MINIMUM CORPORATE INCOME TAX (MCIT)

MINIMUM CORPORATE INCOME TAX (MCIT)

To address the perennial problem of non-declaration and under-declaration of revenues by corporations, the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) provides for the imposition of a minimum corporate income tax (MCIT- Sec. 27 (E)). It is not a new tax imposition as it merely approximates the amount of the income tax which is payable by a corporation. The MCIT is a means to ensure that businesses earning positive returns do not avoid paying the income tax.

Under the CTRP, an MCIT equivalent to two percent (2%) of gross income is imposed beginning the fourth (4th) taxable year immediately following the taxable year in which such corporation started its business operations.

The MCIT is imposed whenever such corporation has zero or negative taxable income or whenever the amount of the MCIT is greater than the regular corporate income tax due from such corporation.

An MCIT equivalent to two (2%) of the gross income derived from sources within the Philippines is also imposed on resident foreign corporations.

Carry forward of MCIT

Under the tax scheme, any excess of the MCIT over the regular corporate income tax is carried forward on an annual basis and can be credited against the regular income tax for three years.

Exemptions:

The MCIT is imposed only on domestic Corporations that are subject to regular corporate tax. Hence, it is not imposed on the following:

proprietary educational institutions and nonprofit hospitals as they are subject to ten percent (10%) on their taxable income;

the Foreign Currency Deposit Units (FCDU) as their income from foreign currency transactions with local commercial banks and foreign banks and their interest income from foreign currency loans granted to residents of the Philippines are subject to final tax at ten percent (10%) of such income; and

firms that are taxed under a special income tax regime such as those in accordance with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority Law and the Bases Conversion Development Act.

"international carrier" as they are subject to a tax of two and one-half percent (2 ½%) of their Gross Philippine Billings

Offshore Banking Units (OBUs) as their income from foreign currency transactions with local commercial bank and foreign banks and interest income from currency loans granted to residents of the Philippines are subject to a final income tax of ten percent (10%) of gross income

Regional operating headquarters since they are subject to a ten- percent (10%) of their taxable income

Relief from MCIT

The Secretary of Finance, upon recommendation of the Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner may suspend the imposition of MCIT upon submission of proof that thecorporation sustained substantial losses on account of a prolonged labor dispute, "force majeure", or legitimate business reverses.