Philippines – COVID-19: Travel Restrictions and Cross-Border Tax Guidelines

Philippines–Tvl Restrictions&Cross-Border Tax Guideline

The Philippines Bureau of Immigration has updated its travel restrictions and requirements for inbound and outbound travelers as of 9 August, while the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on 17 August issued guidance on the tax residence and permanent establishment implications of individuals working in the Philippines due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions.

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In the context of ongoing quarantine measures in the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration released a public advisory on travel restrictions and requirements for inbound and outbound travelers as of 9 August.1 The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on 17 August issued Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 83-2020 on the tax residence and permanent establishment implications of individuals working in the Philippines due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions.2

WHY THIS MATTERS

The changes to the travel restrictions and requirements are important for employers in responding to business requirements in the Philippines, such as those sending employees with immigrant visas to the Philippines to manage projects that have been pending or delayed.

Moreover, the latest tax guidelines will help in cross-border planning and assessment of potential corporate tax risks arising from the extended stay of employees in the Philippines.

Travel Restrictions and Requirements

Inbound Travel to the Philippines

Certain individuals can enter the Philippines subject to visa requirements and compliance with Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) requirements.

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The visa requirement is also imposed on foreigners who previously enjoyed visa-free privileges. In addition to the visa requirement, the IATF also requires that the individuals:

1       Have a pre-booked accredited quarantine facility;

2       Have a pre-booked COVID-19 testing provider; and

3       Be within the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry.

Outbound Travel from the Philippines

Foreign nationals can leave the Philippines at any time during the quarantine period. However, only the following Filipino citizens are allowed to leave the Philippines for essential travel:

1       Filipinos who are overseas workers.

2       Students enrolled abroad and participants accepted in exchange visitor programs;

3       Filipinos who have permanent resident status in their country of destination; and

4       Filipinos who are going abroad for business and work, medical, emergency and humanitarian reasons subject to the following conditions:3

  • Execution of a declaration acknowledging the risks involved in travelling including risk of delay in their return trip to be provided at the check-in counters by the airlines; and
  • Upon return, compliance with the Guidelines for Returning Overseas Filipinos issued by the National Task Force (NTF)

Tax Guidelines on Cross-Border Matters

Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 83-2020 relaxes application of tax treaty provisions to mitigate potential tax burdens related to tax reporting and filing obligations.

The circular states that if an individual is prevented from leaving the Philippines due to COVID-19, the individual will not be regarded as being present in the Philippines for tax residence purposes for the period after the scheduled day of departure provided that there is sufficient documentation such as the following:

1       Authenticated sworn certification stating the relevant facts and circumstances of the bona fide presence of the employee in the Philippines;

2       Duly executed contract/s (must be “consularized” or apostilled if executed/signed in a foreign country);

3       Certified true copy of the confirmed booking or flight itinerary for the original flight;

4       Certified true copy of the confirmed booking or flight itinerary for the re-booked flight;

5       Certified true copy of the travel advisory on the cancellation of flight issued by the airline company;

6       Certified true copy of boarding pass;

7       Certified true copy of the employee’s passport, including blank pages thereof; and

8       Other documents that the Bureau shall deem necessary depending on the circumstances.

The tax authorities also clarified the following points on creating a permanent establishment (PE) during the period of the pandemic:

1       A home office would not create a PE for the foreign enterprise because the conduct of business activities lacks a certain degree of permanency and the home office is not at the disposal of the foreign enterprise.

2       Temporary interruptions of construction activities due to COVID-19 should be included in computing the duration of a site and in determining whether such construction site constitutes a PE.

3       In the case of a dependent agent, the effects of COVID-19 will not result in the creation of a PE if the following requirements are met:

  • the non-resident foreign company did not have a permanent establishment in the Philippines before the effects of COVID-19;
  • there are no other changes in the company’s circumstances save for the extended stay of its employee, partner or agent in the Philippines because of travel restrictions; and
  • the employee, partner or agent should leave the country as soon as the circumstances would permit. 

FOOTNOTES

1  See BI Public Advisory posted in the official Facebook page on 08 August 2020.

Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 83-2020.

Inter-Agency Task Force Resolution No. 57  (21 July 2020).

* Please note that KPMG LLP (U.S.) does not offer immigration services or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.

 

The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in the Philippines.

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GMS Flash Alert is a Global Mobility Services publication of the KPMG LLP Washington National Tax practice. The KPMG name and logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organization. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee and does not provide services to clients. No member firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.

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