AIR DRILLING ASSOCIATES PTE LTD., v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES COURT OF TAX APPEALS QUEZON CITY SPECIAL SECOND DIVISION AIR DRILLING CTA CASE NO. 10399 ASSOCIATES PTE. LTD., Members: Petitioner, -versus- BACORRO-VILLENA, Acting Chairperson, anc CUI-DAVID , JJ. COMMISSIONER OF Promulgated: INTERNAL REVENUE, JAN 0 4 2024 Respondent. J{- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -J{ DECISION 'P "",.�. CUI-DAVID, J .: Before this Court is a Petition for Review1 filed by petitioner Air Drilling Associates Pte. Ltd. on November 16, 2020, praying for the Court to render judgment ordering respondent Commissioner of Internal Revenue (CIR) to refund or issue a ta}C credit certificate in the amount of P1,298,232.52, allegedly representing petitioner's unutilized creditable input value- added ta}C (VAT) attributable to its zero-rated sales for the period January 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018 ofta}Cable year (TY) 2018. THE PARTIES Petitioner Air Drilling Associates Pte. Ltd. is a foreign company organized and eJ{isting under the laws of the Republic of Singapore and was duly licensed by the Philippine Securities and EJ{change Commission to establish a branch office in the Philippines to pursue geothermal aerated drilling services and related opportunities therein.2 It is VAT-registered under the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Certificate of Registration 1 Docket - Vol. I, pp. 10- 17. v 2 Exhibit ��r -2'', Docket- Vol. II, pp. 523 to 574.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Air Drilling Associates XPa-g--e--2--o--f-4--1------------------------------------------------------------------------X (COR) No. OCN 9RC00006 52585E dated Augus t 31, 2 0 16 , with Tax Id entificati on Number (TIN) 25 1-156 -0254- 000. 3 wCrroeefoisftmputhhonmeRndaisessuNissbtapaihinootloiindnotreidineirteassynslooutfI,ftenotsohttaenaeircxdnaBtahcroIlrrefRyefRidcoveietotev,hsuecietnneterrucdtelhitufhauidCencniaodndtd,geefeusrit,nsh(tcuNehttnIiehRpodeoCnaews)prd,peuatrrhlnodyetdpuorpatiiogpreaotrpsthave,oeniisrltniaaotttwneaanddxsxs laws, rules, and regulations.4 THE FACTS cigtoosnodtdrosPa,mceatteoinstrditoiocsnfeeparrveuirarcavcetheesradsrsedetnrshdilaeoltirfneiggdnosboetyhdrvesniocacennos-du,rerisstseeiidrnveocinfucteristrs.se,sdbimiunsppionurettasVtsiAoaTnsoonaf nriCneuonpmrdupeetoDrrrioVuanuArtgiisTonngaate(rtrEtatahrDntieebsCdau)fc,tiatrwdisborthlinelels(ri1,entsogt)itwisatqhsecuirccvazuhriecmtreeoursi-nlracaottlotfeuedddTEeYudnsnae,ul2retg0isayl1mi8zaDoe,mdneoigvtcuernleeootdniptinthtmegaerberenstldoe,t 'P 1,298,232. 52.6 On April 25, 2018, petitioner filed its Quarterly VAT Return for the 1st Quarter of TY 2018 and an Amended Quarterly VAT Return for the same period on September 21, 2018. not Allegedly, the above-mentioned creditable input VAT was credited against petitioner's output VAT liability in the succeeding quarters.7 ~ laisenemtprtvoeuirutcTnedVhstaAu,tTosep,fducor'rJPecnu1dhl,iJay2tuss9el18ays4,r2i,o1s3f2i52n0,s.g5e22r20fv0,r,io28cmr0eae,slqilptuersegeentelsioddtticilenoyargnlerepdterhupberfrycielrhesnedaeofsnunwetn-isinrdteohgsfoitfgudhonteehounedttBissltIioRaaztnneaadddl 3 Par. 4, Facts Admit1:ed, Joint Stipulation of Facts and Issues (JSFI), Docket- Vol. I, p. 357; Exhibit �'P-1'', Docket- Vol. II, p. 522. PPPPaaaarrrr..s. .8119,.2SF,ataSnacdttatest1meA1me,dneSmtntaotittfoteeAfmdAl.ellenJlSgteFagoTtafi.toAiOnolsnln,escg,PkaPeteteiitott-iinotiVsno,onfPlo.feroIt.irRtpiReo.ven3ivef5iwofeirw,. ,RDDeovociekcwke,te-Dt-VoVoclok.le.1t.1,-.,pV.po.1l2.1.2I., p. 4 12. 5 6 7 8 Exhibit ''P�I3", Docket- Vol. II, pp. 770 to 777.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue xP-a-g-e---3--o-f--4-1------------------------------------------------------------------------x importation of non-capita l goods attrib utable to its zero-rate d sale of service to the EDC for the 1st Qu arter of TY 2018. d e However, p etitioner' s admi nistrative c la im for a r efu nd was nied throug h a letter9 d ated September 2 9, 2020 , iss ued by Regional Director Maridur Rosario. Aggrieved, petitioner elev ated its claim before the Court via filed on November 16, 2020. the i nstant Petition for Review 3md,eun2sy0tiI2nn1tga,hkpireesetsAinptinooostnnewdeeero'rnsf1toatifdhnimleteedirnoptibohsstsreroearduvt,igavhtaeimorcneolgsan/iigfsmitneofrdtoehirdnergrmessf,autionhlfdao,ttnhttoeFhweeBbiCtrI:Ruoaurirynt 1. YtCsaaorxmeuadbeieltroearbnolynSeeeeVaorrAvuisTc2leyW0s1fiRi8tlhelehnbdedyleodruep(tdlIatyebcmoyinuNgNr ooVt.nhA-2erT6eBsaRi,dmePetonauutrrstnnIt(II)ftoeoirmnf stNPthee1oa.,d01271so7tLf.p,0Ql1Pau9aca.rir5ntt4egIIr)t.ohonef 2. TicpnfnolhuoarettrihZmsbMeueesraaeRonfnn-eitdRlvecataidootstomeipRnrdpyugelCrviRoesehndueneqaucywnuekoiitlutMrihrestotmeaemofseSffenoyecMtocrtsa.iuavnone1fdnald1uyia2Clmtezolde(aArCriyto)moi-rRorscfafiuelfteqltoeahurdyreioVrt(rueRTAamrMTanAxesCRnap)CtcepsNtofriuodoo(nA.vend,e4nsd7.naee-Asn2xup0am'pm1Al9eie.crlnah)adtatifeevooddenr 3. YaoCCtcacfeoooxcrummtrpEieaffmpdnaiyaeiieienltdsreersygd-cdi,ycoolatnnIaonnetiDrcmdrrae.eo,cavcgfnteeiCoItrslnrTtotmiteApfoerimufrenwasEdetanniRcltrthoeeRBnngetCetiahvsrwnoaeteerecanprDbtuooClweereraapivEottsashiefn.orttaenCmhNer.Egeoreay.nCDAttDe2asOd0oseEev9fdhce4Eraeln,iosnlladlpeJnidenruurgWgli.lyynysae(ta2Drect1vrhOci,earcEene2)dd0scia2tuaEse0psnd,epdealurtinghleoyyderf 4. V!pms"uue1aprrn2icpfd0hilcia,ae4atsrte6eisdo4sn.f1bad1yioliesfSdwcelyeoctorso.eeud1rinn1od3otihtfcfoaiaccfttoieatmhlOypeRolrieufNaScrnIeIRtirCpeww,tgsiiitatshhst(eOtraheiRmnde/pesuiabnnltudveseositdinacxeiiannssvgsaosmirnoceaoemqmsuueniert(oeiSnifmIn)gyeontohuttnoser business style. Y Schedule 1: INPUT TAX REMARKS SUPPLIER 1"15,433.32 LHI Real Estate Corporation 1"1,596.00 No business style LHI Real Estate Corporation 1"1,162.54 No business style LHI Real Estate Corporation P420.00 No business style LHI Real Estate Corporation P1,051.85 No business style LHI Real Estate Corporation P420.00 LHI Real Estate Corporation No business style No business style . 778 to 779; Exhibit "R�5'", BIR Records, pp. 533 to 535. Refer also to par. 3, Facts Admitted. JSFI, Docket- Vol. I, p. 357. 10 Docket- Vol. I, pp. 249 to 261.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air DrilJing Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue X------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X LHI Real Estate Corporation 1"15,433.32 No business style LHI Real Estate Corporation 1"1,596.00 No business style LHI Real Estate Corporation 1"1,173.59 No business style LHI Real Estate Corporation 1"420.00 No business style LHI Real Estate Corporation 1"15,433.32 No business style LHI Real Estate Corporation 1"1,596.00 No business style Prodril Supply Company Inc. 1"12,196.56 No business style Prodril Supply Company Inc. 1"12,488.16 No business style Prodril Supply Company Inc. 1"12,489.12 No business style PLDT Inc. 1"27,554.33 No business style Pl20,464.11 No business style TOTAL 5. Reconciliation of your Purchases Claimed vs. Purchases per Audit Information, Tax Exemption and Incentives Division (AITEID) resulted to a discrepancy amounting to 1"74,895.50 which was considered as overclaimed input tax, hence disallowed. Petitioner submits that in a claim for tax refund or credit, the taxpayer must prove not only entitlement to the grant of the claim under substantive law. It must also satisfy all the documentary and evidentiary requirements for an administrative claim for a refund or credit. After the Pre-Trial Conference, the parties filed their Joint Stipulation of Facts and Issues 11 on July 14, 2021, based on which a Pre-Trial Order12 was issued on September 6, 2021. The trial ensued, during which petitioner presented its witnesses: (1) Ms. Rosebelle Liu, its Branch Office Manager, and (2) Atty. Adan T. Delamide, the court-commissioned Independent Certified Public Accountant (ICPA). By way of a Judicial Affidavit, 13 Ms. Rosebelle Liu (Ms. Liu) testified that as petitioner's Office Manager, she is responsible for (i) supervising the filing of returns and payment of taxes with the BIR, (ii) ensuring that petitioner complies with the tax laws and regulations; (iii) supervising the preparation of official receipts, as well as the collection of billing statements issued by petitioner to its clients; and (iv) ensuring that invoices or official receipts issued by suppliers are paid in accordance with the purchase orders issued by petitioner's Purchasing Department. She also added that she has custody of petitioner's financial documents and all related governmental documents, including tax returns, financial statements, and all tax matters. ~ " Docket- Vol. I, pp. 356 to 362. 12 Docket- Vol. I, pp. 394 to 399. 13 Exhibits "P-17", Docket- Vol. II. pp. 795 to 802; Minutes of the hearing held on, and Order dated, May 18, 2022, Docket- Vol. I, pp. 457 to 459.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x Ms. Liu declared that the instar~t case involves petitioner's claim for a refund ofits input VAT attributable to its zero-rated sales for the 1�1 Quarter of TY 2018 for P1,298,232.52. According to her, during the 1st Quarter ofTY 2018, petitioner entered into numerous trar~sactions, which included, among others, rendering aerated drilling services to EDC, which she understar~ds are subject to VAT at a zero percent rate since EDC is engaged in renewable energy. Ms. Liu further declared that after petitioner filed its 1st Quarter ar1d Amended 1�1 Quarter VAT Returns for taxable year 2018, petitioner filed ar1 administrative claim for refund with the BIR relative to its zero-rated sales for the 1st Quarter of TY 2018. However, the same was denied through a letter dated September 29, 2020, which petitioner received on October 15, 2020. ICPA Adan Delamide (ICPA Delamide), also by way of Judicial Affidavit, 14 testified that he is the ICPA commissioned by the Court in the instar1t case to perform the duties ar1d responsibilities of ar1 ICPA under Rule 13 of the Revised Rules of the Court of Tax Appeals. Pursuar1t to his commission, ICPA Delamide declared that they completed their examination of petitioner's voluminous documents ar1d filed their Final Report with the Court on May 26, 2022. According to him, the Final Report contained the result of the procedures performed on the documents supporting petitioner's position concerning its claim for refund of excess ar1d unutilized input VAT for the 1st Quarter of TY 2018. ICPA Delamide concluded that based on the procedures they performed, they believe that petitioner's claim for refund should be grar~ted but in the reduced amount ofP1,285,467.49. There being no more witness to present, ar1d upon the instar~ce of petitioner's counsel, petitioner was grar~ted thirty (30) days from June 23, 2022, or until July 23, 2022, to file its Formal Offer of Evidence (FOE), copy furnished respondent's counsel by personal service. Respondent was also given thirty (30) days from receipt of petitioner's FOE to file his comment.ls \! "Exhibit "P-90'' (previously marked as Exhibit "P-IT), Docket- Vol. I, pp. 477 to 485; Minutes of the hearing held on, and Order dated, June 23, 2022, Docket- Vol. I, pp. 487 to 489. 15 Order dated June 23, 2022, Docket- Vol. I, pp. 488-489.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Page 6 of41 x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x On July 8, 2022, petitioner filed a Motion for Extension of Time to File Formal Offer of Evidence and Correction of Exhibit Marking, 16 which the Court granted in a Resolution17 dated July 19, 2022. In the same Resolution, petitioner was given a non- extendible period of five (5) days from August 8, 2022, or until August 13, 2022, to flle its FOE. Respondent was likewise given the same period from receipt of petitioner's FOE to file his comment thereto. On August 12, 2022, petitioner filed its Formal Offer of Evidence. 18 Respondent, however, failed to file his comment despite the opportunity granted.19 In the Resolution20 dated September 29, 2022, the Court admitted petitioner's offered exhibits, except for Exhibit "P-8-1- 2", for not being found in the records. On his turn to present evidence, respondent presented Revenue Officer (RO) Camille D. Bugayong as his lone witness. RO Camille D. Bugayong testified21 that being a BIR RO, her primary duties and responsibilities include, among others, the review and evaluation of all audit/verification reports, including claims for tax credit/refund of internal revenue taxes of taxpayer, if any, for a particular period involved, including the duty to review the application for administrative tax refund falling under the jurisdiction of Revenue Region No. SA- Makati City. According to her, after the filing of petitioner's administrative claim for refund with the Revenue District Office No. 47- East Makati, a Tax Verification Notice dated July 17, 2020, was issued authorizing the conduct of examination/investigation on petitioner's alleged unutilized input VAT incurred during the 151 Quarter ofTY 2018. v 16 Docket- Vol. I, pp. 491-493. 17 Docket- Vol. I, p.495. 18 Docket- Vol. II, pp. 501 to 519. 19 Records VerificMion dRted Septemher 111. 2022 issued hy the Judicial Records Divi~ion of this Court. Docket- Vol. II, p. 822. 20 Docket- Vol. II, pp. 824 to 825. 21 Exhibit "R-6", Docket- Vol. I, pp. 369 to 377; Minutes of the hearing held on, and Order dated, October 12, 2022, Docket Vol. II, pp. 826 to 828.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue X------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X She declared that the BIR issued a Memorandum of Assignment dated September 16, 2020, authorizing her to review/ evaluate petitioner's administrative tax refund relative to its alleged unutilized input VAT incurred during the 1st Quarter ofTY 2018. On September 22, 2020, she prepared a Memorandum recommending the denial of petitioner's administrative claim for refund of alleged unutilized input VAT incurred during the 1st Quarter ofTY 2018. A Letter of Denial dated September 29, 2020, signed by Regional Director Maridur V. Rosario, was issued to petitioner. There being no other witness to present, respondent rested his case and formally offered his documentary evidence via a Formal OfferofEvidence22 filed on October 21,2022, which the Court all admitted in the Resolution23 dated November 28, 2022. In the same Resolution, the parties were given thirty (30) days from notice to file their respective memoranda. With the filing of petitioner's Memorandum24 on December 29, 2022, and respondent's Memorandum25 on January 11, 2023, the instant case was submitted for decision on January 17, 2023.26 Hence, this Decision. THE ISSUE The parties have agreed that the sole issue27 to be resolved by the Court is: "WHETHER PETITIONER IS ENTITLED TO ITS CLAIM FOR REFUND OF ITS ALLEGED UNUTILIZED INPUT VAT ALLEGEDLY ACQUIRED DURING THE l 8T QUARTER OF TAXABLE YEAR 2018 AMOUNTING TO PHP1,298,232.52." \I 22 Docket- Vol. II, pp. 829 to 832. 23 Docket~ Vol. IT. pp. lB9 to R40. 24 Docket- Vol. II, pp. 841 to 867. " Docket- Vol. II, pp. 868 to 882. 26 Resolution dated January 17, 2023, Docket- Vol. II, p. 886. 27 Issue, JSFI, Docket- Vol. I, p. 182.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x Petitioner's Arguments: Petitioner argues that it has complied with the governing rules and regulations with regard to recovery of taxes collected/received within the periods provided in Section 112 of the NIRC of 1997, as amended; that it is a VAT-registered entity; that it established rendering services subject to VAT zero-rate and substantiated the present claim with relevant supporting documents; that it substantiated its input VAT paid/incurred during the 1st Quarter ofTY 2018, which are all attributable to its VAT zero-rated sales; and that its input VAT acquired during the l�t Quarter ofTY 2018 were not applied against any output VAT in the succeeding periods. Respondent's Arguments: Respondent contends that petitioner's alleged input tax credit of Pl,077,019.54 arising from its payment of services rendered by non-resident (Air Drilling Associates, Inc. [USA]) must be denied for its failure to properly substantiate said input tax credit and considering that Air Drilling Associates, Inc. (USA) is a related parent company; that the Court must uphold the observations/finding of the BIR in denying the administrative tax refund; that petitioner erroneously filled out its VAT Return for the l�t Quarter of taxable year 2018; that petitioner failed to file its approved application for zero-rating on its effectively zero-rated transactions; that petitioner is not registered with the Department of Energy (DOE); that it must comply with specific procedural and documentary requirements; that it must ensure that its input VAT claimed is properly documented; and that claims for refund are construed strictly against the claimant, since the same partake the nature of exemption from taxation and as such, they are looked upon with disfavor. THE COURT'S RULING The instant Petition for Review is partly meritorious. ~

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue X------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X Respondent's denial of petitioner's administrative claim is not proper. In Pi.lipinas Total Gas, Inc. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue (the "Pi.lipinas Total Gas case"),2s the Supreme Court said: "At this stage, a review of the nature of a judicial claim before the CTA is in order. In Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation v. CIR,29 it was ruled- x x x First. a judicial claim for refund or tax credit in the CTA is by no means an original action but rather an appeal by way of petition for review of a previous, unsuccessful administrative claim. Therefore, as in every appeal or petition for review, a petitioner has to convince the appellate court that the quasi- judicial agency a quo did not have any reason to deny its claim. In this case, it was necessarv for petitioner to show the CTA not only that it was entitled under substantive law to the grant of its claims but also that it satisfied all the documentary and evidentiary requirements for an administrative claim for refund or tax credit. Second, cases filed in the CTA are litigated de novo. Thus, a petitioner should prove every minute aspect of its case by presenting, formally offering and submitting its evidence to the CTA. Since it is crucial for a petitioner in a judicial claim for refund or tax credit to show that its administrative claim should have been granted in the first place, part of the evidence to be submitted to the CTA must necessarily include whatever is required for the successful prosecution of an administrative claim. A distinction must, thus, be made between administrative cases appealed due to inaction and those dismissed at the administrative level due to the failure of the taxpayer to submit supporting documents. If an administrative claim was dismissed by the CIR due to the taxpayer's failure to submit complete documents despite notice/request, then the judicial claim before the CTA would be dismissible, not for lack of jurisdiction, but for the taxpayer's failure to substantiate the claim at the administrative level. When a Judicial claim for refund or tax credit in the CTA is an appeal of an unsuccessful 28 G.R. No. 207112, DecemberS, 2015. " 29 G.R. No. 145526, March 16, 2007.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Page 10 of41 x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x administrative claim, the taxpayer has to convince the CTA that the CIR had no reason to deny its claim. It, thus, becomes imperative for the taxpayer to show the CTA that not only is he entitled under substantive law to his claim for refund or tax credit, but also that he satisfied all the documentary and evidentiary requirement for an administrative claim. It is, thus, crucial for a taxpayer in a judicial claim for refund or tax credit to show that its administrative claim should have been granted in the first place. Consequently, a taxpayer cannot cure its failure to submit a document requested by the BIR at the administrative level by filing the said document before the CTA." (Boldfacing and underscoring added) Based on the foregoing jurisprudential pronouncements, when a judicial claim for refund or tax credit before this Court is an appeal of an unsuccessful administrative claim, the taxpayer must convince the Court that respondent had no reason to deny its claim. Thus, it becomes imperative for the taxpayer to show this Court that it is entitled under substantive law to its claim for refund or tax credit and satisfied all the documentary and evidentiary requirements for an administrative claim. 3D In other words, there are two (2) matters which must be shown before this Court upon appeal of an unsuccessful administrative claim, to wit: first, all documentary and evidentiary requirements for an administrative claim were satisfied at the BIR level, and second, the taxpayer's entitlement to the claim for refund or tax credit under substantive law. The first matter involves a review of whether respondent has basis in fact and/ or in law for his denial of the administrative claim, and this entails the exercise of the appellate jurisdiction of this Court, while the second matter to be proved entails a determination of petitioner's compliance with the requisites established by law. More significantly, the first matter concerns the proper exercise of this Court's appellate jurisdiction as conferred by law. Relative thereto, it must be remembered that appellate jurisdiction is the authority of a court higher in rank to re- v examine the final order or judgment of a lower court that tried the case now elevated for judicial review.31 The second matter to be proved is in accord with the principle that cases filed in this Court are litigated de novo. 30 Refer to Pilipinas Total Gas, Inc. vs. Commissioner ofInternal Revenue, G.R. No. 2071 12, December 8, 2015. 31 Garcia, eta/. vs. De Jesus. eta/., et seq., G.R. Nos. 88158 and 97108-09, March 4, 1992.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x Thus, the task of this Court is to determine, in the main, whether petitioner has sufficiently shown these two (2) matters. Consistent with the pronouncement of the High Court in the Pilipinas Total Gas case, petitioner must convince this Court that respondent had no reason to deny its refund claim. The letter dated September 29, 2020, issued by the BIR32 denying petitioner's administrative claim, states: "This refers to your application for Value-Added Tax (VAT) refund representing unutilized input taxes on local purchases of goods and services and payments for services rendered by non-residents amounting to Pl,298,232.52, covering the aforesaid period, attributable to zero-rated sales pursuant to Section 112(A) in relation to Section llO(B}, both of National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended, filed at the Regional District Office (RDO) No. 4 7- East Makati City on July 14, 2020 and covered by Tax Verification Notice No. TVN2009-000042 dated July 17, 2020. Evaluation and verification of the documents submitted in support of your application disclosed that following observations/findings, which are vital in rendering the final decision thereto, to wit: 1. You erroneously filled out your VAT Return for the Jst Quarter of taxable year 2018 placing the amount of 1"1,077,019.54 on Creditable VAT Withheld (Item No. 26B, Part II) instead of placing the same on Service Rendered by Non-residents (Item No. 21L, Part II). 2. The Mandatory Requirements on Claims for VAT Refund enumerated in the Revised Checklist of Mandatory Requirements (Annex 'A.1 ') for claims filed pursuant to Sec. 112 (A) of the Tax Code, as amended pursuant to Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 4 7- 2019 have not been complied with as you failed to file your Approved Application for Zero-Rating on your effectively zero-rated transactions. 3. You failed to register with the Department of Energy (DOE) as duly accredited and certified contractor of aerated drilling service supplier of Energy Development Corporation. As held in the case of Commissioner of Internal Revenue vs. CE Casecnan Water and Energy Company, Inc., CTA En Bane Case No. 2094, July 21, 2020, the taxpayer-claimant must register with the DOE as duly accredited and certified contractor of a Renewable Energy Developer. '( 32 Exhibit "P-14", Docket- Vol. II, pp. 778 to 779.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Page 12 of41 X------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X 4. Verification of your official receipts(OR/sales invoices(SI) on purchases disclosed that OR/SI with input tax amounting to 1"120,464.11 were not compliant with the invoicing requirements mandated by Sec. 113 ofthe NIRC, as amended as some of your suppliers failed to indicate your registered business name in the business style. Schedule I: SUppLIER INPUT TAX REMARKS LHI Real Estate Corporation LHI Real Estate Corporation I' 15,433.32 No business style LHI Real Estate Corporation LHI Real Estate Corporation 1,596.00 No business style LHI Real Estate Corporation LHI Real Estate Corporation 1,162.54 No business style LHI Real Estate Corporation LHI Real Estate Corporation 420.00 No business style LHI Real Estate Corporation LHI Real Estate Corporation 1,051.85 No business style LHI Real Estate Corporation LHI Real Estate Corporation 420.00 No business style Prodril Supply Company Inc. Prodril Supply Company Inc. 15,433.32 No business style Prodril Supply Company Inc. PLDT Inc. 1,596.00 No business style TOTAL 1,173.59 No business style 420.00 No business style 15,433.32 No business style 1,596.00 No business style 12,196.56 No business style 12,488.16 No business style 12,489.12 No business style 27.554.33 No business style p 120.464.11 5. Reconciliation of your Purchases Claimed vs Purchases per Audit Information, Tax Exemption and Incentives Division (AITEID) resulted to a discrepancy amounting to P74,895.50 which was considered as overclaimed input tax, hence disallowed. (Refer to Annex A) In view thereof, we regret to inform that the processing of your application for VAT refund for the period January 1, 2018 to March 31,2018 in the amount ofPhp1,298,232.52 is hereby DENIED for lack of legal and factual basis. However, your Company has the judicial remedy to appeal with the Court of Tax Appeal within thirty (30) days upon receipt of the herein decision on the subject administrative claim pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.112-l(d) ofRR No. 13-2018 in relation to Section 112(C) ofthe Tax Code, as amended." The merits of each ground are discussed as follows: 1. Erroneously tilled out VAT Return- Pl,077,019.54. The Court disagrees with respondent's position that petitioner's claim for refund should be denied on the ground that it erroneously filled out its VAT Return for the l�t Quarter v of TY 2018 by placing the amount of Pl,077,019.54 on the

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Page 13 of41 x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x portion of the Creditable VAT Withheld (Item No. 26B, Part II), instead of putting the same on Services Rendered by Non- Residents (Item No. 21L, Part II).33 For one, such an error appears to be a mere oversight on the part of petitioner since the subject letter-application for refund34 has clearly stated that such amount pertains to input taxes sourced from "Services Rendered by Non-residents." Pertinent portions of the said letter are herein quoted for ready reference: "3. The claim must be filed within two years after the close of the taxable quarter when such sales were made The Company has accumulated input VAT from 1 January 2018 to 31 March 2018. The breakdown of such accumulated input VAT is as follows: Sources oflnput VAT Amount of Input VAT Purchases of Capital Goods Exceeding P1 Million (in PHP) Purchase of Capital Goods Not - Exceeding P1 Million Local Purchases of Goods Other - Than Capital Goods Local Purchases of Services 1,910.24 Services Rendered by Non- 219,302.74 residents Total Excess Input VAT 1,077,019.54 1,298,232.52" [Emphasis and underscoring supplied] Second, the amount ofP1,077,019.54 is likewise traceable to the Monthly Remittance Return of Value-Added Taxes and Other Percentage Taxes Withheld (BIR Form 1600) and other documents submitted by petitioner. Thus, respondent's denial of petitioner's claim on this ground lacks factual moorings. 2. Filing of Approved Application for Zero-Rating on the effectively zero- rated transactions. v 33 Par. 14, Discussion, Memorandum for Respondent, Docket- Vol. II, p. 873. 34 Exhibit "P�13", Docket- Vol. II, p. 774.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x Respondent also erred in denying petitioner's claim for refund of the input VAT due to the latter's failure to file the Approved Application for Zero-Rating on its effectively zero- rated transactions. 35 In Commissioner of Internal Revenue vs. Seagate Technology (Philippines}, 36 the Supreme Court has settled that the scope of BIR regulations additionally requiring an approved prior application for effective zero-rating is not within the statutory authority granted by the legislature, viz.: "The BIR regulations additionally requiring an approved prior application for effective zero rating cannot prevail over the clear VAT nature of respondent's transactions. The scope of such regulations is not 'within the statutory authority x x x granted by the legislature. First, a mere administrative issuance, like a BIR regulation, cannot amend the law; the former cannot purport to do any more than interpret the latter. The courts will not countenance one that overrides the statute it seeks to apply and implement. Other than the general registration of a taxpayer the VAT status of which is aptly determined, no provision under our VAT law requires an additional application to be made for such taxpayer's transactions to be considered effectively zero-rated. An effectively zero-rated transaction does not and cannot become exempt simply because an application therefor was not made or, if made, was denied. To allow the additional requirement is to give unfettered discretion to those officials or agents who, without fluid consideration, are bent on denying a valid application. Moreover, the State can never be estopped by the omissions, mistakes or errors of its officials or agents. Second, grantia argumenti that such an application is required by law, there is still the presumption of regularity in the performance of official duty. Respondent's registration carries with it the presumption that, in the absence of contradictory evidence, an application for effective zero rating was also filed and approval thereof given. Besides, it is also presumed that the law has been obeyed by both the administrative officials and the applicant. Third, even though such an application was not made, all the special laws we have tackled exempt respondent not only from internal revenue laws but also from the regulations issued pursuant thereto. Leniency in the v implementation of the VAT in ecozones is an imperative, 35 Par. 15, Discussion, Memorandum for Respondent, Docket- Vol. II, pp. 873 to 874. 36 G.R. No. 153866, February II, 2005.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Page 15 of41 x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x precisely to spur economic growth in the country and attain global competitiveness as envisioned in those laws. A VAT-registered status, as well as compliance with the invoicing requirements, is sufficient for the effective zero rating or the transactions or a taxpayer. The nature of its business and transactions can easily be perused from, as already clearly indicated in, its VAT registration papers and photocopied documents attached thereto. Hence, its transactions cannot be exempted by its mere failure to apply for their effective zero rating. Otherwise, their VAT exemption would be determined, not by their nature, but by the taxpayer's negligence - a result not at all contemplated. Administrative convenience cannot thwart legislative mandate." [Emphasis supplied] Based on the foregoing jurisprudential pronouncements, no prior approved application is required for a transaction to be treated as subject to the 0% VAT rate. As such, denying petitioner's claim for a refund of the input VAT for the latter's failure to file the approved application for zero-rating on its effectively zero-rated transactions cannot be sustained. 3. Failure to register with the DOE as a duly accredited and certified contractor ofaerated drilling service supplier. Citing the CTA En Bane ruling in Commissioner ofInternal Revenue vs. CE Casecnan Water and Energy Company, Inc., 37 respondent insists that petitioner is not entitled to a tax refund of its sale of services to Renewal Energy (RE) Developers, like EDC, since it did not register with the DOE as a duly accredited and certified contractor of aerated drilling service supplier of EDC. The Court disagrees. Section 15 (g), Chapter VII of RA No. 9513, otherwise known as the "Renewable Energy Act of 2008", states: "CHAPTER VII GENERAL INCENTIVES Section 15. Incentives for Renewable Energy Projects and I Activities. - RE developers of renewable energy facilities, --------.2020.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Page 16 of41 x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x including hybrid systems, in proportion to and to the extent of the RE component, for both power and non-power applications, as duly certified by the DOE, in consultation with the BOI, shall be entitled to the following incentives: XXX XXX XXX (g) Zero Percent Value-Added Tax Rate. -The sale of fuel or power generated from renewable sources of energy such as, but not limited to, biomass, solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, ocean energy, and other emerging energy sources using technologies such as fuel cells and hydrogen fuels, shall be subject to zero percent (0%) value-added tax (VAT), pursuant to the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended by Republic Act No. 9337. All RE Developers shall be entitled to zero-rated value-added tax on its purchases of local supply of goods, properties and services needed for the development, construction and installation of its plant facilities. This provision shall also apply to the whole process of exploring and developing renewable energy sources up to its conversion into power, including but not limited to the services performed by subcontractors andjor contractors." [Emphasis supplied] It is clear from the foregoing that an RE Developer's purchases of local supply of goods, properties and services needed for the development, construction and installation of its plant facilities, as well as for the whole process of exploring and developing renewable energy sources up to its conversion into power, is subject to 0% VAT. Relative thereto, Section 18 (A), (B), and (C), Rule 5, Part III of the Department Circular (DC) No. DC2009-05-08 prescribes the documents required to avail of VAT zero-rating on RE Developer's local purchases as follows: "Part JII Incentives for Renewable Energy Projects and Activities Rule 5 General Incentives and Privileges for Renewable Energy Development XXX XXX v XXX

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Page 17 of41 x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x SECTION 18. Conditions for Availment ofIncentives and Other Privileges. - For purposes of entitlement to the incentives and privileges under the Act, existing and new RE Developers, and manufacturers, fabricators, and suppliers of locally produced RE equipment shall register with the DOE. A. Registration/ Accreditation with the DOE For purposes of entitlement to the incentives and privileges under the Act, existing and new RE Developers, and manufacturers, fabricators, and suppliers of locally-produced RE equipment shall register with the DOE through the Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB). The following certifications shall be issued: (1) DOE Certificate of Registration - issued to an RE Developer holding a valid RE Service/Operating Contract. For existing RE projects, the new RE Service/Operating Contract shall preterminate and replace the existing Service Contract that the RE Developer has executed with the DOE subject to the Transitory Provision in Rule 13, Section 39. The DOE Certificate of Registration shall be issued immediately upon award of an RE Service/Operating Contract covering an existing or new RE project or upon approval of additional investment. Any investment added to existing RE shall be subject to prior approval by the DOE. (2) DOE Certificate of Accreditation - issued to RE manufacturers, fabricators, and suppliers of locally- produced RE equipment, upon submission of necessary requirements to be determined by the DOE, in coordination with the DTI. B. Registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) XXX XXX XXX To qualify for the availment of the incentives under Sections 13 and 15 of this IRR, RE Developers and manufacturers, fabricators, and suppliers of locally-produced RE equipment, shall register with the BOI. XXX XXX v XXX

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x C. Certificate of Endorsement by the DOE RE Developers, and manufacturers, fabricators, and suppliers of locally-produced RE equipment shall be qualified to avail of the incentives provided for in the Act only after securing a Certificate of Endorsement from the DOE, through the REMB, on a per transaction basis. XXX XXX XXX Based on the foregoing provisions, to avail of the incentives under Section 15 (g) of RA No. 9513, among which is VAT-zero rating, an RE Developer must have secured and presented the following documents as prescribed under Section 18 (A) (B) and (C), Rule 5, Part III of the IRR of RA 9513, to wit: 1. DOE Certificate of Registration; 2. Certificate of Registration with the BOI; and 3. Certificate of Endorsement by the DOE. It is clear from the foregoing provisions ofRA No. 9513 and its IRR that an RE Developer's entitlement to the benefit of VAT zero-rating on its sales of renewable energy under Section 15(g) of RA No. 9513, in relation to Section 108(B)(7), NIRC of 1997, as amended, rests upon its compliance with the requirements prescribed in Section 18 (A) (B) and (C), Rule 5, Part III of DOE DO No. DC2009-05-0008, but nowhere in the said law and IRR does it require the sellerI supplierI contractor of services to RE Developers to obtain prior registration or accreditation with the DOE. Thus, petitioner needs only to present EDC's DOE Certificate of Registration as an REDeveloper, BOI Registration, and DOE Certificate of Endorsement to avail of the zero percent (0%) VAT incentive under RA 9513. Furthermore, the CTA En Bane ruling in Commissioner of Internal Revenue vs. CE Casecnan Water and Energy Company, Inc. (CE Casecnan case) does not apply to the present case as the party-claimant therein is a registered RE Developer, while petitioner herein is a mere contractor or supplier of services of an RE Developer. Moreover, the facts and circumstances therein are not in all fours with those obtaining in the instant case as to warrant its application herein. \1

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Air Drilling Associates xP-a-g-e---1-9--o--f--4-1----------------------------------------------------------------------x Given the foregoing, the denial of petitioner's claim due to petitioner's failure to register as an accredited and certified contractor of aerated drilling service supplier of EDC does not hold water. 4. Failure to indicate in the supporting documents petitioner's business style - P120,464.11. "Business Style" refers to the business name registered with the concerned regulatory body used by the taxpayer other than its registered name or company name, and the same can be found in the Certificate of Registration issued either by the SEC or by the Department of Trade and Industry.38 style In this case , since petitioner does not carry any business in its SEC Certificate of Registration, 39 respondent has, therefore, no basis for disallowing the input taxes for Pl20,464.11 due to the failure of the suppliers of petitioner to indicate the latter's business style. 5. Overclaimed input tax based on the reconciliation o[ petitioner's Purchases Claimed vs. Purchases per the Audit Information, Tax Exemption and Incentives Division (AITEID)- 1'74,895.50. In the instant case, a confirmation with respondent's Audit Information, Tax Exemption and Incentives Division (AITEID) was made as the basis for the denial of input taxes amounting to P74,895.50. However, the Court finds no basis to disallow the same as the figures extracted from respondent's database (AITEID data) have not been verified with other externally sourced data to check their veracity. The same was likewise not corroborated with certifications or confirmations from related third-party sources to support its credibility and integrity. Thus, such failure casts doubt on the reliability and correctness of the findings. Consequently, respondent has no basis to disallow the alleged overclaimed input tax in the amount of P74,895.50. v 38 Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 055-2019 dated May 21,2019. 39 Exhibit "P�2", Docket- Vol. II, pp. 523.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x Nevertheless, notwithstanding the foregoing conclusion, the result of petitioner's judicial claim for refund is still subject to petitioner's satisfaction of the second matter, as set forth below. In fine, petitioner must still prove its compliance with the requisites under the substantive law for the grant of its refund or tax credit claim as enunciated in the Pilipinas Total Gas case. Requisites for the refund or issuance of a tax credit certificate of input VAT under the law. Section 112 of the NIRC of 1997, as amended by Republic Act (RA) No. 1096340, provides, in part, 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 106(A)(2)(a)(1), (2) and (b) and Section 108(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 sale and also in taxable or exempt sale of goods of properties or services, and the amount of creditable input tax due or paid cannot be 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 108(8)(6), the input taxes shall be allocated ratably between his zero-rated and non-zero-rated sales. XXX XXX XXX ~ 40 AN ACT AMENDING SECTIONS 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, 3 I, 32, 33, 34, 51, 52, 56, 57, 58, 74, 79, 84, 86, 90, 91, 97, 99, 100.101.106.107.10R.109.110.112.114.116.127.12R.I29.145.14R.149.151.155.171, 174.175,177.178,179. 180, 181, 182, 183, 186, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197,232,236,237,249,254,264,269, AND 288; CREATING NEW SECTIONS 51-A, 148-A, 150-A, 150-B, 237-A, 264-A, 264-B, AND 265-A; AND REPEALING SECTIONS 35, 62, AND 89; ALL UNDER REPUBLIC ACT 8424, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1997, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Page 21 of41 X------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X (C) Period within which Refund of Input Taxes shall be Made. - In proper cases, the Commissioner shall grant a refund for creditable input taxes within ninety (90) days from the date of submission of the official receipts or invoices and other documents in support of the application filed in accordance with Subsections (A) and (B) hereof: Provided, That should the Commissioner find that the grant of refund is not proper, the Commissioner must state in writing the legal and factual basis for the denial. In case of full or partial denial of the claim for tax refund, the taxpayer affected may, within thirty (30) days from the receipt of the decision denying the claim, appeal the decision with the Court of Tax Appeals: Provided, however, That failure on the part of any official, agent, or employee of the BIR to act on the application within the ninety (90)-day period shall be punishable under Section 269 of this Code." Based on the foregoing provision, jurisprudence has laid down specific requisites that the taxpayer-applicant must comply with to successfully obtain a refund or credit of input VAT. Said requisites are classified into distinct categories as follows: As to the timeliness of the filing of the administrative and judicial claims: 1. The claim is filed with the BIR within two (2) years after the close of the taxable quarter when the sales were made;41 2. In case of full or partial denial of the refund claim, or the failure on the part of Respondent to act on the said claim within a period of ninety (90) days, the judicial claim must be filed with this Court, within thirty (30) days from receipt of the decision or after the expiration of the said 90-day period; Concerning the taxpayer's registration with the BIR: 3. The taxpayer is a VAT-registered person;42 In relation to the taxpayer's output VAT: 4. The taxpayer is engaged in zero-rated or effectively zero- rated sales;43 --~ 41 Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner ofinternal Revenue, G.R. No. 166732, April27, 2007; San Roque Power rnrpnratinn VS. rnmmissinner n{ lnternnl Revenue. Ci.R. No. 1R0145. Novemher 25. 2009: AT&T Communications Services Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner ofInternal Revenue, G.R. No. 182364, August 3, 2010. 42 /ntel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, supra; San Roque Power Corporation vs. Commissioner ofInternal Revenue, supra; and AT&T Communications Services Philippines, Inc., supra. 4J !d.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue X------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X 5. For zero-rated sales under Sections 106(A)(2)(a)(1),(2) and (b); and 108(B)( 1) and (2) of the NIRC of 1997, as amended, the payments for the sales must have been made in acceptable foreign currency duly accounted for in accordance with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) rules and regulations;44 As regards the taxpayer's input VAT being refunded: 6. The input taxes are not transitional;4s 7. The input taxes are due or paid;46 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 based on sales volume;47 and 9. The input taxes have not been applied against output taxes during and in the succeeding quarters.48 In addition, in VAT refund/credit claims, applicants must satisfy the substantiation and invoicing requirements under the NIRC and other implementing rules and regulations. 49 Compliance with all the VAT invoicing requirements provided by tax laws and regulations is mandatoryso when filing a claim for input taxes attributable to zero-rated sales.51 The invoicing and substantiation requirements should be followed because they are the only way to determine the veracity of the taxpayer's claims. 52 Finally, it must be reiterated that in cases filed before this Court, which are litigated de novo, party-litigants must prove every minute aspect of their case.53 Thus, it behooves petitioner 44 Par. 2, Sec. 4.112�1. (a) of RR No. 16-2005, as further amended by RR No. 13-2018. ~ 45 Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, supra; San Roque Power Corporation vs. Commissioner ofInternal Revenue, supra; and AT&T Communications Services Philippines, Inc., supra. 46 !d. 47 Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, supra; and San Roque Power Corporation vs. Commissioner ofInternal Revenue, supra. 48 Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, supra; and San Roque Power Corporation vs. Commissioner ofInternal Revenue, supra. 49 Team Energy Corporation vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, et seq., G.R. Nos. 197663 and 197770, March 14, 2018. 50 Eastern Telecommunications Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, G.R. No. 183531, March 25, 2015. 51 J.R.A. Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner ofInternal Revenue, G.R. No. 171307, August 28, 2013. 52 Nippon Express (Philippines) Corporation vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, G.R. No. 191495, July 23, 2018. 53 l:.'dison (Bataan) Cogeneration Corporation vs. Commissioner oj Internal Revenue, et seq., G.R. Nos. 201665 and 201668, August 30, 2017; Commissioner of Internal Revenue vs. Philippine National Bank, G.R. No. 180290, September 29, 20 14; Commissioner ofInternal Revenue vs. United Salvage and Towage (Phils.), Inc., G.R. No. 197515,

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x to comply with the foregoing requisites and invmcmg requirements. As a corollary, the absence of any of the said requisites and requirements is a valid ground to deny the refund claim. The Court hasjurisdiction over the instant Petition. First and second requisites: Petitioner's administrative and judicial claims for refund or credit were timely filed. The first requisite pertains to the filing of a claim for tax refund or credit of input VAT before the BIR within two (2) years from the close of the taxable quarter when the zero-rated or effectively zero-rated sales were made. The present claim covers the 1�t Quarter of TY 2018. Counting two (2) years from the close of the said quarter, the following table indicates the pertinent last day for the filing of an administrative claim, to wit: 2018 Period Close of the Taxable Last Day to File January 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018 Quarter Administrative Claim 1'' Quarter March 31, 2018 March 31, 2020 On various dates in 2020, the BIR issued several issuances, extending the statutory deadline for filing applications for VAT refund or credit, among others.54 Thus, the period for filing VAT refund or credit claims for the calendar year ending March 31, 2018, was extended to July 15, 2020, under Section 2 of Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 16-2020.55 Petitioner's administrative claim covering the period was filed with the BIRon July 15, 2020.56 Hence, the subject claim was timely filed with respondent. \ / 1409~, July 2, 2014; Dizon vs. Court ofTax Appeals, et al., G.R. No. Apri\30, 2008; Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, G.R. No. 145526, March 16, 2007; and Commissioner ofInternal Revenue vs. Manila Mining Corporation, G.R. No. 153204, August 31, 2005. "Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 7-2020 dated March 27, 2020; RR No. 10-2020 dated April9, 2020; RR No. 11-2020 dated April 29, 2020, and RR No. 16-2020 dated June 19, 2020. 55 Sec. 2, RR No. 16-2020 provides: "SECTION 2. Filing Due Dates by Taxpayer-Claimants. - Filing of Claims for VAT refund for the following tnx<'lhle quarters shall he tmtil the herein specified due dates: Calendar Quarter ending March 31, 2018 - July 15, 2020 XXX XXX XXX'" 56 Exhibit "P-13", Docket- Vol. II, pp. 770 to 777.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x tfohirleeadNfwtAIeRirstChtrhieongefta1herx9idrp9stiy7tr,ha(3eati0sos)neadcmaooyefnsntdhdfrreeeodqm9.u0irsedictaeey,ipstthuoenfjdrueedsripcSoiaenlcdcteilonanitm's1dm1e2uc(Cisst)iobonef JOucltyo bT1ehr5u,1s3,2,f02r2o00m2, 0t,rheteosfpiaolcinntgdoeonnf ttpheeht iactdiloaninmeir.n' se tayd m(9i n0)i s tdr aatyisv,e claim on or until SCt19a1Mh6da04oua,tm,nursd2siir,a20idndRdyi02uiatesse20ryhr.tc0,ri,oanaP,tprRdtogedieottv3stftiosiihet0ltaieraiorceofdtiinlivonatlateees,ehyiramrjselurihifeltdotsrasachisondsceuamtjiiSuetuvadedlendOatpdctihycictle,letaittoahimthim.hBbleeebee.I.,RerlcneNrl,l1teaet2o5ixttem9hvt,tre,er2wroom20foun0o2brg2dr0ekOh0er,i,nncr5o1Reygt7r4ofied,unbuwga2gnenihyro0dtiin-2cl1Npa0ho5Nle,o,rtiofDvise2tveciliw0elormr2meeino0tcbdenhb;tier5eiot'anr.8srr Rev iCpaePenowreuditoroitstndiefocfiNnnrooeodnmrvsdeftirmrlheeebqadceuteiriiptpsse1ittjt6euoi,tsdfi.2oitch0nie2ear0lB,cc5Iol9Ramo'ismrpdlwieveciidatihstwiihonientht.ihnCteshoteparrrnaeetbsspcoProveintebid-teisidontang3tfle0oyd-r, day the first j3mu(raai)ns(1dn)Hie,craRt,viouiWnlnege4tosloiekfttetatlwhekediesRetcRhorCaugtTlneAitz.hathenacetPetothifteiotnhCioswuarcstashfeialesudnthdineer a timely requisite Section Third requisite: Petitioner is a VAT-registered person/entity. 0p2e4ti-t0ioA0n0ne.e6rn0itsTathhVuesA,tThp-ierretdigtiisroetneqeruerdicsipotmeer,psloiitned/ieswntiaithtlysto,hweuittnhhdiTridsINprue2qt5eud1is-i1tt5eh.6a-t tl 57 Rxhihit "P-14". Docket- Vol. fl. pp. 77R to 77Q: Rxhihit "R-5". RTR Records. pp. 533 to 535. Refer also to par. 3. Facts Admitted, JSFI, Docke Docket- Vol. I, p. II. 58 Par. 6, Timeliness of Petition, t- Vol. I, p. 357. 59 Docket- Vol. I, pp. 10 to 20. Petition for Review, 60 Par. 4, Facts Admitted, JSFI, Docket- Vol. I, p. 357; Exhibit "P-I", Docket- Vol. II, p. 522.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Page 25 of41 x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x Fourth requisite: Petitioner had zero-rated or effectively zero-rated sales during the 1st Quarter of the taxable year 2018. The fourth requisite requires the taxpayer to engage m zero-rated or effectively zero-rated sales. Petitioner claims61 that during the period January 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018, it accumulated excess or unutilized input VAT in the amount of P1,298,232.52, arising from its local purchases of goods and services, purchases of services rendered by non-residents and importation of non-capital goods directly attributable to its sale of services to EDC, an REDeveloper. For petitioner, its sale of services to the latter is subject to VAT at zero percent (0%) rate under Section 108(B)(3) of the NIRC of 1997, as amended, and Section 15(G) ofRA No. 9513. A perusal of the Contracts for Aerated Fluids Drilling Works 62 by and between petitioner and EDC shows that petitioner undertook to provide EDC with "works and techniques to design and execute the Aerated Fluids Drilling Program for a Geothermal Well, including the Aerated Fluids Drilling Services and the supply of the specified Goods, Consumables or Contractor Personnel." 63 Considering that such aerated fluids drilling works were necessary for EDC's production of geothermal energy, petitioner's sales or receipts derived therefrom in the 1�1 Quarter of2018 may qualify for VAT zero-rating. Moreover, and as intimated, being the contractor of aerated drilling service supplier of EDC, petitioner needs to present EDC's (i) DOE Certificate of Registration as an RE Developer, (ii) BOI Registration, and (iii) DOE Certificate of Endorsement for purposes of availing the zero percent (0%) VAT incentive under RA 9513, under Section 5, Part III of the DC No. DC2009-05-08. 18 (A), (B) and (C), Rule However, records reveal that only EDC's projects in Tongonan, Leyte and Palinpinon, Negros supported with the above-mentioned three Oriental were duly (3) documents, viz.: 60 Exhibit "P-13", Docket- Vol. II, pp. 770 to 777. ti 62 63 Exhibits "P-12", "P-12-1", "P-12-2", Docket- Vol. II, pp. 627 to 704, 705 to 761. and 762 to 769, respectively. Recitals and par. 1.87, Exhibit ''P-12", Docket- Vol. II, pp. 627 and 636, respectively.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x Location of DOE Certificate of EDC's Projects Tongonan, Leyte Certificate of Registration Endorsement Palin pinon, Registration with the BOI by the DOE Negros Oriental GRESC-2009- Certificate of Letter of Bacon-Manito Sorsogonj Albay 10-001 dated Registration No. Endorsement dated Kidapawan City, October 23, 2012-024, dated June 23, 2020, North Cotabato 200964 February 6, issued by Director Northern Negros, 201265 Mylene C. Capongcol, Negros Occidental Officer-in-Charge, Renewable Energy Management Bureau (Letter of Endorsement dated GRESC-2009- June 23, 2020)66 10-002 dated Certificate of Letter of October 23, Registration No. Endorsement dated 2014-027 dated June 23, 2020 200967 February 12, 201468 GRESC-2009- None Letter of 10-003 dated Endorsement dated October 23, June 23, 2020 200969 GRESC-2009- None Letter of 10-004 dated Endorsement dated October 23, 2 0 0 9 70 June 23, 2020 GRESC-2009- None None 10-005 dated October 23, 2009 71 v rLoC2aENKEane0tDhDetiyl2idgaayCCnt0alrrelgg'o'p,t,ssBhsemaauepaiwOnnserspodsasdnocerfuanjctoedPeileRirjoecdaedoCetntlecnohniientnitfbeesndyttpwyash,lieilNaenainrNwhnDboovfaln.tooiriehvcrt,rr(heeeete1NhEcesg)bLtreonomengCeierBenrtraoNontggadeMts,eycarregoeObpyorgnMtaelroofei-ttissnoiMeaEt,Eten;nienaoDNtardananegCCeloindee,g.t'rrdomsrswsohCfepeiasa(matnrSi3hllopO)tloeeojtdbcrneBhnNscectegotuitooddscgsrBruoeaeoteiOnblhtanns,etjueI/tad.eAaTr.OlcnMb7,olJt2fblunwfoitaNisognrcyaTheeoeezs;ognhretv-rn2auhrioe(onno3sa2sr--,,,)t,,t 64 Exhibit "P-9", Docket- Vol. II, p. 605. 65 Exhibit "P-I 0", Docket- Vol. II, pp. 610 to 616. 66 Exhibit "P-11", Docket- Vol. II, pp. 625 to 626. 67 Exhibit P-9-1", Docket- Vol. II, p. 606. 68 Exhihit "P-I 0-1 '". Docket- Vol. II. pp. 617 to 624. 69 Exhibit "P-9-2", Docket- Vol. II, p. 607. 70 Exhibit "P-9-3", Docket- Vol. II, p. 608. 71 Exhibit "P-9-4'', Docket- Vol. II, p. 609. 72 Exhibit "P-11", Docket- Vol. II, pp. 625 to 626.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue X------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X aitnhsfeoarmpmNeeranottidninoeeentdhn,uettlnoeidnswves,oirti:pSceientcigttiioroennqeu1r1ir3me(Amu)setnantsstd,ill(cBos)nhotoafwitnhicenogmNItpRhlCeianroecfqe1u9wir9ie7tdh, "SEC. 113. Invoicing and Accounting Requirements for VAT-registered Persons.- shall (A) Invoicing Requirements. -A VAT-registered person issue: goods (1) A VAT invoice for every sale, barter, or exchange of or properties; and (2) A VAT official receipt for every lease of goods or properties, and for every sale, barter or exchange of services. iOnfftihciea(lVBRA) eTcIeninifpovtro.mi-caTetihoorneVfCAoTollnootwfafiiinncgieadilnrfienocremtihpaett:i oVnAsTh aInl lvobiecei n doirc aVtAe dT (1) A statement that the seller is a VAT-registered person, followed by his Taxpayer's Identification Number (TIN); oamblioguant(e2t)dinTtcohluepdateoystattlhoeatmhveaoluuseen-ltlaewdrdhweidcithhtatxthh:eePpriounvdricidcheaadt,sioeTnrhapttha:yast or is such item (a) The amount of the tax shall be shown as a separate in the invoice or receipt; (b) If the sale is exempt from value-added tax, the term 'VAT-exempt sale' shall be written or printed prominently on the invoice or receipt; ptarxo,mtihn(cee)nIttfelytrhmoens'azthleereoiis-nrsvauotbiecjdeecostartloree'zceesrihopatp;lel rbceenwt (r0i%tte)nvaolur e-added printed ciizaboonnoedrrfvvremdwVoooaeipi-hAkcdcroi-eeTac(dntsdt-hoaoee)erxdownxaIrfrternoesetmccrnhoooeepsefmfcieutp,settabpthhaitc:jpholeeehePtencsssrieptiaanonnfotllvvooevteriosr.toda,ilpievotncrdhenaied,csenoeoTgsdrtfoohbartmoaextehdhttaceewsbete,hoeliseeppfeac,trnlwasoesleehipchlxtsiluesaehcerllmhratatlailmtcpealxilostraaeb,enbyoaealrrVielonsssAy,hfsedTeiourntvxwezzhdieeecensimrrceeooaosppv--tnatrsareaaorlatutattmnheheteddeedee- (3) The date of transaction, quantity, unit cost and description of the goods or properties or nature of the service; and \1

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Page 28 of41 X------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X paVpdueAdsrTcorhe-srsae((s4s'g1)ei'1sraI,t,nn0ec0drt0ueh)dsTetooacprmxaempsreaseoroyrooenefrr,wscaIhtldihleeeeernsnett.init"nfhaiecmthaseteai,olaenmbouorNsutiurnnmaetnsbosseffreOsrtn(yiTselIeNmt,)haoidofuefsaatntonhydae, The foregoing provisions are further implemented by Section 4.113-l(A) and (B) of RR No. 16-2005, as amended, to wit: "SEC. 4.113-1. Invoicing Requirements. - (A) A VAT-registered person shall issue: - goods (1) A VAT invoice for every sale, barter or exchange of or properties; and (2) A VAT official receipt for every lease of goods or properties, and for every sale, barter or exchange of services. osiTrnehrIvcNaeollii'fpVcnoteOAlosls.Totn/wSrlgyeiaevciodVeedfAifrdpbiicTotsyis-ecarloutethotmgheiarseeetnnrwecytrteosehiridpsandhtnpp'.a'ueVVlrltAAsbAtoTTaelnx'lIcs.nionvanporsuteiihcrderceee/hiVrqraeuAsdiineTravsesOodiafctfcoe'iVociAvpoaerTlrirRneIondtefvcftioheciiebicpaiyetrl' rddeuucppollriidccVsaa.ttAeeT,toitnhbveeorioceretia/goiinfnfeaidcliabtlyorethbceeeispgetilvlsehernaallstobpeatrphtreeopfbahuriyesdearcactaolneudansttitnhigen (B) Information contained in VAT invoice or VAT official The following informa tion sha ll be indicated in VAT receipt.- VAT official receipt: invoice or (1) A statement that the seller is a VAT-registered person, followed by his TIN; aombloiguant(e2t)dinTtcohluepdateyostattohl eathVmeAoTus;enlPtlerwor vhwiidciethdh,ttThheheapti:nudrcichaatsioenr pays or is that such in the (a) The amount of tax shall be shown as a separate item invoice or receipt; v(b) If the sale is exempt from VAT, the term 'VAT-exempt l be written or printed prominently on the invoice or sale' shal receipt;

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Page 29 of41 x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x (c) If the sale is subject to zero percent (0%) VAT, the term 'zero-rated sale' shall be written or printed prominently on the invoice or receipt; (d) If the sale involves goods, properties or services some of which are subject to and some of which are VAT zero-rated or VAT-exempt, the invoice or receipt shall clearly indicate the break-down of the sale price between its taxable, exempt and zero-rated components, and the calculation of the VAT on each portion of the sale shall be shown on the invoice or receipt. The seller has the option to issue separate invoices or receipts for the taxable, exempt, and zero-rated components of the sale. (3) In the case of sales in the amount of one thousand pesos ("!' 1,000.00) or more where the sale or transfer is made to a VAT-registered person, the name, business style, if any, address and TIN of the purchaser, customer or client, shall be indicated in addition to the information required in (1) and (2) of this Section." In addition to the above requirements, the sales invoices and ORs must be duly registered with the BIR as prescribed under Section 237 in relation to Section 238 of the NIRC of 1997, as amended by R.A. No. 10963, to wit: "SEC. 237. Issuance of Receipts or Sales or Commercial Invoices.- (A) Issuance. - All persons subject to an internal revenue tax shall, at the point of each sale and transfer of merchandise or for services rendered valued at One hundred pesos (P100) or more, issue duly registered receipts or sale or commercial invoices, showing the date of transaction, quantity, unit cost and description of merchandise or nature of service: Provided, however, That where the receipt is issued to cover payment made as rentals, commissions, compensation or fees, receipts or invoices shall be issued which shall show the name, business style, if any, and address of the purchaser, customer or client: Provided, further, That where the purchaser is a VAT-registered person, in addition to the information herein required, the invoice or receipt shall further show the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) of the purchaser. XXX XXX XXX SEC. 238. Printing of Receipts or Sales or Commercial Invoices. - All persons who are engaged in business shall secure from the Bllreall of Internal Revenlle an authority to print receipts or sales or commercial invoices before a printer v can print the same.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x No authority to print receipts or sales or commercial invoices shall be granted unless the receipts or invoices to be printed are serially numbered and shall show, among other things, the name, business style, Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and business address of the person or entity to use the same, and such other information that may be required by rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary of Finance, upon recommendation of the Commissioner. xxx Simply put, petitioner must issue BIR-registered VAT ORs for the gross receipts derived from its sale of services containing the above-stated information. In its Quarterly VAT Returns for the 1st Quarter of TY 2018, petitioner declared zero-rated sales/receipts in the total amount of P38,458,182.97. 73 In support thereof, petitioner presented the ORs and the related billing invoices, summarized as follows: Exhibit No. Date of OR OR BilUng Amount per OR "P-80" to "P-80-2" 21 March 2018 Number Invoice No. p 6,477 472.16 "P-81" to "P-81-1" 1 February 2018 0205/0206 16,747,374.34 "P-82" to "P-82-1" 22 February 2018 0619 15,233,336.48 0617 0203 0618 0204 p 38,458_,182.98 TOTAL Upon scrutiny, the Court finds that the ORs presented by petitioner complied with the invoicing requirements prescribed by law and regulations. Nonetheless, as already pointed out, only those services rendered to EDC's projects in Tongonan, Leyte, and Palinpinon, Negros Oriental, are subject to zero-rating for purposes of the present claim. As reported by the court-commissioned ICPA, the billing invoices, 74 which supplement the ORs, show that these payments were for the services rendered at the NIGBU site or the Negros Island Geothermal Business Unit of EDC located in Palinpinon, Negros Oriental. The said project site ofEDC is duly supported with DOE Certificate of Registration No. GRESC 2009-10-002, dated October 23, 2009, and was earlier v determined to have qualified for a VAT zero rating. 7s 73 Line 17, Exhibit "P-3-1'", Docket- Vol. II, p. 577. 74 Exhibit Nos. '"P-80-1 '", "P-80-2", "P-81-1'" and "P-82-1 '". 15 Exhibit "P-18", Docket- Vol. I, p. 465 to 466.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x Therefore, petitioner has sufficiently proven that its sales of services to EDC during the 1st Quarter ofTY 2018 in the said amount of P38,458,182.98 is subject to VAT at a zero percent rate. Fifth requisite: There is no need to comply with the fifth requisite. The fifth requisite is to the effect that petitioner must prove that the acceptable foreign currency exchange proceeds have been duly accounted for in accordance with BSP rules and regulations, but only for zero-rated sales under Section 106(A)(2)(a)(1), (2) and (b), and 108(8)(1) and (2), of the NIRC of 1997, as amended. Since the legal basis for petitioner's zero- rated sales is 108(B)(7) of the NIRC of 1997, as amended, in relation to Section 15(g) of RA 9513, the present case need not comply with the said fifth requisite. Sixth requisite: The input taxes being claimed are not transitional. In its Amended Quarterly VAT Returns for the 1st Quarter of TY 2018, 76 petitioner declared a total input VAT of Pl,298,232.52 from its domestic purchases of goods and services and purchase of services rendered by non-residents, as shown below: 111_1)_ut tax on domestic purchases of goods other than capital goods I' 1,910.24 Input tax on domestic purchases of services Services Rendered by Non-Residents 219,302.74 Total Input VAT during the period 1,077,019.54 p 1 298,232.52 The above input taxes do not appear to be transitional, as understood under Section 111 (A) of the NIRC of 1997, as amended, to wit: "SEC. 111. Transitional/ Presumptive Input Tax Credits. (A) Transitional Input Tax Credits. - A person who becomes liable to value-added tax or any person who elects to be a VAT-registere<i person shall, subject to the filing of an inventory according to the rules and regulations prescribed by / 76 Exhibit "P�3�1", Docket- Vol. II, pp. 577 to 578. ~

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Page 32 of41 x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x the Secretary of Finance, upon recommendation of the Commissioner, be allowed input tax on his beginning inventory of goods, materials and supplies equivalent to two percent (2%) of the value of such inventory or the actual value- added tax paid on such goods, materials and supplies, whichever is higher, which shall be creditable against the output tax." Transitional input tax credit operates to benefit newly VAT-registered persons, whether they previously paid taxes in the acquisitions of their beginning inventory of goods, materials, and supplies. During the transition period from non-VAT to VAT status, the transitional input tax credit alleviates the impact of the VAT on the taxpayer.77 Since there is no showing that the above-stated input taxes are transitional, petitioner has complied with the sixth requisite for the grant of an input VAT refund. Seventh requisite: The input taxes being claimed were due or paid. Anent the seventh requisite in claiming a VAT refund, it is of fatal importance that the input taxes claimed for refund are properly supported by appropriate documents to prove that the same are due or paid in accordance with Section 11 O(A) of the NIRC of 1997, as amended, which provides that: "SEC. 110. Tax Credits.- (A) Creditable Input Tax. - (1) Any input tax evidenced by a VAT invoice or official receipt issued in accordance with Section 113 hereof on the following transactions shall be creditable against the output tax: (a) Purchase or importation of goods: (i) For sale; or (ii) For conversion into or intended to form part of a finished product for sale including packaging materials; or ( (iii) For use as supplies in the course of business; or 77 Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation vs. Commissioner ofInternal Revenue, G.R. Nos. 158885 and 170680, April 2. 2008.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x (iv) For use as materials supplied in the sale of service; or (v) For use in trade or business for which deduction for depreciation or amortization is allowed under this Code. (b) Purchase of services on which a value-added tax has actually been paid. (2) The input tax on domestic purchase or importation of goods or properties by a VAT-registered person shall be creditable: (a) To the purchaser upon consummation of sale and on importation of goods or properties; and (b) To the importer upon payment of the value-added tax prior to the release of the goods from the custody of the Bureau of Customs. Provided, That the input tax on goods purchased or imported in a calendar month for use in trade or business for which deduction for depreciation is allowed under this Code, shall be spread evenly over the month of acquisition and the fifty-nine (59) succeeding months if the aggregate acquisition cost for such goods, excluding the VAT component thereof, exceeds One million pesos (P1,000,000): Provided, however, That if the estimated useful life of the capital good is less than five (5) years, as used for depreciation purposes, then the input VAT shall be spread over such a shorter period: Provided, further, That the amortization of the input VAT shall only be allowed until December 31, 2021 after which taxpayers with unutilized input VAT on capital goods purchased or imported shall be allowed to apply the same as scheduled until fully utilized: Provided, finally, That in the case of purchase of services, lease or use of properties, the input tax shall be creditable to the purchaser, lessee or licensee upon payment of the compensation, rental, royalty or fee." The above provisions are implemented by Section 4.110-1, 4.110-2, and 4.110-3 of RR No. 16-2005, as amended by RR- 13-2018, which provide as follows: "SEC. 4.110-1. Credits for Input Tax. - xxx Any input tax on the following transactions evidenced by a VAT invoice or official receipt issued by a VAT-registered person in accordance with Sees. 113 and 237 of the Tax Code shall be creditable against the output tax: (a) Purchase or importation of goods ~

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue X------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X (1) For sale; or (2) For conversion into or intended to form part of a finished product for sale, including packaging materials; or (3) For use as supplies in the course of business; or (4) For use as raw materials supplied in the sale of services; or (5) For use in trade or business for which deduction for depreciation or amortization is allowed under the Tax Code, (b) Purchase of real properties for which a VAT has actually been paid; (c) Purchase of services in which a VAT has actually been paid; (d) Transactions "deemed sale" under Sec. 106 (B) of the Tax Code; (e) Transitional input tax allowed under Sec. 4.111 (a) of these Regulations; (f) Presumptive input tax allowed under Sec. 4.111 (b) of these Regulations; (g) Transitional input tax credits allowed under the transitory and other provisions of these Regulations. SEC. 4.110-2. Persons Who Can Avail of the Input Tax Credit. -The input tax credit on importation of goods or local purchases of goods, properties or services by a VAT-registered person shall be creditable: (a) To the importer upon payment of VAT prior to the release of goods from customs custody; (a) To the purchaser of the domestic goods or properties upon consummation of the sale; or (b) To the purchaser of services or the lessee or licensee upon payment of the compensation, rental, royalty or fee. SEC. 4.110-3. Claim for Input Taxon Depreciable Goods. Where a VAT-registered person purchases or imports capital goods, which are depreciable assets for income tax '!/ purposes, the aggregate acquisition cost of which (exclusive of VAT) in a calendar month exceeds One Million pesos (Pl,OOO,OOO.OO), <Ogacdle" of tho acqui,ition oo.t of oaoh

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x capital good, shall be claimed as credit against output tax in the following manner: (a) If the estimated useful life of a capital good is five (5) years or more - The input tax shall be spread evenly over a period of sixty (60) months and the claim for input tax credit will commence in the calendar month when the capital good is acquired. The total input taxes on purchases or importations of this type of capital goods shall be divided by 60 and the quotient will be the amount to be claimed monthly. (b) If the estimated useful life of a capital good is less than five (5) years- The input tax shall be spread evenly on a monthly basis by dividing the input tax by the actual number of months comprising the estimated useful life of the capital good. The claim for input tax credit shall commence in the calendar month that the capital goods were acquired. Where the aggregate acquisition cost (exclusive of VAT) of the existing or finished depreciable capital goods purchased or imported during any calendar month does not exceed One million pesos (P1 ,000,000.00), the total input taxes will be allowable as credit against output tax in the month of acquisition. Capital goods or properties refers to goods or properties with estimated useful life greater than one (1) year and which are treated as depreciable assets under Sec. 34(F) of the Tax Code, used directly or indirectly in the production or sale of taxable goods or services. The aggregate acquisition cost of depreciable assets in any calendar month refers to the total price, excluding the VAT, agreed upon for one or more assets acquired and not on the payments actually made during the calendar month. Thus, an asset acquired on installment for an acquisition cost of more than P1,000,000.00, excluding the VAT, will be subject to the amortization of input tax despite the fact that the monthly payments/installments may not exceed P1,000,000.00. xxx" Furthermore, Section 4.110-8 of RR No. 16-2005, as amended, provides for the substantiation requirements of input tax credits on purchases of goods, properties, and services, as follows: "SECTION 4.110-8. Substantiation of Input Tax Credits. (a) Input taxes for the importation of goods or the domestic purchase of goods, properties, or services is made in the course of trade or business, whether such input taxes 'hall b< mdited again.t rero-<ated ,ru,, non-rero-catod """� ~

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x or subjected to the 5% Final Withholding VAT, must be substantiated and supported by the following documents, and must be reported in the information returns required to be submitted to the Bureau: (1) For the importation of goods- import entry or other equivalent document showing actual payment of VAT on the imported goods. (2) For the domestic purchase of goods and properties - invoice showing the information required under Sees. 113 and 237 of the Tax Code. (3) For the purchase of real property- public instrument i.e., deed of absolute sale, deed of conditional sale, contract/ agreement to sell, etc., together with VAT invoice issued by the seller. (4) For the purchase of services- official receipt showing the information required under Sees. 113 and 237 of the Tax Code. A cash register machine tape issued to a registered buyer shall constitute valid proof of substantiation of tax credit only if it shows the information required under Sees. 113 and 237 of the Tax Code. XXX XXX XXX (d) Input tax from payments made to nonresidents (such as for services, rental and royalties) shall be supported by a copy of the Monthly Remittance Return of Value Added Tax Withheld (SIR Form 1600) filed by the resident payor in behalf of the nonresident evidencing remittance of VAT due which was withheld by the payor." Based on the foregoing provisions, to be entitled to input tax credits, the same must be duly substantiated by supporting documents prescribed under Section 4.110-8 ofRR No. 16-2005. Moreover, said documents must likewise comply with the invoicing requirements under the earlier quoted Sections 113(A) and (B), 237 and 238 of the NIRC of 1997, as amended, and as implemented by Section 4.113-1(A) and (B) ofRR No. 16-2005, as amended. Needless to say, the invoicing requirements for a VAT- registered taxpayer, as provided in the NIRC and revenue regulations, are clear. A VAT-registered taxpayer must comply with all the VAT invoicing requirements to file a claim for input v taxes on domestic purchases for goods or services attributable

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Page 37 of41 X------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X to zero-rated sales.78 In addition, the invoicing requirement is reasonable and must be strictly complied with, as it is the only way to determine the veracity of the claim. 79 To reiterate, petitioner's claim for the excess and unutilized input VAT for the l�t Quarter of taxable year 2018 amounting to P1,298,232.52 consists of the following: Sources of Input VAT Amount of Input VAT A. Local Purchases of Goods Other Than Capital Goods I' 1,910.24 B. Local Purchases of Services 219,302.74 C. Services Rendered b}'Non-residents 1,077,019.54 Total Excess Inout VAT p 1.298.232.52 A. Local Purchases ofGoods Other Than Capital Goods- Pl,910.24; and B. Local Purchases of Services- P219,302. 74 As ascertained by the ICPA, petitioner's supporting documents for its local purchases of goods and services totaled P212,557.86. This is lower than the total input taxes reported in its Quarterly VAT Return of P221,212.98. 80 Consequently, the difference of P8,655.12 not supported by any document shall be disallowed and be deducted from petitioner's claim. Moreover, the input VAT amounting to P4,109.91, as ascertained by the ICPA, shall also be disallowed for being supported by invalid documents.s1 Also, upon review of the supporting documents relating to petitioner's local purchases of goods other than capital goods and services, the Court finds that the input VAT amounting to Pl3,803.15 should be disallowed due to the following reasons: Exhibit No. I Supplier I OR I OR Date Amount I Input Tax Nature of services not Indicated In the supporting OR "P-28" TDV PEST CONTROL INC. 3332 A 27 January 2018 I' 1 339.29 I' 160.71 DEARBORNE GLOBAL "P-32" BUSINESS SERVICES INC. 0002215 3 January 2018 89.29 10.71 "P-46" MAC-NELS LINE, INC. OR20804 8 February 2018 72,571.88 8 708.63 ACE TUBULAR SERVICES "P-49" LIMITED 2526 8 February 2018 39,954.37 4,794.52 Pll3,954.83 Pl3,674.57 Sub-total VAT Is not shown separately 78 Microsoft Philippines, Inc. vs. Commissioner ofinternal Revenue, G.R. No. 180173, April6, 2011. L J" / 79 Kepco Philippines Corporation vs. Commissioner ofInternal Revenue, G.R. No. 179961, January 31, 2011. 80 Exhibit "P-18", Docket- Vol. I, p. 466. " Exhibit "P- 18", Docket- Vol. I, p. 466.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x P-33 HMC INC. 0136795 24 January 2018 535.71 64.29 0136794 24 January 2018 535.71 64.29 P-34 HMC, INC. Pl,071.42 P128.58 P115,026.25 P13,803.15 Sub-total TOTAL DISALLOWANCE C. Purchase of Services (rom Non-residents - P 1, 077.019.54 In support of the input VAT on services rendered by a non- resident, petitioner presented the BIR Form No. 1600 or the Monthly Remittance Return of Value-Added Taxes and Other Percentage Taxes for the month of February 2018 duly filed by petitioner with the BIR on March 9, 2018, with the following details: Exhibit Period eFPS Filing 12% Withholding Reference No. VAT No. Covered 171800024241151 Date Tax Base p 1,077,019.54 "P-78" February 2018 9 March 2018 P8,975,162.80 The same amount was declared by petitioner in its Amended 1�t Quarter VAT Return for TY 2018,82 albeit as Creditable VAT Withheld. Petitioner also submitted the eFPS Payment Details, where it was disclosed that petitioner paid the BIR the amount of P1,077.019.54. Verily, the input VAT of P1,077,019.54 represents petitioner's valid input VAT. In fine, out of the total declared input taxes of P1,298,232.52, only the amount of P1,271,664.34 represents petitioner's valid input VAT for the 1�t Quarter of TY 2018, as computed below: Input VAT claimed for refund p 1,298,232.52 Less: Disallowances Unsupported input VAT p 8,655.12 Per !CPA findings (with invalid supporting documents) 4,109.91 Disallowed Input VAT per this 13,803.15 26,568.18 Court's findings Valid injlllt VAT_ - - - - - _P _1,271,664.34 -� - - - Eighth requisite: Petitioner's input taxes claimed are attributable to zero-rated sales. The eighth requisite requires that the input taxes claimed 82 Line 26B, Exhibit "P�3�1", Docket- Vol. II, p. 578. ~

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x boieHanffarofpetsewheuceedattisvtvttoeeaernrixls,ybaesuzlsatetehlascere,baostrl-vheirrnaoueotltlieuoetndmbpzsieeuesa.trdloetiwar-serxhaaceerttsreildeydshtaatoarhxirldelarbebeeflenfeetpaicorrrtroeievelpyexolbeyraotmtittzohrpenitbraoszutae-etrlrlaeayobst-eal,redlaaltorteioscddaaaltterheoisdeyr. esooroefatrffrhteveetecafidrtfcxieItvcepncraseaatltiayryaevrieigreszYerloaeyscrrmeyztoeviea-fonerordnngaoretast-V,egraidaiAenrttdTeaemrcdpepitulnriuaaevsrctsiptpittuoiiuobvemnrseiseet.atyl8esoby3.maloyszApreahltlrchtaotiaesrt-uisyirzbaspeauteudertdedartcbbhnholyoaearttistteoetesfhsnftzeehgoeceafitrgnigozvepoe-edrurolaoytdit-nsetrzadaaeaxtrrreoieioYddrs- Pexl,c2e7p1Ct ,oz6ne6sr4oid.-3er4aritneisdgpstrahelaseutsm,ptaehbteiltyieoannttetirrriebhusautdabbsnlteaortihotietahrteeetrdo.tiynppeutoVf AsTaleosf Ninth requisite: The input taxes have not been applied against output taxes during and in the succeeding quarters. ctthhreeediIctsCletadQoi.mnuseaiddrteeirrninpogufTtthYVa2At 0Tp1e8oti,ftiiPot nlh,ea2rd9h8na,o2d3on2uo.t5p12u2t%mVaVAyTATbaaegbalaienpssptalilweedshifcoohrr ycPSVsiitPthneau8uA1wraepb7c,Trr2jua,ihse7e9s2tuRcMbd380dcVtee4,2coe2Aoitc,0erndu53vlTeea.gur2e2odincr0o.tmviV5ht.fenofe02eerogPnrd4,r,rcoil8uaql,aw6ayt2tsulsh,lioah7eatl"ensphii1,Vrzcgeto,tAeohe16hteud�iTfrr6eg1tsnit4fR,hiochQeson.lneec34rautfeem4ttihauerhsmh,erennseectdewaddeodrc/ssrampiTloauilsaaonymCfpcirfcpclmtCteiihaeuTenoereeYdctrcrdfdelVilatw1imeu2ihAnsidmditn0eagTtee2iphQoesndcq0uvxu"oteu.ethBtcdaurhaeeAsrlVredutbsticeAnsnenycnrsiTruoinouispnottrttbisedhfpalohstiiQmuTintfraztaYetgveuiotrqolVdaeaiuy2unxtrA,nbiu0iteaaTseetrn2bttirehet0tloiloineeendy.flf V' 84 85 86 Exhibits ''P-4-2", "P-5", "P-6-1", Tnlerln Pnwpr rnmpnnv. G.R Nos. 2'''24 anrl25;J53. Aprill2. 2023. 584 to 585, 587. 591, 593, 596, 600 and "'P-7-2", "'P-7-4", "P-7-6", ''P-7-8" "P-8-1", Docket- Vol. II, pp. 582 to 583, 604, respectively. Exhibit "P-8-1 ", Line 23D, Docket- Vol. II, p. 604. Exhibit "P-8-1'', Line 29.

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x for the grant of the input VAT claimed for refund or issuance of tax credit certificate. seLCOAianxtEcRdlscceR.tDeosasTrEtnWsfdhIoRtFiearnHEIngtCrEDPhdleyAReed,utTEui1nrtEtFcsieouoteOsitnQdpniRlouiREfaznafam,EoevrddritFooenerUnuirlntonRNiogpftCefDhupvtootaetifmeoxtViwfoaPtmAitrblohTil,snee2isesa7IfyirtooS1etrAnSra,ePi6eUirgbArr6o2EuRD4io0tnTa.rf13gibI8lIAA4llnc.ie,LnotegnLtrroTseYnAiApaidsrtlXesseoGrRsazceReteiniCavArottoeRiNnen-nssErTug,aDPEettitehIDetiTdses.. SO ORDERED. ~~ LANEE S. CUI-DAVID Associate Justice !CONCUR: .._ JEANM~ ATTESTATION wreraictehreIodfatithnteescotoptnhisnauitoltntahtoieof ncthoebnecCflouorsueirott'nshseDinicvaitsshieeonwa.baosvaesDsiegcniesdiontowtehree .._ JEANMA Special 2nd Division Acting Chairperson

DECISION CTA Case No. 10399 Air Drilling Associates Pte Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Page 41 of41 x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x CERTIFICATION wtiahsneedhrewetrhrreiePebtaeuyScrrphsoceeuefcdratithnaiifelntie2otndcopdoitAnnDhisriaotuvitnlcistltaoiehotfeinVtohIcAnIeoIc,bnCtieScnoflegouucrsrCtetii'oohstnnahDsier1ipvi3cneiasroistsofheonetn.wh'aseabAsCotvaotesensssDittgaiettnicueoitdsnioi,otniont, ~ ~ _,'-._ MA. BELEN M. RINGPIS-LIBAN Acting Presiding Justice ~