PHILIPPINE importers of vehicles will now have to obtain one release authority for each unit brought into the country in line with a new Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) order that seeks to ensure protection of revenue collections.
Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) No. 21-2013 was signed by Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares on July 22. It amends the provisions of Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) No. 35-2002, as amended by RMO No. 20-2006, that sets the guidelines and procedures in processing and issuing authority to release imported goods (ATRIG) for excise tax purposes.
The BIR requires that vehicle importers apply for an ATRIG for shipments. This ensures that the tax due on the imported products has been paid or allows the agency to verify if the goods are tax-exempt or subject to any preferential tax regime under existing laws.
“With respect to the importation of automobiles defined under Republic Act No. 9224, one (1) ATRIG shall be issued for each unit of automobile with a net importer’s price of over two million one hundred thousand pesos (P2,100,000.00), excluding value-added and excise taxes,” the order stated.
“Provided, however, that in cases of importation having a single Bill of Lading but consisting of several automobiles with importer’s selling prices of P2,100,000.00 or less and over P2,100,000.00, excluding value-added and excise taxes, one (1) ATRIG shall still be issued for every unit of automobile, regardless of the net importer’s selling price,” according to the order.
RMO No. 21-2013 also stated that pending enhancement of the Philippine National Single Window System on ATRIG, a separate notarized application for ATRIG shall be filed and signed by the importer or his duly authorized representative, with the prescribed documentary stamp affixed thereon, for each imported vehicle.
The BIR said the order takes effect immediately and violations will be subject to administrative disciplinary action.
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