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June 8, 2018DA ITAD BIR RULING NO. 024-18Principle of Reciprocity;BIR Ruling No. ITAD-303-11Embassy of Italy6/F Zeta II Bldg. 191 Salcedo StreetLegaspi Village, Makati CityGentlemen :This has reference to your Note No. 1009 dated May 22, 2018 referred to this Office by the Department of Finance and the Department of Foreign Affairs, requesting for the exemption from the payment of value-added (VAT) and ad valorem taxes on the local purchase of a motor vehicle for personal use of AAA, _______________ of the Embassy of Italy, specifically described as follows: HEITAD Type of Use:PersonalMake:Yamaha YZF R 1Model Year:2018Color:Blue/BlackFrame Number:JYARN4970J0000469Engine Number:N532E-002921 In reply, please be informed that Article 34 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations reads:"ARTICLE 34A diplomatic agent shall be exempt from all dues and taxes, personal or real, national, regional or municipal, except:(a)  indirect taxes of a kind which are normally incorporated in the price of the goods and services;xxx xxx xxx"Thus, the tax exemption privilege of an Embassy and its diplomatic agents does not include exemption from VAT on its local purchases of goods...