FITNESS FIRST PHILIPPINES, INC. v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE

Republic of the Phi lippines COURT OF TAX APPEALS Quezon City FIRST DIVISION FITNESS FIRST PHILIPPINES, INC., CTA Case No. 8942 Petitioner, For: Refund Members: -versus- DEL ROSARIO, P.J., Chairperson UY, and COMMISSIONER OF MINDARO-GRULLA, JJ. INTERNAL REVENUE, PrOoEmuClgoa~o,,. _ , Respondent. x- - - - - - - - - - / --- MINDARO-GRULLA, J.: This resolves the Petition for Review filed by Fitness First Philippines, Inc., pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)1 of Republic Act (RA) No. 1125, otherwise known as "An Act Creating t he Court of Tax Appeals", as amended, as well as Section 3(a)(2)2 of Rule 4 and Section 4(a)3 of Rule 8 of the Revised Rules of the Court of Tax Appeals, as amended. 1 SEC. 7. Jurisdiction. -The CTA shall exercise: (a) Exclusive appellate jurisdiction to review by appeal, as herein provided: XXX (2) Inaction by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue in cases involving disputed assessments, refunds of internal revenue taxes, fees or other charges, penalties in relations thereto, or other matters arising under the National Internal Revenue Code or other laws administered by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, where the National Internal Revenue Code provides a specific period of action, in which case the inaction shall be deemed a denial; 2 SEC. 3. Cases within thejurisdiction ofthe Court in Division. - The Court in Division shall exercise: (a) Exclusive original over or appellate jurisdiction to review by appeal the following: XXX (2) Inaction by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue in cases involving disputed assessments, refunds of internal revenue taxes, fees or other charges, penalties in relation thereto, or other matters arising under the National Internal Revenue Code or other laws administered by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, where the National Internal Revenue Code or other applicable law provides a specific period for action: xxx; 3 SEC. 4. Where to appea~� mode of appeal. - t:..

CTA CASE NO. 8942 Page 2 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION Petitioner seeks the refund or the issuance of a tax credit certificate in the amount of P9,001,805.38, allegedly representing the withholding taxes it erroneously over-remitted to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) during the period covering November 2012 to April 2014. Petitioner Fitness First Philippines, Inc. is a domestic corporation duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on August 7, 1998, with Company Registration No. A199813109.4 Its principal office is located at 17th Floor, SM Aura Premiere, 26th Street corner McKinley Parkway, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.5 Petitioner is registered with the BIR as shown in its Certificate of Registration No. 8RC0000019630 with Tax Identification Number (TIN) 201-135-912- 000, issued on September 2, 1998.6 On the other hand, respondent is the duly appointed Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue who is empowered to perform the duties of his office, including among others, the power to decide, approve and grant refunds or tax credits of erroneously paid taxes, as provided by law. He holds office at the BIR National Office Building, Agham Road, Diliman, Quezon City. As stated in its Articles of Incorporation7, petitioner is engaged in providing fully integrated sports facility management services or total club management services which shall include but not limited to providing consultancy service to a diverse range of development projects like hotel health clubs, gyms, large-scale residential facilities, hotels, executive clubs and specialty sports facilities such as tennis clubs and ice rinks, providing an effective and total management (a) An appeal from a decision or ruling or the inaction of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue on disputed assessments or claim for refund of internal revenue taxes erroneously or illegally collected, the decision or ruling of the Commissioner of Customs, the Secretary of Finance, the Secretary of Trade and Industry, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Regional Trial Court in the exercise of their original jurisdiction, shall be taken to the Court by filing before it a petition for review as provided in Rule 42 of the Rules of Court. The Court in Division shall act on the appeal. 4 Par. 4, Summary of Stipulated Facts, Joint Stipulations of Facts and Issues (JSFI), Docket, vol. II, p. 1271; Exhibit "P-1", Docket, vol. IV, p. 1892. 5 Par. 1, Petition for Review, Docket vol. I, p. 6. 6 Par. 5, Summary of Stipulated Facts, JSFI, Docket, vol. II, p. 1271; Exhibit "P-6" Docket, vol. IV, p. 1945. 7 Exhibits "P-1-a", "P-2-a", and "P-3-a", Docket, vol. IV, pp. 1894-1911, 1913-1919, and 1923- 1929. <:

CTA CASE NO. 8942 Page 3 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION service extending to all aspects of club operations like administration and finance, marketing, recreation strategy and food and beverage management, providing a complement of specialized services such as sports coaching, fitness testing, personal training, pro shops, beauty and massage treatments and food and beverage facilities, and selling (except on retail) club equipment and products like fitness equipment, tennis, squash and golf installation, sports surfaces and ancillary court products, recreational and playground equipment and sport simulation devices to governmental bodies, commercial operators and private developers. Petitioner is the exclusive franchise holder in the Philippines of Fitness First Limited, a non-resident foreign corporation8 organized and existing under the laws of the United Kingdom (UK), with registered office at 58 Fleets Lane, Poole, Dorset, BH15 3BT, England, and a tax resident of the UK during the material period of November 2012 to April 2014.9 On November 1, 2008, petitioner and Fitness First Limited entered into a Franchise Agreement10, containing, among others, the following salient terms and conditions: a. Fitness First Limited granted petitioner the exclusive right and license to operate the Business11 in accordance with the System12 in the Territory under the Trademarks13 and using 8 Exhibits "P-8" to "P-12" and "P-47", Docket, val. IV, pp. 1968-2027 and 2108. 9 Exhibit "P-13", Docket, val. IV, pp. 2028-2031. 10 Exhibits "P-7" and "P-7-a", Docket, val. IV, pp. 1946-1967. 11 Clause 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation, "Business" means the business of setting up, operating and maintaining fitness centers, operated and conducted in accordance with the System under the Trade Marks using the Proprietary Rights and more particularly described in the Operation Manual, Exhibit "P-13", Docket, val. IV, p. 1951. 12 Clause 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation, "System" means the distinctive business format and method developed and implemented by the Franchisor in connection with the operation of the Business, utilizing and comprising the Proprietary Rights and certain standard operational procedures, plans, directions, specifications, methods, management and advertising techniques and identification schemes, parts of which are or may be contained in the Operation Manual, Exhibit "P-13", Docket, val. IV, p. 1952. 13 Clause 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation, "Trade Marks" means the registered trademarks and applications together with all other trademarks, trade names, logos, designs, symbols, emblems or insignia used in the business, Exhibit "P-13", Docket, val. IV, p. 1952. ~

CTA CASE NO. 8942 Page 4 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION the Proprietary Rights14; 15 b. The initial term shall be 10 years, renewable at the option of petitioner; 16 and c. By way of consideration, petitioner shall pay Fitness First Limited royalties in four quarterly payments on account, with a final payment. Each quarterly payment is calculated as one quarter of the total franchise payment of the preceding year while the final payment is calculated based on the net sales franchise multiplied by the following rates: 17 ANNUAL NET SALES ANNUAL FRANCHISE FEE PAYABLE (GBP) PER PREMISES 0 GBP-250LOOO GBP 5�/o on the first 250 000 GBP net sales 250,000 GBP-1 million GBP 7.5�/o on the next 750,000 GBP net sales Over 1 million GBP 10�/o on the net sales over 1 million GBP Pursuant to the Franchise Agreement, royalties in the total amount of P180,036,107.70 were accrued in the books of petitioner for the benefit of Fitness First Limited from November 2012 to April 2014. 18 The accrued royalties were subjected to a thirty percent (30�/o) withholding tax pursuant to Section 28(8)(1) of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended, which provides: "SEC. 28. Rates of Income Tax on Foreign Corporations. - XXX XXX XXX 14 Clause 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation, "Proprietary Rights" means the Intellectual property rights in the System and in all fascia, slogans, know-how, information, drawings, plans, training materials and other identifying materials, whether or not registered or capable of registration, and all other proprietary rights whatsoever owned by or licensed to the Franchisor for use in connection with the System or the Business, Exhibit "P-13", Docket, vol. IV, p. 1952. 15 Clause 2. Appointment and Grant, Exhibit "P-7", Docket, vol. IV, p. 1953. 16 Clause 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation, "Initial Term" means 10 years from the date of commencement of this agreement, Docket, vol. IV, p. 1951. 17 Exhibit "P-7-a", Docket, vol. IV, pp. 1960-1961. 18 Exhibits "P-14" to "P-28", Docket, vol. IV, pp. 2035-2049. (

CTA CASE NO. 8942 Page 5 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION (B) Tax on Nonresident Foreign Corporation.- (1) In General.- Except as otherwise provided in this Code, a foreign corporation not engaged in trade or business in the Philippines shall pay a tax equal to thirty- five percent (35�/o) of the gross income received during each taxable year from all sources within the Philippines, such as interests, dividends, rents, royalties, salaries, premiums (except reinsurance premiums), annuities, emoluments or other fixed or determinable annual, periodic or casual gains, profits and income, and capital gains, except capital gains subject to tax under subparagraphs 5(c): Provided, That effective January 1, 2009, the rate of income tax shall be thirty percent (30�/o)." Thus, petitioner remitted to the BIR final withholding taxes in the total amount of P54,010,832.30, for the period from November 2012 to April 2014. 19 Subsequently, petitioner discovered that the royalties it paid to Fitness First Limited in the total amount of P180,036,107.70 should have been subjected to a maximum withholding rate of twenty-five percent (25�/o) pursuant to Article 11 of the "Convention between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and Capital Gains" ("RP-UK Tax Treaty" for brevity). The application of Article 11 of the RP-UK Tax Treaty should have resulted to just P45,009,026.92 in final withholding taxes, instead of the 30�/o final withholding tax rate under Section 28(B)(1) of the NIRC of 1997, as amended, which resulted to P54,010,832.30 in withholding taxes that were remitted to the BIR. Thus, petitioner alleges that it over-remitted to the BIR final withholding taxes in the total amount of P9,001,805.38, broken down as follows: 19 Exhibits "P-29" to "P-39-b", Docket, val. IV, pp. 2050-2071. c

CTA CASE NO. 8942 Page 6 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION Year Month Tax Base 30�/oWHT 250/o WHT Over- 2012 (Royalties Remittance I 2013 November20 Accrued} p 6,628,007. 93 p 5 523,339.94 December21 p 22 093,359.77 5,686,735.50 4 738,946.25 p 1,104,667.99 2014 January22 8 678,123.43 947,789.25 TOTAL Apri123 18 955 785.00 10 413,748.12 8 088 180.42 July24 34 712 493.73 9,705 816.50 8 518 777.06 1,735 624.69 November25 32 352,721.67 10,222 532.47 2 482 472.94 1,617 636.08 January26 34 075,108.23 2,978,967.53 3 460_L059.24 1,703 755.41 Apri127 4_L152,071.09 3 519,127.63 9 929,891.77 4,222,953.16 496 494.59 13 840,236.97 P45,009,026. 92 692 011.85 14 076,510.53 P54,010,832.30 703 825.53 P180,036, 107.70 P9,001,805.38 On October 3, 2014, petitioner filed with the BIR a tax treaty relief application to confirm that the royalty payments/accruals under the Franchise Agreement are entitled to the 25�/o preferential treaty rate. Subsequently, on October 31, 2014, petitioner filed with the BIR an administrative claim for refund and/or issuance of a tax credit certificate (TCC) representing the final withholding taxes it erroneously over-remitted covering the period November 2012 to April 2014 amounting to P9,001,805.38. Due to respondent's inaction on petitioner's tax treaty relief application and administrative claim for tax refund and/or issuance of TCC, and to preserve its right to pursue its claim for refund, petitioner filed the instant Petition for Review28 on December 1, 2014. On December 10, 2014, petitioner filed a Manifestation with Attached Amended Petition for Review29 pursuant to Section 2 of Rule 10 of the Revised Rules of Court. This was noted by the Court in the Order30 dated December 19, 2014. 20 Exhibits "P-29" to "P-29-b-1", Docket, val. IV, pp. 2050-2051. 21 Exhibits "P-30" to "P-30-b-1", Docket, val. IV, pp. 2052-2053. 22 Exhibits "P-31" to "P-31-b-1", Docket, val. IV, pp. 2054-2055. 23 Exhibits "P-32" to "P-32-b-1", Docket, val. IV, pp. 2056-2057. 24 Exhibits "P-33" to "P-33-b-1", Docket, val. IV, pp. 2058-2059. 25 Exhibits "P-34" to "P-34-b-1", Docket, val. IV, pp. 2060-2061. 26 Exhibits "P-35" to "P-35-b-1", Docket, val. IV, pp. 2062-2063. 27 Exhibits "P-36" to "P-36-b-1", Docket, val. IV, pp. 2064-2065. 28 Docket, val. I, pp. 6-13. 29 Docket, val. I, pp. 345-354. 3o Docket, val. I, p. 689. <

CTA CASE NO. 8942 Page 7 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION Within the extended time granted by the Court,31 respondent filed his Answer32 through registered mail on March 19, 2015, and received by this Court on March 26, 2015, interposing the following special and affirmative defenses: "SPECIAL AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES 5. Respondent reproduces and repleads all the foregoing allegations insofar as they are relevant to her defenses which are discussed hereunder and incorporates them herein by way of reference and, in addition thereto, most respectfully avers THAT: 6. Petitioner's alleged claim for refund/issuance of tax credit certificate is still subject to administrative routinary investigation/examination by the respondent's Bureau. 7. Taxes paid and collected are presumed to have been made in accordance with law, hence, not refundable. 8. Petitioner's claim for refund or issuance of tax credit certificate in the amount of Php9,001,805.38, allegedly representing withholding taxes erroneously over-remitted to the BIR covering the period from November 2012 to April 2014, were not fully substantiated by proper documents, such as sales invoices, official receipts and others pursuant to Revenue Regulations No. 7-95 in relation to Section 113 and 237 of the 1997 Tax Code. 9. In an action for refund/credit, the burden of proof is on the petitioner to establish its right to claimed refund and failure to adduce sufficient proof is fatal to the claim for tax refund/credit. 10. Petitioner failed to comply with the conditions/ requirements under Section 112(A)(B)(C) of the 1997 Tax Code. 31 Order dated February 2, 2015 and Resolution dated March 16, 2015, Docket, vol. I, pp. 695 and 700. 32 Docket, vol. I, pp. 701-703. ~

CfA CASE NO. 8942 Page 8 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION 11. It is incumbent upon the latter to show that it has complied with the provisions under Section 204 (c) in relation to Section 229 of the Tax Code. Otherwise, its failure to prove the same is fatal to its claim for refund. 12. Claims for refund are construed strictly against herein petitioner since the same partakes the nature of exemption from taxation (Commissioner of Internal Revenue vs. Ledesma, 31 SCRA 95) and as such, they are looked upon with disfavor (Western Minolco Corp. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, 124 SCRA 1211)." The Pre-Trial Conference was set on June 11, 2015.33 Thus, petitioner filed its Pre-Trial Brief34 on June 8, 2015; while the Pre-Trial Brief (for the Respondent)35 was filed on June 9, 2015. On July 1, 2015, the parties filed their Joint Stipulation of Facts and Issues36� This was approved by the Court in the Resolution37 dated July 9, 2015, which also terminated the Pre-Trial. Subsequently, the Court issued the Pre-Trial Order38 on August 11, 2015. During trial, petitioner presented the following witnesses: Ms. Maria Rita A. Piquero39, its Finance Officer; and Atty. Jocelyn T. Tsang40, a Tax Manager of petitioner's External Tax Consultant, Isla Lipana & Co. Petitioner's Formal Offer of Evidence41 was filed on April 27, 2016. In the Resolution42 dated June 28, 2016, the Court admitted Petitioner's Exhibits "P-1" "P-1-a" "P-2" "P-2-a" "P-3" "P- 3-a" "P- ' I I I I I 4"I "P-4-a"I "P-7"I "P-7-a"I "P-8"I "P-9"I "P-10"I "P-11"I "P-12"I "P-13"I "P-14"I "P-14-a"I "P-14-b"I "P-15"I "P-15-a"I "P-16"I "P-16-a"I "P-17"I 33 Notice of Pre-Trial Conference, Docket, val. I, pp. 705-706. 34 Docket, val. II, pp. 1243-1253. 35 Docket, val. II, pp. 1254-1255. 36 Docket, val. II, pp. 1270-1274. 37 Docket, val. II, pp. 1276-1277. 38 Docket, val. II, pp. 1285-1293. 39 Minutes of the Hearing dated March 8, 2016, Docket, val. III, pp. 1859-1860; Exhibit "P-48", Amended Judicial Affidavit of Maria Rita A. Piquero, Docket, val. III, pp. 1309-1324. 40 Minutes of the Hearing dated March 29, 2016, Docket, val. IV, pp. 1864-1865; Exhibit "P-49", Amended Judicial Affidavit of Atty. Jocelyn T. Tsang, Docket, val. III, pp. 1577-1589. 41 Docket, val. IV, pp. 1869-1891. 42 Docket, val. IV, pp. 2117-2118. 4

CTA CASE NO. 8942 Page 9 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION "P-17-a"1 "P-18"1 "P-18-a"1 "P-19"1 "P-19-a"1 "P-20"1 "P-20-a"1 "P-21 to P-28"1"P-29"1"P-29-a"1"P-29-b"1"P-29-b-1"1"P-30"1"P-30-a"1"P-30- b"1 "P-30-b-1"1 "P-31"1 "P-31-a"1"P-31-b"1 "P-31-b-1"1 "P-32"1"P-32- a"1 "P-32-b"1 "P-32-b-1"1 "P-33"1 "P-33-a"1 "P-33-b"1 "P-33-b-1"1 "P- 34"1 "P-34-a"1"P-34-b"1"P-34-b-1"1"P-35"1"P-35-a"1"P-35-b"1"P-35- b-1"1 "P-36"1 "P-36-a"1 "P-36-b"1"P-36-b-1"1 "P-37"1 "P-37-a"1 "P-37- b"1 "P-38"1"P-38-a"1"P-38-b"1"P-38-c"1"P-38-d"1"P-39"1"P-39-a"1"P- 39-b"1 "P-40"1 "P-40-a"1 "P-41"1 "P-41-a"1 "P-41-b"1 "P-41-c"1 "P-42"1 "P-42-a"1 "P-42-b"1 "P-43"1 "P-43-a"1 "P-43-b"1 "P-44"1 "P-44-a"1 "P-44- b"1 "P-45"1 "P-45-a"1 "P-45-b"1 "P-45-c"1 "P-46"1 "P-46-a"1 "P-46-b"1 "P- 47"1 "P-48"1 "P-48-a"1 "P-49"1 and "P-49-a"� However1 the Court denied the admission of Exhibit "P-5"1for failure to present the original for comparison; and Exhibit "P-6"1 for failure of the exhibit formally offered to correspond with the document actually marked. On July 141 20161 petitioner filed a Motion for Reconsideration with Motion to Amend Formal Offer of Evidence and Admit Attached Amended Formal Offer of Evidence43 � This was granted by the Court in the Resolution44 dated October 31 20161 and Exhibit "P-6" was admitted into evidence. Petitioner formally offered the following documentary exhibits: Exhibit: Description: P-1 Certificate of Incorporation of petitioner, originally FPD Sportathlon Philippines, Inc. dated 27 August 1998 with P-1-a Company Registration No. A199813109 P-2 Articles of Incorporation of petitioner, originally FPD Sportathlon Philippines Inc. P-2-a Certificate of Filing of Amended Articles of Incorporation of P-3 petitioner, formerly Sportathlon Philippines, Inc. dated 05 P-3-a January 2000 P-4 Amended Articles of Incorporation of petitioner, formerly P-4-a Sportathlon Philippines Inc. adopted on 06 November 1999 Certificate of Filing of Amended Articles of Incorporation of petitioner dated 19 May 2004 Amended Articles of Incorporation of petitioner adopted on 12 April 2004 Certificate of Filing of Amended Articles of Incorporation of petitioner dated 21 July 2014 Amended Articles of Incorporation of petitioner adopted on 02 April 2004 43 Docket, val. IV, pp. 2119-2122. 44 Docket, val. IV, pp. 2161-2162. /;

CTA CASE NO. 8942 Page 10 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION P-6 Petitioner's new BIR Certificate of Registration No. P-7 8RC0000053130 P-7-a Franchise Agreement dated 01 November 2008 between P-8 petitioner and Fitness First Limited P-9 Section 15 (15.1 to 15.3), page 12 Articles of Association dated 29 June 1995 of Fitness First P-10 Limited, oriqinally Fitness First Group Limited Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name and Re- P-11 Registration of a Private Company as a Public Company dated P-12 23 September 1996 from Fitness First Group Limited to Fitness P-13 First Pic with Company No. 3075946 Certification dated 22 April 2009 on Re-Registration of a Public P-14 Company as a Private Company on 18 August 2003 of Fitness P-14-a First Limited, with Company No. 3075946 P-14-b Special Resolution dated 30 January 2013 of Fitness First P-15 Limited, with Company No. 3075946 P-15-a Articles of Association dated 30 January 2013 of Fitness First P-16 Limited, with Company No. 3075946 P-16-a Residence Certificate dated 10 November 2014 issued by the P-17 UK HM Revenue & Customs Large Business Corporation Tax P-17-a that Fitness First Limited has been a resident of the UK from incorporation on 29 June 1995 P-18 Invoice dated 30 November 2012 issued by Fitness First P-18-a Limited to petitioner for royalties/franchise fees due as stated P-19 The amount of 34,514,922.94 P-19-a The amount of 6 534,221.83 P-20 Invoice dated 31 January 2013 issued by Fitness First Limited P-20-a to petitioner for royalties/franchise fees due as stated P-21 to The amount of 34,712,493.72 Invoice dated 30 April 2013 issued by Fitness First Limited to P-28 petitioner for royalties/franchise fees due as stated The amount of 32,352,721.68 P-29 Invoice dated 31 July 2013 issued by Fitness First Limited to petitioner for royalties/franchise fees due as stated The amount of 34 075 108.24 Invoice dated 30 November 2013 issued by Fitness First Limited to petitioner for royalties/franchise fees due as stated The amount of 9,929,891.79 Invoice dated 31 January 2014 issued by Fitness First Limited to Petitioner for royalties/franchise fees due as stated The amount of 13 840 236.98 Invoice dated 30 April 2014 issued by Fitness First Limited to Petitioner for royalties/franchise fees due as stated The amount of 14 076 510.52 Petitioner's General Ledger and Books of Accounts, including printouts of the Detail Trial Balance for the period November 2012 to April 2014 of the General Ledger Account No. 22341 extracted/downloaded from petitioner's computer accounting system BIR certified computer printout from the SIR's Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) of BIR Form No. 1601-F for Monthly Remittance Return of Final Income Taxes Withheld for November 2012 filed by petitioner (

CTA CASE NO. 8942 Page 11 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION I P-29-a Computation of Tax (Nature of Income Payment-On Other Payments to NRFCs; ATC-WC230; Tax Sase-22,093,359.77; P-29-b P-29-b-1 Tax Rate (%) 30.00; Tax Required to be Withheld- P-30 6,628 007.93 SIR certified computer printout of SIR eFPS Payment Details P-30-a of Petitioner's WF-Monthly Remittance Return of Final Income Tax Withheld for the tax period 30 November 2012 P-30-b "Total Payment (Successful): 6 628,007.93" P-30-b-1 SIR certified computer printout from the SIR's Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) of SIR Form No. 1601-F for P-31 Monthly Remittance Return of Final Income Taxes Withheld for December 2012 filed by petitioner P-31-a Computation of Tax (Nature of Income Payment-On Other Payments to NRFCs; ATC-WC230; Tax Sase-18,955,785.00; P-31-b P-31-b-1 Tax Rate (%) 30.00; Tax Required to be Withheld- P-32 5 686,735.50 SIR certified computer printout of SIR eFPS Payment Details P-32-a of petitioner's WF-Monthly Remittance Return of Final Income Tax Withheld for the tax period 31 December 2012 P-32-b Total Payments (Successful); 5 686,735.50 P-32-b-1 SIR certified computer printout from the SIR's Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) of SIR Form No. 1601-F for P-33 Monthly Remittance Return of Final Income Taxes Withheld for January 2013 filed by petitioner P-33-a Computation of Tax (Nature of Income Payment-On Other Payments to NRFCs; ATC-WC230; Tax Sase-34,712,493.73; Tax Rate (%) 30.00; Tax Required to be Withheld- 10 413,748.12 SIR certified computer printout of SIR eFPS Payment Details of petitioner's WF-Monthly Remittance Return of Final Income Tax Withheld for the tax period 31 January 2013 "Total Payments (Successful); 10 555,783.48" SIR certified computer printout from the SIR's Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) of SIR Form No. 1601-F for Monthly Remittance Return of Final Income Taxes Withheld for April 2013 filed by petitioner Computation of Tax (Nature of Income Payment-On Other Payments to NRFCs; ATC-WC230; Tax Sase-32,352,721.67; Tax Rate (%) 30.00; Tax Required to be Withheld- 9 705,816.50 SIR certified computer printout of SIR eFPS Payment Details of petitioner's WF-Monthly Remittance Return of Final Income Tax Withheld for the tax period 30 April 2013 "Total Payments {Successful)� 9_L849 427.76" SIR certified computer printout from the SIR's Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) of SIR Form No. 1601-F for Monthly Remittance Return of Final Income Taxes Withheld for July 2013 filed by petitioner Computation of Tax (Nature of Income Payment-On Other Payments to NRFCs; ATC-WC230; Tax Sase-34,075,108.23; Tax Rate (%) 30.00; Tax Required to be Withheld- 10,22~532.47 4

CTA CASE NO. 8942 Page 12 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION P-33-b SIR certified computer printout of SIR eFPS Payment Details P-33-b-1 of petitioner's WF-Monthly Remittance Return of Final Income P-34 Tax Withheld for the tax _Qeriod 31 July 2013 P-34-a P-34-b "Total Payments (Successful); 10,374 294.97" P-34-b-1 P-35 SIR certified computer printout from the SIR's Electronic Filing P-35-a and Payment System (eFPS) of SIR Form No. 1601-F for P-35-b Monthly Remittance Return of Final Income Taxes Withheld for P-35-b-1 November 2013 filed by petitioner P-36 Computation of Tax (Nature of Income Payment-On Other P-36-a Payments to NRFCs; ATC-WC230; Tax Sase-9,929,891.77; Tax P-36-b P-36-b-1 Rate (%130.00_;_ Tax Reguired to be Withheld-2,978,967.53 P-37 SIR certified computer printout of SIR eFPS Payment Details P-37-a of petitioner's WF-Monthly Remittance Return of Final Income P-37-b P-38 Tax Withheld for the tax period 30 November 2013 "Total Payments (Successful); 2 978,967.53" SIR certified computer printout from the SIR's Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) of SIR Form No. 1601-F for Monthly Remittance Return of Final Income Taxes Withheld for January 2014 filed by petitioner Computation of Tax (Nature of Income Payment-On Other Payments to NRFCs; ATC-WC230; Tax Sase-13,840,236.97; Tax Rate (%) 30.00; Tax Required to be Withheld- 4,152 071.09 SIR certified computer printout of SIR eFPS Payment Details of petitioner's WF-Monthly Remittance Return of Final Income Tax Withheld for the tax period 31 January 2-014 "Total Payments (Successful): 4,310,656.18 SIR certified computer printout from the SIR's Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) of SIR Form No. 1601-F for Monthly Remittance Return of Final Income Taxes Withheld for April 2014 filed by petitioner I Computation of Tax (Nature of Income Payment-On Other Payments to NRFCs; ATC-WC230; Tax Sase-14,076,510.53; Tax Rate (%) 30.00; Tax Required to be Withheld- 4 222,953.16 SIR certified computer printout of SIR eFPS Payment Details of petitioner's WF-Monthly Remittance Return of Final Income Tax Withheld for the tax period 30 April 2014 "Total Payments (Successful)� 4,431,203.55" SIR certified computer printout from the SIR's Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) of SIR Form No. 1604-CF for Annual Information Return of Income Taxes Withheld on Compensation and Final Withholding Taxes for the year 2012 filed by petitioner Schedule 2 Remittance per SIR Form No. 1601-F for the month of November 2012 (Taxes Withheld and Remitted- 6 628 007. 93) Scheduled 2 Remittance per SIR Form No. 1601-F for the month of December 2012 (Taxes Withheld and Remitted- 5,686, 735.50) SIR certified computer printout from the SIR's Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) of SIR Form No. 1604-CF for Annual Information Return of Income Taxes Withheld on

CTA CASE NO. 8942 Page 13 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION Compensation and Final Withholding Taxes for the year 2013 filed by petitioner P-38-a Schedule 2 Remittance per BIR Form No. 1601-F for the month P-38-b P-38-c of January 2013 (Taxes Withheld and Remitted- P-38-d P-39 10,555 783.48) P-39-a Scheduled 2 Remittance per BIR Form No. 1601-F for the P-39-b P-40 month of April 2013 (Taxes Withheld and Remitted- P-40-a 9,849 427.76) P-41 Scheduled 2 Remittance per BIR Form No. 1601-F for the P-41-a P-41-b month of July 2013 (Taxes Withheld and Remitted- P-41-c P-42 10 374 294.97) P-42-a Scheduled 2 Remittance per BIR Form No. 1601-F for the P-42-b P-43 month of November 2013 (Taxes Withheld and Remitted- 2,978 967.53) BIR certified computer printout from the BIR's Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) of BIR Form No. 1604-CF for Annual Information Return of Income Taxes Withheld on Compensation and Final Withholding Taxes for the year 2014 filed by Petitioner Schedule 2 Remittance per BIR Form No. 1601-F for the month of January 2014 (Taxes Withheld and Remitted-4 310,656.18) Schedule 2 Remittance per BIR Form No. 1601-F for the month of April 2014 (Taxes Withheld and Remitted-4 431,203.55) Convention between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and Capital Gains signed on 10 June 1976 and effective in the Philippines from 01 January 1978 Article 11- Royalties Receiving copy of petitioner's request/claim for refund and/or issuance of TCC dated 31 October 2014 with attached BIR Form No. 1914, among others, with BIR Large Taxpayer District Office rubber stamp received on same date of 31 October 2014 Signature of "Roselle K. Yu, Executive Director, Tax" "Isla Lipana & Co. Team members Joselyn T. Tsang Manager" BIR Large Taxpayers Division-Makati rubber stamp received on 31 October 2014 BIR Form No. 1914 for Application for Tax Credits/Refunds dated 31 October 2014 of petitioner, with BIR Large Taxpayer District Office rubber stamp received on same date of 31 October 2014 Signature of "Roselle K. Yu, for Isla Lipana & Co., Authorized Representative" BIR Large Taxpayers Division-Makati rubber stamp received on 31 October 2014 Receiving copy of the letter request dated 03 November 2014 to amend addressee of the request/claim for refund and/or issuance of TCC and item 6 of BIR Form No. 1914 with attached amended BIR Form No. 1914, with BIR Large Taxpayer District Office rubber stamp received on same date of 03 November 2014 -- ~

CTA CASE NO. 8942 Page 14 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION P-43-a Signature of "Jocelyn T. Tsang, Manager Tax" P-43-b BIR Large Taxpayers Division-Makati rubber stamp received on P-44 03 November 2014 Amended BIR Form No. 1914 for Application for Tax P-44-a Credits/Refunds of Petitioner dated 03 November 2014, with P-44-b BIR Large Taxpayer District Office rubber stamp rreceived on P-45 same date of 03 November 2014 P-45-a Signature of "Jocelyn T. Tsang for Isla Lipana & Co., P-45-b P-45-c Authorized Representative" P-46 BIR Large Taxpayers Division-Makati rubber stamp received on 03 November 2014 P-46-a Receiving copy of petitioner's tax treaty relief application dated P-46-b 03 October 2014 with attached BIR Form No. 0901-R, among P-47 others, with BIR Large Taxpayer District Office rubber stamp received on same date of 03 October 2014 P-48 Signature of "Roselle K. Yu, Executive Director Tax" P-48-a P-49 "Isla Lipana & Co. Team members Joselyn T. Tsang Manager" P-49-a BIR Large Taxpayers Division-Makati rubber stamp received on 03 October 2014 BIR Form No. 0901-R for Tax Treaty Relief Application for Royalty Income of petitioner dated 03 October 2014, with BIR Large Taxpayer District Office rubber stamp received on same date of 03 October 2014 Signature of "Jocelyn T. Tsang for Isla Lipana & Co., Authorized Representative" BIR Large Taxpayers Division-Makati rubber stamp received on 03 October 2014 Certification of Non-Registration of Company dated 09 July 2015 issued by the SEC Company and Monitoring Department that Fitness First Limited is not registered in its records as a corporation or as a partnership Amended Judicial Affidavit dated 18 September 2015 of Maria Rita A. Piquero Signature of Maria Rita A. Piquero Amended Judicial Affidavit dated 30 October 2015 of Jocelyn T. Tsang Signature of Jocelyn T. Tsang Meanwhile, respondent posted a Very Urgent Manifestation45 on May 3, 2016, manifesting that he will no longer be presenting any evidence/witness. Petitioner filed its Memorandum46 on November 7, 2016. Respondent, on the other hand, failed to file his memorandum.47 Thus, 45 Docket, vol. IV, pp. 2110-2111. 46 Docket, vol. IV, pp. 2163-2180. 47 Records Verification dated December 9, 2016, Docket, vol. IV, p. 2181. c.

erA CASE NO. 8942 Page 15 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION in the Resolution dated December 20, 201648, the instant case was declared submitted for decision. The parties stipulated on the following issue49 for resolution of this Court: Whether or not petitioner is entitled to its claim for refund or issuance of tax credit certificate in the amount of P9,001,805.38, representing final withholding taxes erroneously over-remitted to the BIR covering the period from November 2012 to April 2014. Sections 204(C) and 229 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, state the requirements for the recovery of tax erroneously or illegally collected, to wit: "SEC. 204. Authority of the Commissioner to Compromise, Abate and Refund or Credit Taxes. - The Commissioner may - XXX XXX XXX (C) Credit or refund taxes erroneously or illegally received or penalties imposed without authority, refund the value of internal revenue stamps when they are returned in good condition by the purchaser, and, in his discretion, redeem or change unused stamps that have been rendered unfit for use and refund their value upon proof of destruction. No credit or refund of taxes or penalties shall be allowed unless the taxpayer files in writing with the Commissioner a claim for credit or refund within two (2) years after the payment of the tax or penalty: Provided, however, that a return filed showing an overpayment shall be considered as a written claim for credit or refund." (Emphasis supplied) 4B Docket, vol. IV, p. 2184. 49 Statement of the Issue, JSFI, Docket, vol. II, p. 1271. 4

CTA CASE NO. 8942 Page 16 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION "SEC. 229. Recovery of Tax Erroneously or Illegally Collected. - No suit or proceeding shall be maintained in any court for the recovery of any national internal revenue tax hereafter alleged to have been erroneously or illegally assessed or collected, or of any penalty claimed to have been collected without authority, or of any sum alleged to have been excessively or in any manner wrongfully collected, until a claim for refund or credit has been duly filed with the Commissioner; but such suit or proceeding may be maintained, whether or not such tax, penalty, or sum has been paid under protest or duress. In any case, no such suit or proceeding shall be filed after the expiration of two (2) years from the date of payment of the tax or penalty regardless of any supervening cause that may arise after payment: Providect however, That the Commissioner may, even without a written claim therefor, refund or credit any tax, where on the face of the return upon which payment was made, such payment appears clearly to have been erroneously paid." (Emphasis supplied) Pursuant to the above-mentioned provisions, to be entitled to a refund of erroneously or illegally collected tax, the following requisites must be complied with: ( 1) that the tax has been erroneously or illegally collected, or the penalty has been collected without authority, and/or any sum has been excessively or in any manner wrongfully collected; and (2) that the claim for refund or credit has been filed within two years from the date of payment of tax, or penalty, regardless of any supervening cause that may arise after payment. The tax has been erroneously or illegally collected Generally, non-resident foreign corporations are subject to a 30�/o income tax on royalties received from Philippine sources effective January 1, 2009, pursuant to Section 28(8)(1) of the NIRC of 1997, as amended, which states: <

CTA CASE NO. 8942 Page 17 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION "SEC. 28. Rates of Income Tax on Foreign Corporations. - XXX XXX XXX (B) Tax on Nonresident Foreign Corporation.- (1) In General.- Except as otherwise provided in this Code, a foreign corporation not engaged in trade or business in the Philippines shall pay a tax equal to thirty- five percent (35�/o) of the gross income received during each taxable year from all sources within the Philippines, such as interests, dividends, rents, royalties, salaries, premiums (except reinsurance premiums), annuities, emoluments or other fixed or determinable annual, periodic or casual gains, profits and income, and capital gains, except capital gains subject to tax under subparagraphs 5(c): Provided, That effective January 1, 2009, the rate of income tax shall be thirty percent (30�/o)." Notably, however, the foregoing tax imposition may be reduced to the extent required by any treaty obligation binding upon the Philippine government, pursuant to Section 32(B)(5) of the NIRC of 1997, as amended, which states: "SEC. 32. Gross Income. - XXX XXX XXX (B) Exclusions from Gross Income. -The following items shall not be included in gross income and shall be exempt from taxation under this Title: XXX XXX XXX (5) Income Exempt under Treaty. -Income of any kind, to the extent required by any treaty obligation binding upon the Government of the Philippines." r;

CfA CASE NO. 8942 Page 18 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION In this case, petitioner claims that the royalties arising from its Franchise Agreement with Fitness First Limited are entitled to the preferential tax rate of 25�/o on the basis of Article 11 of the RP-UK Tax Treaty. The Court agrees with petitioner's contention. Article 11 of the RP-UK Tax Treaty provides:so "Article 11 Royalties 1. Royalties arising in a Contracting State which are derived and beneficially owned by a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State. 2. Such royalties may also be taxed in the Contracting State in which they arise, and according to the law of that State. However, the tax so charged shall not exceed: (a) 15 percent of the gross amount of the royalties, where the royalties are paid: (i) by an enterprise registered with the Philippine Board of Investments and engaged in preferred areas of activity; or (ii) in respect of cinematographic films or tapes for television or radio broadcasting. (b) in all other cases, 25 percent of the gross amount of the royalties. 50 Exhibit "P-40-a", Docket, vol. IV, pp. 2083-2084. c

CTA CASE NO. 8942 Page 19 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION 3. The term 'royalties' as used in this Article means payment of any kind received as a consideration for the use of, or the right to use, any copyright of literary, artistic or scientific work (including cinematographic films, and films or tapes for radio or television broadcasting), any patent, trademark, design or model, plan, secret formula or process, or for the use of, or the right to use, industrial, commercial or scientific equipment, or for information concerning industrial, commercial or scientific experience." Based on the foregoing treaty provision, the Philippines may tax the royalty payments by a Philippine company to a resident of United Kingdom at a preferential tax rate of (a) 15�/o if the payor is a SOl- registered enterprise and engaged in preferred areas of investments or if said payments are in respect of cinematographic films or tapes for television or radio broadcasting, and (b) 25�/o in all other cases. Accordingly, petitioner qualifies as a resident of the Philippines. It is duly registered with the Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with principal office at 17th Floor SM Aura Premier, 26th Street corner McKinley Parkway, Barangay Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Metro Manila.51 It is also duly registered with the BIR52 and as a domestic corporation it is liable to tax in the Philippines under Section 27 of the NIRC of 1997, as amended. On the other hand, Fitness First Limited qualifies as a resident of United Kingdom as evidenced by the Consularized Tax Residence Certificate issued by the HM Revenue and Customs53, stating that Fitness First Limited has been a resident of the United Kingdom from its incorporation on June 29, 1995; and the Certificate of Non- Registration of Fitness First Limited issued by the Philippines SEC54� By virtue of the Franchise Agreement55 between petitioner (Franchisee) and Fitness First Limited (Franchisor), petitioner- 51 Exhibits "P-1" to "P-4", Docket, vol. IV, pp. 1892-1931; Exhibit "P-4-a", Third Article, Docket, vol. IV, p. 1935. 52 Exhibit "P-6", Docket, vol. IV, p. 1945. 53 Exhibit "P-13", Docket, vol. IV, pp. 2028-2031. 54 Exhibit "P-47", Docket, vol. IV, p. 2108. 55 Exhibit "P-7", Clause 2, Docket, vol. IV, p. 1953. c

CTA CASE NO. 8942 Page 20 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION Franchisee was granted the license to operate the Business under Franchisor's Trademark and the right to use its Proprietary Rights. The remuneration thereof constitutes royalties, as defined in paragraph 3 of the afore-quoted Article 11 of the RP-UK Treaty. Fitness First Limited, being the Franchisor, is the beneficial owner of the accrued royalties, and necessarily has the full right to use and enjoy and benefit from the said income. Considering that petitioner is not a SOl-registered enterprise engaged in preferred areas of investment, and that the royalties accrued are not in respect of cinematographic films or tapes for television or radio broadcasting, the subject royalties are entitled to the preferential tax rate of 25�/o pursuant to Article 11(2)(b) of the RP- UK Tax Treaty. Having established that the 25�/o preferential tax rate on royalties under the RP-UK Tax Treaty is applicable, petitioner must now prove that it actually withheld and remitted 30�/o FWT resulting in erroneous over-remittance of taxes. Records show that pursuant to the Franchise Agreement, Fitness First Limited issued invoices to petitioner for the royalties/franchise fees in the total amount of P180,036,107.70, broken down below, which were recorded in petitioner's books as per the Detail Trial Balance of General Ledger (G/L) Account No. 2234156 for the period November 2012 to April 2014: Exhibit Invoice Ref. No. Date Amount (Invoice}57 p 34 514 922.94 RB1165 Nov. 30, 2012 P-14-a 6,534 221.83 P-14-b RB1185 Jan. 31 2013 34 712 493.72 P-15-a RB1165 Apr. 30 2013 32,352 721.68 P-16-a RB1205 Jul. 31, 2013 34 075 108.24 P-17-a RB1215 Nov. 30, 2013 P-18-a RB1225 Jan. 31 2014 9 929 891.79 P-19-a RB1235 Apr. 30, 2014 13 840 236.98 P-20-a Total 14 076 510.52 P180,036, 107.70 56 Exhibit "P-21", Docket, vol. IV, p. 2042. 57 Docket, vol. IV, pp. 2035-2041. ~

CTA CASE NO. 8942 Page 21 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION To prove the fact of withholding and remittance of the 30�/o FWT, petitioner submitted its Monthly Remittance Returns of Final Income Taxes Withheld (BIR Forms No. 1601-F), together with the eFPS Payment Details58, and Annual Information Returns of Income Taxes Withheld on Compensation and Final Withholding Taxes (BIR Forms No. 1604-CF)59, which were all certified by the BIR. A perusal of the said documents shows that petitioner withheld 30�/o FWT in the amount of P54,010,832.30 from its accrued royalties of P180,036,107.67 for the period November 2012 to April 2014 and remitted the same to the BIR. The details of the remittances are as follows: Exhibit5� Period Date of Remittance Tax Base 30�/o FWT I P-29 to P-29-b-1 Covered (per Payment Details) (Royalties) P-30 to P-30-b-1 p 22 093,359.77 remitted P-31 to P-31-b-1 November 2012 December 10, 2012 p 6,628,007.93 P-32 to P-32-b-1 18_L955 785.00 P-33 to P-33-b-1 December 2012 January 09L 2013 34 712,493.73 5,686,735.50 ' P-34 to P-34-b-1 32 352 721.67 10,413,748.12 P-35 to P-35-b-1 January 2013 February 08, 2013 34 075,108.23 9,705,816.50 P-36 to P-36-b-1 10,222 532.47 April 2013 May 09, 2013 9 929,891.77 --�----------- 13 840,236.97 2,978,967.53 July_2013 Au_gust 14, 2013 14 076,510.53 4,152 071.09 P180,036,107 .67 4 222 953.16 November 2013 December 09, 2013 PS4,010,832.30 January 2014 February 10, 2014 April 2014 May 08, 2014 L__ _______n,_ta_l __ ------ Save for a minimal discrepancy of P.03, the total amount of royalties per returns tallied with the total amount of royalties per invoices issued by Fitness First Limited. However, it was observed that although the invoices issued during November 2012 consisted of the amounts of P34,514,922.94 and P6,534,221.8361 (or a total of P41,049,144.77), petitioner separately withheld from the amounts of P22,093,359.77 and P18,955,785.00 (or a total of P41,049,144.77) in December 2012 and January 2013, respectively. Per its Detail Trial Balance of G/L Account No. 2234162, royalties in the amounts of P6,534,221.83 and P15,559,137.92 (or a total of 58 Exhibits "P-29" to "P-36-b", Docket, vol. IV, pp. 2050-2065. 59 Exhibits "P-37" to "P-39-b", Docket, vol. IV, pp. 2066-2071. 60 Docket, vol. IV, pp. 2050-2065. 61 Exhibits "P-14-a" and "P-14-b", Docket, vol. IV, p. 2035. 62 Exhibit "P-21", Docket, vol. IV, p. 2042. ~

CTA CASE NO. 8942 Page 22 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION P22,093,359.75) were recorded in November 2012. In December 2012, a correction was made reversing the amount of P15,559,137.92 and royalty in the amount of P34,514,922.94 was also recorded. Consequently, the 30�/o FWT was withheld in December 2012 from the total amount of P22,093,359.7563 recorded in November 2012. As to the royalty subjected to FWT in January 2013, instead of subjecting the recorded royalty of P34,514,922.94 to 30�/o, petitioner offset the reversed amount of P15,559,137.92, which was already subjected to FWT in the prior month, hence, the 30�/o FWT was withheld from the net amount of P18,955,785.0264 (P34,514,922.94 less P15,559,137.92). Nonetheless, petitioner indeed subjected the royalties of P180,036, 107.67 to 30�/o FWT, and these were properly remitted to the BIR. In sum, since petitioner is entitled to the preferential tax rate of 25�/o on royalties accrued for the period November 2012 to April 2014 pursuant to the RP-UK Tax Treaty but petitioner withheld and remitted to the BIR 30�/o FWT on the said royalties, there is an over-remittance of the 5�/o difference in tax rates, equivalent to P9,001,805.38, as shown below: November 2012 (A) (B) (C) Over- December 2012 Royalties remittance January 2013 accrued FWT remitted 250/o FWT due p 22/093 359.75 (A X 25%) (B-C) April 2013 18,955 785.02 p 6/628,007.93 July 2013 34,712 493.73 5,686,735.50 p 5,523 339.94 p 1,1041667.99 November 2013 32,352 721.67 10,413,748.12 4,738 946.26 947,789.24 January 2014 9,705,816.50 April 2014 34,075,108.23 10,222,532.47 8,678 123.43 1,735 624.69 9,929 891.77 2,978,967.53 Total 13,840 236.97 4,152 071.09 8 088 180.42 1,617 636.08 14,076 510.53 4,222 953.16 -- P180,036,107 .67 8,518 777.06 1,703 755.41 PS4,010,832.30 2 482 472.94 496 494.59 3 460 059.24 692 011.85 3 519 127.63 703 825.53 P45,009,026.92 P9,001,805.38 The claim for refund was filed within two years from date of payment oftax 63 With a discrepancy of .02, which may be due to rounding. 64 With a discrepancy of .02, which may be due to rounding. -~

CTA CASE NO. 8942 Page 23 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION The Supreme Court has consistently ruled that a claim for refund or credit with the BIR and the subsequent appeal to this Court must be filed within two (2) years from the date of payment of the tax.65 Recently, in the case of Commissioner of Internal Revenue vs. Goodyear Philippines, Inc.66, the Supreme Court held that Section 229 of the NIRC of 1997, as amended, states that judicial claims for refund must be filed within two (2) years from the date of payment of the tax or penalty, providing further that the same may not be maintained until a claim for refund or credit has been duly filed with the Commissioner of Internal Revenue. Based on the records of the case, petitioner paid and remitted to the BIR the FWf on the first royalty accrual on December 10, 201267 � Counting two years from the said date, petitioner had until December 10, 2014, at the earliest, within which to file its claim both in the administrative and judicial levels. Clearly, petitioner's original administrative claim68 filed on October 31, 2014, which was amended on November 3, 201469 and the subsequent appeal before this Court filed on December 1, 2014 were within the two-year period prescribed by law. In fine, petitioner has sufficiently proven its entitlement to a refund or issuance of TCC in the amount of P9,001,805.38, representing the FWf it erroneously over-remitted to the BIR covering the period November 2012 to April 2014. It thus behooves the government to refund what it erroneously collected. To borrow from Commissioner of Internal Revenue vs. Fortune Tobacco Corporatiori'0, if the state expects taxpayers to observe fairness and honesty in paying their taxes, it must hold itself 65 Commissioner of Internal Revenue vs. Victorias Milling Co./ Inc. and The Court of Tax Appeals, G.R. No. L-24108, January 3, 1968; Collector ofInternal Revenue vs. J. N. Sweeney, A. 0. Baigrie/ and Ramon Burgas, G.R. No. L-12178, August 21, 1959; P.J. Kiener Company, Ltd. vs. Saturnino David, G.R. No. L-5163, April 22, 1953. 66 G.R. No. 216130, August 3, 2016. 67 Exhibit "P-29-b-1", Docket, vol. IV, p. 2051. 68 Exhibits "P-41" to "P-42", Docket, vol. IV, pp. 2095-2099. 69 Exhibits "P-43" to "P-44", Docket, vol. IV, pp. 2100-2102. 70 G.R. Nos. 167274-75, July 21, 2008. <

CTA CASE NO. 8942 Page 24 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION against the same standard in refunding erroneous exactions and payment of such taxes. 71 Based on the foregoing premises, the instant Petition for Review is GRANTED. Petitioner is entitled to a REFUND or a TAX CREDIT CERTIFICATE in the amount of P9,001,805.38, representing the FWT it erroneously withheld on the royalties accrued for the benefit of Fitness First Limited for the period covering November 2012 to April 2014. However, on November 2, 2017, petitioner had filed a "Manifestation with Motion to Withdraw Petition". Petitioner claimed that it received a check in the amount P9,001,805.38, corresponding to the herein claimed refund. Thus, petitioner claimed that the instant petition has become moot and now moves for the withdrawal of the instant petition. When the case is deemed submitted for resolution, withdrawal of appeals made after the filing of the appellee's brief may still be allowed in the discretion of the Court.72 This case was considered submitted for decision on December 20, 2016. Thus, petitioner can no longer withdraw its appeal as a matter of right and the grant of the instant Motion now rests on the sound discretion of this Court. Taking into consideration the Court's disquisition finding merit in the petition which entitled petitioner to a refund or a tax credit certificate in the amount of P9,001,805.38 and petitioner's manifestation that a check in the amount of P9,001,805.38, corresponding to the present claim for refund of over-remitted final withholding taxes for the period November 2012 to April 14, 2014 has been deposited and credited to petitioner's bank account, the petition is rendered moot. WHEREFORE, in view of the foregoing considerations, the Petition for Review docketed as CTA Case No. 8942 is deemed WITHDRAWN, and the case is hereby declared CLOSED and TERMINATED. 71 Commissioner of Internal Revenue and Commissioner of Customs vs. Philippine Airlines, Inc., G.R. No. 212536-37, August 27, 2014. 72 Commissioner of Internal Revenue vs. Nippon Express {Ph its.) Corporation, G.R. No. 212920, September 16, 2015. ~

CTA CASE NO. 8942 Page 25 of 25 FITNESS FIRST PHIL. INC. vs. CIR DECISION SO ORDERED. G.tttN, M~~-6'~ WE CONCUR: CIELITO N. MINDARO-GRULLA Associate Justice OSARIO ER~.�UY Presiding Justice Associate Justice CERTIFICATION Pursuant to Article VIII, Section 13 of the Constitution, it is hereby certified that the conclusions in the above Decision were reached in consultation before the case was assigned to the writer of the opinion of the Court's Division. ROMAN G. DEL ROSARIO Presiding Justice Chairperson, 1st Division