How to Compute Documentary Stamp Tax

(DST) on Transfer of Real Property

JULY 5, 2011 BY VICTORINO ABRUG AR 13 COMMENTS

How to compute Documentary Stamp Tax (DST) on transfer of real property in

the Philippines? When we sell or buy real property, we execute a contract or
deed of absolute sale, where the selling price, parties, details of property and
other stipulations are stated. The deed of sale is a document, and it is
included by the tax code, regulated by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR),
as a document subject to documentary stamp tax. Now if you are selling or
buying real property (i.e., land and improvement therein), the following
guidelines, steps, procedures and other information in computing DST should
help you.

What is a Documentary Stamp Tax?

Documentary Stamp Tax (DST) is a tax on documents, instruments, loan
agreements and papers evidencing the acceptance, assignment, sale or
transfer of an obligation, right or property incident thereto.

What is the BIR Form used in filing DST?

For filing and payment of DST on sale or transfer of real property, the form to
be used is BIR Form No. 2000-OT (Documentary Stamp Tax
Return/Declaration for One Time Transactions). One time transactions include
transfer of Real Property classified as capital asset, transfer of Real Property

classified as ordinary asset, and transfer of shares of stock not traded through
the local stock. Please click here to download the Form.

Who are required to file BIR Form 2000OT?

This return shall be filed in triplicate by the following person making, signing,
issuing, accepting or transferring the document or facility evidencing
transaction:
1. Every natural or juridical person, resident or non-resident, for sale, barter,
exchange or other onerous disposition of shares of stock in a domestic
corporation, classified as capital asset , not traded in the local stock
exchange;
2. Every withholding agent/buyer/seller on the sale, transfer or exchange of
real property classified as capital asset . The sale includes pacto de retro
sale and other forms of conditional sale; and
3. Every withholding agent/buyer/seller on the sale, transfer or exchange of
real property classified as ordinary asset.
Whenever one party to the taxable document enjoys exemption from the tax
herein imposed, the other party thereto who is not exempt shall be the one
directly liable for the tax.

How to Compute DST on transfer of real

property?
In computing the DST on transfer of real property or Deed of Sale and
conveyance of real property, the following DST tax rate is used:
1.5% x Selling Price/Consideration or Fair Market Value, whichever is
higher
Notes:
-The 1.5% rate is based on the DST fractional rate of Php15 per P1,000
taxable amount or P15/1,000.
-When the sale is thru mortgage foreclosure sale or when one of the
contracting parties is the Government, the tax herein imposed shall be based
on the actual consideration.
-In case of sale of real property paid under installment payment or deferred
payment basis, the payment of documentary stamp tax (DST) shall accrue
upon the execution of the Deed of Absolute Sale but the basis for the
imposition
-Per Revenue Regulations No. 13-2004, the following instruments, documents
and papers shall be exempt from the DST: Transfer of property pursuant to
Section 40(C)(2) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.

Sample computation of DST on transfer of

real property

Example: A residential lot in Pasig City with a floor area of 200sqm has a
Selling Price of P3 Million. The Deed of Sale stipulated that the buyer shall
shoulder DST. The following are the fair market value information of the real
property:
1. Fair Market Value as determined by BIR Commissioner (Zonal
Value/BIR Rules):
1a. Land: P1,600,000 (let us say BIR Zonal value is P8,000/sqm [200 x
8,000=1,600,000])
1b. Improvement: P1,200,000
2. Fair Market Value as determined by Provincial/City Assessors (per
latest Tax Declaration):
2a. Land: P1,400,000
2b. Improvement: P1,300,000
Question: How much is the DST?
Answer/solution:
Step 1. Determine the highest fair value (FMV):
Total FMV1 (1a + 1b): P2,800,000
Total FMV2 (2a + 2b): P2,700,000
Total FMV3 (1a + 2b): P2,900,000
Total FMV4 (2a + 1b): P2,600,000
The Highest FMV is FMV3: P2,900,000. This is the FV we will use in the step
2.

Step 2. Determine the higher between FMV and Selling Price:

FMV = P2,900,000
Selling Price = P3,000,000
The higher value is the selling price P3,000,000. This is our tax base for
computing DST.
Step 3. Calculate DST.
DST = P3,000,000 x 1.5%
DST = P45,000

When and where to file and or pay the BIR

Form 2000-OT?
The return shall be filed and the tax paid wit hin five (5) days after the close of
the month when the taxable document was made, signed, issued, accepted or
transferred.
The return shall be filed with and the tax paid to the Authorized Agent Bank
(AAB) within the territorial jurisdiction of Revenue District Office (RDO) where
the seller/transferor is required to be registered or where the property is
located in case of sale of real property. In places where there are no AABs,
the return shall be filed directly with and tax paid to the Revenue Collect ion
Officer (RCO) or duly Authorized City or Municipal Treasurer within the RDO

where the seller/transferor is required to be registered or where the property is

located in case of real property.
For the attachments required, please see BIR Form 2000-OT. For computing
Capital Gains Tax on transfer of real property, classified as capital asset, in the
Philippines, please read our article How to Compute Capital Gains Tax on
Sale of Real Property.
Source: BIR Revenue Regulations No. 13-2004, BIR website, BIR Form 200OT, NIRC of the Philippines
Disclaimer: This article was published for informational use only. Subsequent
and new laws, regulations, issuances and rulings may render the whole or
part of the article obsolete or incorrect. For more clarifications and inquiries,
please the visit the BIR RDO in your jurisdiction.