Review of VAT refund scheme for PEZA firms backed (2024)

The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) is supporting moves to amend the country’s zero value-added tax (VAT) rating perk for registered businesses, citing that it takes an inordinate amount of time to get tax refunds from the government.

Last week, AmCham Philippines executive director Ebb Hinchcliffe told reporters that they are backing the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) in its drive to have the tax policy revisited.

“The refunding of that VAT is taking forever,” he said when asked to explain the problem with the tax scheme.

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The AmCham official cited as example VAT refunds for jet fuel taking two years to as much as five years—nearly as long as one presidential term—for registered businesses to collect.

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“For some reason, it’s taking way too long,” Hinchcliffe said, adding the same issue is true for VAT refunds on fast moving consumer goods and pharmaceutical purchases by Peza-registered firms.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has made a similar call for a review of the investment promotion agency’s zero VAT incentives, citing that the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE), which was signed in 2021, complicated the procedures availing of the incentive.

The CREATE act limited the application of the tax perk to local purchases of goods that are exclusively and directly used in the registered project or activity of the registered firm.

Another bureaucratic level

Peza-registered firms which used to enjoy the tax incentive are now required to submit paperwork proving that they satisfy the conditions provided for under the revised tax law.

PCCI president George Barcelon said that while Peza-registered firms can refund their VAT payments on purchased goods, the procedure added another bureaucratic level to a previously straightforward availment of the incentive.

Peza Officer in Charge and Deputy Director General for policy and planning Tereso Panga told investors earlier this month that they are working on addressing this issue, along with other measures intended to make the Philippines more attractive to investors.

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Panga said they have received complaints from registered firms, some of which have filed cases with the Court of Tax Appeals.

The Peza official said they are also working toward other reforms, such as allowing registered firms to adopt work-from-home policies without transferring to the jurisdiction of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Board of Investments.

From January to September of this year, Peza has attracted almost P40 billion in investments spanning 148 new and expansion projects.

—Alden M. Monzon INQ

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Review of VAT refund scheme for PEZA firms backed (2024)

FAQs

Which country has the best VAT refund? ›

Hungary has the highest VAT refund at 27%.

Are VAT refunds real? ›

This tax is associated with shopping in the European Union, though more than 160 countries around the world use value-added taxation. It's a sales tax paid by consumers (not businesses), and it doesn't exist in the United States. Only visitors—including U.S. tourists—are able to qualify for a VAT refund.

Who is eligible for VAT refund in the Philippines? ›

Who may avail: VAT-registered whose sales are zero-rated or effectively zero-rated with excess input taxes (VCAD)

What qualifies for VAT refund? ›

So it's usually high-ticket items, like jewelry or fine clothing, that qualify for a VAT refund, not a paperback novel or suntan lotion. There are also a number of goods and services that are not eligible for refunds, including hotel rooms and meals.

Can Americans get VAT refund? ›

the United States does not participate in the VAT tax refund, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers are not mandated to stamp VAT tax forms.

What is the VAT rate in the Philippines? ›

VAT tax rates in the Philippines

In the Philippines, the VAT rate is set at 12% and is applied to the taxable gross selling price of properties and goods along with the gross value of service receipts and property leases.

Where is the highest VAT refund in Europe? ›

The 5 Countries with the Highest VAT Rates
  • Hungary - 27%
  • Croatia - 25%
  • Denmark - 25%
  • Norway - 25%
  • Sweden - 25%

How long does a VAT refund take? ›

Repayments are usually made within 30 days of HMRC getting your VAT Return. Contact HMRC if you have not heard anything after 30 days.

Is VAT refunded for tourists in the Philippines? ›

— A tourist shall be eligible for a value-added tax (VAT) refund on goods purchased from accredited retailers in the Philippines if such goods are taken out of the country within sixty (60) days from the date of purchase, and the value of goods purchased per transaction amounts to at least three thousand pesos (P3, ...

Who is exempted from VAT Philippines? ›

Categories of VAT Exemption

Services: Services rendered by medical professionals, educational institutions, and services that are considered export sales are among the categories that are VAT-exempt.

Who is exempted from tax Philippines? ›

The Tax Code of the Philippines lists the following individuals or organizations that are qualified for tax exemption: Individuals with no income, minimum wage earners, and those whose taxable income does not exceed PHP 250,000. Non-stock, nonprofit educational institutions.

What is the new tax law in the Philippines in 2024? ›

As we welcome 2024, we have a new law, the Ease of Paying Taxes (EoPT) Act or Republic Act No. 11976. This is a welcome development as the new law introduces reforms which aim to modernize tax administration and improve efficiency by providing mechanisms to encourage easy compliance on the part of taxpayers.

What is exempt on VAT return? ›

Certain goods and services are exempt from VAT. This means that they are not subject to VAT and therefore, do not incur the standard 20% VAT charge. Exempt goods and services include insurance, education, and health services.

Who is VAT eligible? ›

Who is a VAT registered taxpayer? This is a taxpayer with a business that makes total sales above Ugx 150,000,000 in a given year and deals in taxable supplies. If you run any business in this category and are not yet registered, you're advised to register for VAT.

Which countries have VAT refunds? ›

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Canary Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Monaco, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, ...

Which country has the cheapest VAT? ›

Luxembourg levies the lowest standard VAT rate at 17 percent, followed by Malta (18 percent), Cyprus, Germany, and Romania (all at 19 percent). The EU's average standard VAT rate is 21.6 percent, more than six percentage points higher than the minimum standard VAT rate required by EU regulation.

Which European country has the best tax refund? ›

The country with the greatest saving on average is Croatia, at 17.12%. Croatia has one of the highest VAT rates on the continent, which enables you to claim a significant portion of your purchase back. The nation with the second-highest average refund amount is Hungary, at 16.8%.

What countries do VAT refunds? ›

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Canary Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Monaco, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, ...

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