ECONOMICS

Subject Teacher: Razel G. Taquiso

Summer Class 2017

CONCEPTS OF TAXATION

TAXATION

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.

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.

Principles and Theories of Taxation

1. 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.

2. Ability-to-Pay Principle. This principle holds that taxes should relate with the peoples 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.

3. 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.

Structures of a Tax System

1. 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.
2. 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. Bens 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.
 3. A tax is progressive. Meaning that the government takes a larger 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 someones status
in the society. A rich man should pay more than a poor man.

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

Characteristics of Tax

a. It is enforced contribution. Its payment is not voluntary nature, and the imposition is not
dependent upon the will of the person taxed.
b. It is generally payable in cash. This means that payment by checks, promissory notes, or in
kind is not accepted.
c. It is proportionate in character. Payment of taxes should be based on the ability to pay
principle; the higher income of the tax payer the bigger amount of the tax paid.
d. 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.
e. 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 within the jurisdiction of the taxing state
are subject for taxation.
f. 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.
g. It is levied for public purposes. Taxes or imposed to support the government for
implementation of projects and programs.

9Basic Principles of a Sound Tax System

a. 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.
b. Equality or Theoretical Justice. Means the taxes levied must be based upon the ability of the
citizen to pay.
 c. 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.
d. Consistency or Compatibility with Economic Goals. This is refers to the tax laws that should be
consistent with economic goals or programs of the government. These are the basic services
intended for the masses.

Classification of Taxes

a. As to subject matter
Personal, Poll or Capitation Tax (ex. Residence Tax)
Property Tax. (ex. Real State Tax)
Excise Tax (ex. RVAT)
b. As to who bears the burden
Direct Tax (ex. Income Tax)
Indirect Tax (ex. Buying of goods and services (RVAT) )
c. As to determination of account
Specific Tax (ex. Taxes on wines)
Ad Valorem Tax (ex. Tax according to value such as Real Estate Tax.
d. As to purpose
General Tax (ex. Almost All Taxes)
Special Tax
e. As to scope
National Tax (ex. National Revenue Taxes)
Local 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 governments property, while a toll is paid for the use of
anothers 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.

Tax distinguished from Debt

A tax is based 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.

Entities Exempted from Taxation

Religious Institutions
Charitable Institutions
Non-Profit, Non-Stock Educational Institutions
Non-profit Cemeteries
Government Institutions
Foreign Diplomats

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.

Double Taxation

Elements :

Taxing twice
By the same taxing authority
Within the same taxing jurisdiction
or the same purpose
In the same taxable period
Involving the same purpose

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.

Forms of Escape from Taxation

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.
Onward shifting occurs when tax is shifted to two or more times either forward or backward.

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.
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
Tax Evasion is the practice by the taxpayer through illegal or fraudulent means to defeat or
lessen the amount for tax. This is also known as tax dodging.
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
Tax Exemption is the grant of immunity or freedom from a financial charge or obligation or
burden to which others are subjected.

Grounds for tax exemption: Contract, wherein the government is the contracting party.
Public policy