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2008 Bar: Taxation Questions
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Author:  EPB [ Sun Sep 14, 2008 8:13 pm ]
Post subject:  2008 Bar: Taxation Questions
I.

In January 1970, Juan Gonzales bought one hectare of agricultural land in Laguna for P100,000. This property has a current fair market value of P10 million in view of the construction of a concrete road traversing the property. Juan Gonzales agreed to exchange his agricultural lot in Laguna for a one-half hectare residential property located in Batangas, with a fair market value of P10 million, owned by Alpha Corporation, a domestic corporation engaged in the purchase and sale of real property. Alpha Corporation acquired the property in 2007 for P9 million.

a) What is the nature of the real properties exchanged for tax purposes – capital asset or ordinary asset? Explain. (3%)

b) Is Juan Gonzales subject to income tax on the exchange of property? If so, what is the tax base and rate? Explain. (3%)

c) Is Alpha Corporation subject to income tax on the exchange of property? If so, what is the tax base and rate? Explain. (3%)

(See discussion here)

II.

Jose Cernan, Filipino citizen, married to Maria Cernan, died in a vehicular accident in NLEX on July 10, 2007. The spouses owned, among others, a 100-hectare agricultural land in Sta. Rosa, Laguna with current fair market value of P20 million, which was the subject matter of a Joint Venture Agreement about to be implemented with Star Land Corporation (SLC), a well-known real estate development company. He bought the said real property for P2 million fifty years ago. On January 5, 2008, the administrator of the estate and SLC jointly announced their big plans to start conversion and development of the agricultural lands in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, into first-class residential and commercial centers. As a result, the prices of real properties in the locality have doubled. The Administrator of the Estate of Jose Cernan filed the estate tax return on January 9, 2008, by including in the gross estate the real property at P2 million. After 9 months, the BIR issued deficiency estate tax assessment, by valuing the real property at P40 million.

a) Is the BIR correct in valuing the real property at P40 million? Explain. (3%)

b) If you disagree, what is the correct value to use for estate tax purposes? Explain. (3%)

(See discussion here)

III.

DEF Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of DEF, Inc., California, USA. Starting December 15, 2004, DEF Corporation paid annual royalties to DEF, Inc., for the use of the latter’s software, for which the former, as withholding agent of the government, withheld and remitted to the BIR the 15% final tax based on the gross royalty payments. The withholding tax return was filed and the tax remitted to the BIR on January 10 of the following year. On April 10, 2007, DEF Corporation filed a written claim for tax credit with the BIR, arising from erroneously paid income taxes covering the years 2004 and 2005. The following day, DEF Corporation filed a petition for review with the Court of Tax Appeals involving the tax credit claim for 2004 and 2005.

a) As a BIR lawyer handling the case, would you raise the defense of prescription in your answer to the claim for tax credit? Explain. (4%)

b) Can the BIR lawyer raise the defense that DEF Corporation is not the proper party to file such claim for tax credit? Explain. (3%)

(See discussion here)

IV.

JKL Corporation is a domestic corporation engaged in the importation and sale of motor vehicles in the Philippines and is duly registered with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). In December 2007, it imported several second-hand motor vehicles from Japan and Korea, which it stores in a warehouse in Subic Bay. It sold these motor vehicles in April 2008, to persons residing in the customs territory.

a) Are the importations of motor vehicles from abroad subject to customs duties and value added taxes? Explain. (4%)

b) If they are taxable, when must the duties and taxes be paid? What are the bases for and purposes of computing customs duties and VAT? To whom must the duties and VAT be paid? Explain. (3%)

(See discussion here)

V.

Maria Suerte, a Filipino citizen, purchased a lot in Makati City in 1980 at a price of P1 million. Said property has been leased to MAS Corporation, a domestic corporation engaged in manufacturing paper products, owned 99% by Maria Suerte. In October 2007, EIP Corporation, a real estate developer, expressed its desire to buy the Makati property at its fair market value of P300 million, payable as follows: (a) P60 million downpayment; and (b) balance, payable equally in twenty four (24) monthly consecutive installments. Upon the advice of a tax lawyer, Maria Suerte exchanged her Makati property for shares of stock of MAS Corporation. A BIR ruling, confirming the tax-free exchange of property for shares of stock, was secured from the BIR National Office and a Certificate Authorizing Registration was issued by the Revenue District Officer (RDO) where the property was located.

Subsequently, she sold her entire stockholdings in MAS Corporation to EIP Corporation for P300 million. In view of the tax advice, Maria Suerte paid only the capital gains tax of P29,895,000 (P100,000 x 5% plus P298,900,000 x 10%), instead of the corporate income tax of P104,650,000 (35% on P299 million gain from sale of real property). After evaluating the capital gains tax payment, the RDO wrote a letter to Maria Suerte, stating that she committed tax evasion.

Is the contention of the RDO tenable? Or was it tax avoidance that Maria Suerte had resorted to? Explain. (6%)

(See discussion here)

VI.

While driving his car to Baguio last month, Pedro Asuncion, together with his wife Assunta, and only son, Jaime, met an accident that caused the instantaneous death of Jaime. The following day, Assunta also died in the hospital. The spouses and their son had the following assets and liabilities at the time of death:

.............................Assunta......................................................Jaime
.............................Exclusive................Conjugal.......................Exclusive
...........................______________________________________________
Cash..................................................P10,000,000...............P1,200,000.
Cars......................P2,000,000...................500,000.
Land........................5,000,000................2,000,000.
Residential house....................................4,000,000.
Mortgage payable....................................2,500,000.
Funeral expenses.......................................300,000.


a) Is the Estate of Jaime Asuncion liable for estate tax? Explain. (4%)

b) Is vanishing deduction applicable to the Estate of AssuntaAsuncion? Explain. (4%)

(See discussion here)

VII.

After examining the books and records of EDS Corporation, the 2004 final assessment notice, showing basic tax of P1,000,000, deficiency interest of P400,000, and due date for payment of April 30, 2007, but without the demand letter, was mailed and released by the BIR on April 15, 2007. The registered letter, containing the tax assessment, was received by the EDS Corporation on April 25, 2007.

a) What is an assessment notice? What are the requisites of a valid assessment? Explain. (3%)

b) As tax lawyer of EDS Corporation, what legal defense(s) would you raise against the assessment? Explain. (3%)

(See discussion here)

VIII.

The City of Manila enacted an ordinance, imposing a 5% tax on gross receipts on rentals of space in privately-owned public markets. BAT Corporation questioned the validity of the ordinance, stating that the tax is an income tax, which cannot be imposed by the city government. Do you agree with the position of BAT Corporation? Explain. (5%)

(See discussion here)

IX.

William Antonio imported into the Philippines a luxury car worth US$100,000. This car was, however, declared only for US$20,000 and corresponding customs duties and taxes were paid thereon. Subsequently, the Collector of Customs discovered the underdeclaration and he initiated forfeiture proceedings of the imported car.

a) May the Collector of Customs declare the imported car forfeited in favor of the government? Explain. (3%)

b) Are forfeiture proceedings of goods illegally imported criminal in nature? Explain. (3%)

(See discussion here)

X.

John McDonald, a U.S. citizen residing in Makati City, bought shares of stock of a domestic corporation whose shares are listed and traded in the Philippine Stock Exchange at the price of P2 million. Yesterday, he sold the shares of stock through his favorite Makati stockbroker at a gain of P200,000.

a) Is John McDonald subject to Philippine income tax on the sale of his shares through his stockbroker? Is he liable for any other tax? Explain. (3%)

b) If John McDonald directly sold the shares to his best friend, who is another U.S. citizen residing in Makati, at a gain of P200,000, is he liable for Philippine income tax? If so, what is the tax base and rate? (3%)

(See discussion here)

XI.

Pedro Manalo, a Filipino citizen residing in Makati City, owns a vacation house and lot in San Francisco, California, U.S.A, which he acquired in 2000 for P15 million. On January 10, 2006, he sold said real property to Juan Mayaman, another Filipino citizen residing in Quezon City, for P20 million. On February 9, 2006, Manalo filed the capital gains tax return and paid P1.2 million representing 6% capital gains tax. Since Manalo did not derive any ordinary income, no income tax return was filed by him for 2006. After the tax audit conducted in 2007, the BIR officer assessed Manalo for deficiency income tax computed as follows: P5 million (P20 million less P15 million) x 35% = P1.75 million, without the capital gains tax paid being allowed as tax credit. Manalo consulted a real estate broker who said that the P1.2 million capital gains tax should be credited from the P1.75 million deficiency income tax.

a) Is the BIR officer’s tax assessment correct? Explain. (3%)

b) If you were hired by Manalo as his tax consultant, what advice would you give him to protect his interest? Explain. (3%)

(See discussion here)

XII.

Greenhills Condominium Corporation incorporated in 2001 as a non-stock, non-profit association of unit owners in Greenhills Tower, San Juan City. To be able to reduce the association dues being collected from the unit owners, the Board of Directors of the corporation agreed to lease part of the ground floor of the condominium building to DEF Savings Bank for P120,000 a month or P1.44 million for the year, starting January 2007.

a) Is the non-stock, non-profit association liable for value added tax in 2007? If your answer is in the negative, is it liable for another kind of business tax? (4%)

b) Will the association be liable for value added tax in 2008 if it increases the rental to P150,000 a month beginning January 2008? Explain. (3%)

(See discussion here)

XIII.

MNO Corporation was organized on July 1, 2006, to engage in trading of school supplies, with principal place of business in Cubao, Quezon City. Its books of accounts and income statement showing gross sales as follows:

July 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006.............................P 5,000,000.
January 1, 2007 to June 30, 2007..............................P 10,000,000.
July 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007............................P 15,000,000.

Since MNO Corporation adopted fiscal year ending June 30 as its taxable year for income tax purposes, it paid its 2% business tax for fiscal year ending June 30, 2007 based on gross sales of P15 million. However, the Quezon City Treasurer assessed the corporation for deficiency business tax for 2007 based on gross sales of P25 million alleging that local business taxes shall be computed based on calendar year.

a) Is the position of the city treasurer tenable? Explain. (3%)

b) May the deficiency business tax be paid in installments without surcharge and interest? Explain. (3%)

(See discussion here)

XIV.

Spouses Jose San Pedro and Clara San Pedro, both Filipino citizens, are the owners of a residential house and lot in Quezon City. After the recent wedding of their son, Mario, to Maria, the spouses donated said real property to them. At the time of donation, the real property has a fair market value of P2 million.

a) Are Mario and Maria subject to income tax for the value of the real property donated to them? Explain. (4%)

b) Are Jose and Clara subject to donor’s tax? If so, how much is the taxable gift of each spouse and what rate shall be applied to the gift? Explain. (4%)

(See discussion here)

XV.

In 2007, spouses Renato and Judy Garcia opened peso and dollar deposits at the Philippine branch of the Hong Kong Bank in Manila. Renato is an overseas worker in Hong Kong while Judy lives and works in Manila. During the year, the bank paid interest income of P10,000 on the peso deposit and US$1,000 on the dollar deposit. The bank withheld final income tax equivalent to 20% of the entire interest income and remitted the same to the BIR.

a) Are the interest incomes on the bank deposits of spouses Renato and Judy Garcia subject to income tax? Explain. (4%)

b) Is the bank correct in withholding the 20% final tax on the entire interest income? Explain. (3%)

(See discussion here)
Author:  orbil17 [ Sun Sep 14, 2008 10:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
thanks for posting, elmer!
Author:  lally [ Mon Sep 15, 2008 10:46 am ]
Post subject: 
nosebleed naman ang mga tanong na to... :shock:

feeling ko lang ha....
Author:  the_prolytae [ Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
Whew!

I have the nagging feeling that Taxation would be the killer subject this year. :(

Anyway, does anyone have suggested answers for these questions yet? :idea:
Author:  joey_jrc [ Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:33 am ]
Post subject: 
In 2007, spouses Renato and Judy Garcia opened peso and dollar deposits at the Philippine branch of the Hong Kong Bank in Manila. Renato is an overseas worker in Hong Kong while Judy lives and works in Manila. During the year, the bank paid interest income of P10,000 on the peso deposit and US$1,000 on the dollar deposit. The bank withheld final income tax equivalent to 20% of the entire interest income and remitted the same to the BIR.

a) Are the interest incomes on the bank deposits of spouses Renato and Judy Garcia subject to income tax? Explain. (4%)

b) Is the bank correct in withholding the 20% final tax on the entire interest income? Explain. (3%)

Hi.....let me try to answer these:

a) No, the interest incomes on the bank deposits are not subject to income tax but instead to Final Withholding Tax of 20.0% or 7.50% depending on the currency deposit. Interest incomes are passive incomes subject to FWT

b) No, the bank is not correct. The income tax rates are different for peso and dollar deposits. The peso interest rates are subject to 20% FWT while the dollar deposit rates are subject to 7.50% FWT
Author:  blimpi [ Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:46 am ]
Post subject: 
lally wrote:
nosebleed naman ang mga tanong na to... :shock:

feeling ko lang ha....


hahaha! lally, so funny :lol:

imagine. 4pm na, 8 roman numerals pa ang hindi ko nasasagot (at except lang ata sa isa, lahat may subquestions)

i said out loud hoping the watcher walking in front of me would hear, na wala bang extension. a few seconds after i said that, yung katabi ko sa right tumayo na! gusto kong patirin e. hahaha :lol:

si mamalateo daw ang examiner. some questions daw were questions he used sa mga exams niya sa PLM at UP. i took the tax elective under him, but i dont recognize any question as asked by him during my time. and even if i did remember, i doubt if it'll make any difference kasi i don't know the answer!

my gosh.
Author:  EPB [ Tue Sep 16, 2008 6:39 am ]
Post subject: 
orbil17 wrote:
thanks for posting, elmer!


No problem po Atty. Orville. Jeez, ang hirap ng mga tanong dito!
Author:  adom [ Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:18 am ]
Post subject: 
TAXATION will always be one of the killer subjects...

however, it's only 10% of the BAR EXAM total score...

What matters most is that no one will get DQ score...

Still there alot of chance for the examinees...

TAXATION was and will always be a problem
for BAR Candidates (Reviewees).
:D
Author:  candy [ Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:36 am ]
Post subject: 
nosebleed nga! hai, tax talaga! may mga tax base at tax rate pang tanong! :lol:
Author:  orbil17 [ Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:07 am ]
Post subject: 
I wonder... meron kayang makakapagsabi na madali lang yung tax na exam... kung meron man, please share your views... hehehe
Author:  blimpi [ Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:18 am ]
Post subject: 
onga.

nakakabad trip na nagsuggest pa ako ng extension, tapos ung mga tao sa paligid ko 430pm pa lang nagtayuan na. so sad.

i ended up using the lifeblood theory on one question. grabe! tapos for the first time this september, i counted the points per answer para naman alam ko if aabot ako ng DQ or hindi.
Author:  markwayne [ Tue Sep 16, 2008 10:50 am ]
Post subject: 
orbil17 wrote:
I wonder... meron kayang makakapagsabi na madali lang yung tax na exam... kung meron man, please share your views... hehehe


feeling ko nga ang makakasagot lang ng mga questions dyan na confident ay sila .....
prof.sababan, prof.domondon, justice dimaampao and other national reviewers sa tax......
Author:  johnwong30 [ Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:46 am ]
Post subject: 
unfair yung mga questions and how the facts were framed.

merong isang question , its all about sale of share of stocks traded and sold through stock exchange or any of its medium.... ang tamang sagot dun is this...

it is tax exempt but subject to STOCK TRANSFER TRANSACTION of 1/2 of 1 %.

hindi naman sa nag yayabang, alam ko ito.. pero that time when i took the exam, shempre naman nakalimutan ko na..

ALAS DOS MAG SISIMULA ANG EXAM.. KATATAPOS LANG NG SUPER HABANG CIVIL LAW... KAKAIN PA KAMI AT THE SAME TIME, MAG RE REVIEW KONTI.. EH YUNG MGA TUNAY NA GUMAGAMIT LANG NG TAX LAWS ANG MAKAKA ALALA NETO... EH SA HABA BA NAMAN NG COVERAGE NG TAX AT ANG PASIKOT SIKOT NETO... SINO PA ANG MAKAKAALALA. at very exacting naman ng sagot. PARANG MATH. ano ba naman yun.

tas yung isang fact, may sinabi about valuation of bir commissioner...

eh jusko... malay ko bang ang valuation na ibig nyang sabihin eh ... zonal value.

HINDI NAMAN AKO NASA REALM NG TAX. at ano ba naman yun... nasa batas na dapat fair market value or the zonal value whichever is higher...

pero ang nasa facts, eh fair market value...

so ang sagot ko... di ko nainclude ang zonal value whichever is higher..

ang feeling ko na gusto nyang sagot dun is non retroactivity of bir rulings...

tas.. ano ba naman yung tanong dun sa kahabaan ng facts ulit at may table pa... tas ang tanong kung may vanishing deduction yung mother.


ano ba naman yun.. eh para namang tatlong oras lang ang nailaan sa amin to answer all of those questions...

at yung isa pa... yung is the interest income subject to income tax?

aba natural mente.. kasi interest income is passive income that is subject to final withholding tax...

eh kaso mo.. ang nasagot ko.. no..

you know why...

eh pano ba naman.. nag lagay ng facts na may nag deposito sa bangko tas nag kaltas ang bangko ng 20 percent with holding due to interest income...

di ba ang gulo..

feeling ko ang gusto nyang palabasin dito.. yung source of income.. since dito kumita... dito ang kaltas...

grrrrrr........


as in.. katulad nung isang examinee... bibilangin ko rin kung aabot ako sa dq spot...

pero wag naman sana... kasi... may sagot naman ako na tama eh.. hindi nga lang swak ...

:(
Author:  blimpi [ Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
mejo pang practitioner kasi ung sagot, dude.

un din napansin namin ng officemates ko e. kelangan tax practitioner ka na para masagot mo ung iba.

as for the LGC questions, walang makakasagot non!
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