BIR Says Cross-Bordee Services Not Automatically Taxable in PH

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has issued a revenue memorandum circular (RMC) clarifying that income from cross-border services are not automatically subject to Philippine income tax, setting clearer guidelines for how such transactions should be assessed for income tax purposes.

The BIR’s RMC No. 024-2026 sets guidance on the proper application of earlier issuances following the Supreme Court (SC) ruling in Aces Philippines Cellular Satellite Corporation v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, amid concerns that the rules were being applied beyond their intended scope.

As a general rule, income from services is taxed where the service is performed. While the SC ruling allows consideration of where the benefit of the service is enjoyed, or where the economic activity occurs, the BIR stressed that taxability must still be determined based on the specific facts of each case.

The circular directs revenue officers to assess service agreements as a whole and cautions against isolating a single activity as the sole basis for taxation. Any tax assessment must clearly state its legal and factual basis, in line with Section 228 of the Tax Code.

To support compliance, the BIR outlined documents that taxpayers may present during audits to show that services were performed outside the Philippines, including service contracts, proof of foreign performance, and tax residency certificates.

The issuance also clarifies that taxpayers are not required to secure a prior BIR ruling to claim the proper tax treatment of cross-border transactions, provided they can substantiate their position during assessment.

BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza said the circular aims to ensure more consistent and fair application of tax rules.

“The circular ensures that both revenue officers and taxpayers apply the rules on cross-border services in line with law and jurisprudence. It reinforces our commitment to fair enforcement while providing clear guidance to taxpayers,” Mendoza said.