How to Claim Tax Treaty Benefits in the Philippines as a Foreign Company

If your company earns income from the Philippines — dividends from a subsidiary, royalties from a licensing deal, or interest on a loan — you're likely subject to Philippine withholding tax. The standard rate for non-residents is 25% under the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC).

But if your home country has a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) with the Philippines, you may be entitled to significantly lower rates — sometimes as low as 10% or even 0%. The catch? Treaty relief is not automatic. You need to follow a specific process laid out by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Which Countries Have Tax Treaties with the Philippines?

The Philippines currently has DTAs with over 40 countries, including:

United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia
Japan, South Korea, China, Singapore, Thailand
Germany, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain
India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam
United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait
New Zealand, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Austria

The full list is maintained on the BIR's DTA page. Each treaty has its own rates, so the specific benefit depends on your country and the type of income.

What Rates Can You Expect?

Most Philippine DTAs reduce withholding tax on three main income types:

Dividends — typically reduced to 10–15% (from 25%)
Interest — typically reduced to 10–15%
Royalties — typically reduced to 10–25%, depending on the treaty

Some treaties also cover capital gains, business profits, and service fees. For example, the US-Philippines treaty caps dividend withholding at 25% (or 20% for a corporate shareholder that has held at least 10% of the paying company's voting stock).

The 5-Step Process Under RMO No. 14-2021

In 2021, the BIR issued Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) No. 14-2021 to streamline treaty relief claims. Here's how it works:

Step 1: Prepare Your BIR Form 0901

The nonresident income earner must accomplish BIR Form No. 0901 (Application for Treaty Purposes). This form declares the type of income, the applicable treaty, and the preferential rate being claimed.

Step 2: Obtain a Tax Residency Certificate (TRC)

You need a Tax Residency Certificate issued by your home country's tax authority for the relevant period. For US companies, this is IRS Form 6166. For other countries, contact your local tax office. The TRC proves you are a tax resident of the treaty partner country.

Step 3: Apply the Treaty Rate at the Time of Payment

Under the current rules, the Philippine withholding agent (your local payer — subsidiary, licensee, or borrower) can apply the reduced treaty rate upfront at the time of payment, provided they have:

Your completed BIR Form 0901
Your valid TRC
A copy of the relevant treaty provisions

This was a major improvement over the old system, which required advance approval before applying any reduced rate.

Step 4: File a Request for Confirmation

After applying the treaty rate, the withholding agent must file a Request for Confirmation with the BIR's International Tax Affairs Division (ITAD). Deadlines vary:

Capital gains — by the last day of the 4th month after the close of the taxable year when the transaction was consummated
Other income — by the last day of the 4th month after the close of the taxable year when income was paid or accrued

Late filing is penalized under Sections 250 and 255 of the Tax Code, and if the BIR finds the treaty rate was not properly applied, the withholding agent pays the deficiency tax plus penalties.

Step 5: Receive the Certificate of Entitlement (COE)

If the BIR confirms the treaty rate was correctly applied, it issues a certificate confirming entitlement to treaty benefits (commonly called a Certificate of Entitlement), signed by the Assistant Commissioner for Legal Service. If denied, it issues a BIR Ruling, and the withholding agent must pay the deficiency tax plus penalties. Adverse rulings may be appealed to the Department of Finance within 30 days.

What If the Full 25% Was Already Withheld?

If your Philippine payer withheld at the regular 25% rate instead of the treaty rate, you can file a Tax Treaty Relief Application (TTRA) with ITAD to establish your entitlement, and a claim for refund of the excess (BIR Form 1913), which must be filed within the two-year period under Section 229 of the Tax Code. The TTRA can be filed any time after receipt of income, and must include:

A letter-request explaining the claim
BIR Form 0901
Your TRC
Proof of income payment and withholding tax paid
A Special Power of Attorney if filed by a representative

Important: All documents executed outside the Philippines must be authenticated or apostilled in the foreign country before submission.

Common Mistakes Foreign Companies Make

Assuming treaty relief is automatic — it requires active filing and documentation
Not obtaining a TRC — the application will be denied without proof of treaty-country residency
Missing the confirmation deadline — late filing is penalized, and an unconfirmed treaty rate exposes the payor to deficiency tax
Failing to apostille foreign documents — unauthenticated documents are rejected
Ignoring "beneficial ownership" requirements — shell companies or conduit arrangements may be denied treaty benefits under anti-treaty-shopping provisions

Why This Matters for Your Bottom Line

On a USD 1 million royalty payment, the difference between a 25% withholding rate and a 10% treaty rate is USD 150,000. For foreign companies with ongoing Philippine operations, proper treaty planning is not optional — it's essential.

A Philippine law firm experienced in international tax can help you structure the application, coordinate with your local withholding agent, and ensure ITAD compliance. Getting it right the first time saves months of processing and avoids costly deficiency assessments.

Need help claiming tax treaty benefits for your Philippine operations? Contact TTFC Law — we handle the BIR filings so you can focus on your business.