Sunday, July 31, 2011

So You're Now a Professional. What Does The BIR Say About That?

A couple of months ago, after passing the real estate broker board exam given by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), I was at a loss regarding the procedures I should be aware of with regard to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).  I knew I had to find out because I didn't want to be labeled as a tax evader, and ignorance isn't an excuse.  So, I sent an e-mail to the BIR, without really expecting a reply:

Hello,

I'm a recent passer of the PRC-held real estate brokers exam last March 27, 2011.  I'd like to seek clarification about the requirements for a professional such as I.  Please verify that we need:
  • Professional Tax Receipt (PTR) - municipal hall
  • BIR Certificate of Registration - is this necessary for individual brokers?  I heard this is for those who want to put up a brokerage company
  • Official Receipt - is this necessary for individual brokers?
I would appreciate it if you could point me to a resource where I can find the answers.  Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Jon


So imagine my surprise when I receive a reply, albeit a couple of months late:

In reply, since you are now considered a professional being a real estate broker duly registered as one under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), you are required to issue the corresponding Professional Tax Receipt (PTR) to your prospective clients.  The said PTR has to be coordinated with the city or municipal hall that has jurisdiction over your place of residence or practice of profession.  However, we refer you to Section 7 of Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 11-2008, which mentions among others, that PTR is one of the documentary requirements required from professionals, to wit;
SEC. 7. BIR FORMS AND ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS . - The registration forms  shall  generally contain the taxpayer's name, TIN, SEC/CDA/DTI/HLURB Registration Number, date of registration, registered address, taxpayer type, tax types, business style, place of residence  (for individual) , line of business, and such other information as may be required by the Commissioner in the form prescribed therefor to   be   filled out in two (2)   copies, properly labeled and indicated thereon the   specific purpose of the copy, i.e., “taxpayer’s   copy” and  “BIR’s copy” .
These forms shall be submitted together with the required documents , namely:

(a)  In   the   case   of   self-employed  individuals,  mixed    income   earners, professionals,  estates  and  trusts      -Form  to  be  prescribed  by  the  BIR,  together  with  the submission of the   following:

(a.1)   For self -employed, professionals , mixed income earners - Photocopy   of :

(a.1.1) Mayor’s Business Permit /PTR issued by the LGU;

(a.   1.2) Lease Contract, if applicable;

(a.1.3) DTI   Certificate   of Registration of Business Name, if a business trade name shall be used ;

(a.1.4) Certificate of Authority if Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBE) registered-entity, if applicable ;

(a.1.5) Proof of Registration/Permit to Operate with Board of Investment (BOI)/Board of Investment for Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BOI-ARMM), Philippine Export Zone Authority  (PEZA), Bases Conversion Development  Authority  (BCDA)    &  Subic  Bay  Metropolitan  Authority (SBMA), if applicable;

(a.1.6) Franchise Agreement, if applicable;

(a.1.7) Sworn Statement of Capital, if applicable; (a.1.8) Working Permit for non-resident;

(a.1.9) Waiver of husband to claim additional exemption, if applicable;

(a.1.10) Marriage Contract, if applicable ; and

(a.1.11) Birth Certificates of declared dependents, if applicable.

(a.2)       For   Trust - In addition to the requirements under a.1 (1 to 7), photocopy   of the trust   agreement;

(a.3)      For   Estate (under judicial settlement)   -   In addition to the requirements under a.1 (1 to 7), photocopy  of the Death Certificate of the  deceased.

As to BIR - Certificate of Registration (COR), we affirm that you are also to be issued one by the BIR – Revenue District Office (RDO) that has jurisdiction over your place of residence or practice of profession.  We refer you to Section 8 (A) of the said RR, to wit;

SEC.   8. CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION (COR).   -

(A)  Persons Entitled to the Issuance of   COR. - The COR  shall only   be issued to individuals engaged in business or the practice of profession  and   to juridical   persons (whether taxable or exempt) by the Revenue District Officer (RDO) concerned  (i.e.,RDO of head office/branch/facility) upon compliance with the requirements for registration. Issuance of COR, whether upon registration or upon update of taxpayer’s information, is not subject to the payment of Certification Fee, unless the taxpayer requested for a certified copy of said COR, in which case, the same shall be subject to the payment of Certification Fee imposed by Sec. 15 hereof.

(B)  Persons Not Covered by the Issuance  of the  COR. - Employees, one-time taxpayers, and/or persons  who have secured TIN under EO 98 with the BIR shall not be issued a COR.

As to official receipts, we confirm that as a professional, you are likewise required to request for an authority to print receipts (ATP) prior to registration and issuance of such to your prospective clients.  We refer you to Section 237 and 238 of the 1997 Tax Code, to wit;

SEC. 237. Issuance of Receipts or Sales or Commercial Invoices. - All persons subject to an internal revenue tax shall, for each sale or transfer of merchandise or for services rendered valued at Twenty-five pesos (P25.00) or more, issue duly registered receipts or sales or commercial invoices, prepared at least in duplicate, showing the date of transaction, quantity, unit cost and description of merchandise or nature of service: Provided, however, That in the case of sales, receipts or transfers in the amount of One hundred pesos (P100.00) or more, or regardless of the amount, where the sale or transfer is made by a person liable to value-added tax to another person also liable to value-added tax; or where the receipt is issued to cover payment made as rentals, commissions, compensations or fees, receipts or invoices shall be issued which shall show the name, business style, if any, and address of the purchaser, customer or client: Provided, further, That where the purchaser is a VAT-registered person, in addition to the information herein required, the invoice or receipt shall further show the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) of the purchaser.

The original of each receipt or invoice shall be issued to the purchaser, customer or client at the time the transaction is effected, who, if engaged in business or in the exercise of profession, shall keep and preserve the same in his place of business for a period of three (3) years from the close of the taxable year in which such invoice or receipt was issued, while the duplicate shall be kept and preserved by the issuer, also in his place of business, for a like period.
 
The Commissioner may, in meritorious cases, exempt any person subject to internal revenue tax from compliance with the provisions of this Section.

SEC. 238. Printing of Receipts or Sales or Commercial Invoices. - All persons who are engaged in business shall secure from the Bureau of Internal Revenue an authority to print receipts or sales or commercial invoices before a printer can print the same.

No authority to print receipts or sales or commercial invoices shall be granted unless the receipts or invoices to be printed are serially numbered and shall show, among other things, the name, business style, Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and business address of the person or entity to use the same, and such other information that may be required by rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary of Finance, upon recommendation of the Commissioner.

All persons who print receipt or sales or commercial invoices shall maintain a logbook/register of taxpayers who availed of their printing services. The logbook/register shall contain the following information:
 
(1) Names, Taxpayer Identification Numbers of the persons or entities for whom the receipts or sales or commercial invoices were printed; and

(2) Number of booklets, number of sets per booklet, number of copies per set and the serial numbers of the receipts or invoices in each booklet.

The full text of RR 11-2008 and the 1997 Tax Code are accessible from the BIR website under the Issuances and Rulings, Revenue Regulations, 2008, 11-2008 links and Special Sites, Tax Code links respectively.

For other inquiries, you may visit www.bir.gov.ph or call us at 981-8888. We appreciate your continued support.

Sincerely,
The BIR Contact Center Team

E-mail: contact_us@cctr.bir.gov.ph

The information contained in this communication is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and others authorized to receive it.   It may contain confidential or legally privileged information.   If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Any views expressed in this message are those of the BIRCC based on available references and is not binding as evidence against the BIR. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by responding to this email and then delete it from your system. All emails and file attachments sent to and received through the BIR domain is scanned for viruses by BIR's email Virus scanning system. However it is recommended that attachments, if any, be scanned for viruses before launching. The BIR is not liable for any damages caused due to virus(es), trojans or any other form of malicious software transmitted over email. It is neither liable for the proper and complete transmission of the information contained in this communication nor for any delay in its receipt.


Well what do you know, the BIR actually responds to e-mail inquiries!  I was really honestly pleasantly blown away by this happy happenstance.  At least now, I know what to do!  PTR, and BIR certificate of registration and official receipts to practice my chosen profession as a licensed real estate broker.  All's good, things are looking up, as I said *^_^*

Hit me back (I must be dreaming!)
Jon

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Real Estate Listing Contracts: Know How To Motivate Your Broker!

So I'm looking around the net for some contracts I can use later on.  I found this site that explains the 3 different types of listing agreements we have here in the Philippines.  I think people should read and understand these so they'll have a better idea on how to interact with brokers, and what makes us tick.

Exclusive Right To Sell
Exclusive Right To Sell means that no matter who buys the property, that broker will get the commission. There is a really good reason why most listings are Exclusive Right to Sell.  Think about it: If I spend my money and time doing the work to sell your property, but I don't have the security that I'll be paid for it, then, let's just say I'm not going to be so enthusiastic about spending that money and time, especially if any prospective buyer can just go straight to the seller and I end up getting nothing for my efforts. Some brokers only accept exclusive right to sell listings. Other brokers will only agree to do so on an upfront fee basis, as compared to waiting until the property actually sells. If you want a good broker to devote his/her full energy to selling your property, this is the kind of listing contract you should offer.  Before you condemn brokers for acting like money-hungry sharks, ask yourself how hard you would work at your job when the conditions are: maybe get paid, maybe not.  Makes sense now, doesn't it?

Exclusive Agency To Sell
Exclusive Agency means that you won't pay commission if you sell it yourself, but you will pay if your broker (known as the Seller's Broker), or some other broker (known as the Buyer's Broker), brings you the buyer. Any broker with a buyer is presumed to have gotten access to your property's information through your broker's marketing efforts.  Thus, the commission is typically shared between the Seller's Broker and the Buyer's Broker.  This listing contract DOES allow for anybody to just knock on your door and buy the property directly from you, despite the fact that your broker's efforts were what alerted them to the existence of the property in the first place.  Since most brokers have been burned on this one or know someone who has, few, if any, may want to accept this type of contract without requiring you to at least pay for their marketing expenses.  So that's really something you might want to discuss with your broker.  If you really want to escape having to pay the agent, count on being on your own through the negotiations and titling process.  A very large proportion of prospective buyers who will go around your broker to negotiate with you directly could be sharks, unqualified buyers, or possess some other characteristic that's going to cost you a large amount of money, time and frustration.  Why not get your broker to filter those out?  That's part of what we get paid for, anyway.

Open Listing
Open Listings are listings where there is no single broker that has a right to get paid. Of course, no one has the responsibility to act on the your behalf, either.  No one will market your property except yourself, no one will watch out for your best interest except yourself, and no one to help you along the way except yourself.  An open listing can occur when a broker agrees to market or advertise your property without the benefit of an exclusive agency or an exclusive right to sell.  In other words, there's no guarantee that the broker will really ever be the one to sell it, so he/she might not really put much effort into selling it.  You might as well advertise it yourself.  The bottom line with an open listing is that no broker has any incentive to market the home at all.  The typical market practice is for sellers to pay the commission, so buyers can opt to get a broker who will look for properties for them.  While there's nothing wrong with wanting to sell your own property, but if you don't even offer a commission to Buyer's Brokers, those brokers will avoid you because there is nothing in it for them to endorse you to their buyers.  You list your property cheap, and they're still going to take their buyers elsewhere. If your property is a good one, they'll bring their buyers all right - while working on their buyer's behalf to get them a better deal.  It's like a war, except you don't even have a soldier on your side.  You shouldn't expect any marketing or advertising at all with an open listing contract.

I have a special listing agreement contract.  It's an open listing contract, but it has a hold-over clause.  What is the holdover clause for?  Well, the Seller's Broker's authority ends upon the expiry date of the contract, right? However, if a buyer who was introduced or shown to the property from any source whatsoever, through the marketing efforts of the broker during the listing period, subsequently effects a private sale with the Seller within the holdover period, then the Seller is liable for the total commission as stated on the contract.  In other words, a holdover clause is a clause that protects the broker's interest even after the contract has expired, but only for a certain period of time, like a couple of months, depending on the agreement between the broker and the seller.  It offers a small measure of protection, which is still better than the usual open listing.  If you want it, I'll be happy to provide you a copy.

Of course, it still bears saying that you, as a seller or buyer or broker, should be careful of what you sign, especially where contracts are involved.  If you think there's something amiss, consult a lawyer.  There are lots of legal mumbo-jumbo that you shouldn't assume the meanings of .

Hope that helps ya!
Jon


Friday, July 22, 2011

Things Are Looking Up!

Things are finally looking up!  That or I'm just really optimistic.  I hope both is true.  Everyday, when I wake up, my mind goes "Maybe today?"  Yeah, I'm an optimist :).  Here are a couple of things that I think are good reasons for me to say that things are, indeed, looking up:
  • I'm now a premium member in SocialMonkee, a free backlink website.  Join now and refer 12 people to get upgraded too.
  • I've finished my new website: East of Manila, featuring lots, house and lots, and townhouses in Marikina and Rizal Province.
  • I'm close to a deal with a friend...  More details on that when it happens.
  • I've been getting some hits on some of my listings...  Will update also when it happens.  I don't want to preempt anything hehe.
  • Got some valuable information from a valued mentor, Sir Joey Zamora, regarding commission over-rides.  It definitely settled some doubts in my mind about when it's applicable.
  • Got a great deal brewing with Urbanet (sister company of Urban Institute of Real Estate, where I reviewed for to become a licensed real estate broker) regarding DMCI accreditation and getting sales persons...  More on that when it actually happens.
  • Got something good happening this December, looking forward to that!
Lots more things happening, and I'm getting really pumped-up and excited!  Wish me luck!

Jon

Monday, July 18, 2011

Filipinos No Longer Welcome As Domestic Helpers in KSA

I don't know if I'm going to be happy or vexed at this development.  Apparently, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) will no longer be hiring domestic helpers from the Philippines and Indonesia because of the breakdown in negotiations regarding labor issues.  The KSA claims that the "manpower from Southeast Asia" were causing a lot of problems, mainly for asking for a $400 monthly minimum wage, a location map of the Saudi's residence, and the opening of a bank account for the salary of the domestic helper.  I can't think of any reason why these are unreasonable demands, considering the KSA is oil-rich.  I'm tempted to say that they just want to be able to get away with their abusive natures and now that we're starting to implement safety nets for our people, they're looking for other people to take advantage of.  Domestic helpers are not animals, and they're entitled to safe working conditions, too.  I'm seriously worried for the Ethiopians now.

On a related note, although the KSA will no longer hire domestic helpers from the Philippines, they will still hire skilled labor such as welders, masons, carpenters, drivers, etc.  Hopefully, our OFWs will not be disheartened by this development.  I have to say though, props to our government for bringing those demands to the negotiation table.  We have to protect our people, and this is a step in the right direction.

Thinking about it now, after I've let out my initial frustrations, I think I'm more happy than angry that the KSA will no longer hire Filipino house help.  Honestly, they never had it so good, and they don't deserve it, as far as I'm concerned.  If they're not willing to ensure our people's financial and personal safety, then they have no right to our hard-working countrymen.  They can roll around in their oil for all I care, I'd rather ride a carabao or a horse if worse comes to worst.  Sorry, I know I'm not objective as far as this is concerned.  It's just that I never had a lot of respect for people who take advantage or hurt those who are weaker or can't fight back.  They're worse than animals in my opinion.  So, as far as I'm concerned, good riddance Saudis.

Jon

Friday, July 15, 2011

Homes For The Law and REIT

Wow, I didn't realize I hadn't blogged in more than a week!  10 days to be exact.  Truth is, news tend to be more or less the same, day in and day out.  Save for your occasional surprising tidbit, like Holcim increasing the price of cement by P10 when demand is seen to actually start falling due to the wet season, there's really not much to say about the real estate industry.  Sure there are still lots of exciting developments; condos are springing up left and right, even in Leyte, can you believe it?  But in general, there aren't a lot of really interesting news to share.  Well, I decided to just talk a bit about P-Noy's effort to help out our cops and soldiers, and the REIT again.

News about the housing units distributed to qualified policemen and soldiers is interesting because everybody's struggling to get their own piece of land, and being a cop or soldier in the Philippines doesn't exactly make one rich.  So it's always good news to hear about the government helping them out.  It's not a bad deal, too.  The article states: "A housing unit at the AFP/PNP Heroes Ville Housing Project in San Jose del Monte City with a lot area of 36 square meters and floor area of 22 square meters is worth P140,000, payable in 30 years at six percent per annum."  The monthly amortization starts off at P200 for the first 5 years, and gradually goes up to P809.53 from the 26th year onwards.  Maybe that'll be enough incentive for our law enforcers to stay clean, if you get what I mean.

As far as the REIT goes, Finance secretary Cesar Purisima said he had signed the tax rules already, but the government will impose value-added tax (VAT) on properties that will be transferred to REITs.  Still, notwithstanding that fact, shares of property developers such as Ayala Land and SM Prime Holdings have gone up on speculation that the introduction of REIT in the country will boost its value.  Philippine Stock Exchange President Hans Sicat disclosed that the minimum public ownership required is 40%, which will further be expanded to 67% in the next three years.  I think it's wise to keep an eye out for this investment, as the real estate industry in the Philippines is currently very healthy, one might stand to gain a lot, were one to play the cards right.

That's all for now, folks.  Have a good weekend, watch a movie, spend time with loved ones.  Be happy, stay healthy.

Jon

Monday, July 4, 2011

QR Codes: I can't help but like 'em!

QR Codes (Quick Response Codes) is not new, they've been out in Japan for some time now.  It's a clever way to get people to participate by using their mobile phones to decode or decipher what's encoded in the QR image.  It's typically a black and white affair, for contrast reasons.  But as cameras are getting better, and the software needed to decode them has also improved, we now see QR Codes that have images, even animated ones, embedded into the code!  For now, I'm just happy playing around with colors *^_^*.  Won't you indulge me and follow my QR Code?  Leave a review when you get there!  Thanks.


It's so cool!

Jon

Saturday, July 2, 2011

East of Manila: Live and Play in the East

I'm finally happy with my new site: http://eastofmanila.co.cc to claim that it's finished and publish it as such!  The site is about real estate properties east of Metro Manila, Philippines, such as Marikina and the province of Rizal, including San Mateo, Antipolo, etc.

Visit my site to find out more about Amiya Raya, the park-themed residential community rising out of the hill-sides of San Mateo, just 30 minutes away from Commonwealth Avenue, Q.C.  Or Ramah Desa Mountain Residences of Antipolo.  You'll also find out more about Suburbia East, the flood-free subdivision by EEI Realty in Marikina City, as well as various townhouses like the Westdrive Villas by Atendido Realty.

Living in the east of the metro is a blessing.  It's close to the capital, and you don't even have to pay toll to get there.  Amiya Raya is so much like going up to Baguio that you'll forget that you're just a few minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the city.  Suburbia East is so peaceful and quiet that you wouldn't believe it's only walking distance to the access road leading to Concepcion, Marikina.  These are beautiful properties east of the Metro Manila, you'll love it here!

Jon
PRC License No. 0004326