Module 01 Fundamrental Principles of Taxation
Module 01 Fundamrental Principles of Taxation
Lesson Number : 1
Topic: Fundamental Principles of Taxation
Instructor :Prof. Rosario A. Calamba, CPA, MBM, PhD Cand.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
2. Explain the definition of taxation and its necessity for every government;
8. Identify the different methods of escapingfrom taxation and explain the effects
1. TAXATION
2.
LESSON PRESENTATION
These rights dubbed as “powers” are natural, inseparable and inherent to every
government. No government can sustain or effectively operate without these powers.
Therefore, the exercise of these powers by the government is presumed understood
and acknowledged by the people from the very moment they establish their
government.
Taxation
This is the power of the State to enforce proportional contribution from its subjects to
sustain itself.
Police Power
This is the inherent power of a sovereign state to legislate for the protection of the
health, general welfare, safety and morals of the public. It involves the power to
regulate both liberty and property for the promotion of the public good.
The police power of the State may be exercised through taxation because taxes may
be levied for the promotion of the welfare of the public.
Eminent Domain
This is the power of the State to take private property for public use after paying just
compensation. This is synonymous to expropriation.
3. ImposeBurdens
The imposition of taxes to individuals, objects or privileges normally would
causea financial burden to thetaxpayer.
4. Subjects andObjects
Different subjects may be considered in the levying of taxes. Common are those
taxes on individuals, properties and privileges. Taxation serves as a mode by
which the state allocate its costs to its subjects who are benefited by its spending.
6. Purpose of RaisingRevenues
Taxes are the main source of funds which the state needs to conduct its public
services. Though the government also receives inflows from other sources, taxes
generate the most to fund said services.
7. Carry Out theFunctions
The government is the one responsible for the various public services like
educationand health. In the conduct of said services, the government needs
taxation to defray thecosts associated to saidservices.
Purposes of Taxation
The exercise of the power of taxation may be classified as to its purpose.
Revenue or Fiscal
The primary purpose of taxation on the part of the government is to provide funds or
property with which to promote the general welfare and the protection of its citizens
and to enable it to finance its multifarious activities.
Non-Revenue or Regulatory
Taxation may also be employed for purposes of regulation or control, e.g., imposition
of tariffs on imported goods to protect local industries, the adoption of progressively
higher tax rates to reduce inequalities in wealth and income and the increase or
decrease of taxes to prevent inflation or ward off depression.
Basis of Taxation
The basis of taxation is found in the reciprocal duties of protection and support between the
State and its inhabitants. In return for his contribution, the taxpayer receives benefits and
protection from the government. In short, both the government and the people receive
mutuality of benefits.
Benefit Received Theory
This theory bases the power of the State to demand and receive taxes on the reciprocal
duties of support and protection. The citizen supports the State by paying the portion
from his property that is demanded in order that he may, by means thereof, be secured
in the enjoyment of the benefits of an organized society. Thus, the taxpayer cannot
question the validity of the tax law on the ground that payment of such tax will render
him impoverished, or lessen his financial or social standing, because the obligation to
pay taxes is involuntary and compulsory, in exchange for the protection and benefits
one receives from the government.
In return for his contribution, the taxpayer receives the general advantages and
protection which the government affords the taxpayer and his property. One is
compensation or consideration for the other; protection for support and support for
protection.
However, it does not mean that only those who are able to and do pay taxes can enjoy
the privileges and protection given to a citizen by the government.
Lifeblood Doctrine:
Taxes are the lifeblood of the government and should be collected without necessary
hindrance. They are what we pay for a civilized society. Without taxes, the government
would be paralyzed for lack of motive power to activate and operate it. The
government, for its part, is expected to respond in the form of tangible and intangible
benefits intended to improve the lives of the people and enhance their moral and
material values. Taxes are the lifeblood of the government and their prompt and certain
availability is an imperious need. Put simply, taxes are needed by the government to
carry out its functions.
Taxes are the lifeblood of the economy and can be obtained without any hindrance.
They're what we're paying for a civilized world. Without revenue, the economy will be
paralyzed for lack of motivating force to enable and run it. The Government, for its
part, is required to react in the form of tangible and intangible incentives designed to
better people's lives and promote their spiritual and material values. Taxes are the
lifeblood of the economy, and their timely and certain availability is an imperative
necessity. Simply put, the government requires taxation to carry out its duties.
Holme’s Doctrine
“Taxation power is not the power to destroy while the court sits.” Taxation power may
be used to build or encourage beneficial activities or industries by the grant of tax
incentives.
Non-Compensation or Set-Off
Taxes are not subject to automatic set-off or compensation. The taxpayer cannot delay payment
of tax to wait for the resolution of a lawsuit involving the pending claim against the
government. Tax is not a debt; hence, it is not subject to set-off.
Exceptions:
a. Where the taxpayer’s claim has already become due and demandable such
aswhen the government already recognized the same and an appropriation
for refund was made
b. Cases of obvious overpayment oftaxes
c. Local taxes
Non-Assignment of Taxes
Tax obligations cannot be transferred to another entity by contract. Contracts executed by
the taxpayer to such effect shall not hinder the government to collect taxes.
Imprescriptibility in Taxation
The government’s right to collect taxes does not prescribe unless the law itself provides.
In the Philippines, tax prescribes if not collected within 5 years from the date of its
assessment. In the absence of an assessment, tax prescribes if not collected within 3
yearsfrom the date the return is required to be filed. However, taxes due from
taxpayers who did not file a return or those who filed a fraudulent returnsdo not
prescribe.
Doctrine of Estoppel
The error of any government employee does not bind the government. It is held that
theneglect or omission of government officials entrusted with the collection of taxes
should not be allowed to bring harm or detriment to the interest of thepeople.
Judicial Non-Interference
Generally, courts are not allowed to issue injunction against the government’s pursuit
tocollect tax as this would unnecessarily defer taxcollection.
SCOPE OF TAXATION
The power of taxation is themost absolute of all powers of the government. It has
thebroadest scope of all the powers of government because in the absence of
limitations, it is considered as comprehensive, unlimited, plenary andsupreme.
However, the power of taxation should be exercised with caution to minimize injury to
the proprietary rights of the taxpayer. It must be exercised fairly, equally, and
uniformly, lest the tax collector kill “the hen that lays the golden egg”.
LIMITATIONS OF TAXATION
Despite the un-seemingly unlimited nature of taxation, it is not absolutely unlimited. Taxation
has its own inherent limitations and limitations imposed by the Constitution.
Inherent Limitations
Territoriality
Public services are normally provided within the boundaries of the State, thus, tax can
be imposed only within its territories. It cannot tax outside because foreigners do not
derive benefits from our government. The Philippines would not tax objects from
foreign States as this would amount to encroachment of foreign sovereignty.
International Comity
This pertains to mutual courtesy or reciprocity between states. When a state enters into
treaties with other states, it is bound to honor the agreements as a matter of mutual
courtesy and in case such treaties are in conflict with local laws, the treaties are given
primacy.
Public Purpose
Proceeds from the collection of tax is intended for the common good, thus, tax must be
exercised absolutely for public purpose and cannot be exercised to further any private
interest.
Constitutional Limitations
As the power of taxation is inherent to every state, there is no need for an express stipulation of
law for the State to exercise it. In fact, the Constitution only tackles the power of taxation by
imposing limitations on its exercise.
A common example of this would be the Congress cannot exempt sellers of “balot”
while subjecting sellers of “penoy” to tax since they are essentially the same goods.
Uniformity Rule
Taxpayers under dissimilar circumstances should not be taxed the same. Taxpayers
should be classified according to commonality in attributes. Each class is taxed
differently but taxpayers falling under the same class are taxed the same.
Progressive System
In a progressive system, tax rates increase as the tax base increases . This is consistent
with the ability to pay theory. Moreover, the progressive system aids in an equitable
distribution of wealth to society by taxing the rich more than the poor.
Non-appropriation of public funds or property for the benefit of any church, sect, or
systemof religion
This constitutional limitation is intended to highlight the separation of the church and
the state. To support freedom of religion, the government should not favor any
particular system of religion by appropriating public funds or property in support
thereof.
Appropriations, revenue and tariff bills shall originate exclusively from the
Houseof Representatives
Tax Laws should emanate from the House of Representatives, however, the
Senate may propose tax laws and may concur amendment.
Each LGU shall exercise the power to create its own sources of revenue and shall
have ajustshare in the nationaltaxes
This is a constitutional recognition of the local autonomy of LGUs and an express
delegation of taxing power.
SITUS OF TAXATION
Situs is the place of taxation. It is the tax jurisdiction that has the power to levy taxes
upon the tax object. Situs rules serves as frames of reference in gauging whether the tax
object is within or outside the tax jurisdiction of the taxing authority.
Other situs rules may be followed depending on the kind of tax being imposed.
Nash E. Mulan, a Chinese national, resides in Sampaloc, Manila. He has the following
endeavors:
He has a car dealership business in Macau and a restaurant operation in QuezonCity.
He renders consultancy services in the main office of a domesticcompany.
He casually sells jewelry stored in Pasay City. During his trip to Palawan, he agreedto
Kim Bong-Un to sell a piece of necklace. They stipulated that it will be delivered in
Pyongyang a weeklater.
Mr. Mulan owns a hectare parcel of land in Chonburi,Thailand.
The Philippine government can only impose business taxes upon Mr. Mulan relating to his
restaurant operation since it is within the territory of the country. Income tax on his consultancy
services may also be collected since it is rendered within the Philippines considering it is a domestic
company.
Regarding the sale of necklace to Kim Bong-Un, the Philippine government can tax the gain from
said sale since the sale was perfected in Palawan. The stipulation of delivery in North Korea is not
considered in this case. No local government unit in the Philippines can impose a real property tax on
the parcel of land owned by Nash since it is found in Thailand. Mr. Mulan, being a resident of the
country, shall be subject to personal tax, notwithstanding his Chinese nationality.
DOUBLE TAXATION
Double Taxation can be either direct or indirect. For a double taxation to be considereddirect,
all of the following characteristics shouldconcur:
The state taxes the income of self-employed individuals at 10% of its monthly gross receipts. In
addition, it also imposes a 2% annual income tax on the annual gross receipts.
In this case, self-employed individuals are burdened by paying the monthly and annual
income tax based on their gross receipts (the annual totaling all monthly gross receipts). It
was imposed by the same taxing authority within the same jurisdiction, with the same
purpose of taxing the income for the same period.
The absence of one or more of the given circumstances does not constitute direct
double taxation, thus, classifying it as an indirect double taxation.
Constitutionality of Double Taxation:
The Philippine Constitution does not prohibit double taxation. However, while it is
not forbidden, it is something not favored. Such taxation should, whenever possible,
be avoided and prevented. In addition ,where there is direct double taxation, there
may be a violation of the constitutional precepts of equal protection and uniformity in
taxation.
Tax Avoidance
Also known as tax minimization, refers to any act or trick that reduces or totally escapes
taxes by any legally permissible means.
To further illustrate the difference between tax evasion and tax avoidance, refer to the
table below.
Tax Exemption
Also known as tax holiday, refers to immunity, privilege or freedom from being subject to a
tax which, others are subject to.
Shifting
This is the process of transferring the tax burden to other taxpayers.
Capitalization
This pertains to the adjustment of the value of an asset caused by changes in tax rates.
Transformation
This pertains to the elimination of wastes and losses by the taxpayer to form savings to
compensate for the tax imposition or increase in taxes.
GENERALIZATION:
This module discusses the general principles in Taxation that comprises its
definition, the inherent power of the State, the purposes of taxation, its theory and
basis. It includes essential elements of tax, the different theory of taxation, situs of
taxation, its nature and characteristics as well as its limitations.
APPLICATION:
1. Illustrate the three (3) inherent powers of the State by way of an
example.
a. Taxation power
b. Police power
c. Power of Eminent Domain
2. Situational:
The Congress, after much public hearing and consultations with
various sectors of society, came to the conclusion that it will be good for
the country to have only one system of taxation by centralizing the
imposition and collection of all taxes in the national government.
Accordingly, it is thinking of passing a law that would abolish the
taxing power of all local government units. Would such law be valid
under the present Constitution?
ACTIVITY/EVALUATION
TRUE OR FALSE
Determine whether the following statements are true or false. Write your answers on the
space provided for.
IDENTIFICATION
1. Though the Senate is part of the Philippine Congress, tax bills
Identify the terminologies best described by the following statements.
cannot originate fromit.
1. The enforced proportional contributions from persons and property
2. The primary purpose of taxation is to raise revenues of the
levied by the lawmaking body of theState
government in order to defray its expenses on its performance of
2. The power of the State to take private property for public use after
publicgoods.
paying just compensation
3. The basis of taxation is the government’s necessity forfunding .
3. This refers to any act or trick that tends to illegally reduce or
MULTIPLE4.CHOICETax laws are generally retrospective in application, meaning,
avoidfrom
answer the payment
Choose the best application thewhich oftax
choicesstarts
provided.
of when the statute isenacted.
1. A tax4. This
must pertains
be imposed to the elimination
for public of wastes andoflosses by the taxpayer
is notto to
5. The Marshall Doctrine states purposes. Which
that the power the
to tax is following
not the power
Formsavings to compensate for the tax imposition or increase in taxes
a public purpose?
destroy while the courtsits.
a. Procurement of armyweapons
6. The administrative act of taxation is primarily the duty of the
b. Construction
Bureau of InternalRevenue.centers for drugaddicts
of rehabilitation
c. Construction of a satellite
7. The police power of the for a telcocompany
State may be exercised through taxation
d. Expenses
because taxes may be levied forvisits
on the President’s state to othercountries
the promotion of the welfare of
thepublic
2. Persons or things belonging to the same class shall be taxed at the samerate
8. A person cannot be imprisoned for non-payment oftax.
a. Simplicity intaxation
b. Equality in taxation
c. Reciprocity intaxation
d. Uniformity in taxation
Sweet, a sugar planter, files a suit questioning the constitutionality of the law
alleging that the tax is not for a public purpose as the same is being levied
exclusively for the aid and support of the sugar industry.
One of Wakanda’s officials, Senator Jack A. Moon, questioned the internal revenue
office on its issuance indicating that it was not moral for it to run after online
businesses and impose taxes on their income, more so that they are normally
conducting such endeavors for mere subsistence.
Is the senator’s contention tenable?
LIMITATIONS
Identify the source of the limitation on the power of taxation. Write C if it is constitutional, I
if it is inherent, B if it is both constitutional and inherent and N if it is not a limitation.
1. Taxes collected must be used for publicpurposes
2. Taxes can only be imposed within the territory of theState
3. Taxes cannot beassigned
4. Tax treaties entered into with other contracting States must behonored
5. Imprisonment for non-payment of incometax
6. Non-delegation of the taxingpower
7. Exemption from taxes of the revenues and assets of religious,
charitable or educational entities, nonprofit cemeteries, churches
andmosques
8. No arbitrariness in assessment and collection oftaxes
REFERENCES:
Income Taxation with Special Topics and Properly Filled BIR
Forms, 2020 Edition - Enrico D. Tabag, CPA, MBA & Earl Jimson
R. Garcia, CPA, MBA