Seventeenth Congress Third Regular Session
Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-third day of July, two thousand eighteen.
REPUBLIC ACT No. 11213
An Act Enhancing Revenue Administration and Collection by Granting an Amnesty on All Unpaid Internal Revenue Taxes Imposed by the National Government for Taxable Year 2017 and Prior Years with Respect to Estate Tax, Other Internal Revenue Taxes, and Tax on Delinquencies
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress Assembled:
TITLE I PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
Section 1. Short Title
This Act shall be known as the "Tax Amnesty Act".
Section 2. Declaration of Policy
It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect and enhance revenue administration and collection, and make the countrys tax system more equitable, by simplifying the tax compliance requirements. Towards this end, the State shall:
Section 3. Definition of Terms
As used in this Act:
Section 4. Coverage
There is hereby authorized and granted a tax amnesty, hereinafter called Estate Tax Amnesty, which shall cover the estate of decedents who died on or before December 31, 2017, with or without assessments duly issued therefor, whose estate taxes have remained unpaid or have accrued as of December 31, 2017: Provided, however, That the Estate Tax Amnesty hereby authorized and granted shall not cover instances enumerated under Section 9 hereof.
Section 5. Entitlement Under Estate Tax Amnesty
Except for instances covered by Section 9 hereof, the estate may enjoy the immunities and privileges of the Estate Tax Amnesty and pay an estate amnesty tax at the rate of six percent (6%) based on the decedents total net estate at the time of death: Provided, That if an estate tax return was previously filed with the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the estate tax rate of six percent (6%) shall be based on net undeclared estate. The provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, or the applicable estate tax laws prevailing at the time of death of the decedent, on valuation, manner of computation, and other related matters shall apply suppletorily, at the time of the entitlement: Provided, further, That if the allowable deductions applicable at the time of death of the decedent exceed the value of the gross estate, the heirs, executors, or administrators may avail of the benefits of tax amnesty under Title II of this Act, and pay the minimum estate amnesty tax of Five thousand pesos (₱5,000).
Section 6. Availment of the Estate Tax Amnesty; When and Where to File and Pay
The executor or administrator of the estate, or if there is no executor or administrator appointed, the legal heirs, transferees or beneficiaries, who wish to avail of the Estate Tax Amnesty shall, within two (2) years from the effectivity of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act, file with the Revenue District Office of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, which has jurisdiction over the last residence of the decedent, a sworn Estate Tax Amnesty Return, in such forms as may be prescribed in the Implementing Rules and Regulations. The payment of the amnesty tax shall be made at the time the Return is filed: Provided, That for nonresident decedents, the Estate Tax Amnesty Return shall be filed and the corresponding amnesty tax be paid at Revenue District Office No. 39, or any other Revenue District Office which shall be indicated in the Implementing Rules and Regulations:
Provided, further, That if the estate involved has properties which are still in the name of another decedent or donor, the present holder, heirs, executors or administrators thereof shall only file one (1) Estate Tax Amnesty Return and pay the corresponding estate amnesty tax thereon based on the total net estate at the time of death of the last decedent covering all accrued taxes under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, arising from the transfer of such estate from all prior decedents or donors through which the property or properties comprising the estate shall pass:
Provided, furthermore, That the appropriate Revenue District Officer shall issue and endorse an acceptance payment form, in such form as may be prescribed in the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act for the authorized agent bank, or in the absence thereof, the revenue collection agent or municipal treasurer concerned, to accept the tax amnesty payment. Proof of settlement of the estate, whether judicial or extrajudicial, shall likewise be attached to said Return in order to verify the mode of transfer and the proper recipients:
Provided, finally, That the avaiiment of the Estate Tax Amnesty and the issuance of the corresponding Acceptance Payment Form do not imply any admission of criminal, civil or administrative liability on the part of the availing estate.
Section 7. Presumption of Correctness of the Estate Tax Amnesty Returns
The Estate Tax Amnesty Returns shall be conclusively presumed as true, correct, and final upon filing thereof, and shall be deemed complete upon full payment of the amount due.
The Acceptance Payment Form, and the Estate Tax Amnesty Return shall be submitted to the Revenue District Office after complete payment. The completion of these requirements shall be deemed full compliance with the provisions of this Act. A Certificate of Avaiiment of the Estate Tax Amnesty shall be issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue within fifteen (15) calendar days from submission to the Bureau of Internal Revenue of the Acceptance Payment Form and the Estate Tax Amnesty Return. Otherwise, the duplicate copies of the Acceptance Payment Form, stamped as received, and the Estate Tax Amnesty Return shall be deemed as sufficient proof of avaiiment.
Section 8. Immunities and Privileges
Estates covered by the Estate Tax Amnesty, which have fully complied with all the conditions set forth in this Act, including the payment of the estate amnesty tax shall be immune from the payment of all estate taxes, as well as any increments and additions thereto, arising from the failure to pay any and all estate taxes for taxable year 2017 and prior years, and from all appurtenant civil, criminal, and administrative cases and penalties under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.
Without prejudice to compliance with applicable laws on succession as a mode of transfer, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, in coordination with the applicable regulatory agencies, shall set up a system enabling the transfer of title over properties to heirs and/or beneficiaries and cash withdrawals from the bank accounts of the decedent, -when applicable.
Upon full compliance with all the conditions set forth in this Title and payment of the corresponding estate amnesty tax, the tax amnesty granted under this Title shall become final and irrevocable.
Section 9. Exceptions
The Estate Tax Amnesty under Title II of this Act shall not extend to estate tax cases which shall have become final and executory and to properties involved in cases pending in appropriate courts:
Section 10. Coverage
There is hereby authorized and granted a tax amnesty, hereinafter called General Tax Amnesty, which, shall cover all national internal revenue taxes such as, but not limited to, income tax, withholding tax, capital gains tax. donors tax, value-added tax, other percentage taxes, excise tax and documentary stamp tax collected by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, including value-added tax and excise taxes collected by the Bureau of Customs for taxable year 2017 and prior years, with or without assessments duly issued therefor, that have remained unpaid: Provided, however, That the General Tax Amnesty hereby authorized and granted shall not cover persons or cases enumerated under Section 16 and Title IV hereof.
Section 11. Entitlement Under the General Tax Amnesty
Except for the instances covered in Section 16 hereof, any person, whether natural or juridical, may enjoy the immunities and privileges of the General Tax Amnesty by paying, at the taxpayers option, an amnesty tax at:
Section 12. Availment of the General Tax Amnesty; When and. Where to File and Pay
Any person, natural or juridical, who wishes to avail of the General Tax Amnesty shall, within one (1) year from the effectivity of the Implementing Rules and Regulations, file with the appropriate office of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, which has jurisdiction over the taxpayer, a sworn General Tax Amnesty Return accompanied by a notarized Statement of Total Assets or notarized Statement of Asssets, Liabilities, and Networth, as the case maybe, as of December 31, 2017. The payment of the amnesty tax shall be made at the time the Return is filed:
Provided, That the Revenue District Officer shall issue and endorse an Acceptance Payment Form, in such form as may be prescribed in the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act authorizing the authorized agent bank, or in the absence thereof, the revenue collection agent or municipal treasurer concerned, to accept the amnesty tax payment:
Provided, further, That the availment of the General Tax Amnesty and the issuance of the corresponding Acceptance Payment Form do not imply any admission of criminal, civil or administrative liability on the part of the availing taxpayer:
Provided, furthermore, That if the tax amnesty is availed based on the period indicated hereunder, the taxpayer shall be entitled to the corresponding reduction in the total amnesty tax due:
Section 13
Contents of the Statement of Total Assets and. Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Networth. -
Section 14
Presumption of Correctness of the Statement of Total Assets, and Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Networth. - The Statement of Total Assets or the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Networth, filed at the option of the taxpayer, shall be conclusively presumed as true, correct, and final upon filing thereof, and shall be deemed complete upon full payment of the amount due.
The Acceptance Payment Form, and the General Tax Amnesty Return shall be submitted to the Revenue District Office after complete payment. The completion of these requirements shall be deemed full compliance with the provisions of this Act. A Certificate of Availment of the General Tax Amnesty shall be issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue within fifteen (15) calendar days from submission to the Bureau of Internal Revenue of the Acceptance Payment Form and the General Tax Amnesty Return. Otherwise, the duplicate copies, stamped as received, of the Acceptance Payment Form, and the General Tax Amnesty Return shall be deemed as sufficient proof of availment.
Section 15. Immunities and Privileges
Those who avail of the General Tax Amnesty and have fully complied with all the conditions set forth in this Act and upon payment of the amnesty tax shall be entitled to the following immunities and privileges:
Upon full compliance with all the conditions set forth in this Title and payment of the corresponding general amnesty tax, the tax amnesty granted under this Title shall become final and irrevocable.
Section 16. Exceptions
The General Tax Amnesty under this Act shall not extend to the following:
Section 17. Coverage
There is hereby authorized and granted a tax amnesty herein called the Tax Amnesty on Delinquencies, which shall cover all national internal revenue taxes such as, but not limited to, income tax, withholding tax, capital gains tax, donors tax, value-added tax, other percentage taxes, excise tax and documentary stamp tax collected by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, including value-added tax and excise taxes collected by the Bureau of Customs for taxable year 2017 and prior years.
For purposes of this Act, the Tax Amnesty on Delinquencies may be availed of in the following instances:
Section 18. Entitlement of Tax Amnesty on Delinquencies
Any person may enjoy the immunities and privileges of the Tax Amnesty on Delinquencies and pay the following tax amnesty rates:
Section 19. Availment of the Tax Amnesty on Delinquencies; When and Where to File and Pay
Any person, natural or juridical, who wishes to avail of the Tax Amnesty on Delinquencies shall, within one (1) year from the effectivity of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act, file with the appropriate office of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, which has jurisdiction over the residence or principal place of business of the taxpayer, a sworn Tax Amnesty on Delinquencies Return accompanied by a Certification of Delinquency. The payment of the amnesty tax shall be made at the time the Return is filed:
Provided, That the Revenue District Officer shall issue and endorse an Acceptance Payment Form, in such form as may be prescribed in the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act authorizing the authorized agent bank, or in the absence thereof, the revenue collection agent or municipal treasurer concerned, to accept the amnesty tax payment:
Provided, further, That the availment of the Tax Amnesty on Delinquencies and the issuance of the corresponding Acceptance Payment Form do not imply any admission of criminal, civil or administrative liability on the part of the availing taxpayer.
Section 20. Immunities and Privileges
The tax delinquency of those who avail of the Tax Amnesty on Delinquencies and have fully complied with all the conditions set forth in this Act and upon payment of the amnesty tax shall be considered settled and the criminal case under Section 18(c) and its corresponding civil or administrative case, if applicable, be terminated, and the taxpayer shall be immune from all suits or actions, including the payment of said delinquency or assessment, as well as additions thereto, and from all appurtenant civil, criminal, and administrative cases, and penalties under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, as such relate to the taxpayers assets, liabilities, networth, and internal revenue taxes that are subject of the tax amnesty, and from such other investigations or suits insofar as they relate to the assets, liabilities, networth and internal revenue taxes that are subject of the tax amnesty: Provided, That any notices of levy, attachments and/or warrants of garnishment issued against the taxpayer shall be set aside pursuant to a lifting of notice of levy/garnishment duly issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue or its authorized representative: Provided, further, That the Authority to Cancel Assessment shall be issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue in favor of the taxpayer availing of the Tax Amnesty on Delinquencies within fifteen (15) calendar days from submission to the Bureau of Internal Revenue of the Acceptance Payment Form and the Tax Amnesty on Delinquencies Return. Otherwise, the duplicate copies, stamped as received, of the Acceptance Payment Form, and the Tax Amnesty on Delinquencies Return shall be deemed as sufficient proof of availment: Provided, furthermore, That the Tax Amnesty on Delinquencies Return and the Acceptance Payment Form shall be submitted to the Revenue District Office after complete payment. The completion of these requirements shall be deemed full compliance with the provisions of this Act.
Upon full compliance with all the conditions set forth in this Title and payment of the corresponding tax on delinquency, the tax amnesty granted under this Title shall become final and irrevocable.
TITLE V CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-USE OF INFORMATION AND DATA, AND AMENDMENT TO THE STATEMENT OF TOTAL ASSETS AND STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES, AND NETWORTH
Section 21
Confidentiality and Non-use of Information and Data in the Statement of Total Assets and Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Networth. - Any information or data contained in, derived from or provided by a taxpayer in the Tax A_mnesty Return, Statement of Total Assets or Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Networth, as the case may be and appurtenant documents shall be confidential in nature and shall not be used in any investigation or prosecution before any judicial, quasijudicial, and administrative bodies.
Any statement of assets, liabilities, and networth, financial statements, information sheets, and any such other statements or disclosures that may have been previously submitted by the taxpayer as required by existing laws are deemed to have been amended by the Tax Amnesty Return and/or the Statement of Total Assets or Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Networth., as the case may be, filed under this Act and may not be the subject of any investigation or prosecution or be used in any investigation or prosecution before any judicial, quasi-judicial, and administrative bodies.
TITLE VI GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 22. Information Management System
For purposes of enhancing revenue administration, revenue collection and policy formulation, the Department of Finance, in coordination with the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Land Registration Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Securities and Exchange Commission, Land Transportation Office, and other agencies concerned, shall institute an Information Management Program for the effective use of information declared or obtained from the Tax Amnesty Returns and Statements of Total Assets or Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Networth, as the case may be, required to be filed under this Act.
All the statements and returns required under this Act shall be filed and processed separately from all other records of the Bureau of Internal Revenue in accordance with the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act.
If the data requirements consist of information found in the income tax return of taxpayers, the requirements under Section 71 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, shall still be complied with. The Information Management System shall also comply with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the "Data Privacy Act" and such other laws relating to confidentiality of information.
Section 23. Disposition of Proceeds from the Tax Amnesty
An amount equivalent to Five hundred million pesos (₱500,000,000) of the collection from the tax amnesty herein granted shall accrue to the Department of Finance and shall be used exclusively for purposes of establishing tax database under Section 22 of this Act.
Any excess shall be allocated to augment the appropriations needed for the social mitigating measures and the Build Build Build infrastructure projects as provided under Section 82 of Republic Act No. 10963, otherwise known as the "Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN)" Act.
TITLE VII OFFENSES AND PENALTIES
Section 24
Section 270 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:
"Section 270. Unlawful Divulgence of Information. - Except as provided in Sections 6(F) and 71 of this Code and Section 26 of Republic Act No. 6388, any officer or employee of the Bureau of Internal Revenue who divulges to any person or makes known in any other manner than may be provided by law information regarding the business, income, or estate of any taxpayer, the secrets, operation, style or work, or apparatus of any manufacturer or producer, or confidential information regarding the business of any taxpayer, knowledge of which was acquired by him in the discharge of his official duties, shall, upon conviction for each act or omission, be punished by a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (₱50,000) but not more than One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000), or suffer imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not more than five (5) years, or both.
"Any officer or employee of the Bureau of Internal Revenue who divulges or makes known in any other manner to any person other than the requesting foreign tax authority information obtained from banks and financial institutions pursuant to Section 6(F), knowledge or information acquired by him in the discharge of his official duties, shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than Five hundred thousand pesos (₱500,000) but not more than One million pesos (₱1,000,000), or suffer imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not more than five (5) years, or both.
Section 25. Unlawful Divulgence of Tax Amnesty Return and Appurtenant Documents
It shall be unlawful for any person having knowledge of the Tax Amnesty Return and appurtenant documents, to disclose any information relative thereto, and any violation hereof shall be penalized a fine of One hundred fifty thousand pesos (₱150,000) and imprisonment of not less than six (6) years but not more than ten (10) years: Provided, That if the offender is an officer or employee of the Bureau of Internal Revenue or any government entity, the penalties under Section 270 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, shall apply: Provided, further, That the offender shall likewise suffer an additional penalty of perpetual disqualification to hold public office.
TITLE VIII CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND FINAL PROVISIONS
Section 26. Report to Oversight Committee
The Commissioner shall submit to the Oversight Committee referred to in Section 290 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, through the Chairpersons of the Committee on Ways and Means of the Senate of the Philippines and the House of Representatives, a detailed report on the implementation of this Act within six (6) months after the two (2)-year period of availment of the Estate Tax Amnesty and one (l)-year period of availment of the General Tax Amnesty and Tax Amnesty on Delinquencies.
Section 27. Implementing Rules and Regulations
The Secretary of Finance shall, in coordination with the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, promulgate and publish the necessary rules and regulations of this Act within ninety (90) days from its effectivity.
The failure of the Secretary of Finance to promulgate the said rules and regulations shall not prevent the implementation of this Act upon its effectivity.
Section 28. Separability Clause
If any provision of this Act is subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 29. Repealing Clause
All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby expressly repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
Section 30. Effectivity
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least one (1) newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
VICENTE C. SOTTO III President of the Senate
GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO Speaker of the House of Representatives
This Act which is a consolidation of House Bills Numbered 4814 and 8554, and Senate Bill No. 2059 was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on December 12, 2018 and December 13, 2018, respectively.
MYRA MARIE D. VILLARICA
Secretary of the Senate
DANTE ROBERTO P. MALING
Acting Secretary General House of Representatives
Approved: February 14, 2019
RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE
President of the Philippines
For information and research only, and not legal advice. This text may not reflect later amendments. For certified copies, refer to the Official Gazette or the issuing agency.