CHAPTER II – CRIMES, OTHER OFFENSES AND FORFEITURES

Section 253. General Provisions. –

(a) Any person convicted of a crime penalized by this Code shall, in addition to being liable for the payment of the tax, be subject to the penalties imposed herein: Provided, That payment of the tax due after apprehension shall not constitute a valid defense in any prosecution for violation of any provision of this Code or in any action for the forfeiture of untaxed articles.

(b) Any person who willfully aids or abets in the commission of a crime penalized herein or who causes the commission of any such offense by another shall be liable in the same manner as the principal.

(c) If the offender is not a citizen of the Philippines, he shall be deported immediately after serving the sentence without further proceedings for deportation. If he is a public officer or employee, the maximum penalty prescribed for the offense shall be imposed and, in addition, he shall be dismissed from the public service and perpetually disqualified from holding any public office, to vote and to participate in any election. If the offender is a Certified Public Accountant, his certificate as a Certified Public Accountant shall, upon conviction, be automatically revoked or cancelled.

(d) In the case of associations, partnerships or corporations, the penalty shall be imposed on the partner, president, general manager, branch manager, treasurer, officer-in-charge, and the employees responsible for the violation.

(e) The fines to be imposed for any violation of the provisions of this Code shall not be lower than the fines imposed herein or twice the amount of taxes, interest and surcharges due from the taxpayer, whichever is higher.

Section 254. Attempt to Evade or Defeat Tax. – Any person who willfully attempts in any manner to evade or defeat any tax imposed under this Code or the payment thereof shall, in addition to other penalties provided by law, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not less than Thirty thousand (P30,000) but not more than One hunderd thousand pesos (P100,000) and suffer imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not more than four (4) years: Provided, That the conviction or acquittal obtained under this Section shall not be a bar to the filing of a civil suit for the collection of taxes.

Section 255. Failure to File Return, Supply Correct and Accurate Information, Pay Tax Withhold and Remit Tax and Refund Excess Taxes Withheld on Compensation. – Any person required under this Code or by rules and regulations promulgated thereunder to pay any tax make a return, keep any record, or supply correct the accurate information, who willfully fails to pay such tax, make such return, keep such record, or supply correct and accurate information, or withhold or remit taxes withheld, or refund excess taxes withheld on compensation, at the time or times required by law or rules and regulations shall, in addition to other penalties provided by law, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000) and suffer imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than ten (10) years.

Any person who attempts to make it appear for any reason that he or another has in fact filed a return or statement, or actually files a return or statement and subsequently withdraws the same return or statement after securing the official receiving seal or stamp of receipt of internal revenue office wherein the same was actually filed shall, upon conviction therefor, be punished by a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000) but not more than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000) and suffer imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than three (3) years.

Section 256. Penal Liability of Corporations. – Any corporation, association or general co-partnership liable for any of the acts or omissions penalized under this Code, in addition to the penalties imposed herein upon the responsible corporate officers, partners, or employees shall, upon conviction for each act or omission, be punished by a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) but not more than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000).

Section 257. Penal Liability for Making False Entries, Records or Reports, or Using Falsified or Fake Accountable Forms. –

(A) Any financial officer or independent Certified Public Accountant engaged to examine and audit books of accounts of taxpayers under Section 232 (A) and any person under his direction who:

(1) Willfully falsifies any report or statement bearing on any examination or audit, or renders a report, including exhibits, statements, schedules or other forms of accountancy work which has not been verified by him personally or under his supervision or by a member of his firm or by a member of his staff in accordance with sound auditing practices; or

(2) Certifies financial statements of a business enterprise containing an essential misstatement of facts or omission in respect of the transactions, taxable income, deduction and exemption of his client; or

(B) Any person who:

(1) Not being an independent Certified Public Accountant according to Section 232(B) or a financial officer, examines and audits books of accounts of taxpayers; or

(2) Offers to sign and certify financial statements without audit; or

(3) Offers any taxpayer the use of accounting bookkeeping records for internal revenue purposes not in conformity with the requirements prescribed in this Code or rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; or

(4) Knowingly makes any false entry or enters any false or fictitious name in the books of accounts or record mentioned in the preceding paragraphs; or

(5) Keeps two (2) or more sets of such records or books of accounts; or

(6) In any way commits an act or omission, in violation of the provisions of this Section; or

(7) Fails to keep the books of accounts or records mentioned in Section 232 in a native language, English or Spanish, or to make a true and complete translation as required in Section 234 of this Code, or whose books of accounts or records kept in a native language, English or Spanish, and found to be at material variance with books or records kept by him in another language; or

(8) Willfully attempts in any manner to evade or defeat any tax imposed under this Code, or knowingly uses fake or falsified revenue official receipts, Letters of Authority, certificates authorizing registration, Tax Credit Certificates, Tax Debit Memoranda and other accountable forms shall, upon conviction for each act or omission, be punished by a fine not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) but not more than One hundred pesos (P100,000) and suffer imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not more than six (6) years.

If the offender is a Certified Public Accountant, his certificate as a Certified Public Accountant shall be automatically revoked or cancelled upon conviction.

In the case of foreigners, conviction under this Code shall result in his immediate deportation after serving sentence, without further proceedings for deportation.

Section 258. Unlawful Pursuit of Business. – Any person who carries on any business for which an annual registration fee is imposed without paying the tax as required by law shall, upon conviction for each act or omission, be punished by a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000) but not more than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000) and suffer imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more than two (2) years: Provided, That in the case of a person engaged in the business of distilling, rectifying, repacking, compounding or manufacturing any article subject to excise tax, he shall, upon conviction for each act or omission, be punished by a fine of not less than Thirty thousand pesos (P30,000) but not more than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) and suffer imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not more than four (4) years.

Section 259. Illegal Collection of Foreign Payments. – Any person who knowingly undertakes the collection of foreign payments as provided under Section 67 of this Code without having obtained a license therefor, or without complying with its implementing rules and regulations, shall, upon conviction for each act or omission, be punished by a fine of not less than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000) but not more than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) and suffer imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than two (2) years.

Section 260. Unlawful Possession of Cigarette Paper in Bobbins or Rolls, Etc. – It shall be unlawful for any person to have in his possession cigarette paper in bobbins or rolls, cigarette tipping paper or cigarette filter tips, without the corresponding authority therefor issued by the Commissioner. Any person, importer, manufacturer of cigar and cigarettes, who has been found guilty under this Section, shall, upon conviction for each act or omission, be punished by a fine of not less than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000) but not more than One hundred thousand pesos (P1000,000) and suffer imprisonment for a term of not less than six (6) years and one (1) day but not more than twelve (12) years.

Section 261. Unlawful Use of Denatured Alcohol. – Any person who for the purpose of manufacturing any beverage, uses denatured alcohol or alcohol specially denatured to be used for motive power or withdrawn under bond for industrial uses or alcohol knowingly misrepresented to be denatured to be unfit for oral intake or who knowingly sells or offers for sale any beverage made in whole or in part from such alcohol or who uses such alcohol for the manufacture of liquid medicinal preparations taken internally, or knowingly sells or offers for sale such preparations containing as an ingredient such alcohol, shall upon conviction for each act or omission be punished by a fine of not less than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000) but not more than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000) and suffer imprisonment for a term of not less than six (6) years and one (1) day but not more than twelve (12) years.

Any person who shall unlawfully recover or attempt to recover by distillation or other process any denatured alcohol or who knowingly sells or offers for sale, conceals or otherwise disposes of alcohol so recovered or redistilled shall be subject to the same penalties imposed under this Section.

Section 262. Shipment or Removal of Liquor or Tobacco Products under False Name or Brand or as an Imitation of any Existing or Otherwise Known Product Name or Brand. – Any person who ships, transports or removes spirituous, compounded or fermented liquors, wines or any manufactured products of tobacco under any other than the proper name or brand known to the trade as designating the kind and quality of the contents of the cask, bottle or package containing the same or as an imitation of any existing or otherwise known product name or brand or causes such act to be done, shall, upon conviction for each act or omission, be punished by a fine of not less than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000) but not more than One hundred thousand pesos (P1000,000) and suffer imprisonment of not less than six (6) years and one (1) day but not more than twelve (12) years.

Section 263. Unlawful Possession or Removal of Articles Subject to Excise Tax without Payment of the Tax. – Any person who owns and/or is found in possession of imported articles subject to excise tax, the tax on which has not been paid in accordance with law, or any person who owns and/or is found in possession of imported tax-exempt articles other than those to whom they are legally issued shall be punished by:

(a) A fine of not less than One thousand pesos (P1,000) nor more than Two thousand pesos (P2,000) and suffer imprisonment of not less than sixty (60) days but not more than one hundred (100) days, if the appraised value, to be determined in the manner prescribed in the Tariff and Customs Code, including duties and taxes, of the articles does not exceed One thousand pesos (P1,000).

(b) A fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000) but not more than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000) and suffer imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not more than four (4) years, if the appraised value, to be determined in the manner prescribed in the Tariff and Customs Code, including duties and taxes, of the articles exceeds One thousand pesos (P1,000) but does not exceed Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000);

(c) A fine of not less than Thirty thousand pesos (P30,000) but not more than Sixty thousand pesos (P60,000) and suffer imprisonment of not less than four (4) years but not more than six (6) years, if the appraised value, to be determined in the manner prescribed in the Tariff and Customs Code, including duties and taxes of the articles is more than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) but does not exceed One hundred fifty thousand pesos (P150,000); or

(d) A fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) but not more than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000) and suffer imprisonment of not less than ten (10) years but not more than twelve (12) years, if the appraised value, to be determined in the manner prescribed in the Tariff and Customs Code, including duties and taxes, of the articles exceeds One hundred fifty thousand pesos (P150,000).

Any person who is found in possession of locally manufactured articles subject to excise tax, the tax on which has not been paid in accordance with law, or any person who is found in possession of such articles which are exempt from excise tax other than those to whom the same is lawfully issued shall be punished with a fine of not less than (10) times the amount of excise tax due on the articles found but not less than Five hundred pesos (P500) and suffer imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not more than four (4) years.

Any manufacturer, owner or person in charge of any article subject to excise tax who removes or allows or causes the unlawful removal of any such articles from the place of production or bonded warehouse, upon which the excise tax has not been paid at the time and in the manner required, and any person who knowingly aids or abets in the removal of such articles as aforesaid, or conceals the same after illegal removal shall, for the first offense, be punished with a fine of not less than ten (10) times the amount of excise tax due on the articles but not less than One thousand pesos (P1,000) and suffer imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than two (2) years.

The mere unexplained possession of articles subject to excise tax, the tax on which has not been paid in accordance with law, shall be punishable under this Section.

Section 264. Failure or refusal to Issue Receipts or Sales or Commercial Invoices, Violations related to the Printing of such Receipts or Invoices and Other Violations. –

(a) Any person who, being required under Section 237 to issue receipts or sales or commercial invoices, fails or refuses to issue such receipts of invoices, issues receipts or invoices that do not truly reflect and/or contain all the information required to be shown therein, or uses multiple or double receipts or invoices, shall, upon conviction for each act or omission, be punished by a fine of not less than One thousand pesos (P1,000) but not more than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) and suffer imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not more than four (4) years.

(b) Any person who commits any of the acts enumerated hereunder shall be penalized in the same manner and to the same extent as provided for in this Section:

(1) Printing of receipts or sales or commercial invoices without authority from the Bureau of Internal Revenue; or

(2) Printing of double or multiple sets of invoices or receipts; or

(3) Printing of unnumbered receipts or sales or commercial invoices, not bearing the name, business style, Taxpayer Identification Number, and business address of the person or entity.

Section 265. Offenses Relating to Stamps. – Any person who commits any of the acts enumerated hereunder shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not less than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000) but not more than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) and suffer imprisonment of not less than four (4) years but not more than eight (8) years:

(a) making, importing, selling, using or possessing without express authority from the Commissioner, any die for printing or making stamps, labels, tags or playing cards;

(b) Erasing the cancellation marks of any stamp previously used, or altering the written figures or letters or cancellation marks on internal revenue stamps;

(c) Possessing false, counterfeit, restored or altered stamps, labels or tags or causing the commission of any such offense by another;

(d) Selling or offering for sale any box or package containing articles subject to excise tax with false, spurious or counterfeit stamps or labels or selling from any such fraudulent box, package or container as aforementioned; or

(e) Giving away or accepting from another, or selling, buying or using containers on which the stamps are not completely destroyed.

Section 266. Failure to Obey Summons. – Any person who, being duly summoned to appear to testify, or to appear and produce books of accounts, records, memoranda or other papers, or to furnish information as required under the pertinent provisions of this Code, neglects to appear or to produce such books of accounts, records, memoranda or other papers, or to furnish such information, shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000) but not more than ten thousand pesos (P10,000) and suffer imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than two (2) years.

Section 267. Declaration under Penalties of Perjury. – Any declaration, return and other statement required under this Code, shall, in lieu of an oath, contain a written statement that they are made under the penalties of perjury. Any person who willfully files a declaration, return or statement containing information which is not true and correct as to every material matter shall, upon conviction, be subject to the penalties prescribed for perjury under the Revised Penal Code.

Section 268. Other Crimes and Offenses. –

(A) Misdeclaration or Misrepresentation of Manufacturers Subject to Excise Tax. – Any manufacturer who, in violation of the provisions of Title VI of this Code, misdeclares in the sworn statement required therein or in the sales invoice, any pertinent data or information shall be punished by a summary cancellation or withdrawal of the permit to engage in business as a manufacturer of articles subject to excise tax.

(B) Forfeiture of Property Used in Unlicensed Business or Dies Used for Printing False Stamps, Etc. – All chattels, machinery, and removable fixtures of any sort used in the unlicensed production of articles subject to excise tax shall be forfeited. Dies and other equipment used for the printing or making of any internal revenue stamp, label or tag which is in imitation of or purports to be a lawful stamp, label or tag shall also be forfeited.

(C) Forfeiture of Goods Illegally Stored or Removed. – Unless otherwise specifically authorized by the Commissioner, all articles subject to excise tax should not be stored or allowed to remain in the distillery warehouse, bonded warehouse or other place where made, after the tax thereon has been paid; otherwise, all such articles shall be forfeited. Articles withdrawn from any such place or from customs custody or imported into the country without the payment of the required tax shall likewise be forfeited.

CHAPTER III – PENALTIES IMPOSED ON PUBLIC OFFICERS

Section 269. Violations Committed by Government Enforcement Officers. – Every official, agent, or employee of the Bureau of Internal Revenue or any other agency of the Government charged with the enforcement of the provisions of this Code, who is guilty of any of the offenses herein below specified shall, upon conviction for each act or omission, be punished by a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) but not more than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000) and suffer imprisonment of not less than ten (10) years but not more than fifteen (15) years and shall likewise suffer an additional penalty of perpetual disqualification to hold public office, to vote, and to participate in any public election:

(a) Extortion or willful oppression through the use of his office or willful oppression and harassment of a taxpayer who refused, declined, turned down or rejected any of his offers specified in paragraph (d) hereof;

(b) Knowingly demanding or receiving any fee, other or greater sums that are authorized by law or receiving any fee, compensation or reward, except as by law prescribed, for the performance of any duty;

(c) Willfully neglecting to give receipts, as by law required, for any sum collected in the performance of duty or willfully neglecting to perform any other duties enjoined by law;

(d) Offering or undertaking to accomplish, file or submit a report or assessment on a taxpayer without the appropriate examination of the books of accounts or tax liability, or offering or undertaking to submit a report or assessment less than the amount due the Government for any consideration or compensation, or conspiring or colluding with another or others to defraud the revenues or otherwise violate the provisions of this Code;

(e) Neglecting or by design permitting the violation of the law by any other person;

(f) Making or signing any false entry or entries in any book, or making or signing any false certificate or return;

(g) Allowing or conspiring or colluding with another to allow the unauthorized retrieval, withdrawal or recall of any return, statement or declaration after the same has been officially received by the Bureau of Internal Revenue;

(h) Having knowledge or information of any violation of this Code or of any fraud committed on the revenues collectible by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, failure to report such knowledge or information to their superior officer, or failure to report as otherwise required by law; and

(i) Without the authority of law, demanding or accepting or attempting to collect, directly or indirectly, as payment or otherwise any sum of money or other thing of value for the compromise, adjustment or settlement of any charge or complaint for any violation or alleged violation of this Code.

Provided, That the provisions of the foregoing paragraph notwithstanding, any internal revenue officer for which a prima facie case of grave misconduct has been established shall, after due notice and hearing of the administrative case and subject to Civil Service Laws, be dismissed from the revenue service: Provided, further, That the term ‘grave misconduct’, as defined in Civil Service Law, shall include the issuance of fake letters of authority and receipts, forgery of signature, unsurpation of authority and habitual issuance of unreasonable assessments.

Section 270. Unlawful Divulgence of Trade Secrets. – Except as provided in Section 71 of this Code and Section 26 of Republic Act No. 6388, any officer or employee of the Bureau of Internal Revenue who divulges to any person or makes known in any other manner than may be provided by law information regarding the business, income or estate of any taxpayer, the secrets, operation, style or work, or apparatus of any manufacturer or producer, or confidential information regarding the business of any taxpayer, knowledge of which was acquired by him in the discharge of his official duties, shall upon conviction for each act or omission, be punished by a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) but not more than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000), or suffer imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not more than five (5) years, or both.

Section 271. Unlawful Interest of Revenue Law Enforcers in Business. – Any internal revenue officer who is or shall become interested, directly or indirectly, in the manufacture, sale or importation of any article subject to excise tax under Title VI of this Code or in the manufacture or repair or sale, of any die for printing, or making of stamps, or labels shall upon conviction for each act or omission, be punished by a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000) but not more than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000), or suffer imprisonment of not less than two (2) years and one (1) day but not more than four (4) years, or both.

Section 272. Violation of Withholding Tax Provision. – Every officer or employee of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines or any of its agencies and instrumentalities, its political subdivisions, as well as government-owned or controlled corporations, including the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), who, under the provisions of this Code or rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, is charged with the duty to deduct and withhold any internal revenue tax and to remit the same in accordance with the provisions of this Code and other laws is guilty of any offense herein below specified shall, upon conviction for each act or omission be punished by a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000) but not more than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) or suffer imprisonment of not less than six (6) months and one (1) day but not more than two (2) years, or both:

(a) Failing or causing the failure to deduct and withhold any internal revenue tax under any of the withholding tax laws and implementing rules and regulations;

(b) Failing or causing the failure to remit taxes deducted and withheld within the time prescribed by law, and implementing rules and regulations; and

(c) Failing or causing the failure to file return or statement within the time prescribed, or rendering or furnishing a false or fraudulent return or statement required under the withholding tax laws and rules and regulations.

Section 273. Penalty for Failure to Issue and Execute Warrant. – Any official who fails to issue or execute the warrant of distraint or levy within thirty (30) days after the expiration of the time prescribed in Section 207 or who is found guilty of abusing the exercise thereof by competent authority shall be automatically dismissed from the service after due notice and hearing.

CHAPTER IV – OTHER PENAL PROVISIONS

Section 274. Penalty for Second and Subsequent Offenses. – In the case of reincidence, the maximum of the penalty prescribed for the offense shall be imposed.

Section 275. Violation of Other Provisions of this Code or Rules and Regulations in General. – Any person who violates any provision of this Code or any rule or regulation promulgated by the Department of Finance, for which no specific penalty is provided by law, shall, upon conviction for each act or omission, be punished by a fine of not more than One thousand pesos (P1,000) or suffer imprisonment of not more than six (6) months, or both.

Section 276. Penalty for Selling, Transferring, Encumbering or in any way Disposing of Property Placed under Constructive Distraint. – Any taxpayer, whose property has been placed under constructive distraint, who sells, transfers, encumbers or in any way disposes of said property, or any part thereof, without the knowledge and consent of the Commissioner, shall, upon conviction for each act or omission, be punished by a fine of not less than twice the value of the property so sold, encumbered or disposed of but not less than Five Thousand pesos (P5,000), or suffer imprisonment of not less than two (2) years and one (1) day but not more than four (4) years, of both.

Section 277. Failure to Surrender Property Placed under Distraint and Levy. – Any person having in his possession or under his control any property or rights to property, upon which a warrant of constructive distraint, or actual distraint and levy has been issued shall, upon demand by the Commissioner or any of his deputies executing such warrant, surrender such property or right to property to the Commissioner or any of his deputies, unless such property or right is, at the time of such demand, subject to an attachment or execution under any judicial process. Any person who fails or refuses to surrender any of such property or right shall be liable in his own person and estate to the Government in a sum equal to the value of the property or rights not so surrendered but not exceeding the amount of the taxes (including penalties and interest) for the collection of which such warrant had been issued, together with cost and interest if any, from the date of such warrant. In addition, such person shall, upon conviction for each act or omission, be punished by a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000), or suffer imprisonment of not less than six (6) months and one (1) day but not more than two (2) years, or both.

Section 278. Procuring Unlawful Divulgence of Trade Secrets. – Any person who causes or procures an officer or employee of the Bureau of Internal Revenue to divulge any confidential information regarding the business, income or inheritance of any taxpayer, knowledge of which was acquired by him in the discharge of his official duties, and which it is unlawful for him to reveal, and any person who publishes or prints in any manner whatever, not provided by law, any income, profit, loss or expenditure appearing in any income tax return, shall be punished by a fine of not more than Two thousand pesos (P2,000), or suffer imprisonment of not less than six (6) months nor more than five (5) years, or both.

Section 279. Confiscation and Forfeiture of the Proceeds or Instruments of Crime. – In addition to the penalty Imposed for the violation of the provisions of Title X of this Code, the same shall carry with it the confiscation and forfeiture in favor of the government of the proceeds of the crime or value of the goods, and the instruments or tools with which the crime was committed: Provided, however, That if in the course of the proceedings, it is established that the instruments or tools used in the illicit act belong to a third person, the same shall be confiscated and forfeited after due notice and hearing in a separate proceeding in favor of the Government if such third person leased, let, chartered or otherwise entrusted the same to the offender: Provided, further, That in case the lessee subleased, or the borrower, charterer, or trustee allowed the use of the instruments or tools to the offender, such instruments or tools shall, likewise, be confiscated and forfeited: Provided, finally, That property of common carriers shall not be subject to forfeiture when used in the transaction of their business as such common carrier, unless the owner or operator of said common carrier was, at the time of the illegal act, a consenting party or privy thereto, without prejudice to the owner’s right of recovery against the offender in a civil or criminal action. Articles which are not subject of lawful commerce shall be destroyed.

Section 280. Subsidiary Penalty. – If the person convicted for violation of any of the provisions of this Code has no property with which to meet the fine imposed upon him by the court, or is unable to pay such fine, he shall be subject to a subsidiary personal liability at the rate of one (1) day for each Eight pesos and fifty centavos (P8.50) subject to the rules established in Article 39 of the Revised Penal Code.

Section 281. Prescription for Violations of any Provision of this Code. – All violations of any provision of this Code shall prescribe after Five (5) years.

Prescription shall begin to run from the day of the commission of the violation of the law, and if the same be not known at the time, from the discovery thereof and the institution of judicial proceedings for its investigation and punishment.

The prescription shall be interrupted when proceedings are instituted against the guilty persons and shall begin to run again if the proceedings are dismissed for reasons not constituting jeopardy.

The term of prescription shall not run when the offender is absent from the Philippines.

Section 282. Informer’s Reward to Persons Instrumental in the Discovery of Violations of the National Internal Revenue Code and in the Discovery and Seizure of Smuggled Goods. –

(A) For Violations of the National Internal Revenue Code. Any person, except an internal revenue official or employee, or other public official or employee, or his relative within the sixth degree of consanguinity, who voluntarily gives definite and sworn information, not yet in the possession of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, leading to the discovery of frauds upon the internal revenue laws or violations of any of the provisions thereof, thereby resulting in the recovery of revenues, surcharges and fees and/or the conviction of the guilty party and/or the imposition of any of the fine or penalty, shall be rewarded in a sum equivalent to ten percent (10%) of the revenues, surcharges or fees recovered and/or fine or penalty imposed and collected or One Million Pesos (P1,000,000) per case, whichever is lower. The same amount of reward shall also be given to an informer where the offender has offered to compromise the violation of law committed by him and his offer has been accepted by the Commissioner and collected from the offender: Provided, That should no revenue, surcharges or fees be actually recovered or collected, such person shall not be entitled to a reward: Provided, further, That the information mentioned herein shall not refer to a case already pending or previously investigated or examined by the Commissioner or any of his deputies, agents or examiners, or the Secretary of Finance or any of his deputies or agents: Provided, finally, That the reward provided herein shall be paid under rules and regulations issued by the Secretary of Finance, upon recommendation of the Commissioner.

(B) For Discovery and Seizure of Smuggled Goods. To encourage the public to extend full cooperation in eradicating smuggling, a cash reward equivalent to ten percent (10%) of the fair market value of the smuggled and confiscated goods or One Million Pesos (P1,000,000) per case, whichever is lower, shall be given to persons instrumental in the discovery and seizure of such smuggled goods.

The cash rewards of informers shall be subject to income tax, collected as a final withholding tax, at a rate of ten percent (10%).

The Provisions of the foregoing Subsections notwithstanding, all public officials, whether incumbent or retired, who acquired the information in the course of the performance of their duties during their incumbency, are prohibited from claiming informer’s reward.

TITLE XI

ALLOTMENT OF INTERNAL REVENUE

CHAPTER 1 – DISPOSITION AND ALLOTMENT OF NATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE IN GENERAL

Section 283. Disposition of National Internal Revenue. – National Internal revenue collected and not applied as herein above provided or otherwise specially disposed of by law shall accrue to the National Treasury and shall be available for the general purposes of the Government, with the exception of the amounts set apart by way of allotment as provided for under Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991.

In addition to the internal revenue allotment as provided for in the preceding paragraph, fifty percent (50%) of the national taxes collected under Sections 106, 108 and 116 of this Code in excess of the increase in collections for the immediately preceding year shall be distributed as follows:

(a) Twenty percent (20%) shall accrue to the city or municipality where such taxes are collected and shall be allocated in accordance with Section 150 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991; and

(b) Eighty percent (80%) shall accrue to the National Government.

Section 284. Allotment for the Commission on Audit. – One-half of one percent (1/2 of 1%) of the collections from the national internal revenue taxes not otherwise accruing to special accounts in the general fund of the national government shall accrue to the Commission on Audit as a fee for auditing services rendered to local government units, excluding maintenance, equipment, and other operating expenses as provided for in Section 21 of Presidential Decree No. 898.

The Secretary of Finance is hereby authorized to deduct from the monthly internal revenue tax collections an amount equivalent to the percentage as herein fixed, and to remit the same directly to the Commission on Audit under such rules and regulations as may be promulgated by the Secretary of Finance and the Chairman of the Commission on Audit.

Section 285. Allotment for the Bureau of Internal Revenue. – An amount equivalent to five percent (5%) of the excess of actual collections of national internal revenue taxes over the collection goal shall accrue to the special fund of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and shall be treated as receipts automatically appropriated. Said amount shall be utilized as incentive bonus for revenue personnel, purchase of necessary equipment and facilities for the improvement of tax administration, as approved by the Commissioner: Provided, That the President may, upon recommendation of the Commissioner, direct that the excess be credited to a Special Account in the National Treasury to be held in the reserve available for distribution as incentive bonus in the subsequent years.

The Secretary of Finance is hereby authorized to transfer from the Treasury an amount equivalent to the percentage as herein fixed and to remit the same directly to the Bureau of Internal Revenue under such rules and regulations as may be promulgated by the Secretary of Finance.

CHAPTER II – SPECIAL DISPOSITION OF CERTAIN NATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE TAXES

Section 286. Disposition of Proceeds of insurance Premium Tax. – Twenty-five percent (25%) of the premium tax collected under Section 123 of this Code shall accrue to the Insurance Fund as contemplated in Section 418 of Presidential Decree No. 612 which shall be used for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Insurance Commission. The Commissioner shall turn over and deliver the said Insurance Fund to the Insurance Commissioner as soon as the collection is made.

Section 287. Shares of Local Government Units in the Proceeds from the Development and Utilization of the National Wealth. – Local Government units shall have an equitable share in the proceeds derived from the utilization and development of the national wealth, within their respective areas, including sharing the same with the inhabitants by way of direct benefits.

(A) Amount of Share of Local Government Units. – Local government units shall, in addition to the internal revenue allotment, have a share of forty percent (40%) of the gross collection derived by the national government from the preceding fiscal year from excise taxes on mineral products, royalties, and such other taxes, fees or charges, including related surcharges, interests or fines, and from its share in any co-production, joint venture or production sharing agreement in the utilization and development of the national wealth within their territorial jurisdiction.

(B) Share of the Local Governments from Any Government Agency or Government-owned or – Controlled Corporation. – Local Government Units shall have a share, based on the preceding fiscal year, from the proceeds derived by any government agency or government-owned or controlled corporation engaged in the utilization and development of the national wealth based on the following formula, whichever will produce a higher share for the local government unit:

(1) One percent (1%) of the gross sales or receipts of the preceding calendar year, or

(2) Forty percent (40%) of the excise taxes on mineral products, royalties, and such other taxes, fees or charges, including related surcharges, interests or fines the government agency or government-owned or -controlled corporations would have paid if it were not otherwise exempt.

(C) Allocation of Shares. – The share in the preceding Section shall be distributed in the following manner:

(1) Where the natural resources are located in the province:

(a) Province – twenty percent (20%)

(b) Component city/municipality – forty-five percent (45%); and

(c) Barangay – thirty-five percent (35%)

Provided, however, That where the natural resources are located in two (2) or more cities, the allocation of shares shall be based on the formula on population and land area as specified in subsection (C)(1) hereof.

(2) Where the natural resources are located in a highly urbanized or independent component city:

(a) City – sixty – five percent (65%); and

(b) Barangay – thirty – five percent (35%)

Provided, however, That where the natural resources are located in two (2) or more cities, the allocation of shares shall be based on the formula on population and land area as specified in subsection (c)(1) hereof.

Section 288. Disposition of Incremental Revenues. –

(A) Incremental Revenues from Republic Act No. 7660. – The incremental revenues from the increase in the documentary stamp taxes under R.A. No. 7660 shall be set aside for the following purposes:

(1) In 1994 and 1995, twenty five percent (25%) thereof respectively, shall accrue to the Unified Home-Lending Program under Executive Order No. 90 particularly for mass socialized housing program to be allocated as follows: fifty percent (50%) for mass-socialized housing; thirty percent (30%) for the community mortgage program; and twenty percent (20%) for land banking and development to be administered by the National Housing Authority: Provided, That no more than one percent (1%) of the respective allocations hereof shall be used for administrative expenses;

(2) In 1996, twenty five percent (25%) thereof to be utilized for the National Health Insurance Program that hereafter may be mandated by law;

(3) In 1994 and every year thereafter, twenty five percent (25%) thereof shall accrue to a Special Education Fund to be Administered by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports for the construction and repair of school facilities, training or teachers, and procurement or production of instructional materials and teaching aids; and

(4) In 1994 and every year thereafter, fifty percent (50%) thereof shall accrue to a Special Infrastructure Fund for the Construction and repair of roads, bridges, dams and irrigation, seaports and hydroelectric and other indigenous power projects: Provided, however, That for the years 1994 and 1995, thirty percent (30%), and for the years 1996, 1997 and 1998, twenty percent (20%), of this fund shall be allocated for depressed provinces as declared by the President as of the time of the effectivity of R.A. No. 7660: Provided, further, That availments under this fund shall be determined by the President on the basis of equity.

Provided, finally, That in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of this Section, not more one percent (1%) of the allocated funds thereof shall be used for administrative expenses by the implementing agencies.

(B) Incremental Revenues from Republic Act No. 8240. – Fifteen percent (15%) of the incremental revenue collected from the excise tax on tobacco products under R.A. No. 8240 shall be allocated and divided among the provinces producing burley and native tobacco in accordance with the volume of tobacco leaf production. The fund shall be exclusively utilized for programs in pursuit of the following objectives:

(1) Cooperative projects that will enhance better quality of agricultural products and increase income and productivity of farmers;

(2) Livelihood projects, particularly the development of alternative farming system to enhance farmer’s income; and

(3) Agro-industrial projects that will enable tobacco farmers to be involved in the management and subsequent ownership of projects, such as post-harvest and secondary processing like cigarette manufacturing and by-product utilization.

The Department of Budget and Management, in consultation with the Oversight Committee created under said R.A. No. 8240, shall issue the corresponding rules and regulations governing the allocation and disbursement of this fund.

Section 289. Special Financial Support to Beneficiary Provinces Producing Virginia Tobacco. – The financial support given by the National Government for the beneficiary provinces shall be constituted and collected from the proceeds of fifteen percent (15%) of the excise taxes on locally manufactured Virginia-type of cigarettes.

The funds allotted shall be divided among the beneficiary provinces pro-rata according to the volume ofVirginiatobacco production.

Production producingVirginiatobacco shall be the beneficiary provinces under Republic Act No. 7171. Provided, however, that to qualify as beneficiary under R.A. No. 7171, a province must have an average annual production of Virginia leaf tobacco in an amount not less than one million kilos: Provided, further, that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall each year determine the beneficiary provinces and their computed share of the funds under R.A. No. 7171, referring to the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) records of tobacco acceptances, at the tobacco trading centers for the immediate past year.

The Secretary of Budget and Management is hereby directed to retain annually the said funds equivalent to fifteen percent (15%) of excise taxes on locally manufactured Virginia type cigarettes to be remitted to the beneficiary provinces qualified under R.A. No. 7171.

The provision of existing laws to the contrary notwithstanding, the fifteen percent (15%) share from government revenues mentioned in R.A. No. 7171 and due to theVirginiatobacco-producing provinces shall be directly remitted to the provinces concerned.

Provided, That this Section shall be implemented in accordance with the guidelines of Memorandum Circular No. 61-A dated November 28, 1993, which amended Memorandum Circular No. 61, entitled “Prescribing Guidelines for Implementing Republic Act No. 7171”, dated January 1, 1992.

Provided, further, That in addition to the local government units mentioned in the above circular, the concerned officials in the province shall be consulted as regards the identification of projects to be financed.

TITLE XII

OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

Section 290. Congressional Oversight Committee. –

A Congressional Oversight Committee, hereinafter referred to as the Committee, is hereby constituted in accordance with the provisions of this Code. The Committee shall be composed of the Chairmen of the Committee on Ways and Means of the Senate and House Representatives and four (4) additional members from each house, to be designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Senate President, respectively.

The Committee shall, among others, in aid of legislation:

(1) Monitor and ensure the proper implementation of Republic Act No. 8240;

(2) Determine that the power of the Commissioner to compromise and abate is reasonably exercised;

(3) Review the collection performance of the Bureau of Internal Revenue; and

(4) Review the implementation of the programs of the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

In furtherance of the hereinabove cited objectives, the Committee is empowered to require of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, submission of all pertinent information, including but not limited to: industry audits; collection performance data; status report on criminal actions initiated against persons; and submission of taxpayer returns: Provided, however, That any return or return information which can be associated with, or otherwise identify, directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer shall be furnished the Committee only when sitting in Executive Session unless such taxpayer otherwise consents in writing to such disclosure

TITLE XIII

REPEALING PROVISIONS

Section 291. In General. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with this Code are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

TITLE XIV

FINAL PROVISIONS

Section 292. Separability Clause. – If any clause, sentence, paragraph or part of this Code shall be adjudged by any Court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of said Code, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph or part thereof directly involved in the controversy.