIRC)? (4%)
However, on May 19, 2013, that is, after more than a
year from the filing of the letter protest, the BIR informed
BWI that the latters letter protest was denied on the SUGGESTED ANSWER:
ground that the assessment had already become final,
executory and demandable. The BIR reasoned that its
failure to decide the case within 180 days from filing of
the letter protest should have prompted BWI to seek IV.
recourse before the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) by filing
a petition for review within thirty (30) days after the Gangwam Corporation (GC) filed its quarterly tax returns
expiration of the 180-day period as mandated by the for the calendar year 2012 as follows:
provisions of the last paragraph of Section 228 of the
National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC). Accordingly,
BWIs failure to file a petition for review before the CTA First quarter - April 25, 2012
rendered the assessment final, executory and
demandable. Is the contention of the BIR correct? Second quarter - July 23, 2012
Explain. (5%)
Third quarter - October 25, 2012
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
Fourth quarter - January 27, 2013

On December 22, 2013, GC filed with the Bureau of

II. Internal Revenue (BIR) an administrative claim for
refund of its unutilized input Value-Added Tax (VAT) for
Mr. De Sarapen is a candidate in the upcoming the calendar year 2012. After several months of inaction
Senatorial elections. Mr. De Almacen, believing in the by the BIR on its claim for refund, GC decided to elevate
sincerity and ability of Mr. De Sarapen to introduce much its claim directly to the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) on
needed reforms in the country, contributed P500,000.00 April 22, 2014.
in cash to the campaign chest of Mr. De Sarapen. In
addition, Mr. De Almacen purchased tarpaulins, t-shirts, In due time, the CTA denied the tax refund relative to the
umbrellas, caps and other campaign materials that he input VAT of GC for the first quarter of 2012, reasoning
also donated to Mr. De Sarapen for use in his campaign. that the claim was filed beyond the two-year period
Is the contribution of cash and campaign materials prescribed under Section 112(A) of the National Internal
subject to donors tax? (4%) Revenue Code (NIRC).

SUGGESTED ANSWER: (A) Is the CTA correct? (3%)

(B) Assuming that GC filed its claim before the

CTA on February 22, 2014, would your answer
III. be the same? (3%)

Dr. Taimtim is an alumnus of the College of Medicine of SUGGESTED ANSWER:

Universal University (UU), a privately-owned center for
learning which grants yearly dividends to its
stockholders.
V.
UU has a famous chapel located within the campus
where the old folks used to say that anyone who wanted
The City of Liwliwa assessed local business taxes tourist attractions. (D) is punishable by administrative
against Talin Company. Claiming that there is double penalty only.
taxation, Talin Company filed a Complaint for Refund or
Recovery of Illegally and/or Erroneously-collected Local Claiming the tax to be unjust, Baguio Travellers
Business Tax; Prohibition with Prayer to Issue Association (BTA), an association of travel agencies in
Temporary Restraining Order and Writ of Preliminary Baguio City, filed a petition for declaratory relief before
Injunction with the Regional Trial Court (RTC). The RTC the Regional Trial Court (RTC) because BTA was
denied the application for a Writ of Preliminary apprehensive that tourists might cancel their bookings
Injunction. Since its motion for reconsideration was with BTAs member agencies. BTA also prayed for the
denied, Talin Company filed a special civil action for issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to
certiorari with the Court of Appeals (CA). The enjoin Baguio City from enforcing the local tax on their
government lawyer representing the City of Liwliwa customers and on all tourists going to Baguio City.
prayed for the dismissal of the petition on the ground
that the same should have been filed with the Court of
The RTC issued a TRO enjoining Baguio City from
Tax Appeals (CTA). Talin Company, through its lawyer, imposing the local tax. Aggrieved, Baguio City filed a
Atty. Frank, countered that the CTA cannot entertain a
petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court (SC)
petition for certiorari since it is not one of its powers and
seeking to set aside the TRO issued by the RTC on the
authorities under existing laws and rules.
ground that collection of taxes cannot be enjoined. Will
the petition prosper? (5%)
Decide. (5%)
VIII.
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
Masarap Kumain, Inc. (MKI) is a Value-Added Tax
(VAT)-registered company which has been engaged in
the catering business for the past 10 years. It has
VI. invested a substantial portion of its capital on flat wares,
table linens, plates, chairs, catering equipment, and
Choose the correct answer. Smuggling - (1%) delivery vans. MKI sold its first delivery van, already 10
years old and idle, to Magpapala Gravel and Sand Corp.
(A) does not extend to the entry of imported or (MGSC), a corporation engaged in the business of
exported articles by means of any false or buying and selling gravel and sand. The selling price of
fraudulent invoice, statement or practices; the the delivery van was way below its acquisition cost. Is
entry of goods at less than the true weight or the sale of the delivery van by MKI to MGSC subject to
measure; or the filing of any false or fraudulent VAT? (4%)
entry for the payment of drawback or refund of
duties. SUGGESTED ANSWER:

(B) is limited to the import of contraband or

highly dutiable cargo beyond the reach of
customs authorities. IX.

(C) is committed by any person who shall Mr. Gipit borrowed from Mr. Maunawain P100,000.00,
fraudulently import or bring into the Philippines, payable in five (5) equal monthly installments. Before the
or assist in so doing, any article, contrary to law, first installment became due, Mr. Gipit rendered general
or shall receive, conceal, buy, sell or any cleaning services in the entire office building of Mr.
manner facilitate the transportation, Maunawain, and as compensation therefor, Mr.
concealment or sale of such article after Maunawain cancelled the indebtedness of Mr. Gipit up to
importation, knowing the same to have been the amount of P75,000.00. Mr. Gipit claims that the
imported contrary to law. cancellation of his indebtedness cannot be considered
as gain on his part which must be subject to income tax,
VII. because according to him, he did not actually receive
payment from Mr. Maunawain for the general cleaning
services. Is Mr. Gipit correct? Explain. (4%)
In accordance with the Local Government Code (LGC),
the Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) of Baguio City
enacted Tax Ordinance No. 19, Series of 2014, imposing SUGGESTED ANSWER:
a P50.00 tax on all the tourists and travellers going to
Baguio City. In imposing the local tax, the SP reasoned
that the tax collected will be used to maintain the
cleanliness of Baguio City and for the beautification of its X.
Which of the following is an exclusion from gross pay capital gains tax as a result of the foreclosure sale?
income? (1%) Explain. (4%)

(A) Salaries and wages SUGGESTED ANSWER:

(B) Cash dividends

(C) Liquidating dividends after dissolution of a XIV.

corporation
Mr. X, a Filipino residing in Alabama, U.S.A., died on
(D) De minimis benefits January 2, 2013 after undergoing a major heart surgery.
He left behind to his wife and two (2) kids several
(E) Embezzled money properties, to wit: (4%)

XI. (1) Family home in Makati City;

Triple Star, a domestic corporation, entered into a (2) Condominium unit in Las Pias City;
Management Service Contract with Single Star, a non-
resident foreign corporation with no property in the (3) Proceeds of health insurance from Take
Philippines. Under the contract, Single Star shall provide Care, a health maintenance organization in the
managerial services for Triple Stars Hongkong branch. Philippines; and
All said services shall be performed in Hongkong.
(4) Land in Alabama, U.S.A.
Is the compensation for the services of Single Star
taxable as income from sources within the Philippines? The following expenses were paid:
Explain. (4%)
(1) Funeral expenses;
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
(2) Medical expenses; and

(3) Judicial expenses in the testate proceedings.

XII.
(A) What are the items that must be considered
Which of the following should not be claimed as as part of the gross estate income of Mr. X?
deductions from gross income? (1%)
(B) What are the items that may be considered
(A) discounts given to senior citizens on certain as deductions from the gross estate?
goods and services.
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
(B) advertising expense to maintain some form
of goodwill for the taxpayers business.

(C) salaries and bonuses paid to employees. XV.

(D) interest payment on loans for the purchase When is a pre-assessment notice required under the
of machinery and equipment used in business. following cases? (1%)

XIII. (A) When the finding for any deficiency tax is the
result of mathematical error in the computation
Hopeful Corporation obtained a loan from Generous of the tax as appearing on the face of the return.
Bank and executed a mortgage on its real property to
secure the loan. When Hopeful Corporation failed to pay (B) When a discrepancy has been determined
the loan, Generous Bank extrajudicially foreclosed the between the tax withheld and the amount
mortgage on the property and acquired the same as the actually remitted by the withholding agent.
highest bidder. A month after the foreclosure, Hopeful
Corporation exercised its right of redemption and was
able to redeem the property. Is Generous Bank liable to (C) When the excise tax due on excisable
articles has been paid.
 (D) When an article locally purchased or SUGGESTED ANSWER:
imported by an exempt person, such as, but not
limited to vehicles, capital equipment,
machineries and spare parts, has been sold,
traded or transferred to non-exempt persons. XIX.

XVI. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) issued Revenue

Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 65-2012 imposing
Mr. Tiaga has been a law-abiding citizen diligently Value-Added Tax (VAT) on association dues and
paying his income taxes. On May 5, 2014, he was membership fees collected by condominium
surprised to receive an assessment notice from the corporations from its member condominium-unit owners.
Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) informing him of a The RMCs validity is challenged before the Supreme
deficiency tax assessment as a result of a mathematical Court (SC) by the condominium corporations.
error in the computation of his income tax, as appearing
on the face of his income tax return for the year 2011, The Solicitor General, counsel for BIR, claims that
which he filed on April 15, 2012. Mr. Tiaga believes that association dues, membership fees, and other
there was no such error in the computation of his income assessment/charges collected by a condominium
tax for the year 2011. Based on the assessment corporation are subject to VAT since they constitute
received by Mr. Tiaga, may he already file a protest income payments or compensation for the beneficial
thereon? (4%) services it provides to its members and tenants.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
On the other hand, the lawyer of the condominium
corporations argues that such dues and fees are merely
held in trust by the condominium corporations
exclusively for their members and used solely for
XVII. administrative expenses in implementing the
condominium corporations purposes. Accordingly, the
In a civil case for Annulment of Contract of Sale, plaintiff condominium corporations do not actually render
Ma. Reklamo presented in evidence the Contract of Sale services for a fee subject to VAT.
which she sought to be annulled. No documentary stamp
tax on the Contract of Sale was paid because according Whose argument is correct? Decide. (5%)
to plaintiff Ma. Reklamo, there was no need to pay the
same since the sale was not registered with the Register SUGGESTED ANSWER:
of Deeds. Plaintiff Ma. Reklamo is now offering the
Contract of Sale as her evidence. Is the Contract of Sale
admissible? (4%)
XX.

During his lifetime, Mr. Sakitin obtained a loan

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
amounting to P10 million from Bangko Uno for the
purchase of a parcel of land located in Makati City, using
such property as collateral for the loan. The loan was
evidenced by a duly notarized promissory note.
XVIII. Subsequently, Mr. Sakitin died. At the time of his death,
the unpaid balance of the loan amounted to P2 million.
Madam X owns real property in Caloocan City. On July The heirs of Mr. Sakitin deducted the amount of P2
1, 2014, she received a notice of assessment from the million from the gross estate, as part of the "Claims
City Assessor, informing her of a deficiency tax on her against the Estate." Such deduction was disallowed by
property. She wants to contest the assessment. (4%) the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Examiner,
claiming that the mortgaged property was not included in
the computation of the gross estate. Do you agree with
(A) What are the administrative remedies
the BIR? Explain. (4%)
available to Madam X in order to contest the
assessment and their respective prescriptive
periods? SUGGESTED ANSWER:

(B) May Madam X refuse to pay the deficiency

tax assessment during the pendency of her
appeal? XXI.
On August 31, 2014, Haelton Corporation (HC), thru its Choose the correct answer. Tax Avoidance (1%)
authorized representative Ms. Pares, sold a 16-storey
commercial building known as Haeltown Building to Mr. (A) is a scheme used outside of those lawful
Belly for P100 million. Mr. Belly, in turn, sold the same means and, when availed of, it usually subjects
property on the same day to Bell Gates, Inc. (BGI) for the taxpayer to further or additional civil or
P200 million. These two (2) transactions were evidenced criminal liabilities.
by two (2) separate Deeds of Absolute Sale notarized on
the same day by the same notary public.
(B) is a tax saving device within the means
sanctioned by law.
Investigations by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
showed that:
(C) is employed by a corporation, the
organization of which is prompted more on the
(1) the Deed of Absolute Sale between Mr. Belly and mitigation of tax liabilities than for legitimate
BGI was notarized ahead of the sale between HC and business purpose.
Mr. Belly; (2) as early as May 17, 2014, HC received
P40 million from BGI, and not from Mr. Belly; (3) the said
(D) is any form of tax deduction scheme,
payment of P40 million was recorded by BGI in its books
regardless if the same is legal or not.
as of June 30, 2014 as investment in Haeltown Building;
and (4) the substantial portion of P40 million was
withdrawn by Ms. Pares through the declaration of cash XXIV.
dividends to all its stockholders.
A, B, and C, all lawyers, formed a partnership called
Based on the foregoing, the BIR sent Haeltown ABC Law Firm so that they can practice their profession
Corporation a Notice of Assessment for deficiency as lawyers. For the year 2012, ABC Law Firm received
income tax arising from an alleged simulated sale of the earnings and paid expenses, among which are as
aforesaid commercial building to escape the higher follows: (6%)
corporate income tax rate of thirty percent (30%). What
is the liability of Haeltown Corporation, if any? (4%) Earnings:

SUGGESTED ANSWER: (1) Professional/legal fees from various clients

(2) Cash prize received from a religious society

in recognition of the exemplary service of ABC
XXII. Law Firm

Choose the correct answer. Double Taxation - (1%) (3) Gains derived from sale of excess computers
and laptops
(A) is one of direct duplicate taxations wherein
two (2) taxes must be imposed on the same Payments:
subject matter, by the same taxing authority,
within the same jurisdiction, during the same (1) Salaries of office staff
period, with the same kind or character of tax,
even if the purposes of imposing the same are (2) Rentals for office space
different.
(3) Representation expenses incurred in
(B) is forbidden by law; and therefore, it is a meetings with clients
valid defense against the validity of a tax
measure. (A) What are the items in the above mentioned
earnings which should be included in the
(C) means taxing the same property twice when computation of ABC Law Firms gross income?
it should be taxed only once; it is tantamount to Explain.
taxing the same person twice by the same
jurisdiction for the same thing. (B) What are the items in the above-mentioned
payments which may be considered as
(D) exists when a corporation is assessed with deductions from the gross income of ABC Law
local business tax as a manufacturer, and at the Firm? Explain.
same time, value-added tax as a person selling
goods in the course of trade or business. (C) If ABC Law Firm earns net income in 2012,
what, if any, is the tax consequence on the part
XXIII.
 of ABC Law Firm insofar as the payment of (B) Is he entitled to additional exemptions? If so,
income tax is concerned? What, if any, is the tax how much? (1%)
consequence on the part of A, B, and C as
individual partners, insofar as the payment of (C) What is the effect of the taxes withheld from
income tax is concerned? his salaries on his taxable income? (2%)

SUGGESTED ANSWER: SUGGESTED ANSWER:

XXV. XXVIII.

Which of the following transactions is subject to Value- Choose the correct answer. Tax laws - (1%)
Added Tax (VAT)? (1%)
(A) may be enacted for the promotion of private
(A) Sale of shares of stock-listed and traded enterprise or business for as long as it gives
through the local stock exchange incidental advantage to the public or the State

(B) Importation of personal and household (B) are inherently legislative; therefore, may not
effects belonging to residents of the Philippines be delegated
returning from abroad subject to custom duties
under the Tariff and Customs Code
(C) are territorial in nature; hence, they do not
recognize the generally-accepted tenets of
(C) Services rendered by individuals pursuant to international law
an employeremployee relationship
(D) adhere to uniformity and equality when all
(D) Gross receipts from lending activities by taxable articles or kinds of property of the same
credit or multi-purpose cooperatives duly class are taxable at the same rate
registered with the Cooperative Development
Authority
XXIX.

XXVI. Doa Evelina, a rich widow engaged in the business of

currency exchange, was assessed a considerable
Freezy Corporation, a domestic corporation engaged in amount of local business taxes by the City Government
the manufacture and sale of ice cream, made payments of Bagnet by virtue of Tax Ordinance No. 24. Despite her
to an officer of Frosty Corporation, a competitor in the objections thereto, Doa Evelina paid the taxes.
ice cream business, in exchange for said officers Nevertheless, unsatisfied with said Tax Ordinance, Doa
revelation of Frosty Corporations trade secrets. Evelina, through her counsel Atty. ELP, filed a written
claim for recovery of said local business taxes and
May Freezy Corporation claim the payment to the officer contested the assessment. Her claim was denied, and
as deduction from its gross income? Explain. (4%) so Atty. ELP elevated her case to the Regional Trial
Court (RTC).
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
The RTC declared Tax Ordinance No. 24 null and void
and without legal effect for having been enacted in
violation of the public ation requirement of tax
XXVII. ordinances and revenue measures under the Local
Government Code (LGC) and on the ground of double
taxation. On appeal, the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA)
In January 2013, your friend got his first job as an o ffice affirmed the decision of the RTC. No motion for
clerk. He is single and lives with his family who depends reconsideration was filed and the decision became final
upon him for financial support. His parents have long and executory. (4%)
retired from their work, and his two (2) siblings are still
minors and studying in grade school. In February 2014,
he consulted you as he wanted to comply with all the (A) If you are Atty. ELP, what advice will you
rules pertaining to the preparation and filing of his give Doa Evelina so that she can recover the
income tax return. He now asks you the following: subject local business taxes?

(A) Is he entitled to personal exemptions? If so,

how much? (1%)
 (B) If Doa Evelina eventually recovers the local
business taxes, must the same be considered
as income taxable by the national government?

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
 2015 BAR EXAMINATIONS Mr. E and Ms. F could claim in the following
TAXATION LAW taxable years:

I. Explain the principles of a sound tax system. a) For2010 (2%)

(3%)
b) For 2011 (3%)
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
c) For 2013 (2%)

V. BBB, Inc., a domestic corporation, enjoyed a

II. Mr. A, a citizen and resident of the Philippines, is particularly profitable year in 2014. In June
a professional boxer. In a professional boxing 2015, its Board of Directors approved the
match held in 2013, he won prize money in distribution of cash dividends to its stockholders.
United States (US) dollars equivalent to BBB, Inc. has individual and corporate
P300,000,000. stockholders. What is the tax treatment of the
cash dividends received from BBB, Inc. by the
a) Is the prize money paid to and following stockholders:
received by Mr. A in the US taxable in
the Philippines? Why? (2%) a) A resident citizen (1%)

b) May Mr. A's prize money qualify as b) Non-resident alien engaged in trade
an exclusion from his gross income? or business (1%)
Why? (2%)
c) Non-resident alien not engaged in
c) The US already imposed and trade or business (1% )
withheld income taxes from Mr. A's prize
money. How may Mr. A use or apply the d) Domestic corporation (1%)
income taxes he paid on his prize
money to the US when he computes his
e) Non-resident foreign corporation (1%)
income tax liability in the Philippines for
2013? (4%)
VI. Differentiate between double taxation in the
strict sense and in a broad sense and give an
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
example of each. (4%)

SUGGESTED ANSWER:

III. Ms. C, a resident citizen, bought ready-to-wear

goods from Ms. B, a nonresident citizen.
VII. On May 15, 2013, CCC, Inc. received the Final
a) If the goods were produced from Ms.
Decision on Disputed Assessment issued by the
B's factory in the Philippines, is Ms. B's
Commissioner of Internal Revenue (CIR)
income from the sale to Ms. C taxable in
dismissing the protest of CCC, Inc. and affirming
the Philippines? Explain. (2%)
the assessment against said corporation. On
June 10, 2013, CCC, Inc. filed a Petition for
b) If Ms. B is an alien individual and the Review with the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) in
goods were produced in her factory in division. On July 31, 2015, CCC, Inc. received a
China, is Ms. B's income from the sale copy of the Decision dated July 22, 2015 of the
of the goods to Ms. C taxable in the CT A division dismissing its Petition. CCC, Inc.
Philippines? Explain. (2%) immediately filed a Petition for Review with the
CT A en banc on August 6, 2015. Is the
SUGGESTED ANSWER: immediate appeal by CCC, Inc. to the CTA en
banc of the adverse Decision of the CTA division
the proper remedy? (3%)

IV. Mr. E and Ms. F are both employees of AAA SUGGESTED ANSWER:
Corp. They got married on February 14, 2011.
On December 29, 2011, the couple gave birth to
triplets. On June 25, 2013, they had twins. What
were the personal exemptions/deductions which
VIII. In June 2013, DDD Corp., a domestic employers within the Philippines, whose
corporation engaged in the business of leasing income taxes have been correctly
real properties in the Philippines, entered into a withheld. (1%)
lease agreement of a residential house and lot
with EEE, Inc., a non-resident foreign d) Resident citizen who falls under the
corporation. The residential house and lot will be classification of minimum wage earners.
used by officials of EEE, Inc. during their visit to (1%)
the Philippines. The lease agreement was
signed by representatives from DDD Corp. and
e) An individual whose sole income has
EEE, Inc. in Singapore. DDD Corp. did not
been subjected to final withholding tax.
subject the said lease to VAT believing that it
(1%)
was not a domestic service contract. Was DDD
Corp. correct? Explain. (3%)
XI. What are de minim is benefits and how are
these taxed? Give three (3) examples of de
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
minimis benefits. (4%)

SUGGESTED ANSWER:

IX. For calendar year 2011, FFF, Inc., a VAT-

registered corporation, reported unutilized
excess input VAT in the amount of Pl
,000,000.00 attributable to its zero-rated sales. XII. Mr. H decided to sell the house and lot wherein
Hoping to impress his boss, Mr. G, the he and his family have lived for the past 10
accountant of FFF, Inc., filed with the Bureau of years, hoping to buy and move to a new house
Internal Revenue (BIR) on January 31, 2013 a and lot closer to his children's school.
claim for tax refund/credit of the Pl,000,000.00 Concerned about the capital gains tax that will
unutilized excess input VAT of FFF, Inc. for be due on the sale of their house, Mr. H
2011. Not having received any communication approaches you as a friend for advice if it is
from the BIR, Mr. G filed a Petition for Review possible for the sale of their house to be
with the CTA on March 15, 2013, praying for the exempted from capital gains tax and the
tax refund/credit of the Pl,000,000.00 unutilized conditions they must comply with to avail
excess input VAT of FFF, Inc. for 2011. themselves of said exemption. How will you
respond? (4%)
a) Did the CTA acquire jurisdiction over
the Petition of FFF, Inc.? (2%) SUGGESTED ANSWER:

b) Discuss the proper procedure and

applicable time periods for
administrative and judicial claims for XIII. GGG, Inc. offered to sell through competitive
refund/credit of unutilized excess input bidding its shares in HHH Corp., equivalent to
VAT. (4%) 40% of the total outstanding capital stock of the
latter. JJJ, Inc. acquired the said shares in HHH
SUGGESTED ANSWER: Corp. as the highest bidder. Before it could
secure a certificate authorizing registration/tax
clearance for the transfer of the shares of stock
to JJJ, Inc., GGG, Inc. had to request a ruling
from the BIR confirming that its sale of the said
X. Indicate whether each of the following shares was at fair market value and was thus
individuals is required or not required to file an not subject to donor's tax. In BIR Ruling No.
income tax return: 012-14, the CIR held that the selling price for the
shares of stock of HHH Corp. was lower than
a) Filipino citizen residing outside the their book value, so the difference between the
Philippines on his income from sources selling price and the book value of said shares
outside the Philippines. (1%) was a taxable donation. GGG, Inc. requested
the Secretary of Finance to review BIR Ruling
b) Resident alien on income derived No. 012-14, but the Secretary affirmed said
from sources within the Philippines. ruling. GGG, Inc. filed with the Court of Appeals
(1%) a Petition for Review under Rule 43 of the
Revised Rules of Court. The Court of Appeals,
however, dismissed the Petition for lack of
c) Resident citizen earning purely
compensation income from two jurisdiction declaring that it is the CTA which has
 jurisdiction over the issues raised. Before which to the reclaimed properties in Q City were issued
Court should GGG, Inc. seek recourse from the in the name of LLL in 2008. In 2014, Q City
adverse ruling of the Secretary of Finance in the issued Warrants of Levy on said reclaimed
exercise of the latter's power of review? (3%) properties of LLL based on the assessment for
delinquent property taxes for the years 2010 to
SUGGESTED ANSWER: 2013.

a. Are the reclaimed properties

registered in the name of LLL subject to
XIV. KKK Corp. secured its Certificate of real property tax? (4 % )
Incorporation from the Securities and Exchange
Commission on June 3, 2013. It commenced b. Will your answer be the same in (a) if
business operations on August 12, 2013. In April from 2010 to the present time, LLL is
2014, Ms. J, an employee of KKK Corp. in leasing portions of the reclaimed
charge of preparing the annual income tax properties for the establishment and use
return of the corporation for 2013, got confused of popular fastfood restaurants J
on whether she should prepare payment for the Burgers, G Pizza, and K Chicken? (2%)
regular corporate income tax or the minimum
corporate income tax. SUGGESTED ANSWER:

a) As Ms. J's supervisor, what will be

your advice? (2%)
XVII. Mr. L owned several parcels of land and he
b) What are the distinctions between donated a parcel each to his two children. Mr. L
regular corporate income tax and acquired both parcels of land in 1975 for
minimum corporate income tax? (3%) ll200,000.00. At the time of donation, the fair
market value of the two parcels of land, as
SUGGESTED ANSWER: determined by the CIR, was 112,300,000.00;
while the fair market value of the same
properties as shown in the schedule of values
prepared by the City Assessors was
112,500,000.00. What is the proper valuation of
XV. In 2012, Dr. K decided to return to his hometown Mr. L's gifts to his children for purposes of
to start his own practice. At the end of 2012, Dr. computing donor's tax? (3%)
K found that he earned gross professional
income in the amount of P1,000,000.00; while
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
he incurred expenses amounting to P560,000.00
constituting mostly of his office space rent,
utilities, and miscellaneous expenses related to
his medical practice. However, to Dr. K's
dismay, only P320,000.00 of his expenses were XVIII. Under the Tariff and Customs Code, as
duly covered by receipts. What are the options amended:
available for Dr. K so he could maximize the
deductions from his gross income? (3%) a. When does importation begin and
when is it deemed terminated? (2%)
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
b. In what easels is the decision of the
Collector automatically reviewed by the
Commissioner of Customs? In what
XVI. LLL is a government instrumentality created by instance/s is the decision of the
Executive Order to be primarily responsible for Commissioner automatically appealed
integrating and directing all reclamation projects to the Secretary of Finance? (4%)
for the National Government. It was not
organized as a stock or a non-stock corporation, SUGGESTED ANSWER:
nor was it intended to operate commercially and
compete in the private market.

By virtue of its mandate, LLL reclaimed several XIX. In 2014, M City approved an ordinance levying
portions of the foreshore and offshore areas of customs duties and fees on goods coming into
the Manila Bay, some of which were within the the territorial jurisdiction of the city. Said city
territorial jurisdiction of Q City. Certificates of title
 ordinance was duly published on February 15, prevail over a taxpayer's substantive right to
2014 with effectivity date on March 1, 2014. claim tax refund or credit.

a. Is there a ground for opposing said a. Rule on the appeal of MMM, Inc. (3%)
ordinance? (2%)
b. Will your answer in (a) be any
b. What is the proper procedural remedy different if MMM, Inc. was claiming
and applicable time periods for refund of excess input VAT attributable
challenging the ordinance? (4%) to its effectively zero-rated sales in
2012? (2%)
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
SUGGESTED ANSWER:

XX. After filing an Information for violation of Section

254 of the National Internal Revenue Code XXII. State the conditions for allowing the following as
(Attempt to Evade or Defeat Tax) with the CTA, deductions from the gross estate of a citizen or
the Public Prosecutor manifested that the resident alien for the purpose of imposing estate
People is reserving the right to file the tax:
corresponding civil action for the recovery of the
civil liability for taxes. As counsel for the a. Claims against the estate (2%)
accused, comment on the People's
manifestation. (3%)
b. Medical expenses (2%)
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
SUGGESTED ANSWER:

XXI. MMM, Inc., a domestic telecommunications

company, handles incoming telecommunications
services for non-resident foreign companies by
relaying international calls within the Philippines.
To broaden the coverage of its
telecommunications services throughout the
country, MMM, Inc. entered into various
interconnection agreements with local carriers.
The non-resident foreign corporations pay
MMM, Inc. in US dollars inwardly remitted
through Philippine banks, in accordance with the
rules and regulations of the Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas.

MMM, Inc. filed its Quarterly VAT Returns for

2000. Subsequently, MMM, Inc. timely filed with
the BIR an administrative claim for the refund of
the amount of P6,321,486.50, representing
excess input VAT attributable to its effectively
zero-rated sales in 2000. The BIR ruled to deny
the claim for refund of MMM, Inc. because the
VAT official receipts submitted by MMM, Inc. to
substantiate said claim did not bear the words
"zero-rated" as required under Section 4.108-1
of Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 7-95. On
appeal, the CTA division and the CT A en
bane affirmed the BIR ruling.

MMM, Inc. appealed to the Supreme Court

arguing that the NIRC itself did not provide for
such a requirement. RR No. 7-95 should not
 [a] Can the CIR of the Philippines also tax the
same shares? Explain. (2.5%)

[b] Explain the concept of double taxation.

(2.5%)

XX

Patrick is a successful businessman in the United States

and he is a sole proprietor of a supermarket which has a
gross sales of $10 million and an annual income of $3
million. He went to the Philippines on a visit and, in a
party, he saw Atty. Agaton who boasts of being a tax
expert. Patrick asks Atty. Agaton: if he (Patrick) decides
to reacquire his Philippine citizenship under RA 9225,
establish residence in this country, and open a
supermarket in Makati City, will the BIR tax him on the
income he earns from his U.S. business? If you were
Atty. Agaton, what advice will you give Patrick? (5%)