CIR v.

MERALCO
GR No. 181459; June 9, 2014

FACTS: MERALCO obtained two loans from the Singapore branch of a German bank. Pursuant
to the loan agreements, respondent paid/remitted to the BIR the corresponding 10% final
withholding tax on its interest payments on the loan.

MERALCO discovered sometime in 2001 that the bank is a foreign government-owned financing
institution in Germany and confirmed, based on BIR Ruling, that the interest payments made to
the German bank are exempt from the 10% withholding tax.

Consequently, relying on the aforesaid BIR Ruling, MERALCO filed with the petitioner a claim for
tax refund or issuance of tax credit certificate for erroneously paid or overpaid final withholding
tax on interest payments made. However, this claim for tax refund was denied on the basis that
the same had already prescribed.

ISSUE: Whether or not the income derived by foreign government is entitled to the 10%
withholding tax exemption.

HELD: Yes. The certification issued by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany was
used by petitioner as basis in BIR Ruling which categorically declared that the interest income
remitted by respondent MERALCO to the NORD/LB Singapore Branch is not subject to the
Philippine Income Tax, and accordingly, not subject to 10% withholding tax. Contrary to the
petitioner’s view, therefore, the same constitutes a compelling basis for establishing tax
exempt status of the NORD/LB Bank.

The Court is agreed that MERALCO has shown clear and convincing evidence that the bank is
owned, controlled, or enjoying refinancing from the Federal Republic of Germany, a foreign
government, pursuant to Section 32 (B)(7)(a) of the Tax Code, as amended, which provides
that:

Section 32. Gross Income –

XXX
(B) Exclusions from Gross Income – The following items shall not be included in the gross
income and shall be exempt from taxation under this title:
XXX
(7) Miscellaneous Items. –
(a) Income Derived by Foreign Government – Income derived from investments in the
Philippines in loans, stocks, bonds, or other domestic securities, or from interest on
deposits in banks in the Philippines by (i) foreign governments, (ii) financing
institutions owned, controlled, or enjoying refinancing from foreign governments, and
(iii) international or regional financial institutions established by foreign government.