The article discusses recent Supreme Court rulings and a BIR circular that simplify VAT zero‑rating and refund procedures for renewable energy developers in the Philippines. It explains that developers no longer need a DOE COE or an ERC COC, and that local suppliers no longer must file zero‑rating applications. The piece also outlines the conditions under which input VAT can be refunded and advises developers to maintain proper registration certificates.
The Supreme Court ruled on 7 August 2024 that a COE from the DOE is not required to avail VAT zero‑rating incentives under RA 9513.
It removed the requirement for local suppliers to file VAT zero‑rating applications for sales to entities with VAT zero‑rating incentives.
No; the Supreme Court ruled on 27 March 2019 that a COC is not required for VAT refunds under the Renewable Energy Law.
They can refund only if the zero‑rated renewable energy sales occur in the same period when the input VAT was paid or incurred.
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Bloomberg Tax · about 6 hours ago
The Philippine Court of Tax Appeals issued a decision on Jan. 19, 2026 (Case No. 10607) clarifying the validity of assessments for alleged tax deficiencies. The ruling covers a range of taxes—including income tax, VAT, expanded withholding tax, and others—and finds that due process was not violated because the Final Decision on the Disputed Assessment (FDDA) stated the relevant facts. The decision provides guidance on how assessments are evaluated for due process compliance.
Bloomberg Tax · 1 day ago
The Philippine Court of Tax Appeals issued a decision on Jan. 16, 2026 in CTA Case No. 10570, ruling that yearbook printing is VAT‑exempt because yearbooks qualify as books under Philippine law. The ruling invalidated the Commissioner of Internal Revenue’s assessments for deficiency income tax and VAT for the taxable year 2013, which had been based on BIR Ruling No. 421‑2013. The decision clarifies the validity of such assessments and the treatment of yearbook sales for VAT purposes.
Bloomberg Tax · 4 days ago
The Philippine Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) issued a decision on Jan. 7 clarifying that a VAT deficiency assessment is void if the preliminary assessment notice (PAN) and formal letter of demand (FLD) lack the required annexes detailing the factual basis of the findings. The ruling applies to a domestic corporation’s assessment covering July 1 2013‑June 30 2014, underscoring the importance of proper documentation in BIR assessments.
Manila Times · 7 days ago
The Manila Times opinion piece explains how the Supreme Court’s February 4 2025 ruling in the Subic Bay Freeport case clarified that domestic market enterprises (DMEs) are entitled to VAT zero‑rating under the Create Act, overturning earlier BIR issuances that excluded them. It also outlines the conditions under which DMEs can still claim the benefit under the newer Create More law, namely high‑value DMEs with significant investment capital or export sales, and stresses that purchases must be directly attributable to the registered project. The article advises businesses in freeports and ecozones to update their ERP systems, document eligibility, and align procurement processes to avoid disputes.
Grant Thornton · 18 days ago
The Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue’s RMC 108-2025, issued on 8 January 2026, expands the list of VAT‑exempt drugs under the TRAIN and CREATE Acts. The new list now covers 675 cancer drugs, 542 hypertension drugs, 323 diabetes drugs, 300 mental‑illness drugs, 173 high‑cholesterol drugs, 154 kidney‑disease drugs and 75 tuberculosis drugs, significantly broadening patient access to essential medicines.
Times of India · 8 minutes ago
The article discusses the completion of GST 2.0 in India, the removal of the GST compensation cess, and the introduction of new excise rates on demerit goods such as cigarettes. It highlights how the excise notification could trigger a tax shock, affecting tobacco growers, small retailers, and the broader economy. Monthly GST collections in late 2025 remained robust, exceeding Rs 1.7–1.9 lakh crore.
