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A Letter of Authority (LOA) is an official document from the Bureau of Internal Revenue that gives tax examiners permission to audit a taxpayer's books and records. In the Philippines, this document kicks off the formal tax examination process and specifies which tax periods and types of taxes will be reviewed.

BIR agents must present a valid LOA before they can start examining your financial records. The letter includes key details like the authorized examiner's name, the scope of the audit, and its validity period - typically 120 days from issue. It protects both taxpayers and revenue officers by clearly defining the boundaries of the examination.

A Letter of Authority becomes essential when the Bureau of Internal Revenue notifies you of an upcoming tax audit. The moment you receive notice of a BIR examination, you need to verify that the examining officers present a valid LOA before allowing them access to your financial records and accounting books.

This document proves especially important during random BIR audits, tax compliance verification drives, or when your business is selected for routine examination. Having proper documentation ready when BIR agents arrive helps streamline the audit process and protects your rights as a taxpayer under Philippine tax laws.

• Authorization Letter To Claim: Basic LOA for general tax examination purposes, covering standard audit procedures and record reviews
• Authorization Letter Money Claim: Specialized LOA for investigating specific financial transactions or tax refund claims
• Authorization Letter Claim Documents: Focused on document retrieval and verification during tax compliance checks
• Authorization Letter For Permission: Used for special audits requiring expanded access or extended examination periods
• Authorization Letter Cheque Encashment: Specific to reviewing banking transactions and financial instruments

• Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR): Issues Letters of Authority through authorized officials, typically the Commissioner or Regional Directors, to initiate tax examinations
• Revenue Officers: Named examiners who conduct the actual audit, must present valid LOAs before starting their investigation
• Business Owners: Primary recipients who must comply with the examination process while maintaining their rights as taxpayers
• Corporate Accountants: Prepare and present the required financial records and documentation during audits
• Tax Representatives: Authorized professionals who assist taxpayers in handling BIR examinations and responding to LOAs

• Tax Information: Gather complete details about tax periods under review, types of taxes involved, and your BIR registration data
• Examiner Details: Note the names and official ID numbers of authorized revenue officers conducting the audit
• Document Access: Prepare a list of all accounting records, financial statements, and tax returns covered by the examination period
• Validity Check: Verify the LOA's issue date and 120-day validity period to ensure compliance with BIR regulations
• Rights Review: Understand your taxpayer rights and examination procedures under Philippine tax laws before the audit begins

• Header Information: Official BIR letterhead, LOA number, and date of issuance
• Taxpayer Details: Complete name, TIN, registered address, and business registration information
• Examination Scope: Specific tax types, taxable periods, and books/records to be examined
• Authority Details: Names and designations of authorized revenue officers conducting the examination
• Validity Period: Clear statement of the 120-day examination timeframe from date of issuance
• Official Signatures: Authorized BIR official's signature (Commissioner or Regional Director) with proper designation
• Legal References: Citations of relevant sections of the Tax Code and BIR regulations

A Letter of Authority (LOA) is often confused with a Certificate of Authority, but they serve distinctly different purposes in Philippine business and tax matters. While both are official documents, their applications and legal implications differ significantly.

• Purpose and Scope: An LOA specifically authorizes BIR officers to examine taxpayer records during audits, while a Certificate of Authority proves a business's legal registration and right to operate
• Validity Period: LOAs are temporary, typically valid for 120 days, whereas Certificates of Authority remain valid until revoked or suspended
• Issuing Authority: LOAs come exclusively from BIR officials for tax examination purposes, while Certificates of Authority can be issued by various government agencies depending on business type
• Legal Effect: LOAs grant temporary investigation rights to specific BIR officers, but Certificates of Authority establish ongoing operational legitimacy