CIR v Seagate Technology(Tax exemption)

Facts
Seagate Technology is a resident foreign corporation with principal office at the new Cebu Township One,
Special Economic Zone. It is registered with the PEZA and has been issued a Certification to engage in the
manufacture of recording components primarily used in computers or export. It is also a VAT registered entity.

Seagate Technology filed for VAT returns for the period of April 1, 1998 to June 30, 1998 and also filed an
administrative claim for refund of VAT input taxes in the amount of P28, 369, 226.38.

Issue:
WoN a PEZA-registered enterprise, such as Seagate Technology, conducting its business within a Special
Economic Zone is entitled to fiscal incentives such as tax exemption

Held
Yes, the law provides for fiscal incentives. If Seagate avails the provisions of PD 66, it shall not be subject to
internal revenue laws and regulations for raw materials, supplies, articles, equipment, machineries, spare parts
and wares, except those prohibited by law, brought into the zone to be stored, broken up, repacked, assembled,
installed, sorted, cleaned, graded or otherwise processed, manipulated, manufactured, mixed or used directly or
indirectly in such activities. It would enjoy a net-operating loss carry over; accelerated depreciation; foreign
exchange and financial assistance; and exemption from export taxes, local taxes and licenses.

The same exemption from internal revenue laws and regulations also applies if EO 226 is chosen. Under this
law, it shall further be entitled to an income tax holiday; additional deduction for labor expense; simplification
of customs procedure; unrestricted use of consigned equipment; access to a bonded manufacturing warehouse
system; privileges for foreign nationals employed; tax credits on domestic capital equipment, as well as for
taxes and duties on raw materials; and exemption from contractors taxes, wharfage dues, taxes and duties on
imported capital equipment and spare parts, export taxes, duties, imposts and fees, local taxes and licenses, and
real property taxes.

A privilege available to Seagate under the provision in RA 7227 on tax and duty-free importation of raw
materials, capital and equipment is, also accorded to the zone under RA 7916. Furthermore, the latter law,
notwithstanding other existing laws, rules and regulations to the contrary extends to that zone the provision
stating that no local or national taxes shall be imposed therein.

In the same vein, respondent benefits under RA 7844 from negotiable tax credits for locally-produced materials
used as inputs. Aside from the other incentives possibly already granted to it by the Board of Investments, it also
enjoys preferential credit facilities and exemption from PD 1853.

From the above-cited laws, it is immediately clear that Seagate enjoys preferential tax treatment. It is not subject
to internal revenue laws and regulations and is even entitled to tax credits. The VAT on capital goods is an
internal revenue tax from which petitioner as an entity is exempt. Although the transactions involving such tax
are not exempt, petitioner as a VAT-registered person, however, is entitled to their credits.
CIR v Estate of Benigno Toda(Tax Evasion)

Facts
Benigno Toda, President and owner of 99.991% of Cibeles Insurance Corporation(CIC) of its issued and
outstanding capital stock was authorized by CIC to sell the Cibeles building and the land on which the building
stands on. It was sold to Rafael Altonaga who subsequently sold it to Royal Match Incorporation. A year after,
CIC filed its corporate annual income tax return, declaring among other things, its gain from the real property it
sold.

Issue:
WoN the sale from CIC to Altonaga and its subsequent sale to Royal Match is a case of tax evasion

Held
Yes, the scheme was made for CIC to pay a lower income tax from the 35% corporate income tax to the 5%
individual capital gains stock. Altonagas sole purpose of acquiring and transferring title of the subject
properties on the same day was to create a tax shelter. Altonaga never controlled the property and did not enjoy
the normal benefits and burdens of ownership. The sale to him was merely a tax ploy, and the execution of the
two sales was calculated to mislead the BIR with the end in view of reducing the consequent income tax
liability.

the intermediary transaction, i.e., the sale of Altonaga, which was prompted more on the mitigation of tax
liabilities than for legitimate business purposes constitutes one of tax evasion.