concepts of taxation and classification

2. Definition of Terms
TAXATION is defined in many ways.
Commonly heard definitions include:
It is the process by which the sovereign, through its law
making body, races revenues use to defray expenses of
government.
It is a means of government in increasing its revenue
under the authority of the law, purposely used to promote
welfare and protection of its citizenry.
It is the collection of the share of individual and
organizational income by a government under the authority
of the law.

3. Concept of Taxation
Taxation is the inherent power of the state to impose
and demand contribution upon persons, properties,
or rights for the purpose of generating revenues for
public purposes.
The power of taxation upon necessity and is inherent
in every government or sovereignty.

4. Principles and Theories of Taxation
 The Benefit Principle. This principle holds the individuals
should be taxed in proportion to the benefits they receive from
the governments and that taxes should be paid by those
people who receive the direct benefit of the government
programs and projects out of the taxes paid.
 The Ability-to-Pay Principle. This principle holds that taxes
should relate with the people’s income or the ability to pay, that
is, people with greater income or wealth and can afford to pay
more taxes should be taxed at a higher rate than people with
less wealth. Ex. Individual income tax.
 The Equal-Distribution Principle. This principle that income,
wealth, and transaction should be taxed at a fixed percentage;
that is, people who earn more and buy more should pay more
taxes, but will not pay a higher rate of taxes.

5. Structures of a Tax System
 A tax is proportional. Meaning the government takes an amount of
money from a person which is indirect proportion to his income. Ex. Ben
salary is 10,000pesos and the government is deducting 10% of his
salary for tax. After a year his income increases to 15,000pesos and the
governments now deducts 12% of his salary for tax. The said tax is
proportional.
 A tax is regressive. Meaning that the governments takes a larger
percentage of a persons income per tax, while he is receiving a lower
income. Ex. Ben’s salary 10,000pesos and government is asking him to
pay 15% of his salary for tax which is contrary to our given example in
number 1.
 A tax is progressive. Meaning that the government takes a lager
percentage of his salary for tax due to his high salary. Ex. Ben has a
monthly income of 30,000pesos and the governments deducted 20% of
his salary for tax. The tax amount is proportionately equal to someone’s

6. Significance of Taxation
Primary purpose: generates funds or revenues use to
defray expenses incurred by the government in
promoting the general welfare of its citizenry.
Other purposes:
 to equitably contribute to the wealth of the nation
 to protect new industries
 to protect local producers

7. Characteristics of Tax
 It is enforced contribution. Its payment is not voluntary
nature, and the imposition is not dependent upon the will
of the person taxed.
 It is generally payable in cash. This means that payment
by checks, promissory notes, or in kind is not accepted.
 It is proportionate in character. Payment of taxes should
be base on the ability to pay principle; the higher income
of the tax payer the bigger amount of the tax paid.
 It is levied (to impose; collect) on person or property.
There are taxes that are imposed or levied on acts, rights
or privileges. Ex. Documentary tax.

8.  It is levied by the state which has jurisdiction over the person
or property. As a general rule, only persons, properties, acts,
right or transaction with in the jurisdiction of the taxing state
are subject for taxation.
 It is levied by the law making body of the state. This means
that a prior law must be enacted first by the congress before
assessment and collection may be implemented of the 1987
constitution.
 It is levied for public purposes. Taxes or imposed to support
the government for implementation of projects and programs.

9. Basic Principles of a Sound Tax System
 Fiscal adequacy. Means that the sources of revenue taken as a whole
should be sufficient to meet the expanding expenditures of the government
regardless of business, export taxes, trade balances, and problems of
economic adjustment. Revenues should be capable expanding or
contracting annually in response to variations of public expenditures.
 Equality or Theoretical Justice. Means the taxes levied must be base
upon the ability of the citizen to pay.
 Administrative Feasibility. This principle connotes that in a successful tax
system, such tax should be clear and plain to taxpayers, capable of
enforcement by an adequate and well-trained staff of public office,
convenient as to the time and manner payment, and not unduly burdensome
upon on discouraging to business activity.
 Consistency or Compatibility with Economic Goals. This refer to the tax
laws that should be consistent with economic goals or programs of the
government. This are the basic services intended for the masses.

10. Classification of Taxes
1. As to subject matter
 Personal, Poll or Capitation Tax (ex. Residence Tax)
 Property Tax. (ex. Real State Tax)
 Excise Tax (ex. RVAT)
2. As to who bears the burden
 Direct Tax (ex. Income Tax)
 Indirect Tax (ex. Buying of goods and services (RVAT) )
3. As to determination of account
 Specific Tax (ex. Taxes on wines)
 Ad Valorem Tax (ex. Tax according to value such as Real
Estate Tax.

11. 4. As to purpose
 General Tax (ex. Almost All Taxes)
 Special Tax
5. As to scope
 National Tax (ex. National Revenue Taxes)
 Local Tax

12. Distinction of Tax
Tax distinguished from Toll
- A tax is demand of sovereignty, while toll is demand for
proprietorship.
- A tax is paid for the use of the government’s property, while
a toll is paid for the use of another’s property.
- A tax may be imposed by the government only, while a toll is
enforced by the government or a private individual or entity.
Tax distinguished from Penalty
- A tax is intended to raise revenue, while penalty is designed
to regulate conduct.
- A tax may be imposed by the government only while a
penalty may be imposed by the government or a private
individual.

13. Tax distinguished from Debt
- A tax is base on law, while a debt is based on contract.
- A tax may not be assignable, while a debt is assignable.
- A tax is generally payable in cash, while debt is payable in
cash or in kind.
- A person may be imprisoned for a non-payment of taxes, but
any person may not be imprisoned for non-payment of debt.
Tax distinguished from other Terms
- Revenue. This refers funds or income derived by the
government whether from tax or any other source in another
sense.
- Internal Revenue. It refers to taxes imposed by the
legislature other than duties on imports and exports.
- Customs Duties. These are taxes imposed on goods
exported into a country.

14. Entities Exempted from Taxation
 Religious Institutions
 Charitable Institutions
 Non-Profit, Non-Stock Educational Institutions
 Non-profit Cemeteries
 Government Institutions
 Foreign Diplomats

15. Situs of Taxation
Situs is a latin term which means “situation”,
“location”, or “place.” In short, its literal meaning
refers to a place taxation. In real property, the
rules is tax is imposed to a place or state where
the property is located and subject to be tax has
a jurisdiction over the said property.

16. Double Taxation
 Direct Duplicate
Elements:
 Taxing twice
 By the same taxing
authority
 Within the same taxing
jurisdiction
 For the same purpose
 In the same taxable period
 Involving the same
purpose
 Indirect duplicate
Indirect duplicate taxation,
on the other hand, occurs
when taxes on the
property are not imposed
by the same taxing
authority. The local and
national governments
imposed taxes on the
same property during one
taxable period. This kind
of imposition is legal.

17. Forms of Escape from Taxation
6 forms of escape from taxation
1. Shifting. It is one way of passing the burden
of tax from one person to another. Ex. Taxes
paid by the manufacturer may be shifted to the
consumer by adding the amount of the tax paid
to price of the product.
Kinds of Shifting
 Forward shifting occurs when the burden of the tax is
transferred from a factor of the production to the factor of
distribution.
 Backward shifting occurs when the burden of tax is
transferred from the consumer to the producer or
manufacturer.

18. 2. Capitalization. This refers to the reduction in the price of
the tax object to the capitalized value of future taxes which
the purchaser expects to be called upon to pay. Ex: A
reduction made by the seller on the price of the real estate,
in anticipation of the future tax to be shouldered by the
future buyer.
3. Transformation occurs when the manufacturer or producer
upon whom the tax has been imposed pays the tax and
endeavor to “recoup” (make up for) himself by improving his
process of production
4. Tax Evasion is the practice by the taxpayer through illegal
or fraudulent means to defeat or lessen the amount for tax.
This is also know as “tax dodging.”

19. 5. Tax Avoidance is the exploitation by the taxpayer of
legally permissible methods in order to avoid or reduce
tax liability. This is also known as “tax minimization.”
6. Tax Exemption is the grant of immunity or freedom
from a financial charge or obligation or burden to which
others are subjected.

20. T H E E N D