BW Shipping Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue

DECISION

UY, J.:

Before this Court is a Petition for Review filed by BW Shipping Philippines, Inc., petitioner, against the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, respondent, praying for the refund and/or issuance of Tax Credit Certificate representing unutilized input taxes attributable to its zero-rated sales for the taxable year (TY) 2015 in the amount of P4,953,983.07, pursuant to Sections 112(A) in relation to Sections 11 O(B) and 1 08(B)(2) of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended.

THE FACTS

Petitioner BW Shipping Philippines, Inc. is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal address at 5/F Goodland Building, 377 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Makati City and registered with the~

Securities and

Exchange Commission

(SEC) with

Company

Registration No. 145414. 1 Pursuant to its Amended Articles of Incorporation, the primary purpose of petitioner's business is as follows: "To engage in overseas shipping business for the carriage of passengers, freight, mail, livestock, goods and lawful merchandise of every kind and description, by oceans, seas, canals, rivers, and other waterway, between any and all parts of the world by means of vessels and other modes of transportation used in the business of overseas shipping which may either be owned by the corporation or by other shipping Corporation, and for such purpose, to hire, purchase, charter, owe or otherwise acquire and work ships and vessels of any class, to establish and maintain lines or regular services of ships or other vessels between any part of the world, to engage in manning and crewing of vessels, and generally to carry on the business of shipping."2 Petitioner is registered with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) as a Value Added Tax (VAT) taxpayer with BIR Certificate off Registration No. OCN 9RC0000426666 and Taxpayer's Identification Number (TIN) 000-160-779-000. 3 Respondent Commissioner of Internal Revenue (CIR) is sued in his official capacity, having been duly appointed and empowered to perform the duties of his office, including, among other, the duty to act on and approve claims for refund or tax credit as provided by law. He may be served with summons, notices and other court processes at his office at the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) National Office Building, Diliman, Quezon City.4 Petitioner filed through the Electronic Filing and Payment System (EFPS) its Quarterly VAT returns for the year 2015 on the following dates:

1 Par. 2, Admitted Facts, Joint Stipulation of Facts and Issues (JSFI), Docket- Vol. 2, p. 644. 2 Exhibit "P-1 ", Amended Articles of Incorporation, Docket- Vol. 2, p. 944. 3 Par. 3, Admitted Facts, JSFI, Docket- Vol. 2, p. 645; Exhibit "P-2", Docket- Vol. 2, p. 953.

4 Par. 4, Petition for Review, Docket- Vol. I, pp. 13 vis-a-vis Par. I, Answer, Docket- Vol. 1,96~

Period (2015)

151 Quarter

2"d Quarter 3'd Quarter 4th Quarter

VAT Return

Original Quarterly

VAT Return

151

Amended

Quarterly

VAT

Return

2"a

Amended

Quarterly

VAT

Return

Original Quarterly

VAT Return

1 5!

Amended

Quarterly

VAT

Return

2""

Amended

Quarterly

VAT

Return

Original Quarterly

VAT Return

1 5!

Amended

Quarterly

VAT

Return

Original Quarterly

VAT Return

151

Amended

Quarterly

VAT

Return

2"a

Amended

Quarterly

VAT

Return

Date of Filing

Exhibit

April22, 2015

Exhibit P-8°

July 27, 2015

Exhibit P-9"

November 18,

Exhibit P-1 0 '

2016 July 27, 2015

Exhibit P-16"

August 17, 2015

Exhibit P-17"

November 18, Exhibit P-18'u 2016 October 26, 2015

Exhibit P-23'

November 18,

Exhibit P-24'"

2016 January 26, 2016

Exhibit P-29'

0 April 22, 2016

Exhibit P-30

14 November 18,

Exhibit P-31 10

2016 On March 27, 2017, petitioner filed an Application for Tax Credits/Refund (BIR Form No. 1914)16, together with the Checklist of Mandatory Requirement for Claims for VAT CrediVRefund, 17 for its alleged unutilized input taxes attributable to its zero-rated sales for the first to fourth quarters of TY 2015 in the total amount of

P4,953,983.07 with the BIR, Revenue District Office (ROO) No. 049, Makati North District Office, Makati City. Due to respondent's alleged inaction on petitioner's application for tax credits/refund, petitioner filed the present Petition for Review on August 23, 2017. 18 Respondent filed his Answer on October 13, 2017, 19 interposing the following special and affirmative defenses, to wit: ( 1) petitioner's alleged claim for refund or issuance of tax credit certificate is still subject to administrative investigation/examination by the BIR;

(2) taxes paid and collected are presumed to have been made in accordance with law, hence, not refundable;

(3) petitioner's claim for refund or issuance of tax credit certificate in the amount of P4,953,983.07 representing alleged excess and unutilized input VAT for TY 2015 were not fully substantiated by proper documents, such as sales invoices and official receipts, pursuant to Revenue Regulations No. 7-95 in relation to Section 113 and 237 of the 1997 Tax Code;

(4) in an action for refund/credit, the burden of proof is on the petitioner to establish its right to claimed refund and failure to adduce sufficient proof is fatal to the claim for tax refund/credit;

(5) it is incumbent upon the petitioner to show that it has complied with the provisions under Section 204 (c) in relation to Section 229 of the Tax Code and its failure to prove the same is fatal to its claim for refund; and

(6) claims for refund are construed strictly against petitioner since the same partakes the nature of exemption from taxation. After the Pre-Trial Conference on March 6, 2018,20 the parties filed their Joint Stipulation of Facts and Issues (JSFI) on March 21, 2018.21 Thereafter, the Court issued a Pre-Trial Order on April 17, 2018. 22

Thereafter, petitioner filed a Motion to Avail of the Provisions of Rule 13 of the Revised Rules of the Court of Tax Appeals on August 1, 2018?3 The motion was granted by the Court and Enrico T. Pizarro of ETP and Associates, was commissioned as the independent certified public accountant (ICPA) for the instant case on August 6, 2018.24 During trial, petitioner presented three (3) witnesses, Enrico T. Pizarro, 25 Herminia Dela Pena, 26 and Carmencita Escalante.27 On February 1, 2019 petitioner filed its Formal Offer of Evidence. 28 In the Resolution dated May 27, 2019, this Court admitted most of petitioner's documentary evidence, except for the following: (1) Exhibits "P-32-2" and "P-71", for failure to submit the originals for comparison· (2) Exhibits "P-82" "P-83" "P-84" "P-90" P- '

I

I

I

I

102", "P-106", "P-107", "P-108", "P-109" and "P-123.2", for failure to correspond with the documents actually marked; (3) Exhibits "P- 126.2.110", "P-128.2" and "P-128.4", for not being found in the records.29 On June 14, 2019, petitioner filed a Motion for Reconsideration (with Motion to Defer Filing of Memorandum) 30 praying for the admission of the denied exhibits and deferral of the filing of the parties' memoranda until resolution of the instant motion. The Court granted petitioner's Motion for Reconsideration and admitted Exhibits "P-32-2" "P-82" P-83" "P-84" "P-90" "P-102" "P-106" "P-107" "P- '

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

108", "P-109" and "P-123.2", on September 11,2019.31 On the part of respondent, no evidence was presented in the instant case32 Thus, the parties were given a period of thirty (30) days to submit their respective memoranda.33 23 Docket -Vol. 2, pp. 696 to 700. 24 Minutes of the Hearing and Order dated August 6, 2018, Docket-Vol. 2, pp. 720 and 722 to 723; Oath of Commission dated August, 6, 2018, Docket- Vol. 2, p. 721. 25 Exhibit "P-160", Docket- Vol. 2, pp. 846 to 875; Exhibit "P-97", Docket- Vol. 2, pp. 705 to 711.

26 Exhibit "P-98", Docket- Vol. I, pp. 152 to 173; Minutes of the Hearing and Order dated August 6, 2018, Docket - Vol. 2, pp. 720 and 722 to 723. 27Docket- Vol. I, pp. 331 to 343; Minutes of the Hearing and Order dated July 2, 2018, Docket- Vol. 2, pp. 694 to 695. 28 Docket- Vol. 2, pp. 907 to 939. 29 Docket- Vol. 3, pp. 1397 to 1400. 30 Docket- Vol. 3, pp. 1401 to 1408. 31 Docket- Vol. 3, pp. 1413 to 1416. 32Minutes of the Hearing and Order dated December 6, 2018, Docket- Vol. 2, pp. 898 to 900.

Respondent filed a Memorandum for Respondent on October 14, 2019, 34 while petitioner filed its Memorandum on October 23, 2019.35 Consequently, this case was submitted for decision on November 7, 2019. 36 Hence, this Decision.

THE ISSUE

As stipulated by the parties, the sole issue for this Court's resolution, is as follows: "Whether Petitioner is entitled to refund in the amount of

Four Million Nine Hundred Fifty-Three Thousand Nine

Hundred Eighty-Three and 7/100 Pesos (P4,953,983.07) representing unutilized input taxes related to zero-rated sales/receipts for the taxable year 2015.'m Petitioner's arguments:

Petitioner contends that it has sufficiently proven its entitlement of refund or issuance of a Tax Credit Certificate (TCC) representing its unutilized input VAT attributable to its zero-rated sales. In support thereof, petitioner avers the following:

1. Petitioner is VAT registered;

2. Petitioner's sale of service to foreign shipping companies located and doing business outside the Philippines is a transaction subject to zero percent (0%) VAT;

3. The input taxes attributable to petitioner's zero-rated sales/receipts for TY 2015 were not utilized against output taxes. Neither were these utilized in the subsequent quarters and the said unutilized input taxes were deducted and claimed as tax refund/tax credit certificate;

4. The input taxes being claimed are attributable to zero-rated sales;

5. Petitioner was paid in acceptable foreign currencies and accounted for in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as consideration for the services performed by petitioner for foreign affiliates;

6. The input taxes were proportionately allocated on the basis of the sales;

7. The administrative claim was filed within two years after the close of the taxable quarter when the sales were made;

Respondent's counter-arguments: Respondent counter-argues that petitioner's alleged claim for issuance of refund or issuance of TCC is still subject to administrative routinary investigation/examination by the respondent Allegedly, taxes paid and collected are presumed to have been made in accordance with law, hence, not refundable. According to respondent, petitioner's claim is not fully substantiated by proper documents, such as sales invoices, official receipts pursuant to RR No. 7-95, in relation to Sections 113 and 237 of the 1997 Tax Code.

In an action for refund, the burden of proving entitlement to a refund lies with the claimant. Allegedly, the recipients of services rendered by petitioner were entities doing business in the Philippines. As the requirement for VAT zero-rating under Section 108(8)(2) of the NIRC of 1997, as amended, is that the recipient of the services must be other person doing business outside the Philippines, services rendered by petitioner to its customers do not qualify for VAT zero-rating.

THE COURT'S RULING

The instant Petition for Review is partly meritorious.f"' Requisites for the grant of refund or issuance of tax credit certificate under the law In an action for the refund or issuance of tax credit certificate for input taxes, Section 112 of NIRC of 1997, as amended, pertinently provides as follows:

"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 1 06(A)(2)(a)(1 ), (2) and (b) and Section 1 08(8)(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 (8SP): Provided, further, That where the taxpayer is engaged in zero-rated or effectively zero-rated sales and also in taxable or exempt sale of goods or properties or services, and the amount of creditable input tax due or paid cannot be directly and entirely attributed to any one of the transactions, it shall be allocated proportionately on the basis of the volume of sales: Provided, finally, That for a person making sales that are zero-rated under Section 1 08(8)(6), the input taxes shall be allocated ratably between his zero-rated and non- zero-rated sales.

XXX

XXX

XXX

(B) Period within which Refund or Tax Credit of Input Taxes shall be Made. - In proper cases, the Commissioner shall grant a refund or issue the 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 f 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." Further, the Supreme Court jurisprudentially specified certain requisites for compliance by the taxpayer-applicant to successfully obtain a credit/refund of input VAT. These requisites are categorized as follows:

Timeliness of the filing of the administrative and judicial claims:

1. the claim is filed with the SIR 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 CIR to act on the said claim within a period of 120 days, the judicial claim must be filed with this Court, within 30 days from receipt of the decision or after the expiration of the said 120-day period; 39 Taxpayer's registration with the BIR:

3. the taxpayer is VAT registered; 40 Taxpayer's output VAT:

38Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, G.R. No. 166732, 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. 39 Steag State Power, Inc. (Formerly State Power Development Corporation) vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, G.R. No. 205282, January 14, 2019; Rohm Apollo Semiconductor Philippines vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, G.R. No. 168950, January 14,2015.

40 Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, supra; San Roque Power Corporation vs. Commissioner of I11ternal Revenue, supra; and AT&T Communications Services Philippines, Inc., supra. r

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

5. for zero-rated sales under Section 1 06(A)(2)(a)(1) and (2); 1 06(8); and 1 08(8)(1) and (2), the acceptable foreign currency exchange proceeds have been duly accounted for in accordance with 8SP rules and regulations; 42 Taxpa ver's input VAT being refunded:

6. the input taxes are due or paid;43

7. the input taxes are not transitional input taxes;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 a2,ainst output taxes during and in the succeeding quarters. The Court shall now determine whether petitioner has complied with the above-mentioned requisites. Petitioner timely filed its administrative and judicial claims within the period prescribed by law.

Pursuant to Section 112(A) of the NIRC of 1997, as amended, the administrative claim for the issuance of a TCC or refund of input VAT must be filed within two (2) years after the close of the taxable

41 Id

42 !d.

43 Id

44 !d.

45 Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, supra; and San Roque Power Corporation vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, supra. 46 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. r

Page II of33

quarter when the zero-rated or effectively zero-rated sales were made.

In the instant case, petitioner's claim covers four (4) quarters of 2015. Thus, counting two (2) years from the close of each quarter, petitioner had until March 31, 2017, June 30, 2017, September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2017, respectively, within which to file its administrative claims for issuance of a TCC or refund for its input VAT, to wit:

Taxable

Close of

Last Day of Filing of Administrative

Quarter

Taxable

Administrative

Claim Filed

Quarter

Claim

1 5 ' Quarter March 31,2015 March 31,2017 March 27, 2017 (Jan. to Mar. 2015)

2"0 Quarter

June 30, 2015 June 30, 2017 March 27, 2017 (Apr. to Jun. 20151 3'

0 Quarter

September 30, September 30, 2017 March 27, 2017 (Jul. to Sep. 2015) 2015

4'" Quarter

December 31, December 31,2017 March 27, 2017 Oct. to Nov. 2015) 2015 Hence, petitioner's administrative claim47 for refund was timely filed on March 27, 2017.

As to the timeliness of petitioner's judicial claim, Section 112(C) of the NIRC of 1997, as amended, provides that the judicial claim must be filed within thirty (30) days from receipt of the CIR's decision or after the expiration of the one-hundred twenty ( 120) day period in case of inaction. Further, said provision emphasizes the 120+30 mandatory and jurisdictional periods. Considering that there is no indication that respondent issued a decision relative to petitioner's administrative claim, the determination of the 120+30-day periods, as applied to this case, is shown as follows:

Date of Filing of

End of 120 days for the End of 30 days from

Administrative Claim

CIR to decide the claim expiration ofthe 120 days March 27, 2017 Julv 25, 2017 August 24, 2017 Accordingly, petitioner had until August 24, 2017 to file its judicial claim. It appearin~ that the instant Petition for Review was filed on August 23, 2017,4 petitioner's judicial claim was likewise filed on time.

CIA Case No. 9660

Petitioner is VAT registered. Anent the third requisite, petitioner presented its Certificate of Registration issued by the BIR, indicating it is a VAT taxpayer, with Certificate of Registration No. OCN 9RC0000426666 and TIN 000-160-779-000.49 Thus, this requisite has been complied with. Petitioner is engaged in zero- rated sales which were paid for in acceptable foreign currency duly accounted for in accordance with BSP rules and regulations.

The fourth and fifth requisites, respectively, require that the taxpayer is engaged in zero-rated or effectively zero-rated sales; and that for zero rated sales under Section 1 06(A)(2)(a)(1) and (2); 1 06(8); and 1 08(8)(1) and (2), the acceptable foreign currency exchange proceeds have been duly accounted for in accordance with BSP rules and regulations. In this case, petitioner claims that its sale of services to foreign shipping companies located and doing business outside the Philippines is a transaction subject to 0% VAT pursuant to Section 1 08(8)(2) of the NIRC of 1997, as amended, which reads: "SEC. 108. Value-added Tax on Sale of Services and Use or Lease 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

(2) Services other than those mentioned in the preceding paragraph rendered to a person engaged in business conduced outside the Philippines or to a non- resident person not engaged in business who is

outside the Philippines when the services are performed, the consideration for which is paid for in acceptable foreign currency and accounted for in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP);" In Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Burmeister and Wain Scandinavian Contractor Mindanao, Inc. (Burmeister case), 50 the Supreme Court held that in order that the supply of services may be VAT zero-rated under Section 108(8)(2) of the NIRC of 1997, as amended, the following requisites must be met:

1. the services must be other than processmg, manufacturing or repacking of goods;

2. the recipient of such services is doing business outside the Philippines; and

3. payment for such services must be in acceptable foreign currency accounted for in accordance with the BSP rules and regulations. Services must be other than processina.

manufacturing or repacking of goods Records show that in petitioner's Amended Articles of lncorporation,51 its primary purpose is "to engaged in overseas shipping business for the carriage of passengers, freight, mail, livestock, goods and lawful merchandise of every kind and description, by oceans, seas, canals, rivers, and other waterway, between any and all parts of the world by means of vessels and other modes of transportation used in the business of overseas shipping xxx, and for such purpose, to hire, purchase, charter, owe or otherwise acquire and work ships and vessels of any class, to establish and maintain lines or regular services of ships or other vessels between any part of the world, to engage in manning and crewing of vessels, and generally to carry on the business of shipping".

Clearly, the nature of services being rendered by petitioner falls within the scope of "services other than processing, manufacturing or 50G.R. No. 153205, January 22, 2007.

CIA Case No. 9660 repacking of goods" contemplated under Section 108(8)(2) of the NIRC of 1997, as amended. Recipients of such services are doing business outside the

Philippines

In the case of Accenture, Inc. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue (Accenture case),52 the Supreme Court held that it is not enough that the recipient of the service be shown to be a foreign corporation, it must likewise be established that the said recipient is a non-resident foreign corporation doing business outside the Philippines.

In order to be considered as a non-resident foreign corporation doing business outside the Philippines, each entity must be supported, at the very least, by both SEC certificate of non- registration of corporation/partnership and proof of incorporation, association or registration in a foreign country, and that there is no indication that said foreign corporation is doing business in the Philippines.

In the instant case, to prove that it rendered services to non- resident foreign corporations doing business outside the Philippines, petitioner presented the Certificates of Non-Registration of Company issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Certificates of Registration, Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association, summarized as follows:

SEC Certificate

Certificate

Articles

Memorandum

Registered Name

Of of of of

Non-Reqistration

Reqistration

Association

Association

BW Gas Foreign

Manning AS

P-120.2 P-120.1 - -

BW Offshore Global

Manning PTE. LTD.

P-121.2 - P-121.1 BW Maritime Pte. Ltd.

P-122.2 - P-122.1 P-122.1

Berge Bulk Maritime

Pte. Ltd.

P-123.2 - P-123.1 P-123.1

BW Fleet

Management AS

P-124.2 P-124.1 - -

BW Fleet

Management PTE.

LTD.

P-125.2 - P-125.1 P-125.1

However, respondent argues that the recipients of services/customers of petitioner are entities doing business in the Philippines, because of the appointment of petitioner as "agent" of its customers, acting as "principal" for purposes of recruiting Filipino seamen or crew members for employment on board the vessels managed by the said principal, as stated in the Crew Agency Agreements. Respondent further argues that the said agreements were executed as early as 2008 which implies continuity of conduct and intention to establish a continuous business in the Philippines on the part of petitioner and its customers. We do not agree.

In MR Holdings, Ltd. vs. Sheriff Carlos P. Bajar et a/., (MR Holdings case), 53 the Supreme Court clarified what constitutes "doing business in the Philippines" on the part of a foreign corporation, to wit:

"Batas Pambansa Big. 68, otherwise known as the 'The Corporation Code of the Philippines', is silent as to what constitutes 'doing' or 'transacting' business in the Philippines. Fortunately, jurisprudence has supplied the deficiency and has held that the term 'implies a continuity of commercial dealings and arrangements, and contemplates, to that extent, the performance of acts or works or the exercise of some of the functions normally incident to, and in progressive prosecution of, the purpose and object for which the corporation was organized.' In Mentholatum Co., Inc. vs. Mangaliman, 54 this Court laid down the test to determine whether a foreign company is 'doing business', thus:

'xxx xxx The true test, however, seems to be whether the foreign corporation is continuing the body or substance of the business or enterprise for which it was organized or whether it has substantially retired from it and turned it over to another. (Traction Cos. vs. Collectors of Int. Revenue [C.C.A., Ohio], 223 F. 984,987.).' 53 G.R. No. 138104, April!!, 2002. 54 72 Phil. 524 (1941 ).

~

Applying the foregoing guideline in the instant case, the question is whether or not petitioner, acting as an agent of its foreign principals, is continuously performing the body or substance of the business or enterprise for which the latter was organized. To resolve the foregoing question, We look into the Service Agreements entered into between petitioner and its different foreign client.

Relative thereto, records show that petitioner presented several service agreements, identified by its witness Carmencita Escalante, to establish that petitioner rendered services to foreign shipping companies, namely:

Customer

Service Agreements

Exhibit

Name

No.

BW

Gas Consularized Manning Agreement between

"P-70"00

Foreign

BW Gas Foreign Manning AS (as Principal)

Manning AS

and BW Shipping Philippines INC. (as Agent) dated January 2, 2008

Berge

Bulk Consularized Manning Agreement between "P-72"0(j

PTE LTD

Burge Bulk (Singapore) PTE LTD (as Principal)

and BW Shipping Philippines, INC. (as Agent) dated February 7, 2012

BW

Offshore Consularized Manning Agreement between

"P-73"01

Global

BW Offshore Global Manning PTE LTD (as

Manning

PTE Principal) and BW Shipping Philippines INC.

LTD

(as Agent) dated March 14, 2008

BW

Fleet Purchasing and Infrastructure Support

"P-74"58

Management

Agreement between BW Fleet Management

PTE LTD

PTE LTD (as Principal) and BW Shipping

Philippines INC. (as Agent) dated January 1, 2013

BW

Fleet Purchasing & Infrastructure Support

"P-75"

0~

Management

Agreement between BW Fleet Management

AS

AS (as Principal) and BW Shipping Philippines

INC (as Agent) dated January 1, 2013. Upon perusal of the said service agreements entered into by petitioner, the alleged "agency" between petitioner and its customers is limited to the following purposes: 1) recruitment of Filipino seamen for employment on board such vessels managed by the foreign shipping companies acting as principals; and 2)

providing information technology and purchasing support services for its clients' vessels.

On the basis of the "true test" referred to in the MR Holdings case, the service agreements with petitioner show no indication that as an "agent", petitioner was continuing the body or substance of its clients' shipping activities. Hence, the foreign clients of petitioner cannot be considered as doing business in the Philippines. Pavment for such services must be in acceptable foreign currency Before We look into the manner by which payment was received by petitioner, it is necessary that petitioner show full compliance with the provisions of Sections 113 (A) (2), (8)(1 ), (2) (c) and (3) of the NIRC of 1997, as amended, as implemented by Sections 4.113-1 (A)(2), (8)(1 ), and (2) (c) of Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 16-05. Said provisions require that a VAT taxpayer, like herein petitioner, shall for every lease of goods or properties and for every sale, barter or exchange of services, issue a VAT official receipt which must contain the following information: "SEC. 113. Invoicing and Accounting Requirements for VAT-Registered Persons. - (A) Invoicing Requirements. -

A VAT-registered

person shall issue:

XXX

XXX

XXX

(2) A VAT official receipt for every lease of goods or properties, and for every sale, barter or exchange of services.

(B) Information Contained in the VAT Invoice or

VAT Official Receipt. - The following information shall be indicated in the VAT invoice or VAT official receipt: ( 1) A statement that the seller is a VAT -registered person, followed by his Taxpayer's Identification Number (TIN);~

(2) The total amount which the purchaser pays or is obligated to pay to the seller with the indication that such amount includes the value-added tax: Provided, that:

XXX

XXX

XXX

(c) If the sale is subject to zero percent (0%) value- added tax, the term 'zero-rated sale' shall be written or printed prominently on the invoice or receipt;

XXX

XXX

XXX

(3) The date of transaction, quantity, unit cost and description of the goods or properties or nature of the service;" (Emphasis supplied) "SEC. 4.113-1. Invoicing Requirements. -

(A)

A VAT-registered person shall issue.-

XXX

XXX

XXX

(2) A VAT official receipt for every lease of goods or properties, and for every sale, barter or exchange of services.

Only VAT-registered persons are required to print their TIN followed by the word 'VAT' in their invoice or official receipts. Said documents shall be considered as a 'VAT Invoice' or VAT official receipt. All purchases covered by invoices/receipts other than VAT lnvoiceNAT Official Receipt shall not give rise to any input tax. VAT invoice/official receipt shall be prepared at least in duplicate, the original to be given to the buyer and the duplicate to be retained by the seller as part of his accounting records.

(B)

Information contained in the VAT invoice or VAT official receipt. -The following information shall be indicated in VAT invoice or VAT official receipt: (1) A statement that the seller is a VAT-registered person, followed by his TIN;~

CIA Case No. 9660

(2) The total amount which the purchaser pays or is obligated to pay to the seller with the indication that such amount includes the VAT; Provided, That:

XXX

XXX

XXX

(c) If the sale is subject to zero percent (0%) VAT, the term 'zero-rated sales' shall be written or printed prominently on the invoice or receipt;" (Emphasis supplied) We shall now determine petitioner's compliance with the foregoing requisites.

As indicated in petitioner's Amended Quarterly VAT returns for the taxable year 2015, petitioner declared zero-rated sales in the total amount of P162, 198,495.10, detailed as follows:

Period Covered (2015)

Zero-Rated Sales

Exhibit

10 2015 P31, 111,287.72

"P-10"

20 2015 41,074,007.54

"P-18"

30 2015 43,374,982.97

"P-24"

40 2015 46,638,216.87

"P-31"

TOTAL

P162, 198,495.10 In his ICPA Report, the court commissioned ICPA, Enrico T. Pizarro concluded that out of the declared zero-rated sales of P162, 198,495.10, only P150,778,813.73 qualify as zero-rated sales60.

We agree with the conclusion of ICPA Pizarro and thus, adopt his findings that the zero-rated sales amounting to P11,419,681.37 (P162,198,495.10 less P150,778,813.73) did not meet the necessary invoicing and other legal requirements. Thus, said amount must be denied.

Moreover, upon further verification by the Court of the official receipts supporting petitioner's zero-rated sales, the additional amount of P41,807,449.29 shall also be disallowed for the following reasons:

60 Independent Certified Public Accountant Report, Exh. "P-154" Docket, Vol. II pp. 752-840, at p. 761 ~ a.

Customer's name/registered name is NOT the same with the one reflected in the Articles of Association, Certificate of Registration, SEC Certificate of Non- Registration; b.

The amount in the official receipts was NOT reflected as "Zero- Rated Sales";

c.

Noted erasures in the official receipts without countersignature. The details of the transactions are as follows:

Customer

Zero-Rated Sales

Exhibit

Reason

USD

PHP

BW Foreign Manning AS

64,934.00 2,867,355.57 P-127.1 a

BWG Foreign Manning AS

65,506.00 2,927,463.14 P-127.2 a

BWG Foreign Manning AS

66,942.00 2,960,443.01 P-127.3 a

BWG Foreign Manning AS

71,542.00 3,197,211.98 P-127.4 a

BWG Foreign Manning_ AS

67,510.00 3,047,603.93 P-127.5 a

BWG Foreign ManningAS

71,318.00 3,234,199.98 P-127.6 a

BWG Foreign Manning AS

233,494.00 10,948,533.66 P-127.7 a

BWG Foreign Manning AS

164,502.00 7,803,152.37 P-127.8 a Berge Bulk Maritime Pte. Ltd. 40,653.50 1,837,741.47 P-127.31 b

BWG Foreign Manning AS

65,382.00 2,897,337.95 P-127.36 a

BW Fleet Management AS

772.50 35,745.89 P-127.81 b

PMS Fleet Management AS

1,070.50 50,660.34 P-127.105 a&c

TOTAL

913,626.50 41,807,449.29 As regards the requirement that payment for such services must be in acceptable foreign currency duly accounted for in accordance with the rules and regulations of the BSP for the four quarters of taxable year 2015 in the amount of P162, 198,495.10, petitioner submitted documents such as, Summary of the Result of the Examination of Inward Remittances,61 Certificate of Inward Remittances issued by Bank of Philippine lslands,62 List of Official Receipts, 53 Bank Credit Memos for Inward Remittances,64 and Official Receipts. 55 In his ICPA Report, the Court commissioned ICPA, Enrico T. Pizarro summarized his findings as follows:

CIA Case No. 9660

Customer's Name

BW Global Foreign

Manning AS

BW Offshore

Global Manning Pte

Ltd

BW Maritime Pte.

Ltd.

Berge Bulk

Maritime Pte. Ltd.

BW Fleet

Management AS

BW Fleet

Management Pte.

Ltd.

TOTAL

Exhibit

P-127.1 to 8,

Binder 3

P-127.9 to 17;

Binder 3

P-127.18 to 25;

Binder 3

P-127.26 to 34;

Binder 3

P-127 .35 to 115;

Binder 3

P-127.116 to 148;

Binder 3

Amount

in

Amount in Peso

USD

805,748.00 36,985,963.64 221,544.50 10,045,391.87 536,920.00 24,749,998.59 385,001.00 17,463,797.96 901,241.60 41,060,859.46 445,908.50 20,472,802.21 $3,296,363.60 P150,778,813.73 Upon verification, the Court adopts the findings of ICPA Enrico T. Pizarro that petitioner had valid VAT zero-rated sales forTY 2015 in the amount of P1 08,971,364.44 (P150, 778,813.73 less P41 ,807,449.29).

Petitioner

incurred unutilized input

VAT

attributable to its zero-rated sales.

The Court shall jointly determine whether petitioner complied with the following remaining requisites:

a. Sixth requisite: the input taxes are due or paid

b. Seventh requisite: 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 the sales volume; and

c. Eight requisite: the input taxes have not been applied against output taxes during and in the succeeding quartersib

In its Amended Quarterly VAT Returns forTY 2015,66 petitioner declared excess and unutilized input VAT of P4, 970,062.7 4 on its domestic purchases of capital goods exceeding P1 Million and importation of goods other than capital goods as well as the amortization of capital goods, of which the amount of P4,953,983.07 is the subject of the present claim, as shown below: 1"' 2"a 3'a 4'"

TOTAL

Quarter

Quarter

Quarter

Quarter

Input Tax

Deferred on

Capital Goods

4,091,299.84 4,092,235.69 4,201 '753.11 3,950,737.91 16,336,026.55

Exceeding

1 Million from

Previous Quarter

Add: Input Tax on

Purchases of

Capital Goods

during the period 230,661.57 348,902.54 - 360,612.74 940,176.85 of Claim,

Exceeding

1Million

Less: Input Tax on Purchases of

Capital Goods

Exceeding

4,092,235.69 4,201,753.11 3 950 737.91 4,054,325.23 16,299,051.94

1 Million Deferred

for the

Succeeding

Period

Amortization of

Input Tax on

Capital Goods

229,725.72 239,385.12 251,015.20 257,025.42 977,151.46

Exceeding

1Million

Input Tax on

Importation of

883,353.76 - - - 883,353.76

Goods

Input Tax on

Purchases of

- 1,237,293.26 949 604.13 922,660.13 3,109,613.52 -

Goods

Input Tax

1 '113,079.48 1,476,678.38 1,200,619.33 1 '179,685.55 4,970,062.74

Less: OutQUt Tax

16 079 .67 - - - 16 079.67

CLAIMED INPUT

1,096,999.81 1,476,678.38 1 ,200,619.33 1 '179,685.55 4,953,983.07

TAX

It is noted that in the ICPA Report, it is stated therein that petitioner's input VAT claim in the amount of P127,097.96 must be disallowed for not being properly substantiated by VAT invoices or official receipts as prescribed under Sections 11 O(A) and 113(A) and

(B) of the NIRC, in relation to Sections 4.110-2, 4.110-3, 4.110-8 and 4.113-1 of RR No. 16-05. The findings67 are as follows:

Particular

Reference

Input VAT

Input VAT on domestic purchase of service with incomplete company Exhibit P-137;

name, no company's TIN, no

Binder 5

302.40 company's address, incorrect vatable

Amount

Input VAT on domestic purchase of Exhibit P-138;

services with incomplete/incorrect

Binder 5

5,423.18 company address Input VAT on domestic purchase of services with incomplete/incorrect Exhibit P-139, 226.80 company's address, incorrect VA Table

Binder 5

amount and incorrect VAT amount Input VAT on domestic purchase of Exhibit P-140, services with incomplete/incorrect

Binder 5

901.09 company's address and overclaim Input VAT on domestic purchase of Exhibit P-141, 29,618.67 services with incorrect company's TIN

Binder 5

Input VAT on domestic purchase of services with incorrect company's TIN Exhibit P-142, 594.30 and incomplete/incorrect company's

Binder 5

address Input VAT on domestic purchase of Exhibit P-143, 1,607.14 services with incorrect VA Table amount

Binder 5

Input VAT on domestic purchase of services with no company's address Exhibit P-144, 226.80 incorrect vatable amount and incorrect

Binder 5

VAT amount Input VAT on domestic purchase of services with no company's TIN and Exhibit P-145, 5,182.96 incomplete/incorrect company's

Binder 5

address Input VAT on domestic purchase of Exhibit P-146, 10,201.19 services not within taxable period

Binder 5

Input VAT on domestic purchase of services VA Table amount not indicated Excess claimed input VAT on purchase of services against actual input VAT as per supporting documents Input VAT on domestic purchase of services supporting document not found Input VAT on domestic purchase of goods VA Table amount not indicated Input VAT on domestic purchase of goods with invalid supporting documents Input VAT on domestic purchase of capital goods exceeding 1M with noted alteration

TOTAL

Exhibit P-147, 20,069.46

Binder 5

Exhibit P-148, 13,480.42

Binder 5

Exhibit P-149, 14,290.42

Binder 5

Exhibit P-150, 4,178.57

Binder 5

Exhibit P-151,

Binder 5

20,590.56

I

Exhibit P-152,

Binder 5

204.00 127,097.96 Upon scrutiny of the ICPA Report with the other submitted documentary evidence, the Court finds that an additional amount of P91 ,596. 76 shall likewise be disallowed for failure to meet the substantiation requirements, as listed below:

Customer's

Input

Name

VAT

Exhibit

Reason

Handwritten addition in a

PLOT

482.59 P-134.6 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a

PLOT

4,315.20 P-134.7 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a

PLOT

151.09 P-134.8 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a

PLOT

152.18 P-134.9 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a

PLOT

154.09 P-134.10 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a

PLOT

169.09 P-134.11 computerized OR '(J

CIA Case No. 9660

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

Prudential

Guarantee

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

151.09 3,814.81 151.09 455.73 179.31 184.36 151.09 184.36 2,811.41 152.59 151.09 151.09 169.09 151.09 7,327.85 151.09 169.09 159.82 193.37 without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.12 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.13 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.14 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.15 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.16 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.17 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.18 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.19 computerized OR without countersignature P-134.26

Alteration/Erasures in the OR

without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.30 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.31 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.32 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.33 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.34 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.35 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.36 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.37 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.38 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.39 computerized OR without countersignature fi

PLOT

Marriott Hotel

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

184.37 7,614.00 155.46 156.69 169.09 151.09 151.09 374.07 183.01 184.37 502.57 152.29 153.27 151.09 169.09 151.09 4,199.96 151.09 221.73 182.24 Handwritten addition in a P-134.40 computerized OR without countersignature P-134.51

Incorrect VAT Amount

Handwritten addition in a P-134.62 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.63 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.64 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.65 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.66 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.67 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.68 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.69 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.70 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.86 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.87 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.88 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.89 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.90 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.91 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.92 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.93 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.94 computerized OR ~

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

ABS-CBN

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

184.92 151.09 283.79 151 09 151.09 169.09 4,280.13 151.09 178.09 159.00 159.09 227.46 151.09 184.37 672.00 153.82 151.09 169.09 6,283.51 without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.95 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.96 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.97 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.125 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.126 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.127 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.128 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.129 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.130 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.131 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.132 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.133 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.134 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.135 computerized OR without countersignature P-134.143 VAT not Separately Indicated Handwritten addition in a P-134.158 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.159 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.160 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.161 computerized OR without countersignature P-134.162 Handwritten addition in a r

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

151.09 361.65 151.09 184.92 151.09 184.37 151.69 151.69 151.69 169.09 5,735.74 151.09 171.14 159.19 151.09 151.09 184.17 151.09 153.82 236.59 169.09 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.163 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.164 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.165 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.166 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.167 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.185 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.186 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.187 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.188 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.189 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.190 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a

P-134191

computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.192 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.193 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.194 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.195 computerized OR without countersignature P-134.220

Incorrect TIN

P-134.221

Incorrect TIN

P-134.222

Incorrect TIN

P-134.223

Incorrect TIN

IJ

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

•

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

5,813.46 151.09 377.86 553.09 165.27 186.55 151.09 151.09 184.36 115.62 151.09 151.09 156.00 158.59 169.09 5,271.30 151.09 179.59 154.09 184.37 151.09 151.09 184.37 151.09 157.11 167.59 169.09 5,249.42 P-134.224

Incorrect TIN

P-134.225

Incorrect TIN

P-134.226

Incorrect Tl N

P-134.227

Incorrect TIN

P-134.228

Incorrect TIN

P-134.229

Incorrect TIN

P-134.230

Incorrect TIN

P-134.231

Incorrect TIN

P-134.232

Incorrect TIN

Handwritten addition in a P-134.241 computerized OR without countersignature Handwritten addition in a P-134.250 computerized OR without countersignature P-134.286

Incorrect TIN

P-134.287

Incorrect Tl N

P-134.288

Incorrect TIN

P-134.289

Incorrect TIN

P-134.290

Incorrect TIN

P-134.291

Incorrect TIN

P-134.292

Incorrect TIN

P-134.294

Incorrect Tl N

P-134.295

Incorrect TIN

P-134.296

Incorrect TIN

P-134.297

Incorrect TIN

P-134.298

Incorrect Tl N

P-134.329

Incorrect TIN

P-134.330

Incorrect Tl N

P-134.331

Incorrect TIN

P-134.332

Incorrect TIN

P-134.333

Incorrect Tl N

I flO

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

PLOT

Microphase

Corporation

Microphase

Corporation

Micro phase

Corporation

TOTAL

151.09 P-134.334

Incorrect TIN

169.09 P-134.335

Incorrect Tl N

169.09 P-134.337

Incorrect TIN

220.23 P-134.338

Incorrect TIN

331.09 P-134.339

Incorrect TIN

151.09 P-134.341

Incorrect Tl N

184.37 P-134.342

Incorrect Tl N

151.69 P-134.357

Incorrect Tl N

153.28 P-134.359

Incorrect Tl N

170.59 P-134.360

Incorrect TIN

169.09 P-134.361

Incorrect Tl N

4,972.27 P-134.362

Incorrect TIN

151 09 P-134.363

Incorrect TIN

169.09 P-134.364

Incorrect TIN

163.09 P-134.366

Incorrect Tl N

187.65 P-134.367

Incorrect TIN

151 09 P-134.368

Incorrect Tl N

151.09 P-134.369

Incorrect TIN

184.37 P-134.370

Incorrect TIN

120.00 P-136.23 Invoice not Readable 122.50 P-136.24 Invoice not Readable 1,372.50 P-136.25 Invoice not Readable 91,596.76 Thus, out of petitioner's claimed input VAT of P4,953,983.07 for the TY 2015, only the amount of P4,735,288.35 represents substantiated input VAT, computed as followsM

Claimed Input VAT

Less: Disallowances

Per ICPA

127,097.96 4,953,983.07

PerCourt'sVerification

91,596.76 218,694.72 1

Substantiated Input VAT

4,735,288.35 Consequently, only the excess valid input

VAT

of P4, 735,288.35 can be attributed to the total zero-rated sales declared by petitioner in the amount of P162,198,495.10, and only the input VAT of P3,181,354.01 is attributable to the valid zero-rated sales of P1 08,971 ,364.44, computed below as follows:

Substantiated Input VAT

Divided by Declared Zero Rated Sales

Multiply by Valid Zero-Rated Sales

Excess Input VAT Attributable to Valid Zero-Rated Sales

Petitioner's input taxes were more than enough to cover its output VAT liability and the claimed input taxes were not carried-over to the succeeding quarters.

4,735,288.35 162, 198,495.1 0 108,971 ,364.44 3,181,354.01 This Court finds that petitioner complied with the final requisite. Petitioner has shown that the excess input taxes amounting to P3,181,354.01 were more than enough to cover its output VAT liability of P16,079.67.

Although the claimed input VAT was carried-over by petitioner in its succeeding Quarterly VAT Returns for taxable year 2016,68 the same remained unutilized until it was deducted as "VAT Refund/TCC Claimed" in its Quarterly VAT Return for the 151 Quarter of taxable year 2017;69 thus, preventing the carry-over or application of the claimed input VAT in the next taxable periods.

CIA Case No. 9660

In sum, petitioner has sufficiently proven its entitlement to the refund or issuance of TCC in the amount of P3, 181,354.01 representing unutilized excess input VAT attributable to its zero-rated sales for the four quarters of 2015.

WHEREFORE, in light of the foregoing considerations, the

Petition

for Review is PARTIALLY GRANTED.

Accordingly, respondent is ORDERED TO REFUND OR TO ISSUE A TAX CREDIT CERTIFICATE in favor of petitioner in the total amount of P3, 181,354.01, representing its excess and unutilized input VAT attributable to its zero-rated sales for the four quarters of taxable year 2015.

Associate Justice

WE CONCUR:

~- -/t.A-. A~~ MA. BELEN M. RINGPIS-LIBAN ~sociate Justice MARIA ROW.::

f>T"Sf():~AN PEDRO

ATTESTATION

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. ER~P.UY

Associate Justice

Chairperson, 3'd Division

CERTIFICATION

Pursuant to Article VIII, Section 13 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.

Presiding Justice