Fiscal subject related
General information
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said the lack of supporting documents beyond a certain threshold on sales and purchases involved in a value-added tax (VAT) refund application will automatically bump the claim into the high-risk category. It shall not be considered as incomplete submission, but the same will result in the disallowance of the unsubstantiated portion of the sales or purchases regardless of the risk classification.
If the 'NSD' for sales and purchases exceeds 1% of the total sales amount (for sales transactions) or total claim amount (for purchase transactions), the application will automatically be deemed high-risk and will require full verification.
Republic Act (RA) No. 11976, known as the Ease of Paying Taxes Act, established a risk-based system for classifying VAT refund claims into low, medium, or high risk.
The BIR uses a points system to assess VAT refund claims, taking into account factors such as the claim size, frequency of claims, the claimant's tax compliance history, and other risk considerations.
Those applying for refunds must submit documentation before they are assigned a risk level. Low-risk claims will only be classified with complete documentation.
Other news from Other countries
South Africa: New Security Rules for Online Payments

As e-commerce fraud rises, new security standards (PCI DSS 4.0.1) will take effect in March 2025, requiring online retailers to secure their entire website, strengthen authentication, and monitor third-party scripts and payment pages. Merchants must assess their compliance level, implement necessary security controls, and document efforts to meet the new requirements, with larger businesses facing... Read more
Singapore’s Move Towards E-Invoicing and Digital Tax Reporting

Singapore is introducing mandatory e-invoicing and direct tax data reporting to improve tax compliance, requiring businesses to modernize their accounting systems. A phased rollout begins in May 2025, and companies must adapt to real-time tax reporting to stay compliant and avoid audit risks. Singapore has built a strong digital government system, and businesses are now expected to follow suit wit... Read more
Understanding Sales Taxes in Canada

Canada has a complex sales tax system with different taxes at both federal and provincial levels. Businesses must navigate GST, HST, PST, QST, and RST, depending on their location and sales type. Additionally, digital sales taxes apply to non-resident businesses selling digital goods and services in Canada. Proper registration, tax collection, and compliance are essential to avoid penalties and en... Read more
Malaysia: E-invoicing overview

Malaysia's Inland Revenue Board has revised e-invoicing guidelines, introducing new exemptions and consolidated conditions for self-billed transactions, with provisions set for implementation by July 2025. Malaysia's tax authority, the Inland Revenue Board, has issued some fresh e-invoicing rules. These updates, which came out on January 28, 2025, touch on both the main e-Invoice Guideline (now at... Read more
USA: Nebraska Issues New Rules on Sales Tax Advertising

The Nebraska Department of Revenue has updated its sales tax advertising rules, prohibiting businesses from claiming they will cover or exclude sales tax in advertisements. Retailers must list sales tax separately on invoices, and those unsure about compliance can consult the DOR before advertising. The Nebraska Department of Revenue (DOR) has updated its rules on how retailers can advertise sales... Read more
Understanding Digital Reporting and e-Invoicing in the USA

E-invoicing allows businesses to exchange invoice data electronically, improving tax compliance and efficiency, though it is not mandatory in the U.S. The government is gradually promoting its adoption, with initiatives like the Business Payments Coalition and the Federal Reserve testing a B2B exchange network. Digital reporting (e-reporting) involves submitting tax-related data electronically to... Read more
Colombia Updates e-Invoicing Rules for Purchasers and Public Utilities

On February 13, 2025, Colombia’s DIAN proposed updates to e-invoicing rules, limiting the purchaser information required for invoices and allowing automated ID-based data entry for billing. The changes also restrict public utility invoices to service-related charges unless the user consents, with a 48-hour window for issuing invoices in case of technical issues. On February 13, 2025, Colombia&rsqu... Read more