Stipulations cannot defeat collection of taxes

Expenses without pertinent supporting documents. Without said documents, such as but not limited to, receipts, transportation-related vouchers and/or invoices, there is no way of ascertaining whether the amounts reflected in the schedule of expenses were disbursed for transportation.

With regard to commission expense, no additional documentary evidence, like the reinsurance agreements contracts, was presented to support petitioner’s allegation that the expenditure originated from reinsurance activities that gave rise to reinsurance commissions, not subject to withholding tax. As to occupancy costs, records reveal that petitioner failed to compute the correct total occupancy cost that should be subjected to withholding tax, hence, petitioner is liable for the deficiency.

As to service/contractors and purchases, petitioner contends that both parties already stipulated that it correctly withheld the taxes due. Thus, petitioner is of the belief that it is no longer required to present evidence to prove the correct payment of taxes withheld. As correctly ruled by the CTA Second Division and En Bane, however, stipulations cannot defeat the right of the State to collect the correct taxes due on an individual or juridical person because taxes are the lifeblood of our nation so its collection should be actively pursued without unnecessary impediment. (G.R. No. 197117. April 10, 2013)