CASAS + ARCHITECTS, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Court of Tax Appeals QUEZON CITY Third Division CASAS + ARCHITECTS, CTA CASE NO. 9705 Petitioner, Members: -versus- UY, Chairperson, RINGPIS-LIBAN, and MODESTO-SAN PEDRO, JJ COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL Promulgated: REVENUE, Respondent. MAR 0 9 2021 X ----------------------------------------------------------------------------~---l~--~..a_L_�~L------ X DECISION MODESTO-SAN PEDRO, J.: The Case Thi s is a Petition for Review,1 fil ed on 26 October 2017, with an Amended Petition for Review,2 by petitioner Cl!Sas + Architects, against respondent Commissioner of Internal Reven ue ("CIR"), praying for the cancellation of the assessment issued aga inst it covering taxable year 2011 for alleged defi c iency Value Added Tax (VAT) and withholding tax on compensation (WTC) in the total amount of Nine M ill ion Eight Hundred T hirty Five Eight Hundred E ighty-Eight Pesos and 23/ 100 (P9,835,888.23).3 The Parties Pet itioner is a genera l professional partnership duly organized and existing under the laws of the R epublic of the Philippines and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") with principal office at th~ 1 See Petition fo r Review, Records, Vo l. I, pp. I0-207, with annexes. 2 See Compliance (Re: Resolution dated December 12, 20 17) w ith attached Amended Petition for Review , Records, Vo ls. 1-2., pp. 418-574, with annexes.. 3 See Pre-Trial Order, Records Vol. 2, p. 872.

DECISION CTA CASE NO. 9705 Page 2 of25 Penthouse, Paseo Center, 8757 Paseo de Roxas Avenue cor. Sedefio Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City.4 Petitioner was formed primarily to provide architectural services requiring application of the science, art, or profession of planning sites, planning or designing buildings or architectural structures and their related facilities, interior design and decoration, landscaping, land development by and under the direct supervision of certified architects and other licensed personnel, and do anything and all things which a partnership ofthis kind may lawfully do, including, without limitations, consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning, design, preparation of instruments of services such as drawings and specifications, and the supervision of construction insofar as customarily performed by architects. 5 It is registered with the Bureau of Internal Revenue ("BIR") with TIN 005-180-743-000 and was issued Certificate of Registration (BIR Form No. 2303) with OCN 9RC0000243755.6 Meanwhile, respondent is the duly appointed CIR empowered to perform the duties of his office, including among others, the power to decide disputed assessments, approve, and grant refunds or tax credits of erroneously paid taxes, as provided by law.7 The Facts On 3 September 2012, a Letter of Authority (LOA) (LOA-050-2012- 0000023 8) with SN: eLA20 1000078291 8 was issued by Regional Director Nestor S. Valeroso authorizing Revenue Officer (RO) Michael Felipe and Group Supervisor (GS) Roderick Cantillana to examine petitioner's books of accounts and other accounting records for all internal revenue taxes for the period from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011, pursuant to Audit Criteria for Taxable Years 2009 and 2010. Subsequently, on 7 July 2015, petitioner received a Preliminary Assessment Notice ("PAN"), dated 6 July 2015,9 stating that, after investigation, petitioner had been found liable for the following deficiency taxes,A. 4 See Exhibit"P-1."' Records. Vol. 3, pp. I 171-1185. 5 Ibid. 6 See id.� p. 134. 7 See Admitted Facts, Pre-Trial Order, Records Vol. 2, p. 872. 8 See Exhibit "P-2," BIR Records, p. 3. 9 See Exhibit "P-3," id., pp. 391-394. ~

DECISION CTA CASE NO. 9705 Tax Type Basic Tax Interest Total VAT p 7,499,516.73 p 5,325,684.21 p 12,825,200.94 WTC EWT 1,338,114.26 957,576.56 2,295,690.82 TOTAL 1,341,223.02 959,801.24 2,301,024.26 p 10,178,854.01 p 7,243,062.01 p 17,421,916.02 On 20 July 2015, respondent received a Reply to the PAN10 from petitioner praying for reduction of the amount assessed to the following amounts on the ground that petitioner had substantiated respondent's deficiency assessment: Tax Type Per BIR Per Petitioner Reduction VAT p 7,499,516.73 p 32,268.74 p 7,467,247.99 i WTC EWT 1,338,114.26 821,297.89 516,816.37 I TOTAL TAX DUE 1,341,223.02 362,166.32 979,056.70 P10,178,854.01 P1,215,732.95 r 8,963,121.06 1 Thereafter, on 27 July 2015, petitioner received a Formal Assessment Notice ("FAN"), dated 27 July 2015, with attached Assessment Notices for the following deficiency taxes to be paid on or before 27 August 2015: 11 Tax l'ype Basic Tax Interest Total VAT p 7,499,516.73 p 5,469,510.56 p 12,969,027.29 WTC EWT 1,338,114.26 983,239.03 2,321,353.29 TOTAL 1,341,223.02 985,523.33 2,326, 746.35 p 10,178,854.01 p 7,438,272.92 p 17,617,126.93 On 26 August 2015, petitioner filed a Protest requesting for a reinvestigation12 of the alleged deficiency taxes for lack of factual and/or legal bases. Petitioner attached to the Protest an intent to pay a portion ofthe alleged deficiency taxes in the amount of 1'1,183,464.21 representing deficiency WTC and EWT and in fact paid said amount per Payment Form (BIR Form No. 0605) and EFPS payment confirmation. 13 Petitioner also attached supporting documents to its request for reinvestigation. In respondent's letter, dated 18 September 2015, which petitioner received on 23 September 2015, respondent, through Regional Director Jonas DP Amora, informed petitioner that the entire docket and Protest Letter had been forwarded to Revenue District Office No. 50- South Makati for evaluation and other appropriate action. In the same letter, responden~ 10 See Exhibit "P-4," id., pp. 621-635 11 See Exhibit "P-5,", id., pp. 578-585. 12 See Exhibit "P-6," Records Vol. 3, pp. 1214-1232. 13 See Exhibit "P-126-a," Records Vol. 4, pp. 1576-1579; See Exhibit "P-126-b," id.. p. 1580. �

DECISION CTA CASE NO. 9705 Page 4 of25 recognized petitioner's payment on 26 August 2015 of the EWT and WTC amounting to 1'362,166.32 and 1'821,297.89, respectively, or in the aggregate amount ofJ>1,183,464.21. Subsequently, on 7 October 2015, petitioner filed a letter, dated 6 October 2016, with respondent, informing the latter of its submission of all relevant supporting documents on or before 25 October 2015. 14 On 20 October 2015, petitioner submitted additional documents in support of its request for reinvestigation. 15 On 13 October 2016, petitioner requested that the docket be pulled out from Revenue Region No. 8 and returned to Revenue District Office No. 50 for further evaluation. According to petitioner, the dockets were forwarded to RR 8 without informing it of the results of the reinvestigation! 6 On 26 April 2017, petitioner transmitted additional supporting documents to RDO 50 in support of its request for reinvestigation, which respondent received on even date. 17 On 26 September 2017, petitioner received a Final Decision on Disputed Assessment ("FDDA"), dated 22 September 2017, issued by respondent for the following deficiency taxes: 18 Tax Tvoe Basic Tax Interest Total VAT p 3,229,662.71 WTC p 3,719,863.57 p 6,949,526.28 I TOTAL 1,337,975.76 p 4,567,638.47 I ,548,386.19 2,886,361. 95 I p 5,268,249.76 p 9,835,888.23 -- -- - - - -- The FDDA required payment of the deficiency taxes on or before 23 October2017. 19 Thereafter, petitioner filed the instant Petition for Review on 26 October 2017, assailing the FDDA. Petitioner then filed an Amended Petition for Review, dated 28 December 2017.2), 14 See Exhibit "P-8," id., pp. 1234- 1241. 15 See Exhibit "P-9," id., pp. 669-688. 16 See Exhibit "P-10," id., pp.1262-1263. 17 See Exhibit "P-11," id., pp. 1264-1287. 18 See Exhibits "P-12," and "P-12-a," 81R Records, pp. 771-779 19 Ibid. 20 See Amended Petition for Review, Records Vo1s. 1-2, pp. 421-574, with annexes. ~

DECISION CTA CASE NO. 9705 Page 5 of25 On 2 March 2018, and within the extended period granted by the Court/1 respondent filed its Answer through registered mail, which was received by this Court on 15 March 2018. In its Answer, respondent interposed the following defenses:22 "SPECIAL AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES Respondent reproduces and repleads all the foregoing allegations insofar as they are relevant to his defenses which are discussed hereunder and incorporates them herein by way of reference and, in addition thereto, most respectfully avers THAT: 4. A revenue regulation, the issuance of which is authorized by statute, has the force and effect of law (Vitug & Acosta, Tax Law and Jurisprudence, 3rd Edition, p 55); 5. Assessment are prima facie presumed correct and made in good faith. The taxpayer has the duty of proving otherwise. In the absence ofproofofany irregularities in the performance of official duties, an assessment will not be disturbed. (Aban, Law of Basic Taxation in the Philippines, 1'1 Edition, p 109); 6. At the outset, Final Decision on Disputed Assessment dated September 22, 2017 reflects the internal revenue tax liabilities of the petitioner for the taxable year 2011 representing Deficiency Value Added Tax and Withholding Tax on Compensation. 7. Over and above all, petitioner should be reminded that taxes are important because it is the lifeblood of the government and so should be calculated without unnecessary hindrance (Commissioner vs. Algue, Inc. L-28896, 17 February 1988). Taxes are enforced proportional contribution from persons and property levied by the state, hus, no one is considered entitled to recover that which he must give up to another.-Non videtur guisguam id capere quod ei necesse est alii restitutere." In petitioner's Reply to respondent's Answer, filed through registered mail on 28 March 2018,23 petitioner countered that, first, petitioner is not questioning the validity of any revenue regulation; second, petitioner presents enough proof to rebut the presumption of correctness of the assessment; and third, respondent ineffectively denied the allegations in the petition filed by petitioner, and in effect, admitted the same. On 17 May 2018, respondent filed, through registered mail, his Pre- Trial Brief/4 while petitioner filed its Pre-Trial Brief With Motion for Commissioning of Independent Certified Public Accountant on 31 Ma~ 21 See Resolution promulgated 8 February 2018, Records VoL 2, p. 584 22 Answer, id., pp. 586-587. 23 See Reply, Records VoL I, pp. 598-607. 24 See Pre-Trial Brief (for the Respondent), Records Vol. 2, pp. 615-618. C�)

DECISION CTA CASE NO. 9705 Page 6 of25 2018.25 The Court granted26 the commissioning ofiCPA Ma. Teresita Socorro Z. Dimaculangan, who thereafter submitted her report27 within the extended period granted by the Court.28 Fallowing the filing of both parties' Pre-Trial Briefs, the Pre-Trial Conference proceeded on 5 June 2018.29 Subsequently, the Court issued a Pre-Trial Order on 21 June 2018.30 In the meantime, respondent transmitted the entire BIR Records on 19 June 2018.31 Petitioner presented the following witnesses: (1) Bemadith Bersabe Nafiaga, its Head of Finance and Accounting, who testified and identified her Judicial Affidavit during the hearing on 10 September 20 18;32 and (2) Ma. Teresita Socorro Z. Dimaculangan, the court-commissioned ICPA, who testified and identified her Judicial Affidavit during the hearing on 15 January 2019. 33 Thereafter, petitioner filed its Forrnal Offer of Documentary Evidence on 6 February 2019.34 The Court admitted all of petitioner's formally-offered documentary evidence except for Exhibit "P-22" for failure to identify the same. 35 For his defense, respondent presented Revenue Officer Michael T. Felipe as his lone witness, who testified and identified his Judicial Affidavit during the hearing on 23 July 2019.3_A, 25 See Pre-Trial Brief With Motion for Commissioning of Independent Certified Public Accountant, id., pp.619- 857. 26 See Minutes of the Hearing dated 10 September 2018, id., p. 894; See also Order dated 10 September 2018, id., p. 896. 27 See !CPA Report dated I0 October 2018, id., pp. 933-943. 28 See Order dated I0 September 20 18, id., p. 896; See also Resolution promulgated 19 October 2018, id., p. 926. 29 See Minutes of the Hearing dated 5 June 2018, id., p. 858. 30 See Pre-Trial Order promulgated 21 June 2018, id, pp. 872-879; See also Minutes of the Hearing dated 5 June 2018, id., p. 858. 31 See Compliance dated 18 June 2018, id, pp. 865-867; See also Resolution promulgated 8 February 2018, id., pp. 583-584; Records Verification Report dated 22 March 2018, id., p. 594; Resolution promulgated 12 April 2018, id., pp. 609-610; Records Verification Report dated 4 May 2018, id., p. 611; and Resolution promulgated 21 May 2018, id, pp. 612-614. 32 See Exhibits "P-25" and "P-25a," id, pp. 843-857; See also Minutes of the Hearing dated 10 September 2018, id., p. 894 and Order dated I0 September 2018, id., p. 896. 33 See Exhibits "P-26a" and "P-26b," Records Vol. 3, pp. 1116-1125; See also Minutes of the Hearing dated 15 January 2019, id., p. 1146 and Order dated 15 January 2019, id, pp. 1147-1148. 34 See Petitioner's Formal Offer of Documentary Exhibits, Records Vols. 3-4, pp. 1161-1580. 35 See Resolution dated I August 2019, id., pp. 428-434; See also Motion for Partial Reconsideration and Motion to Defer Submission of Memorandum (of the Resolution dated August I, 20 19), id., pp. 444- 452; See also Resolution dated I0 January 2020, id., pp. 457- 459. 36 See Exhibits "R-IO" and "R-10-a," Records Vol. 4, pp. 1596- 1625; See also Minutes of the Hearing dated 23 July 2019, id., p. 1627 and Order dated 23 July 2019, id., pp. 1628-1629. (�)

DECISION CT A CASE NO 9705 Page 7 of25 Respondent filed his Formal Offer of Evidence through registered mail on 7 August 2019.37 Meanwhile, petitioner filed a Comment/Opposition (Re: Respondent's Formal Offer of Evidence) through registered mail on 27 August 2019.38 Except for Exhibits "R-10" and "R-10-a," all of respondent's exhibits were denied for failure to mark the same.39 On 18 November 2019, petitioner filed its Memorandum,40 but respondent did not file his Memorandum.41 Thereafter, on 9 March 2020, the case was submitted for decision, in view of petitioner's filing of its Memorandum, sans respondent's memorandum.42 The Issue43 The sole issue for this Court's resolution is: Whether petitioner is liable to pay the deficiency value added tax (VAT) and withholding tax on compensation (WTC) for taxable year 2011, in the aggregate amount of P9,835,888.23, inclusive of statutory increments. Arguments of the Parties Petitioner's Arguments44 Petitioner argues that it is not liable for deficiency VAT for taxable year 2011. Petitioner maintains that it has remitted the 12% VAT component of its 2011 receipts of designer fees, as shown in its VAT returns for the third quarter of2012. Thus, according to petitioner, it cannot be assessed for basic VAT deficiency ofP3,229,662.71 and surcharge ofP3,719,863.57, which were attributable to erroneous VAT deficiency liability because these have already been paid prior to the issuance of the questioned assessments. With respect to the reduction of accounts receivable, petitioner explains that this is attributable to writing off uncollectible accounts and is not under declared receipts subject to VAT_;,t. 37 See Respondent's Fonnal Offer of Evidence. id, pp. 1630-1633. 38 See Comment/ Opposition (Re: Respondent's Fonnal Offer of Evidence), id, pp. 1635-1640. 39 See Resolution promulgated 16 September 2019, id., pp. 1645-1647; See also Motion for Reconsideration, id.� pp. 1648-1651; Comment on Motion for Reconsideration, id, pp. 1660-1669; and Resolution promulgated 5 December 2019, id, pp. 1706-1709. 40 See Petitioner's Memorandum, id.. pp. 1674-1704. 41 Records Verification Report dated 18 February 2020, id, p. 1712. 42 See Resolution promulgated 9 March 2020, id, pp. 1713-1714. 43 Issue. Pre-Trial Order, Records Vol. 2, p. 873. 44 See Petitioner's Memorandum. Records Vol. 4, pp. 1682-1699. ~

DECISION CTA CASE NO. 9705 Page 8 of25 Petitioner also claims that it is not liable for failure to withhold on compensation income in the amount of 1"2,886,361.95 because, first, there is no factual and/or legal basis for the use of average withholding tax rate of 16.29873905%; second, the apprentices hired by petitioner are not employees, as defined under the Labor Code, and, thus, petitioner has no duty to withhold tax on the amounts given as allowances; third, meal allowances paid to petitioner's employees are de minimis benefits, given for the convenience of the employer, and fourth, petitioner paid its employees 13'11 month pay and reported the excess amount under taxable portion of 13'11 month pay and other benefits. Respondent's Arguments45 Meanwhile, respondent insists that assessments are prima facie presumed correct and made in good faith and that the taxpayer has the duty of proving otherwise. The Ruling of the Court The instant Petition for Review is partially granted. At the onset, this Court establishes that the presumption of correctness of assessments does not apply when the assessment is utterly without foundation. Notably in Commissioner ofInternal Revenue v. Hantex Trading Co., Inc.,46 the Supreme Court discussed the interplay of the presumption in favor ofthe correctness of assessments and the presence of sufficient evidence in this wise: We agree with the contention of the petitioner that, as a general rule, tax assessments by tax examiners are presumed correct and made in good faith. All presumptions are in favor of the correctness of a tax assessment. It is to be presumed, however, that such assessment was based on sufficient evidence. Upon the introduction of the assessment in evidence, a prima facie case of liability on the part of the taxpayer is made. If a taxpayer files a petition for review in the CTA and assails the assessment, the prima facie presumption is that the assessment made by the BIR is correct, and that in preparing the same, the BIR personnel regularly performed their duties. This rule for tax initiated suits is premised on several factors other than the normal evidentiary rule imposing proof obligation on the petitioner-taxpayer: the presumption of administrative regularity; the likelihood that the taxpayer will have access to relevant information; and the desirability of bolstering the record-keeping requirements of the NIRC. However, the prima facie correctness of a tax assessment does not apply upon proof that an assessment is utterly without foundation, meaning it is arbitrary and capricious. Where the BIR has come out wit~ 45 See Answer, Records Vol2, pp. 586-587. 46 G.R. No. 136975,31 March 2005. 8

DECISION CTA CASE NO. 9705 Page 9 of25 a "naked assessment," i.e., without any foundation character, the determination of the tax due is without rational basis. In such a situation, the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that the determination of the Commissioner contained in a deficiency notice disappears. Hence, the determination by the CTA must rest on all evidence introduced and its ultimate determination must find support in credible evidence. The petitioner cannot rely on the presumption that she and other employees of the BIR had regularly performed their duties. As the Court held in Collector of Internal Revenue v. Benipayo, in order to stand judicial scrutiny, the assessment must be based on facts. The presumption of correctness of an assessment, being a mere presumption, cannot be made to rest on another presumption. (Emphasis, Ours) We shall now proceed to examine the items of deficiency assessment issued by respondent against petitioner and the latter's evidence to contest the assessments. I. DEFICIENCY VALUE ADDED TAX Respondent assessed petitioner of deficiency VAT amounting to 1'6,949,526.28, inclusive of interest, computed as follows: 47 Service Fees per Financial Statements p 50,720,073/l.l2 169,224,332.00 Add: Accounts Receivable, beg (net of VAT) p 26,176,826.00/l.l2 45,285,779.46 Total 214,510,111.46 Less: Accounts Receivable, end (net ofVAT) 47,243,992.48 23,372,166.07 Total Collections 26,925,000.00 191,137,945.39 Less: Zero-rated design fees 3,964,495.34 20,318,992.48 Zero-rated design fees per VAT Returns 549,107.14 170,818,952.91 Less: Design fees rendered to D.M. 195,112.00 15,202.00 I Consunii subject to VAT Receipts not subiect to VAT 4,723,916.48 Add: Design fees of one eastwood offsetted 175,542,869.39 from rental expenses 116,801,171.17 58,741,698.22 Design fees offsetted for a residential lot in Portofino Courtvard Other Income Miscellaneous income Total receipts subject to VAT per audit Less: Vatab1e receipts per VAT returns Receints not subiect to VAT Vatable receipts per return 116,80 I, 17l.l7 Add: Receipts not subjected to VAT 58,741,700.22 Adiusted vatable receipts 175,542,871.39 47 See Exhibit "P-12," BIR Records, pp. 771-779. I ~ �)

DECISION CTA CASE NO. 9705 Page 10 of25 Output Tax (12%) 21,065,144.57 Less: Tax Credits/ Payments 4,821,308.66 16,243,835.91 Input Tax Carried Over From Previous 26,180.35 13,014,173.20 Quarter 3,229,662. 71 5,126,727.73 3,719,863.57 Input Tax Claimed per Return 5,152,908.08 6,949e26.28J Total 33!,599.42 Less: Excess Input Tax Carried Over to Succeeding Period Output VAT payable Less: Payment per returns Basic tax due Add: Interest (01/26/2012 to 10/27/2017) TOTAL AMOUNT DUE - - - - - - The following items of VAT deficiency assessment were disputed by petitioner: A. Designer fees received from D.M. Consunji in the amount P26,925,000.00 ofP26,925,000.00 erroneously classified as zero-rated but P27,767415.04 allegedly already subjected to VAT. B. Reduction in the balance of Accounts Receivable in the amount of P27,767415.04 attributable to writing off of uncollectible accounts. The ICPA found48 that under declared income for VAT purposes stands at 1'8,810,079.65, computed as follows: Service fee for the year 50,720,073.00 169,224,332.00 Accounts receivable, beginning (net of VAT) 26,176,826.00 45,285,779.46 Accounts receivable, ending ( net of VAT) 23,372,166.07 Should be collections for the year 191,137,945.39 Less write-off of uncollectible 24,767,415.04 22,113,763.43 accounts Actual collections for the year 169,024,181.96 Less Zero-rated collections ( see Summary I) 47,243,992.48 Erroneous classification of DMCI under Zero-rated 19,575,892.86 27,668,099.62 transactions (per SLS see Summary 2) Receipts subject to VAT 141,356,082.34 Add: Design fees offset with rental 3,964,495.34 Design fees Portofino 549,107.14 Other income 195,114.00 Miscellaneous income -;_, 15,202.00 4,723,918.48 48 See Exhibit "P-26c," Records Vol. 2, p. 938. @3

DECISION CTA CASE NO. 9705 Page II of25 Total Receipts subject to VAT for 20 II declaration 146,080,000.82 Collections from DMCI deferred declaration to 20,468,750.00 2012 (per OR see Summary 2) Total Receipts Should be subjected to VAT after DMCI collections 125,611,250.82 Vatable receipts declared per VAT returns in 2011 (see summary I) 116,801,171.17 Under declared income for VAT computation for December 31, 8,810,079.65 2011 However, the ICPA concluded that, notwithstanding the underdeclared income of P8,810,079.65, there is still a refundable VAT of P717,232.87, computed as follows: Balance as per undersigned's revised computation 8,810,079.65 12% VAT rate 1,057,209.56 Vat due Less VAT refundable as of December 31, 20 II 1'774,442.43 (see Summary 1.1 ) VAT refundable after analysis 717,232.87 Preliminarily, we disagree with the !CPA's findings that petitioner is entitled to the refund of P717,232.87. It must be noted that the instant case seeks the cancellation of the assessment for taxable year 2011 issued against petitioner. Petitioner did not seek any refund nor substantiate its VAT refund claim in the instant Petition nor in its Amended Petition for Review. We shall now discuss the two items disputed by petitioner: (A) designer fees rendered to D.M. Consunji subject to VAT in the amount of P26,925,000.00; and (B) reduction in accounts receivable allegedly attributable to write-off of uncollectible accounts amounting to P24,767,415.04. A. Designer Fees received from DMCI - P26,925,000.00 Petitioner claims that it erroneously treated its receipts from DMCI as zero-rated for VAT purposes due to an innocuous misreading of Republic Act No. 7916 or the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 in relation to Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 74-99, which provides that services rendered to Ecozone-registered enterprise as zero-rated for VAT purposes.49 According to petitioner, it erroneously assumed that by virtue of its subcontracto~ 49 See Petitioner's Memorandum, Records VoL 4, p. 1683. 05

DECISION CTA CASE NO. 9705 Page 12 of25 agreement with DMCI, the incentive due to DMCI would also redound to its benefit. 5� When petitioner became aware of its error, it allegedly remitted to respondent the 12% VAT component of its designer fees from DMCI. Petitioner presented its monthly VAT return for November 2012, showing payment in the amount ofP5,204,941.72, 51 purportedly pertaining to the 2011 deficiency VAT due on the DMCI designer fees. While petitioner presented its monthly VAT return for November 2012, it failed to present the related Summary List of Sales ("SLS") and other documents in which the remittance of the subject output VAT can be traced or verified. The ICPA claims to have reviewed the SLS,52 but the same was not offered and cannot be found in the records of the case. Thus, this Court cannot ascertain, trace, and verify whether the alleged VAT payment in November 20 12 pertains to the DMCI designer fees received in 20 II. For lack of proof of payment in 2012 of DMCI designer fees received in 2011, this Court is constrained to retain respondent's VAT deficiency assessment arising from DMCI designer fees. B. Reduction in Accounts Receivable attributable to writing off of uncollectible accounts- P24,767,415.00 Respondent compared the beginning and ending balance of petitioner's Accounts Receivable for the taxable year 2011 and treated the decrease in the balance as collections subject to VAT. The Court does not agree. As found by the ICPA, the accounts were correctly written-off from the books for being uncollectible from 2007 up to 2011 and the write-off was against Partner's Capital.53 Respondent failed to present proof of actual sales and relies on the presumption that the decrease in accounts receivable is attributable to receipts subject to VAT. A change in the balance of Accounts Receivable, however, does not necessarily translate to collections subject to VAT, more so when petitioner is able to explain the nature of the reduction in the account as wei~ 50 Ibid. 51 See Exhibit "P-15," Records Vol. 3, p. 1312. 52 See !CPA Report, Records Vol. 2, p. 934. "See !CPA Report, id., p. 935. �

DECISION CTA CASE NO. 9705 Page 13 of25 as provide the necessary supporting documents thereto. Respondent 1s mistaken in insisting that there are taxable sales when there are none. A perusal ofthe records reveals that the write- offofthe f'24,767 ,415.00 uncollectible accounts was authorized by the partners in a meeting held on 1 December 2011,54 with a corresponding journal entry on even date to reduce the balance Accounts Receivable and Partners' Contribution. 55 We summarize the supporting documents of accounts identified to be written off during the partners' meeting below: Client's Invoice Invoice Date Total Date of Date of Remaining Name No. Invoice Collection Receipt of Balance to be Amount Collection Written Off (VAT Letter (VAT inclusive) inclusive) Letter I. Landev 185456 Mar. 14, 2007 850,000.00 Apr. 20, 200757 Apr. 24, 2007 850,000.00 Corporation Jun. 22,200758 Apr. 26, 2007 2. CJH 1863 59 Apr. 02, 2007 610,909.09 May II, 200760 May 13,2007 610,909.09 Jul. 20, 200761 Jul. 23, 2007 Development Corp. 3. CJH 1864''2 Apr. 02, 2007 152,727.27 May II, 200763 May 13, 2007 152,727.27 Jul. 20, 200764 Jul. 23, 2007 Development Corp. 4. Megaworld 210765 Feb. 20,2008 4,072,727.28 Mar. 28, 200866 Mar. 31, 2008 4,072,727.28 Corporation May 23, 200807 May 27,2008 2,200,000.00 5. MESA 218768 May 22,2008 2,200,000.00 Jun. 27, 200869 Jun.30,2008 25,803.20 Development Aug. 29, 200870 Sep.2,2008 Corg, 6. MESA 2188" May 22,2008 25,803.20 Jun. 27, 200872 Jun. 30,2008 Development Aug. 29, 200873 Sep.02,2008 Corp. 7. 2273 74 Sep. 18, 2008 170,000.00 Oct. 24, 200875 Oct. 28, 2008 170,000.00 ) 54 !CPA Exhibit "P-49," id., pp. 987-989. 55 ICPA Exhibit "P-51," id., p. 992. 56 ICPA Exhibit "P-53," Records Vol. 2, pp. 994-995. 57 ICPA Exhibit "P-74," Records Vol. 3., p. 1016. 58 !CPA Exhibit "P-75," id., p. 1017. 59 ICPA Exhibit "P-54," Records Vol. 2., p. 996. 60 !CPA Exhibit "P-77," Records Vol. 3., p. 1019. 61 !CPA Exhibit "P-76," id., p. 1018. 62 !CPA Exhibit "P-55," Records Vol. 2, p. 997. 63 ICPA Exhibit "P-79," Records Vol. 3, p. 1021. 64 ICPA Exhibit "P-78," id., p. 1020. 65 ICPA Exhibit "P-56," Records Vol. 2, p. 998. 66 !CPA Exhibit "P-80," Records Vol. 3, p. 1022. 67 !CPA Exhibit "P-81," id., p. 1023. 68 !CPA Exhibit "P-57," Records Vol. 2, p. 999. 69 ICPA Exhibit "P-82," Records Vol. 3, p. 1024. 70 !CPA Exhibit "P-83," id., p. 1025. 71 !CPA Exhibit, "P-58," Records Vol. 2, p. 1000. 72 ICPA Exhibit "P-84," Records Vol. 3, p. 1026. 73 !CPA Exhibit "P-85," id., p. 1027. 74 !CPA Exhibit "P-59," id., p. 1001. 75 ICPA Exhibit "P-87," id., p. 1029. s

DECISION CTA CASE NO. 9705 Page 14 of25 Cliveden Dec. 19, 200876 Dec. 19, 2008 Corporation 2301 77 Nov, 12, 2008 I ,875,000.00 Dec. 19, 2008 78 Dec. 22, 2008 1,875,000.00 8. Sta. Lucia Feb. 27,200979 Mar. 03, 2009 Realty 233680 62,468.62 Development 234983 Mar. 04, 2009 279,050.75 Apr. I 0, 200981 Apr. 14, 2009 514,623.69 Corp. 238086 Apr. 20, 2009 I ,200,000.00 Jun. 12,200982 2,100,000.00 Jul. 06, 2009 2, I00,000.00 May 29, 200984 Jun. 16, 2009 457,520.00 9. Megaworld Jul. 24, 200985 Corporation Aug. 14, 2009 Aug. 28, 200987 Jun. 02,2009 1'720,000.00 3,500,000.00 10. Auto Asia Jul. 27,2009 Holdings Inc. 94,282.71 (received but 25,000.00 II. West Beach undated) -:;. Inc. (received but undated) Oct. 30, 200988 Sep.28,2009 12. Travellers 239289 457,520.00 Sep.25,200990 International Nov. 20, 200991 Nov. 28, 2009 Hotels Group Inc. 13. Brittany 2425 92 Nov. 12,2009 I ,720,000.00 Dec. 18, 200993 Feb. 19,2010 Corporation Nov. 24,2009 3,500,000.00 Feb. 19,201094 Feb. 22,2010 Jan. 27, 2010 Jan. 08,201096 Jan. II, 2010 14. Northpine 2431 95 94,282.71 Mar. 26, 20 I097 Mar. 29, 20 I0 Land Inc. Mar. 05, 20 I099 Mar. 09, 20 I 0 May 07,2010100 May 10,2010 15. CJH 246098 Development Corp. 16. Premier 2458101 Jan. 27,2010 25,000.00 Mar. 05,2010 102 (received but Central Inc May 07,2010 103 undated) (received but undated) 76 !CPA Exhibit "P-86," id, p. 1028. � 77 ICPA Exhibit, "P-60," id, p. 1002. 78 !CPA Exhibit "P-88," id, p. 1030. 79 !CPA Exhibit "P-89," id, p. 1031. 80 !CPA Exhibit"P-61," id., p. 1003. 81 ICPA Exhibit "P-90," id, p. 1032. 82 !CPA Exhibit "P-91," id, p. 1033. " ICPA Exhibit "P-62," id, p. 1004. 84 ICPA Exhibit "P-93," id, p. 1035. 85 !CPA Exhibit "P-92," id, p. 1034. 86 !CPA Exhibit "P-63," id, p. 1005. 87 !CPA Exhibit "P-95," id., p. 1037. 88 ICPA Exhibit "P-94," id, p. 1036. 89 ICPA Exhibit "P-64," id, p. 1006. 90 !CPA Exhibit "P97," id., p. 1039. 91 !CPA Exhibit "P-96," id., p. 1038. 92 !CPA Exhibit "P-65," id., p. 1007. " !CPA Exhibit "P-99," id, p. 1041. 94 !CPA Exhibit "P-98," id., p. 1040. 95 ICPA Exhibit "P-66," id, p. 1008. 96 !CPA Exhibit "P-100," id., p. 1042. 97 !CPA Exhibit"P-101," id., p. 1043. 98 !CPA Exhibit "P-67," id, p. 1009. 99 !CPA Exhibit "P-!03," id., p. 1045. 100 ICPA Exhibit "P-102," id., p. 1044. 101 !CPA Exhibit "P-69," id., p. lOll. 102 !CPA Exhibit "P-105," id., p. 1047. 103 !CPA Exhibit "P-104," id., p. 1046.

DECISION CTA CASE NO 9705 Page IS of25 17. CJH 2469 104 Mar. 02,2010 4,596,553.18 Apr. 07,2010 105 Apr. 09,2010 4,596,553.18 Jun.ll,2010 106 Jun. 14,2010 300,000.00 Development 880,600.00 Corp. 163,200.00 396,000.00 18. St. Michael 2479107 Mar. 25,2010 3,300,000.00 Apr. 30, 2010 108 (received but 24,767,415.04 Jun. 25,2010 100 undated) The (received but Archangel undated) Parish Church 19. Nuvoland 2488110 Apr. 23, 2010 2,935,300.00 May 28,2010 111 Jun. 01,2010 Philippines 2498 113 Jul. 30,2010 112 Aug. 03,2010 Inc. Jun. 24, 2010 320,000.00 Jul. 30,2010 114 Aug. 03,2010 20. CJH Sep. 24,2010 115 Sep.27,2010 Development Corp. 21. Travellers 0054116 Oct. 06,2010 396,000.00 Nov. 12,2010117 Nov. 16,2010 Feb.ll,2011 118 Feb. 14,2011 International Hotels Group Inc. Total Uncollectible Accounts Receivable (inclusive of VAT) With the writing off of the P24, 767,415.00 uncollectible accounts against Partners' Capital, a Partners' Capital deficiency resulted. The partners thereafter decided to replenish the firm capital with the same amount through the conversion of Advances from Partners to Partners' Capital account. 119 This is reflected in the Minutes ofthe Partners' Meeting, held on 20 December 2011, 120 and the Journal Voucher entry, dated 20 December 2011. 121 This Court is convinced that, based on the supporting documents presented by petitioner, the decrease in balance of its Accounts Receivable is, indeed, due to a legitimate writing off of uncollectible accounts. Consequently, the reduction of accounts receivable in the amount P24,767,415.00 should not be classified as under declared receipts and should not lead to a VAT deficiency assessment.A, 104 !CPA Exhibit "P-68," id., p. 1010. ~ 105 !CPA Exhibit "P-107," id., p. 1049. 106 !CPA Exhibit"P-106," id., p. 1048. '07 !CPA Exhibit "P-70," id., p. 1012. 108 !CPA Exhibit "P-109," id., p. 1051. 109 !CPA Exhibit "P-108," id., p. 1050. 110 !CPA Exhibit "P-71," id., p. 1013. 111 !CPA Exhibit"P-111," id., p. 1053. 112 !CPA Exhibit "P-110," id., p. 1052. 113 !CPA Exhibit "P-72," id., p. 1014. 114 !CPA Exhibit "P-113," id., p. 1055. 115 !CPA Exhibit "P-112," id. P. 1054. 116 !CPA Exhibit "P-73," id., p. I015. 117 !CPA Exhibit, "P-115," id., p. 1057. 118 !CPA Exhibit "P-114," id., p. 1056. 119 See !CPA Report, Records Vol. 2, p. 935. 120 See !CPA Exhibit "P-50" id., pp. 990-991. 121 See !CPA Exhibit "P-52," id., p. 993. . ./

DECISION CTA CASE NO. 9705 Pagt: 16 of25 To summarize, this Court retains the VAT deficiency assessment with respect to DMCI designer fees in the amount of P26,925,000.00 and cancels the reduction in accounts receivable attributable to writing off ofuncollectible accounts in the amount ofP24,767,415.00. After this Court's scrutiny of the supporting documents, testimonies, and findings of the ICPA, the VAT deficiency assessment then becomes as follows: Service Fees per Financial Statements p 50,720,073/1.12 169,224,332.00 Add: Accounts Receivable beg (net of VAT) p 26,176,826.00/1.12 45,285,779.46 Total 214,510,111.46 Less: Accounts Receivable, end (net of VAT) 47,243,992.48 23,372,166.07 Should be collections for the vear 26,925,000.00 191,137,945.39 Less: Decrease in AR due to Writing Off of 22,113,763.43 Uncollectible Accounts 3,964,495.34 Less: Zero-rated design fees 549,107.14 20,318,992.48 195,112.00 148,705,189.48 Zero-rated design fees per VAT Returns 15,202.00 Less: Design fees rendered to D.M. 4,723,916.48 153,429,105.96 Consunii subject to VAT 116,801,171.17 Receipts not subiect to VAT 36,627,934.79 Add: Design fees of one eastwood offsetted from rental expenses Design fees offsetted for a residential lot in Portofino Courtvard Other Income Miscellaneous income Total receipts subiect to VAT per audit Less: Vatable receipts per VAT returns Receipts not subiect to VAT Vatable receipts per return 116,801,171.17 Add: Receipts not subiected to VAT 36,627,934.79 Adjusted vatable receipts 153,429,105.96 Output Tax (12%) 18,411,492.72 Less: Tax Credits/ Pavments 26,180.35 4,821,308.66 Input Tax Carried Over From Previous 13,590,184.06 5,126,727.73 13,014,173.20 Quarter 5,152,908.08 576,010.86 Input Tax Claimed per Return 331,599.42 / Less: Total Excess Input Tax Carried Over to Succeeding Period Output VAT payable Less: Pavment per returns BASIC VAT STILL DUE ~

DECISION CTA CASE NO. 9705 Page 17 of25 II. Deficiency Withholding Tax on Compensation - P2,886,361.95 Respondent assessed petitioner of deficiency WTC amounting to 1"2,886,361.95, inclusive of interest, computed as follows: 122 Salaries and wages oer FS/ ITR 20,377,426.00 37,531,746.50 Direct staff cost-cost of services 12,401,182.00 29,839,163.93 Salaries and wages- administrative expenses 4,753,138.50 Other allowance & benefits 7,692,582.57 Less: Salaries subjected to withholding tax per alphalist 4, 771,342.84 16.29873905% Salaries and Wa!!es not subjected to withholding tax 29,274,306.59 1,253,793.96 Multiplied by: Avera!!e Withholding Tax Rate 905,479.69 2,159,273.65 Tax Due oer Alohalist 821,297.89 Divided by: Taxable Salaries per Alphalist 1,337,975.76 Basic Deficiency Withholding Tax Due I ,548,386.19 Add: Interest (0 1/16/12 to 08/26/15) 2,886,361.95 Total Less: Payment (08/26/20 15) - ---- Basic Deficiencv Withholding Tax Still Due Add: Interest (01116/12 to 10/27/17) TOTAL AMOUNT DUE ---- Petitioner contests the following: 16.29873905% 1>309,724.41 A. Use of Average Withholding Tax Rate 1>207,620.00 B. Failure to consider Allowances to 1>2,653,555.00 Apprentices which are not subject to WTC C. Failure to consider meal allowance paid to employees for the convenience of the employer which are not subject to WTC D. Failure to consider 131h month pay classified as non-taxable in the alphalist A. Use of Average Withholding Tax Rate- 16.29873905% Respondent used the "Average Withholding Tax Rate" of 16. 29873905% in assessing deficiency creditable withholding tax on petitioner. Respondent arrived at this Average Withholding Tax Rate by dividing the Tax Due per Alphalist and Taxable Salaries per Alphalist. He claims that Section 79(E) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 ("Tax Code''), as implemented by Section 2. 78 of RR. 2-98 allows the use of Average Withholding Tax Rate.,A., 122 See Exhibit "P-12," B1R Records, pp. 771-779. 6

DECISION CTA CASE NO. 9705 Page 18 of25 Section 79(E) ofthe Tax Code refers to withholding on basis of average wages, to wit: "Section 79. Income Tax Collected at Source.- (E) Withholding on Basis of Average Wages. - The Commissioner may, under rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Finance, authorize employers to: (I) estimate the wages which will be paid to an employee in any quarter of the calendar year; (2) determine the amount to be deducted and withheld upon each payment of wages to such employee during such quarter as if the appropriate average of the wages so estimated constituted the actual wages paid; and (3) deduct and withhold upon any payment of wages to such employee during; such quarter such amount as may be required to be deducted and withheld during such quarter without regard to this Subsection." Nowhere in Section 79(E) ofthe Tax Code nor Revenue Regulations No. 2-98 is there any guideline on the use of average withholding tax rate. Thus, this Court finds no basis for the use of the average withholding tax rate of 16.29873905%. On the other hand, the highest withholding tax rate for professional fees, talent fees, or any other form of remuneration for services rendered is 15% (previously 10%), as provided in Section 2.57.2 (A) ofRevenue Regulations No. 2-98, as amended by Revenue Regulations No. 14-02, Revenue Regulations No. 11-18, and Revenue Regulations No. 01-06. Section 2.57.2(A) pertinently provides: "SECTION 2.57.2. Income Payments Subject to Creditable Withholding Tax and Rates Prescribed Thereon. -Except as herein otherwise provided, there shall be withheld a creditable income tax at the rates herein specified for each class of payee from the following items of income payments to persons residing in the Philippines: (A) Professional fees, talent fees, etc. for services rendered - On the gross professional, promotional, and talent fees or any other form of remuneration for the services rendered by the following: Individual payee: Five percent (5%) If gross income for the current year Ten percent (I 0%) did not exceed P3M If gross income is more than P3M Non-individual payee)., �

DECISION CTA CASE NO. 9705 Page 19of25 If gross income for the current year Ten percent (I 0%) did not exceed P720,000 If gross income exceeds P720,000 Fifteen percent (15%) As testified to by the ICPA, she applied the 15% WTC rate, as this is the highest rate that could be applied to professional, talent and consultancy fees, and other similar activities, to wit: 123 Question: Why did you apply the rate of 15% on the discrepancy between the total amount of compensation declared in the AFS and in the Alphalist? Answer: I applied the 15% rate because this is the highest rate that could be applied to professional talent and consultancy fees, and other similar activities. I decided to use the highest rate that can be imposed in order to arrive at a conservative estimate of alleged tax due. Proceeding from the foregoing, we deem it proper to use the 15% tax withholding tax rate. B. Allowances to Apprentices- P309,724.41 Petitioner posits that its apprentices are not employees. Thus, it has no duty to withhold from allowances given for tax purposes. 124 Petitioner further claims that it engages architecture graduates of selected universities under a valid apprenticeship program sanctioned by the Department of Labor and Employment ("DOLE"). Petitioner argues that, even assuming that the apprentices are employees, the allowances paid to the apprentices as wages are below the statutory minimum wage and are thus exempt from WTC. 125 Compensation income for purposes of withholding means all remuneration for services performed by an employee for his employer under an employer-employee relationship, unless specifically excluded by the Tax Code. 126 It thus becomes crucial to determine the existence of an employer- employee relationship. A perusal of petitioner's Apprenticeship Agreement127 discloses that petitioner's apprentices are not under its employ. We summarize salient provisions of petitioner's Apprenticeship Agreement as follows), 123 Exhibit "'P-26," Records Vol3, p. 1122. ~ 124 See Petitioner's Memorandum, Records Vol. 4, p. 1694. 125 !d., atpp. 1694-1695. 126 Section 2.78.1, Revenue Regulations No. 2-98. 127 SeeExhibit"P-118,"RecordsVol.3,pp.I095-1100. (

DECISION CTA CASE NO. 9705 Page 20 of25 1. The Apprenticeship Program is for a fixed period of six months, counting 5 days a week in 24 weeks; 11. The nature of the job includes Archiving, Specifications, Project Development, and Site Visit; 111. The allowance is P340.80/day (80% of the minimum wage); iv. Adherance to office procedures during the duration of the apprenticeship is required; and v. Management reserves the right to terminate the apprentice's services anytime in case compliance with office procedures are not met. However, an apprenticeship program must be approved by the DOLE before an apprentice may be hired. Otherwise, the person hired will be considered a regular employee. 128 While petitioner claims that its apprenticeship program was sanctioned by the DOLE, the records are bereft of proof of such DOLE approval. Nonetheless, it has been demonstrated that the allowances given to the apprentices are below the minimum wage and are, thus, exempt from withholding, as provided in Section 2. 78.1 ofRevenue Regulations No. 2-98, as amended, to wit: "SECTION 2.78.1. Withholding of Income Tax on Compensation Income. (B) Exemptions from withholding tax on compensation. - The following income payments are exempted from the requirement of withholding tax on compensation: (13) Compensation income of individuals that do not exceed the statutory minimum wage or five thousand pesos (1'5,000.00) per month (sixty thousand pesos [1'60,000.00] a year), whichever is higher." In view of the foregoing, We find that the allowances given to petitioner's apprentices are exempt from withholding. C. Meal allowances- P207,620.00. Petitioner claims that meal allowances paid to its employees are X benefits given for the convenience of the employer and, thus, not subject to withholding. 1 128 Century Canning Corp. v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 152894, 17 August 2007 citing Nitto Enterprises v. National Labor Relations Commission, G.R. G.R. No. 114337,29 September 1995. 129 See Petitioner's Memorandum, Records Vol. 4, p. 1695. @)

DECISION CTA CASE NO. 9705 Page2t of25 Section 33 of the Tax Code, as amended, imposes fringe benefits tax to fringe benefits given to employees, except for fringe benefits for the convenience or advantage of the employer, to wit: "Section 33. Special Treatment of Fringe Benefit.- (A) Imposition of Tax.- A final tax of thirty-four percent (34%) effective January I, 1998; thirty-three percent (33%) effective January I, 1999; and thirty-two percent (32%) effective January I, 2000 and thereafter, is hereby imposed on the grossed-up monetary value of fringe benefit furnished or granted to the employee (except rank and file employees as defined herein) by the employer, whether an individual or a corporation (unless the fringe benefit is required by the nature of, or necessary to the trade, business or profession of the employer, or when the fringe benefit is for the convenience or advantage of the employer). The tax herein imposed is payable by the employer which tax shall be paid in the same manner as provided for under Section 57 (A) of this Code ...." (Emphasis, Ours) Section 2. 78.1 of Revenue Regulations No. 02-98, as amended by Revenue Regulation Nos. 08-00 and 10-00, further clarifies: "SECTION 2.78.1. Withholding of Income Tax on Compensation Income. -The withholding of tax on compensation income is a method of collecting the income at source upon receipt of the income. It applies to all employed individuals whether citizens or aliens, deriving income from compensation for services rendered in the Philippines. The employer is constituted as the withholding agent. (A) Compensation Income Defined. - In general, the term 'compensation' means all remuneration for services performed by an employee for his employer under an employer - employee relationship, unless specifically excluded by the Code. (I) Compensation in kind. - ... (2) Living quarters or meals. - If a person receives a salary as remuneration for services rendered, and in addition thereto, living quarters are provided, the value to such person of the quarters and meals so furnished shall be added to the remuneration paid for the purpose of determining the amount of compensation subject to withholding. However, if living quarters or meals are furnished to an employee for the convenience of the employer, the value thereof need not be included as part of compensation income. (3) Facilities and privileges of relatively small value. - Ordinarily, facilities and privileges (such as entertainment, medical services, or so-called "courtesy discounts" on purchases), otherwise known as "de minimis benefits," furnished or offered by an employer to his employees, are not considered as compensation subject to income tax and consequently to withholding tax, if such facilities are offered or furnished by the employer merely as means of promoting the health, goodwill, contentment, or efficiency of his employees.,A. ev

DECISION CTA CASE NO. 9705 Page 22 of25 The following shall be considered as 'de minimis' benefits not subject to withholding tax on compensation income of both managerial and rank and file employees. 130 j. Daily meal allowance for overtime work and night/ graveyard shift not exceeding twenty-five percent (25%) of the basic minimum wage on a per region basis; All other benefits given by employers which are not included in the above enumeration shall not be considered as "de minimis" benefits, and hence, shall be subject to income tax as well as withholding tax on compensation income." (Emphasis, Ours) Petitioner explains that the meal allowances were given to employees who were assigned to design a project for Solaire Resort and Casino, located in Aseana Avenue, Parafiaque City (Entertainment City).'3 1 According to petitioner, during the said period, the project location was isolated and had no public transport nearby or affordable restaurants available. DMCI then provided free transport while petitioner provided daily pre-computed meal allowances to its employees. 132 In support of its allegation, petitioner merely presented a Summary List of Employees with Meal Allowance and Validated Assignments 133 to show that the meal allowances are given for convenience of the employer. The summary contains a listing of names, taxpayers identification numbers, identification numbers, and amounts of meal allowances. The Court finds the summary insufficient to establish that the meals were furnished "for the convenience of the employer" as required by the above-quoted Section 2. 78.J(A)(2) of Revenue Regulations No. 2- 98, for the value thereof to be not included as part of compensation income. There is also no showing that the meal allowances represent "daily meal allowance for overtime work and night/ graveyard shift" considered as de minimis benefits under Section 2. 78.J(A)(3)lj) of Revenue Regulations No. 2-98, as amended. Hence, meal allowances paid to employees are subject to withholding)., 130 As further amended by Revenue Regulations No. 5-2011. ev 131 See Petitioner's Memorandum, Records Vol. 4, p. 1695. 132 Ibid. 133 See !CPA Exhibit "P-119," id, p. 1569.

DECISION CTA CASE NO. 9705 Page 23 of25 D. 13th Month Pay and Other Benefits - P2,653,555.00 Petitioner contends that respondent did not consider the 13th month pay, de minimis benefits, and SSS, PHIC & PAG-IBIG contributions, which are non-taxable items in the Alphalist, when it compared 'Salaries and Wages per FS/IT' and 'Salaries subjected to withholding tax per alphalist.' Thereafter, respondent assessed deficiency withholding tax on the variance. An analysis ofpetitioner's 2011 Alphalist134 leads to the conclusion that respondent, indeed, failed to consider petitioner's 13th month pay, de minimis benefits, and SSS, PHIC & PAG-IBIG contributions, which were not subject to withholding. I35 To summarize, we deem it proper to modifY the WTC deficiency assessment computed as follows: SALARIES AND WAGES PER AFS/ ITR 20,377,426.00 38,049,089.00 Direct staff cost-cost of services 12.401,182.00 Salaries and wages- administrative expenses 5,270,481.00 32,884,035.08 Other allowance & benefits 5,165,053.92 26,229,435.44 LESS: SALARIES AND WAGES PER ALPHALIST 3,044,871.15 309,724.41 Taxable Compensation 4,855,329.51 Taxable 13th month pay and other benefits 2,653,555.42 3,609,728.49 Non-Taxable Compensation per AIPhalist 114,911.02 15% Non-taxable 13th Month pay 841,262.05 728,299.43 De minimis benefits 821,297.89 SSS, PHIC & Pag-ibig contributions (92,998.46) DISCREPANCY Less: Allowances and benefits not subject to withholding (not in Alphalist) Allowances of Apprentices SALARIES AND WAGES NOT SUBJECT TO WITHHOLDING Multiplied by: Withholding tax rate BASIC WTC DUE Less: Payment made on 26 August 2015 BASIC WTC STILL DUE WHEREFORE, premises considered, the instant Petition for Review filed by Casas+ Architects is PARTIALLY GRANTED. The assessment issued by respondent against petitioner for taxable year 2011 covering tv deficiency VAT is AFFIRMED but with modifications. Accordingly, 134 See !CPA Exhibit "P-I I7," id., pp. I562- I 56 I. ~ 135 See !CPA Report, Records Vol. 2, p.936.

DECISION CTA CASE NO. 9705 Page 24 of25 petitioner is ORDERED TO PAY the aggregate amount of P1 ,454,825.03 for taxable year 20 II, inclusive of the 25% surcharge imposed under Section 248(A)(3) of the Tax Code, as amended, and deficiency and delinquency interests imposed under Sections 249 (B) and (C) of the Tax Code, as amended, until 31 December 2017, computed as follows: VAT Basic Tax Due p 576,010.86 Add: Surcharge (25%) 144,002.71 20% Deficiency Interest from 26 Jan. 2012 661,860.14 to 23 Oct. 2017 f 576,010.86 X 20% X 2066/365 da_ysl Total Amount Due, 23 October 2017 1,381,873.71 Subtotal Add: 20% Deficiency Interest from 24 Oct. 2017 21,462.32 to 31 Dec. 201 7 f576,010.86 x 20% * 69/365 daysl 20% Delinquency Interest from 24 Oct. 2017 51,488.99 to 31 Dec. 201 7 (1,38!,873.7! X 20% X 69/3651 p 1,454,825.03 TOTAL In addition, petitioner is liable to pay delinquency interest at the rate of 12% on the unpaid VAT ofP 1,381,873.71, representing basic deficiency tax and surcharge, as determined above, computed from 1 January 2018 until full payment, pursuant to Section 249 (C) of the Tax Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 10963, also known as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion ("TRAIN''). However, the partial payment made by petitioner resulting to the overpayment ofNinety-Two Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety-Eight Pesos and 46/100 (P 92,998.46), shall be have to be deducted in the final settlement of the above deficiency taxes including surcharge, deficiency interest, and delinquency interest. SO ORDERED. [)___ STO-SAN PEDRO ustice ~

DECISION CTA CASE NO. 9705 Page 25 of25 WE CONCUR: ER~P.UY Associate Justice (/L,~~ MA. BELEN M. RINGPIS-LIBAN Associate Justice 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~AP.UY Associate Justice Chairperson CERTIFICATION Pursuant to Article VIII, Section 13 ofthe 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. ~-z: c?. CY-~ '~ MANITO c. CASTANEfiA Acting Presiding Justic~