Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue

DECISION

RINGPIS-LIBAN, .£:

This case involves a Petition for Review flied by Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation against the Commissioner of Internal Revenue on Januaty 11, 2017, praying the refund or issuance of a tax credit certificate in the total amount of P335,759,253.00, representing its alleged excess unutilized input value-added tax (VAT) for the 3rd and 4th quarters of taxable year (TY) 2014 and the 1st and 2nd quarters ofTY 2015. 1

THE PARTIES

Petitioner Trans- sia Renewable Energy Corporation is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Philippines with office address at Barangay Suclaran, Municipality of San Lorenzo, Province of Guimaras. Pursuant to petitioner's Amended Articles of Incorporation (AO? 1 Docket, Vol. 1, p. 567, Statement of the Case, Pre-Trial Order dated December 4, 2017.

'· Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. CIR it was organized for the primary purpose of exercising the power "(t)o develop and utilize renewable sources of energy and pursue new, clean and energy efficiency projects. " 2 Petitioner is registered with the Department of Energy (DOE) as a renewable energy (RE) developer of wind energy resources.3 It is also registered with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a new RE developer of 54 megawatts San Lorenzo Wind Farm Project under Republic Act (RA) of 2008.4 On June 1, 2015, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) issued a Certificate of Compliance (COC) with COC No. 15-06-MV-llV in favor of petitioner.5 Thereafter, another COC was issued to petitioner on December 1, 2015.6 Both COCs refer to the San Lorenzo Wind Farm Project. Petitioner is also registered with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), as a VAT taxpayer with Taxpayer's Identification Number (TIN) 004-500-956- 000 under Certificate of Registration No. OCN 2RC0000734094.7 On the other hand, respondent is the duly appointed Commissioner of Internal Revenue vested under the appropriate laws with the authority to carry out the functions, duties, and responsibilities of his office including, inter alia, the power to decide, approve, and grant refunds or tax credits of excess and unutilized input VAT, pursuant to the pertinent provisions of the Tax Code and other tax laws, rules and regulations 8

STATEMENT OF FACTS

Petitioner filed its Original and Amended Quarterly VAT Returns for the 3rd and 4th Quarters of TY 2014 and the 1st and 2nd Quarters of TY 2015 (period of claim) .9 On August 15, 2016, Petitioner flled with the BIR Revenue District Office (RDO) No. 74, the letter dated August 15, 2016, and the Applimtion for Tax Credits/Refunds, applying for the refund or issuance of a tax credit certificate in the total amount of 1'335,759,253.00 representing its alleged excess unutilized input VAT for the period July 1, 2014 to June 30, 201 ~

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. CIR

Thereafter, Letters of Authority (LOA) dated October 26, 2016 and November 10, 2016 were issued by the BIR, authorizing the examination of Petitioner's books of accounts and other accounting records respectively pertaining to the said period. 11 In the letter dated December 15, 2016,12 Petitioner's administrative claim for refund covering the period from July to December 2014 was denied. The said letter was received by Petitioner on December 19, 2016_'3 On January 11, 2017, the instant Petition for Review was filed. The case was initially raffled with the First Division of this Court. Respondent flied his Answer on April 25, 2017,14 interposing, inter alia, the following defenses, to wit:

"3.1.

The mere fact that a taxpayer has undisputed excess input VAT, or that the tax was admittedly illegally, erroneously or excessively collected from him, does not entitle him as a matter of right to a tax refund or credit. Strict compliance with the mandatory and jurisdictional conditions prescribed by law to claim such tax refund or credit is essential and necessary for such claim to prosper. Well-settled is the rule that tax refunds or credits, just like tax exemptions, are strictly construed against the taxpayer.

3.2.

The burden is on the taxpayer to show that he has strictly complied with the conditions for the grant of the tax refund or credit.' (Emphases supplied) 3.3.

In the case entitled San Roque Power Corp.

vs.

Commissioner rif Internal Revenue, the Honorable Supreme Court had the occasion to say:

'In order to claim a refund or tax credit under Section 112 (A), petitioner must comply with the following criteria:

1. The taxpayer is VAT -registered;

2. The tax-payer is engaged in zero-rated or effectively zero-rated sales;

_________ 3_. _T_h_e input taxes are due or pai~

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. CIR

4. The input taxes are not transitional input taxes;

5. The input taxes have not applied against output taxes during and in the succeeding quarters;

6. The input taxes claimed are attributable to zero-rated or effectively zero-rated sales;

7. For zero-rated sales under

Section

106(A)(2)

(1) and (2);

106(B), and 108(B)(1) and (2), the acceptable foreign currency exchange proceeds have been duly accounted for in accordance with BSP rules and regulations;

8. Where there are both zero-rated or effectively zero-rated sales and taxable or exempt sales, and that the input taxes cannot be directly and entirely attributable to any of these sales, the input taxes shall be proportionately allocated on the basis of sales volume; and

9. The claim is filed within 2 years after the close of the taxable quarter when such sales were made.' (Emphasis ours) 3.4.

Likewise, for a judicial cla(i)m for refund of input VAT to prosper, the respondent must prove that there must be

(a) zero-rated or effectively zero-rated sales; (b) that input taxes were incurred or paid; (c) that the input taxes are attributable to zero-rated or effectively zero-rated sales; (d) that the input taxes were not applied against any output VAT liability; and (e) the claim for refund/ tax credit must be filed within the two-year prescriptive period.

3.5 Evaluation of petitioner's claim revealed that no zero-rated sales have been declared in the VAT Returns of petitioner covering the period July to December 2014. Section 112(A) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 (NIRC) provides:

'SEC. 112. Refunds or Tax Credits of Input Tax.

(A) Zero-rated or Effectively Zero-rated

Sales. - Any VAT -registered person. whose sales are zero-rated or effectively zero-rated may, within two

(2) years after the close of the taxable quarter when the sales were made, apply for the issuance of a t/

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. C/R credit certificate or refund of creditable input tax due or paid attributable to such sales xxx' (Underscoring ours) 3.6 Since petitioner had no zero-rated sales declared in its VAT Return for the period July to December 2014, it cannot therefore claim any unutilized input taxes attributable to such zero-rated sales. To put emphasis, the existence of zero-rated sales or effectively zero-rated sales is indispensable in order to ftle a claim for refund under Section 112(A) of the NIRC.

3. 7 Further, results of the audit evaluation of petitioner's claim also revealed that no copies of Official Receipts (ORs) were submitted to prove the existence of zero-rated sales. 3.8 In the case of Silicon Philippines, Inc. vs. CIR, the Honorable Supreme Court emphasized:

'Under Section 112 (A) of the NIRC, a claimant must be engaged in sales which are zero-rated or effectively zero-rated. To prove this, duly registered invoices or receipts evidencing zero-rated sales must be presented.' (Emphasis ours) 3.9 In the case of Luzon Hydro Cotporation vs. CIR, the Honorable Supreme Court emphasized:

'The petitioner did not competendy establish its claim for refund or tax credit. We agree with the CT A En Bane that the petitioner did not produce evidence showing that it had zero-rated sales for the four quarters of taxable year 2001. As the CTA En Bane precisely found, the petitioner did not reflect any zero-rated sales from its power generation in its four quarterly VAT returns, which indicated that it had not made any sale of electricity.

Had there been zero-rated sales, it would have reported them in the returns. Indeed, it carried the burden not only that it was entitled under the substantive law to the allowance of its claim for refund or tax credit but also that it met all the requirements for evidentiary substantiation of its claim before the administrative official concerned, or in the de novo

/V'

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. CIR litigation before the CTA in Division.' (Emphases ours) 3.10 The decision of the Honorable Supreme Court in the case of Western Mindanao Power Corporation vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, can be used well as a guide, viz: 'In a claim for tax refund or tax credit, the applicant must prove not only entidement to the grant of the claim under substantive law. It must also show satisfaction of all the documentary and evidentiary requirements for an administrative claim for a refund or tax credit. The taxpayer claiming the refund must further comply with the invmcmg and accounting requirements mandated by the NIRC, as well as by revenue regulations implementing them.' (Emphasis supplied) 3.11 Thus, for failure of petitioner to show that it has stricdy complied with the conditions for the grant of the VAT refund/ credit, petitioner is not en tided to the claimed tax refund/ credit."

The pre-trial conference was initially set on August 10, 2017. 15 However, upon respondent's filing of an Urgent Motion to Reset Pre-Trial Conference (Set on 10 August 2017) on August 4, 2014,16 the pre-trial conference was reset to, and held on, September 7, 2017.17 In the meantime, Petitioner's Pre-Trial Brief was f!led on August 4, 2017;18 while Respondent's Pre-Trial Brief was submitted on August 31, 2017. 19 Respondent submitted the BIR Records of this case on September 5, 2017.20 On October 23, 2017, the parties flied their Joint Stipulation of Facts and Issues.21 Consequendy, the Pre-Trial Order dated December 4, 2017 was issued~

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. CIR

The trial of the case then ensued.

During trial, Petitioner presented its documentary and testimonial evidence. Petitioner's witnesses are: (1) Mr. Danilo L. Panes,23 Vice President of petitioner; (2) Ms. Sheila Mozenda M. Barce,24 Finance Manager; and (3) Ms. Katherine 0. Constantino,25

the Court-commissioned Independent

Certified Public Accountant (ICP A).26 On May 2, 2018, petitioner filed its Formal Offer of Evidence.27 In the Resolution dated July 30, 2018,28 the Court admitted all the exhibits offered by Petitioner.

On the other hand, Respondent likewise presented documentary and testimonial evidence. His witness lone witness was Revenue Officer Jun-Jun B. Andallo.29 Respondent filed his Formal Offer of Evidence on August 15,2018.30 In the Resolution dated October 9, 2018,31 the Court admitted all the evidence offered by Respondent.

In an Order dated September 24, 2018,32 the instant case was transferred to this Court's Third Division.

Respondent filed his Memorandum on November Petitioner filed its Memorandum on January 3, 2019. 34 13 2018·33 while , , The instant case was deemed submitted for decision on January 8, 2019.~

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. CIR wit:

THE ISSUE

The parties submitted the following issue36 for this Court's resolution, to "Whether or not Petitioner is entided to the refund of or issuance of a tax credit certificate (fCC) for the amount of Php335,759,253.00 representing its excess and unutilized input VAT for the 3rd and 4th quarters of TY 2014 and the 1st and 2nd quarters of TY 2015 attributable to its zero-rated sales of power generated from renewable sources."

PETITIONER'S ARGUMENTS

In claiming that it is entided to the refund being claimed, Petitioner argues that it is a VAT -registered entity; that it is engaged in the zero-rated sale of renewable energy; that Petitioner paid or incurred input taxes during the period of claim in the amount of 1"335,759,253.00 which are properly substantiated and attributable to Petitioner's zero-rated sales; that Petitioner's excess and unutilized input VAT for the period of claim was not utilized or applied against any output VAT liability; that Petitioner's administrative claim for refund was flied in accordance with Sections 110(B) and 112(A) of the Tax Code; and that Petitioner's judicial claim for refund was filed on time.

RESPONDENT'S ARGUMENTS

Respondent submits that Petitioner is not entided to refund or issuance of a tax credit certificate; that the mere fact that a taxpayer has undisputed excess input VAT, or that the tax was admittedly illegally, erroneously or excessively collected from him, does not en tide him as a matter of right to a tax refund or credit; and that the burden is on the taxpayer to show that he has stricdy complied with the conditions for the grant of the tax refund or credit. Furthermore, Respondent points out that since Petitioner had no zero- rated sales declared in its VAT Return for the period July to December 2014, it cannot claim any unutilized input taxes attributable to such zero-rated sales; and that the existence of zero-rated sales or effectively zero-rated sales is indispensable in order to flle a claim for refund under Section 112(A) of the NIRC.

;¥

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. CIR

Moreover, according to Respondent, results of the audit evaluation of Petitioner's claim revealed that no copies of official receipts were submitted to prove the existence of zero-rated sales.

In addition, Respondent avers that based on Section 15(g) of RA No. 9 513, Petitioner is en tided to zero-rated VAT on its purchases of local supply of goods, properties and services needed for the development, construction and installation of its plant facilities and to the whole process of exploring and developing renewable energy sources up to its conversion into power; that since there was no input VAT to be paid by RE Developers, it necessarily follows that Petitioner is not entided to refund or issuance of a tax credit certificate from its purchases; and that since Petitioner is not liable to pay input VAT, it is not the proper party to claim for any input VAT refund on the subject purchases.

THE RULING OF THE COURT

The Petition for Review must be partially granted. Requisites for the grant of the refund or issuance of a tax credit certificate under the law.

Section 112 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended by Republic Act No. 9337,37 provides: "SEC. 112. Refunds or Tax Credits of Input Tax.- (A) Zero-Rated or Effectively Zero-Rated Sales. -Any VAT- registered person, whose sales are zero-rated or effectively zero- rated may, within two (2) years after the close of the taxable quarter when the sales were made, apply for the issuance of a tax credit certificate or refund of creditable input tax due or paid attributable to such sales, except transitional input tax, to the extent that such input tax has not been applied against output tax: Provided, however, That in the case of zero-rated sales under Section 106(A)(2)(a)(1), (2) and (b) and Section 108(B)(1) and (2), the acceptable foreign currency exchange proceeds thereof had been duly accounted for in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP): Provided,further, That where the taxpayer is engaged in zero-rated or effectively zero-rated sal~ 37 AN ACT AMENDING SECTIONS 27, 28, 34, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 116, 117, 119, 121, 148, 151, 236, 237 AND 288 OF THE NATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1997, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. C/R and also in taxable or exempt sale of goods of properties or services, and the amount of creditable input tax due or paid cannot be direcdy and entirely attributed to any one of the transactions, it shall be allocated proportionately on the basis of the volume of sales: xxx.

XXX

XXX

XXX

(C) Period within which &fund or Tax Credit of Input Taxes shall be Made.- In proper cases, the Commissioner shall grant a refund or issue a tax credit certificate for creditable input taxes within one hundred twenty (120) days from the date of submission of complete documents in support of the application filed in accordance with Subsection (A) hereof.

In case of full or partial denial of the claim for tax refund or tax credit, or the failure on the part of the Commissioner to act on the application within the period prescribed above, the taxpayer affected may, within thirty (30) days from the receipt of the decision denying the claim or after the expiration of the one hundred twenty day-period, appeal the decision or the unacted claim with the Court of Tax Appeals."

Based on the foregoing provlSlons, certatn requisites have been identified through jurisprudential pronouncements which must be complied with by the taxpayer-applicant to successfully obtain a credit/refund of input VAT, and said requisites may be classified into certain categories, to wit: As to the timeliness of the filing of the administrative and judicial claims:

1. the claim is flied with the BIR within two years after the close of the taxable quarter when the sales were made;38

2. that in case of full or partial denial of the refund claim, or the failure on the part of the Commissioner to act on the said claim within a period of 120 days, the judicial claim has been flied with this Court, within 30 days from receipt of the decision or after the expiration of the said 120-day period;39 ,r</ "Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, G.R. No. 155732, April 27, 2007; San Roque Power Corporation vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, G.R. No. 180345, November 25, 2009; and AT&T Communications Services Philippines, Inc., G.R. No. 182364, August 3, 2010.

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. CIR

With reference to the taxpayer's registration with the BIR:

3. the taxpayer is a VAT -registered person;40 In relation to the taxpayer's output VAT:

4. the taxpayer is engaged in zero-rated or effectively zero-rated sales.41 ,

5. for zero-rated sales under Sections 106(A)(2)(1) and (2); 106(B); and 108(B)(1) and (2), the acceptable foreign currency exchange proceeds have been duly accounted for in accordance with BSP rules and regulations;42 As regards the taxpayer's input VAT being refunded:

6. the input taxes are not transitional input taxes;43

7. the input taxes are due or paid;44

8. the input taxes claimed are attributable to zero-rated or effectively zero-rated sales. However, where there are both zero-rated or effectively zero-rated sales and taxable or exempt sales, and the input taxes cannot be directly and entirely attributable to any of these sales, the input taxes shall be proportionately allocated on the basis of sales volume;45 and 9.

the input taxes have not been applied against output taxes during and in the succeeding quarters. 46

Petitioner's Administrative Claim

was Timely Filed.

The first requisite pertains to the filing of the refund claim for tax credit or refund of input VAT before the BIR, within two (2) years from the close of the quarter when the sales were made.

Counting two (2) years from the close of the 3rd and 4th quarters of 1Y 2014 and the 1st and 2nd quarters of 1Y 2015, the respective last day for the filing of the administrative claim for the said four (4) quarters are shown below:

/Y

40 Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, supra; San Roque Power Corporation vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, supra; and AT&T Communications Services Philippines, Inc., supra.

41/d.

42Jd.

43/d.

44/d.

45 Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, supra; and San Roque Power Corporation vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, supra. 4' Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, supra; San Roque Power Corporation vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, supra; and AT&T Communications Services Philippines, Inc., supra.

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. CIR

Period

(3"' and 4'" quarters of TY 2014, and the 1" and 2"• quarters of TY 2015) July 1, 2014 to September 30,2014 October 1, 2014 to December 31,2014 January 1, 2014 to March 31,2015 April1, 2014 to June 30, 2015

Close of the Taxable

Last Day to File

Quarter

Administrative Claim

September 30, 2014 September 30, 2016 December 31, 2014 December 31,2016 March 31, 2015 March 31, 2017 June 30, 2015 June 30, 2017 Considering that Petitioner's administrative claim for the above-stated periods was flled on August 15, 2016,47 the same was timely made. The judicial Claim was Likewise Timely Made.

The second requisite is to the effect that the judicial claim must have been filed within thirty (30) days from receipt of respondent's decision or after the expiration of the 120-day period under the aforequoted Section 112(C). In Silicon Philippines, Inc. (Former!J Intel Philippines Manufacturing, Inc.) vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue,48 the Supreme Court held: "Whether respondent rules in favor of or against the taxpayer - or does not act at all on the administrative claim - within the period of 120 days from the submission of complete documents, the taxpayer may resort to a judicial claim before the CT A.

XXX

XXX

XXX

The judicial claim shall be filed within a period of 30 days after the receipt of respondent's decision or ruling or after the expiration of the 120-day period, whichever is sooner.

Aside from a specific exception to the mandatory and jurisdictional nature of the periods provided by law,<9 any claim filed in a period less than or beyond the 120+30 days provided by the NIRC is outside the jurisdiction of the CTA." (Emphases and underscoring supplied) // 47 /d. at Note 2, pp. 924 to 933, Exhibits "P-33" to "P-34". 48 G.R. No. 182737, March 2, 2016.

49 In CIR vs. San Roque Power Corporation, etseq. (G.R. Nos. 187485, 196113 & 197156, February 12, 2013), the Supreme Court applied the equitable principle of estoppel and ruled that judicial claims filed from the issuance of BIR Ruling No. DA-489-03 on December 10, 2003 up to its reversal in CIR vs. Aichi Forging Company of Asia, Inc. (G.R. No. 184823) on October 6, 2010 need not wait for the lapse of the 120+30-day period.

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. CIR

Based on the foregoing doctrinal pronouncements, the 30-day period provided by law should be reckoned after the receipt of Respondent's decision/ruling or after the expiration of the 120-day period, whichever is sooner. In addition, it is clear that any judicial claim flied in a period less than or beyond the said 120+ 30-day periods is outside the jurisdiction of this Court. In this case, the determination of the 120+30-day periods is shown as follows:

Date of Filing of

End of the 120 days for the BIR to End of the 30 days from

Administrative Claim

decide the claim expiration of the 120 days August 15, 2016 December 13,2016 Tanuary 12, 2017 As borne out by the records, Respondent issued the letter dated December 15, 2016,50 denying Petitioner's administrative claim for refund covering the period from July to December 2014. The said letter was received by Petitioner on December 19, 2016s1 The 30-day period to appeal to this Court, insofar as the said administrative claim is concerned, ends on January 18, 2017. The instant Petition for Review was filed on January 11, 2017, which is well within the 30-day period to appeal. Petitioner's judicial claim covering the period from July 31, 2014 to December 31, 2014 was timely filed. In the same vein, insofar as the judicial claim covering the period from July 31, 2014 to December 31, 201452 is concerned, the same was likewise timely flied, since it was also made within the 30-day after the expiration of the 120-day period under Section 112(C) of the NIRC of 1997, as amended. Such being the case, the Court finds that petitioner complied with the above-stated second requisite.

Petitioner is a

VAT-registered

Person.

As for its compliance with the third requisite, petitioner has fulfilled the same by presenting its BIR Certificate of Registration No.

OCN

2RC0000734094 dated January 01,1996 with TIN 004-500-956-000Y Petitioner was Able to Establish That It was Engaged in Zero-Rated or Effectively Zero-Rates Sales, buy 50 ld. at Note 2, pp. 937 to 938, Exhibit "P-38"; pp. 1016 to 1017, Exhibit "R-2", BIR Records. 51 /d., p. 938, Exhibit "P-38".

51 This was simultaneously filed with judicial claim covering the period from July 31, 2014 to December 31, 2014

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. CIR

Only for the Whole Month of june 2015.

Petitioner avers that it has successfully proven that: (1) it is an RE Developer operating a wind farm and registered with the DOE; and (2) it generated sales from its power generation activities that are subject to zero percent (0%) VAT. To support its stance, it invokes Section 15(g) of the Renewable Energy Act of 2008; Section 13(G)(a), Rule 5, Implementing Rules and Regulations for the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 issued by the DOE; Section 108(B)(7) of the NIRC, as implemented by Sections 4.108-3 and 4.108- 5(b)(7), Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 16-2005, as amended by RR No. 04- 2007.

We pardy agree with Petitioner.

Indeed, Section 15(g) of Renewable Energy Act of 200854, grants certain tax incentives to RE developers, such as petitioner. Said provision reads, in part, as follows:

"CHAPTER VII

GENERAL INCENTIVES

SECTION 15. Incentives for Renewable Ener;gy Projects and Activities. - RE Developers of renewable energy facilities, including hybrid systems, in proportion to and to the extent of the RE component, for both power and non-power applications, as duly certified by the DOE, in consultation with the BOI, shall be entitled to the following incentives:

XXX

XXX

XXX

(g) Zero Percent Value Added-Tax Rate. - The sale of fuel or power generated from renewable sources of energy such as, but not limited to, biomass, solar wind, hydropower, geothermal, ocean energy and other emerging energy sources using technologies such as fuel cells and hydrogen fuels, shall be subject to zero percent (0%) value- added tax (VAT), pursuant to the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended by Republic Act No. 9337.

XXX

oursy 54 RA No. 9513.

s

XXX

xxx." (Emphases and underscoring Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. CIR Relative thereto, Section 108(B)(7) of the NIRC of 1997, as amended by RA No. 9337, provides as follows:

"SEC. 108. Value-added Tax on Sale of Services and Use or uase of Properties. -

XXX

XXX

XXX

(B) Transactions Subject to Zero Percent (0%) Rate. - The following services performed in the Philippines by VAT- registered persons shall be subject to zero percent (0%) rate:

XXX

XXX

XXX

(7) Sale of power or fuel generated through renewable sources of energy such as, but not limited to, biomass, solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, ocean energy, and other emerging energy sources using technologies such as fuel cells and hydrogen fuels." (Emphases ours) Based on the foregoing provisions, the sale of power generated from or through renewable sources of energy, such as wind, is subject to the VAT rate of zero percent (0%).

To implement the foregoing provision, Section 4.108-3(t) of RR No. 16- 2005 provides as follows:

"SEC. 4.108-3. Definitions and Specific Rules on Selected Services.-

XXX

XXX

XXX

(f) Sale of electricity by generation, transrmss10n, and distribution companies shall be subject to 10%55 VAT on their gross receipts; Provided, That sale of power or fuel generated through renewable sources of energy such as, but not limited to, biomass, solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, ocean energy, and other emerging energy sources using technologies such as fuel cells and hydrogen fuels shall be subject to 0% VAT.#' 55 Now 12%. Refer to Memorandum dated January 31, 2006 from the Executive Secretary, as circulated in Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 7-2006.

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. C/R

'Generation companies' refers to persons or enttttes authorized by the Energy Regulatory Commissioner (ERC) to operate facilities used in the generation of electricity. For this purpose, generation of electricity refers to the production of electricity by a generation company or a co- generation facility pursuant to the provisions of the RA No. 9136 (EPIRA).

They shall include all Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and NPC/Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM)-owned generation facilities.

XXX

XXX

xxx."

(Emphases and underscoring ours) Thus, on the basis of the foregoing, while the sale of power through renewable sources of energy by a generation company is subject to the zero percent (0%) VAT, the latter must be so authorized by the ERC to operate facilities used in the generation of electricity, in accordance with the EPIRA (or RA No. 9136).

In turn, Section 6 of the EPIRA (or RA No. 9136) provides, in part, as follows:

"SEC. 6. Generation Sector. -Generation of electric power, a business affected with public interest, shall be competitive and open.

Upon the effectivity of this Act, any new generation company shall, before it operates, secure from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) a certificate of compliance pursuant to the standards set forth in this Act, as well as health, safety and environmental clearances from the appropriate government agencies under existing laws.

XXX

XXX

xxx." (Emphases ours) Based on the foregoing proVIsion, before a generation company operates, it must first secure a Certificate of Compliance (COC) with the ERC. Anent the securing of a COC from the ERC, the following guiding principles must be observed, to wit:

Section l. Rule 5. of the Rules and Regulations To Implement RA No. 9136~

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. CIR

"Section 1. Guiding Principle.

Pursuant to Section 6 of the Act, generation of electric power, a business affected with public interest, shall be competitive and open to all qualified Generation Companies. Generation shall not be considered a public utility operation. For this purpose, any Person engaged or intending to engage in Generation of Electricity shall not be required to secure a national franchise. No Person may engage in the Generation of Electricity as a new Generation Company unless such Person has received a COC from the ERC to operate facilities used in the Generation of Electricity.

A Person that demonstrates compliance with the standards and requirements of this Rule 5, and such other terms and conditions as determined by the ERC to be appropriate to ensure that Persons comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements, shall be issued a COC." (Emphasis ours) Section 2(iii) of 2014 Revised Rules For the Issuance of Certificates of Compliance (COCs) For Generation Companies. Qualified End-Users and Entities With Self-Generation Facilities: "Section 2. Guiding Principle.

XXX

XXX

XXX

111. A COC shall be secured from the ERC before the actual Commercial Operations of the Generation Facility /ies. For new Generation Facilities, the Generation Company may conduct Test and Commissioning for a maximum period of two (2) months even without a COC and the sale of the generated output during Commissioning shall not be considered as transactions made during Commercial Operations.

Beyond this period, however, the sale of generated output shall already be deemed as transactions made during Commercial Operations for which a COC shall be required. xxx." (Emphases ours) On the basis thereof, it is clear that no person may engaged in the generation of electricity as a new generation company unless such person has received a COC from the ERC to operate facilities used in the generation of electricity. Moreover, the same COC must be secured from the ERC before the /Y".

~

Exhibit

P-218

P-219

P-220

P-221

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. CIR actual commercial operations of the concerned generation facility. The new generation company is allowed to conduct test and commissioning for a maximum period of two (2) months even without the required COC, and the sale of the generated output during the said commissioning shall not be considered as transactions made during commercial operations. However, beyond the said two-month period, the sale of generated output shall already be deemed as transactions made during commercial operations by the generation company for which a COC from the ERC is required. To summarize, the essential elements for the grant of VAT zero-rating under Section 15(g) of the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 vis-a-vis the above- quoted provisions of laws and regulations, are as follows: 1) The seller is an REDeveloper of renewable energy facilities; 2) It sells fuel or power generated from renewable sources of energy, such as wind;

3) The said seller is a ''generation company", i.e., a person or entity authorized by the ERC to operate facilities used in the generation of electricity; and 4) Such authority is embodied in a COC issued by the ERC which must be secured before the actual commercial operations of the generation facility.

Petitioner is compliant with the first and second essential elements, in view of a showing that it is ''an RE Developer of Wind Energy Sources", as evidenced by the Certificate of Registration No. WESC 2009-10-009 dated October 23, 2009 issued by the DOE in its favor. 56 However, as regards the third and fourth essential elements, the same were only considered fulfilled on June 1, 2015, the date of issuance of COC No. 15-06-M-11 V by the ERC to Petitioner. 57 Given this factual milieu, Petitioner's generated sales from its power generation activities which are subject to the zero percent (0%) VAT would only refer to its sales during the period of June 1, 2015 to June 30, 2015. In its Quarterly VAT Return for the 2nd quarter of TY 201558, Petitioner reported zero-rated sales in the total amount of P148,007,419.15. Out of this amount, only P17,119,466.4959 were duly supported by zero-rated VAT official receipts during the month of June 2015, to wit: O.R.

O.R.

Name of Buyer/Customer

Zero-rated

No.

Date

132

I June 2015

PHILIPPINE ELECTRICI1Y lV!ARKET CORPORATION 133

8June 2015

PHILIPPINE ELECTRICI1Y l\!ARKET CORPORATION 134 9 june 2015 PHILIPPINE ELECTRICI1Y lV!ARKET CORPORATION 135 11 june 2015 PHILIPPINE ELECTRICI1Y lV!ARKET CORPORATION 56 /d., at Note 2, p. 697, Exhibit "P-2".

57 I d., p. 706, Exhibit "P-4".

58 /d., pp. 911 to 916, Exhibit "P-30".

59 Extracted Quarterly Summary List of Zero-rated Sales. Annex 1-b of the ICPA Report ("P-70").

Sales

I'

16,742.56 54,474.58 45,433 37 133,121.73

P-222

P-223

P-248

P-249

P-251

P-253

P-254

P-256

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. CIR

136 15june 2015

PHILIPPINE ELECTRICITY 1\L\RKET CORPORATION

137

17 June 2015

PHILIPPINE ELECTRICITY 1\L\RKET CORPORATION

162

18June 2015

PHILIPPINE ELECTRICITY 1\L\RKET CORPORATION

163 19june 2015

PHILIPPINE ELECTRICITY 1\L\RKET CORPORATION

165 23 june 2015

PHILIPPINE ELECTRICITY 1\L\RKET CORPORATION

18,072.31 21,910.96 4,724.68 37,570.98 16,872.54 167 26 june 2015

PHILIPPINE ELECTRICITY 1\L\RKET CORPORATION

16,656,985.86 168

29 June 2015

PHILIPPINE ELECTRICITY 1\L\RKET CORPORATION

18,054.02 170

30June 2015

PHILIPPINE ELECTRICITY 1\L\RKET CORPORATION

95,502.90

Total

P17,119,466.49 Hence, as far as the fourth requisite is concerned, out of the reported zero-rated sales in its Quarterly VAT Returns for the 1st and 2nd quarters of TY 2015 in the total amount of P355,536,412.32 (P207,528,993.17 + P148,007,419.15),60 only the sales made during the month of June 2015 in the total amount ofP17,119,466.49 qualify for VAT zero-rating. Statutes that grant tax exemptions are construed strictissimi juris against the taxpayer and liberally in favor of the taxing authority. Tax refunds in relation to the VAT are in the nature of such exemptions.61 It is a claimant's burden to prove the factual basis of a claim for refund or tax credit.62 Parenthetically, considering that Petitioner's zero-rated sales does not fall under Sections 106(A)(2)(1) and (2); 106(B); and 108(B)(1) and (2) of the NIRC of 1997, as amended, it need not comply with the above-stated fifth requisite. Having found that Petitioner had VAT zero-rated sales in the total amount ofP17,119,466.49 for the month of June 2015, the Court shall proceed to determine whether Petitioner complied with the remaining requisites pertaining to the input VAT being claimed for refund or issuance of a tax credit certificate.

The Input VAT Being Claimed does not Appear to be Transitional Input Taxes.

In its Quarterly VAT Returns for the 3rd and 4th quarters of TY 2014 and the 1st and 2nd quarters of TY 2015, Petitioner reported input taxes totaling P373,844,665. 91 arising from its purchase of capital goods not exceeding Pl million, domestic purchase and importation of goods other than capital goods, and domestic purchase of services, broken down as follows: ,.¥

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. C/R

3rd Quarter 4th Quarter 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter of ofTY 2014 ofTY 2014 of2015

TY 2015

Total

(Exhibit "P-24")

(Exhibit "P-26")

(Exhibit "P-28')

(Exhibit "P-30'')

Purchase of

Capital Goods

not exceeding !'!Million - -

I'

9,951.21

I'

6,503.57

I'

16,454.78

Domestic

Purchase of

Goods Other

than Capital

Goods

I'

53,961.07

I'

30,028.44 13,117.46 11,439.16 108,546.13

Importation of

Goods Other

than Capital

Goods

323,260,847.00 37,203,545.00 331,961.00 4,214,319.00 365,010,672.00

Domestic

Purchase of

Services

Total

317,423.28 6,976,057.25 835,144.53 580,367.94 8,708,993.00 1'323,632,231.35 1'44,209,630.69 1'1,190,174.20 1'4,812,629.67 1'373,844,665.91 The above input taxes do not appear to be transitional input taxes, as understood under Section 111 (A) of the NIRC of 1997, as amended, to wit: "SEC. 111. Transitional/Presumptive Input Tax Credits.- (A) Transitional Input Tax Credits. - A person who becomes liable to value-added tax or any person who elects to be a VAT- registered person shall, subject to the filing of an inventory according to the rules and regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Finance, upon recommendation of the Commissioner, be allowed input tax on his beginning inventory of goods, materials and supplies equivalent to two percent (2%) of the value of such inventory or the actual value-added tax paid on such goods, materials and supplies, whichever is higher, which shall be creditable against the output tax."

Parenthetically, transitional input tax credit operates to benefit newly VAT -registered persons, whether or not they previously paid taxes in the acquisitions of their beginning inventory of goods, materials and supplies. During the period of transition from non-VAT to VAT status, the transitional input tax credit serves to alleviate the impact of the VAT on the taxpayer.63 Since there is no showing that the above-stated input VAT are transitional input VAT, Petitioner has complied with the sixth requisite for the grant of an input VAT refun~

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. CIR

The Input Taxes Being Claimed are Paid.

Out of the reported total input VAT of P373,844,665.91, Petitioner claims for refund the amount of P335,759,253.00, pertaining to input VAT arising from its importation of goods other than capital goods, broken down as follows:

Period Covered

Input VAT Claim

3rd Qtr of2014 p 294,009,428.00 4th Qtr of 2014 37,203,545.00 1st Qtr of 2015 331,961.00 2nd Qtr of 2015 4,214,319.00

Total

I" 335,759,253.00 Though Petitioner reported in its 3rd Quarterly VAT Returns for TY 2014 the input VAT on its importations of goods of P323,260,847.00, it opted not to refund but to carry over the input VAT it paid amounting to P29,251,419.00 (P323,260,847.00 less P294,009,428.00) to the succeeding periods for application to future output VAT payable,64 the details of which are as follows:

Statement of

Single

Settlement of

Assessment

Administrative

Supplier

VAT

Duties and

Notice

Document (SAD)

Taxes (SSDT)

(Exhibit)

(Exhibit)

(Exhibit)

3RD QUARTER OF TY 2014

KANEMATSU CORPORATION

I' 3,201,993.00

P-274

P-277

ELECTROTECNIC\ ii.RTECHE HERMA.NOS 341,639.00

P-275

P-278

SL

KA.NEl\L\TSU CORPOR..\TION 25,707,787.00

P-273

P-276

TOTAL

1'29,251,419.00 In support of its claimed input VAT due on importations of goods, Petitioner submitted in evidence various Single Administrative Documents (SADs),65 Statements of Setdement Of Duties and Taxes (SSDT),66 and Assessment Notices67 issued by the Bureau of Customs (BOC). Based on the ICPA Report,68 the amount of P347,219.00, which is not properly substantiated by documents, should be disallowed on the grounds stated as follow/v"' 64 Q&All, Par. 7 of Exhibit P-48; Exhibit P-70, pp. 8, 26 (ICPA Report). 05 Exhibits "P-280" to "P-344".

66 Exhibits "P-345" to "P-409".

67 Exhibits "P-410" to "P-474".

68 Exhibit "P-70".

P-698

P-699

P-697

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. CIR goods other than capital goods in excess of amount Annex 9-A-b

per SAD and SSDT Annex 9-B-b

2. Input tax on importation of goods other than capital Findings Reference 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Total Disallowed ne (Exhibit P-70) TY 2014 TY 2014 Input VAT + —__—___] goods with no available

1. Input tax on importation of P 199,799.00 P 31,764.00 P 231,563.00 rs SAD and SSDT at the time Annex 9-A-c of verification Annex 9-B-c 102,712.00 12,944.00 115,656.00 Total P 302,511.00 P 44,708.00 P 347,219.00 On the other hand, the Court finds that the remaining input VAT Petitioner paid in the amount of P335,412.034.00 is properly substantiated by documents, to wit:

Bank Certification

SAD SSDT Assessment on Payment of

Supplier (Exhibit) (Exhibit) ined Duties and Taxes

( ) (P-272)

3RD QUARTER OF TY 2014 (Annex 9-A-a of the ICPA Report GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U. P 21,335,014.00 | _P-280 P-345 P-410 BOC-070314-0092 GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U. 60,949,084.00 P-346 P-411 BOC-070314-0132 LS CABLE & SYSTEM LTD. 555,655.00 P-282 P-347 P-412 BOC-072814-0048 LS-VINA CABLE & SYSTEM 467,640.00 P-283 P-348 P-413 BOC-071014-0193 GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U. P-284 P-414 BOC-071814-0191 GAMESA EOLICA S.LU, P-415 BOC-072114-0003

NKS GLOBAL LIMITED P-286 P-416 BOC-072514-0218 |

NKS GLOBAL LIMITED P-287 P-417 BOC-072514-0229

KANEMATSU CORPORATION P-288 P-418 BOC-0721 14-0005

NKS GLOBAL LIMITED 33,271.00 P-289 P-354 P-419 BOC-072814-0006 NKS GLOBAL LIMITED 7,166.00 P-290 P-355 P-420 BOC-072814-0004 GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U. 25,491,025.00 P-291 P-356 P-421 BOC-080514-0113 GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U. 60,306,886.00 P-292 P-357 P-422 BOC-080714-0043 —— GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U. 33,243,096.00 P-293 P-358 P-423 BOC-0807 14-0044 GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U. 36,074.00 P-294 P-359 P-424 BOC-080414-0019 | 4

AVIAT NETWORK (8) PTE P-295 P-360 P-425 BOC-080814-0012

LTD 330,459.00 SHILIN ELECTRIC & 929,071.00} P-297 P-362 P-427 BOC-081214-0004 — $$ $$]

P-363

ENGINEERING CORP.

25,550,195.00 P-298 P-428 BOC-091214-01 76 GAMESA EOLICA S.LU.

GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U. 847,749.00 | __P-299 P-429 BOC-091114-0236 60,446,970.00 | P-300 P-365 P-430 BOC.091214-0178 GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U.

NINGBO HUATIAN IMPORT

AND EXPORT CO. LTD. 78,050.00} P-301 P-366 P-431 BOC.091614.0198 | COMANTUR SL 27,485.00 | P-302 P-432 BOC-092214-0137 GAMESA EOLICA $.L.U. 907,441.00 P-368 P-433 BOC-091014-0147

SHANGHAI RUIHE “|

ENTERPRISE GROUP CO.

LTD.

239,671.00 P-369 P-434 BOC-091514-0111 ~

Kol

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. CIR

GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U. 854,165.00 | P-305 AVIAT NETWORK § PTE. LTD. 41,631.00 Subtotal 293,706,917.00 4TH QUARTER OF TY 2014 (Annex 9-B-a of the ICPA Report GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U. 28,047 ,977.00 P-308 P-373 INGETEAM SERVICE SA 82,473.00 GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U. 7,578.00 GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U. 4,302,131.00 GAMESA EOLICA $.L.U. 11,845.00 P-313 P-378 GAMESA EOLICA S.LU. 11,758.00 | __P-314 P-379 GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U. 6,094.00 | P-315 GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U. 30,969.00 | __P-316 P-381 LS-VINA CABLE & SYSTEM 2,361,510.00 GAMESA EOLICA §.L.U. 108,011.00

NINGBO PACKAGE CO

LIMITED 29,946.00 1st QUARTER OF TY 2015 (Annex 9-C-a of the ICPA Report GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U, 7,180.00 GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U. 16,830.00 LS-VINA CABLE & SYSTEM 140,225.00 P-327 GAMESA EOLICA $.L.U. 3,849.00 P-328 GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U. 6,379.00 P-329 P-394 148,230.00 | _P-330 P-395 9,268.00 P-331 P-396 GAMESA BOLICA S.L.U. 139,945.00 | _P-332 P-397 2nd QUARTER OF TY 2015 (Aanex 9-D-a of the ICPA Report, GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U. 523,464.00 | __P-333 P-398

GAMESA WIND (TIANJIN)

LTD. CO.

GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U. 82,773.00 GAMESA EOLICA 8.L.0. 4,538.00 GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U. 269,554.00 GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U, 6,962.00 AMESA EOLICA S.L.U. 17,284.00 GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U. 19,310.00

P-318 P-383

P-320 P-385

P-321 P-386

P-322 P-387

P-323 P-388

P-324 P-389

P-325

P-326

P-390

P-391

P-392

P-393

3,072,019.00 P-334 P-399

P-335 P-400

P-336 P.401

P-337 P-402

P-338 P-403

P-339 P-404

P-340 P-405

P-341 P-406

G

2,847.00 P-342 P-407 GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U. 29,728.00 | _ P-343 P-408 GAMESA EOLICA S.L.U.

Subtotal

P-435

P-436

P-437

P-438

P-439

P-441

P-442

P-443

P-444

P-445

P-446

P-447

P-448

P-449

P-450

P-451

P-452

P-453

P-454

P-455

P-456

P.457

P-458

P-459

P-460

P-461

P-462

P-463

P-464

P-465

P-466

P-467

P-468

P-469

P-470

P-471

P-472

P-473

P-474

BOC-092314-0015

BOC-081114-0169

BOC-081314-0185

BOC-103014-0080

BOC-101614-0026

P-440 BOC-102214-0138

BOC-103114-0076

BOC-102714-0127

BOC-111414-0008

BOC-111414-0004

BOC-112014-0229

BOC-112514-0241

BOC-120414-0228

BOC-120114-0184

BOC-120314-0134

BOC-120314-0133

BOC-120414-0036

BOC-121214-0134

BOC-121914-0134

BOC-101514-0034

BOC-020415-0246

BOC-021015-0189

BOC-021715-0261

BOC-030615-0082

BOC-03101 5-0282

BOC-031115-0199

BOC-032315-0002

BOC-040115-0145

BOC-041015-0000

BOC-041615-0011

BOC-042215-0259

BOC-042915-0143

BOC-042915-0136

BOC-052015-0142

BOC-051915-0240

BOC-052515-0233

BOC-052715-0129

BOC-052715-0121

BOC-060415-0152

BOC-062415-0078

ion — 4

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. CIR

By virtue of the foregoing SSDT issued by the BOC, and the Bank Certifications on Payment of Duties and Taxes, this Court finds that Petitioner complied with the seventh requisite, i.e., the input VAT was paid, insofar as the said amount ofP335,412,034.00 is concerned. Since there are Both Zero-Rated or

Effectively Zero-Rated Sales and

Taxable Sales, the Said Amount of P335,412,034.00

Shall

be

Proportionately Allocated on the

Basis of Sales Volume

To reiterate, the eight reqmslte is to the effect that the input taxes claimed are attributable to zero-rated or effectively zero-rated sales. However, where there are both zero-rated or effectively zero-rated sales and taxable or exempt sales, and the input taxes cannot be directly and entirely attributable to any of these sales, the input taxes shall be proportionately allocated on the basis of sales volume.

In this case, for the subject periods of the claim, there exists a zero-rated or effectively zero-rated sales and taxable sales. Specifically, for the 1st quarter ofTY 2015, Petitioner reported total sales in the amount ofP207,534,322.34;69 while for the 2nd quarter of TY 2015, Petitioner declared its sales in the total amount ofP148,022,800.15.70 In other words, Petitioner had sales for the said periods in the aggregate amount ofP355,557,122.49. Considering that this Court finds that only the amount of P17 ,119,466.49 represents Petitioner's valid zero-rated sales vis-a-vis the aggregate sales amount of 1'355,557,122.49, the said amounts shall be used as basis for the allocation of the valid input VAT in the amount of P335,412,034.00, determined as follows:

Valid Zero-Rated or Effectively Zero-Rated Sales

I'

17,119,466.49

Divide by Aggregate Sales for the Subject Periods

355,557,122.49

Multiply by the Valid Input VAT

X 335,412,034.00 Substantiated Input VAT attributable to Valid Zero-Rated Sales

I'

16,149,514.98 Thus, for purposes of the eight requisite, the input VAT attributable to the valid zero-rated or effectively zero-rated sales is only in the amount of P16,149,514.98j/

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation vs. C/R

The Subject Input Taxes Have Not

Been Applied Against Output Taxes

During and in the Succeeding

Quarters.

Lasdy, although the input VAT claim of P335,759,253.00, which includes the substantiated input VAT of P335,412,034.00, was carried-over by Petitioner in its succeeding Quarterly VAT Returns,71 the same remained unutilized until ilie same was deducted as "VAT Refund/TCC Claimed" in its Quarterly VAT Returns for the 3rd quarter of TY 2016.72 Such being the case, the subject claim no longer formed part of ilie excess input VAT of P7,274,718.8273 as of the end of the 3rd quarter of TY 2016 that was carried over to the succeeding 4th quarter of TY 201674. Correspondingly, it eliminates the possibility that the present claim has been applied to Petitioner's future output VAT liability. Thus, it cannot be disputed that Petitioner fulfilled the ninth requisite to successfully obtain a credit/ refund of input VAT. In sum, Petitioner is entided to refund or Issuance of tax credit certificate in the amount ofP16,149,514.98.

WHEREFORE, in light of the foregoing considerations, the instant Petition for Review is PARTIALLY GRANTED. Accordingly, Respondent 1s

ORDERED TO

REFUND

OR ISSUE

A

TAX

CREDIT

CERTIFICATE in favor of Petitioner in the amount of P16,149,514.98, representing ilie latter's unutilized excess input VAT it paid on its importations of goods for the 3rd and 4th quarters of TY 2014 and the 1st and 2nd quarters ofTY 2015, attributable to its zero-rated sales for the month of June 2015.

WE CONCUR:

MARIA

ERL~P.UY

Associate Justice

ATTESTATION

SAN PEDRO

I attest that the conclusions in the above decision were reached in consultation before the case was assigned to the writer of the opinion of the Court's Division.

ERL~P.UY

AJJodate Justice

Chairpen-on

CERTIFICATION

Pursuant to Section 13 of Article VIII of the Constitution, and the Division Chairperson's Attestation, it is hereby certified that the conclusions in the above Decision were reached in consultation before the case was assigned to the writer of the opinion of the Court's Division.

Presiding Justice