Requirements and Procedure for Business Registration in Philippines

Starting a business in the Philippines begins by registering your business in order to ensure full and legal operation. Whether you’re starting an online store, a neighborhood shop, or building an office, the first step is to register your business with the Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and Social Security System (SSS).

For now, this page lists down the requirements and procedures involved in registering a sole-proprietorship.

Requirements:

REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTERING YOUR BUSINESS UNDER SOLE-PROPRIETORSHIP:

1. Certificate of Business Name Registration from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) [READ: Registering a business name]
2. Barangay clearance
3. Business permit from mayor’s office
4. Business Tax Identification Number (TIN)

Procedure:

1. Register your business with the DTI and obtain a Business Name Registration Certificate [READ: Registering a business name]

2. Obtain Barangay Clearance from the barangay where you will set up your office

Requirements

Business Name Registration Certificate

Two valid IDs

Proof of address of business location (Note: If you will be operating from home, your home address will suffice)

3. Go to the mayor’s office in order to secure a business permit in the municipal level

Requirements

Business Name Registration Certificate

Map/sketch of location where your business will be located

Two valid IDs

Community tax certificate (in some cases)

4. Go to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) district office where your business will be located

Requirements 

Business Name Registration Certificate

Mayor’s permit

Barangay clearance

Proof of your business address (e.g. lease/rental agreement, land title)

Book of Accounts, to be stamped by BIR (which can be purchased in office supplies stores)

Receipts and invoices from BIR accredited print shops, to be stamped by BIR

5. Obtain a TIN [READ: How to apply for a Tax Identification Number]

6. Fill out an application form for a Certificate of Authority to Print Receipts and Invoices

7. Have your Book of Accounts, receipts, and invoices stamped by the BIR

8. Apply as a self-employed member of the Social Security System (compulsory for business owners in the Philippines [READ: SSS membership]