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How to Register a Business in the Philippines
You’ll need to fulfill your business registration requirements with a number of government agencies:
- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
- Local Government Unit (LGU)
- Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
- Social Security System (SSS)
- Other agencies as required (e.g. National Food Authority, DTI Intellectual Property Office)
Why Business Registration is Critical
Businesses that aren’t duly registered face costly penalties. On the other hand, there are several perks for those that comply—from tax breaks to long-term land leases and streamlined customs procedures.
These incentives are given by agencies that encourage investment in the Philippines, such as the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Board of Investments (BOI).
Choose the Right Business Structure in the Philippines
How you go about setting up your business in the Philippines will depend on the type
of business you want to run. Consult us to find the right one for your needs.
Sole Proprietorship
The fastest option to start a business. A single owner controls all assets and profits and can mix business and personal assets.
One Person Corporation (OPC)
Get the perks of a traditional corporation without more than one stockholder. An OPC has limited liability and one business owner.
Domestic Corporation
A popular option for businesses with foreign investors. Corporation equity can be: 100% Filipino, 60% Filipino + 40% Foreign, or 40%-100% Foreign.
Partnership
A good option for both local and foreign companies. You can register a general or limited partnership.
Foreign Corporation
A foreign company can also register as a type of resident foreign corporation. Choose the right corporate entity for your needs.
PEZA and BOI Accreditation
Register with PEZA or BOI to take advantage of tax breaks and other investor perks in the Philippines.
Launchpad Works Closely With Government Agencies
Launchpad saves you the back-and-forth trips to government offices. We help facilitate
business registration transactions with these government agencies.
Essential Business Registration Requirements
Every business registered in the Philippines must go through the following government agencies.
Department of Trade and Industry
Securities and Exchange Commission
Local Barangay
City/Municipality
Bureau of Internal Revenue
Social Security System
Department of Labor and Employment
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
For sole proprietorships, these are the basic requirements:
- Sole proprietorship businesses must be registered with DTI. Basic requirements include:
- Accomplished DTI Sole Proprietorship Application Form
- Valid government-issued ID
- Acceptable visa (for non-Filipinos)
- Proof of Inward Remittance (for non-resident alien) or Bank Certificate of Deposit (for resident alien)
- Notarized Appointment of Resident Agent, if necessary (for non-Filipinos)
- Other supplementary documents and/or forms as required by BOI
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
For one person corporations (OPC), domestic corporations, and partnerships, basic requirements include:
- Articles of Incorporation
- Articles of Partnership
- Three key officers: president, treasurer, and corporate secretary (for corporations)
- Nominee and alternate nominee (for OPC)
- By-laws (for 2-15 incorporators)
- Foreign Investments Act F-100 Form (if foreign-owned)
- Shareholders’ information, including equity (for 2-15 incorporators)
Local Barangay
These are the basic requirements for a barangay clearance:
- Application Form
- DTI or SEC Certificate of Registration
- Approved Articles of Incorporation (all corporations)
- Approved Articles of Partnership (for partnerships)
- Approved By-Laws (for domestic corporations)
- Secretary’s Certificate (for corporations) or Special Power of Attorney (for sole proprietorship)
- Site map of the business’s location
- Contract of lease for business office address
City/Municipality
A Mayor’s Permit or Municipal License is also needed before a business can operate in a city or locale. Basic requirements usually include:
- Application form
- Barangay Clearance
- Zoning Clearance
- Occupancy Permit
- Fire safety inspection permit
- Sanitation Permit
Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
Businesses must have a tax identification number (TIN) and authority to print receipts and invoices. Basic requirements for BIR registration include:
- BIR Form 1901 (for sole proprietorships)
- BIR Form 1903 (for corporations and partnerships)
- BIR Form 2000
- Mayor’s Permit or municipal license
- Contract of lease
Social Security System (SSS)
Any employer who benefits from the services of a person must be registered with SSS.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
Any business with at least one employee is required to register with DOLE.
Business Registration Options for Foreign Companies
Foreign corporations can do business in the Philippines as a domestic corporation or as a resident foreign corporation.
These are the options to set up official extensions of your head office.
Branch Office
Representative Office
Regional Headquarters (RHQ)
Regional Operating Headquarters (ROHQ)
Branch Office
A branch office in the Philippines can do income-generating activities. It doesn’t have a separate legal identity from the company head office.
Representative Office
A representative office is limited to conducting non-commercial activities for its parent company. It doesn’t have a separate legal identity. Since it cannot engage in revenue-generating activities, it’s not allowed to directly offer products/services in the country.
Regional Headquarters (RHQ)
An RHQ is another business entity that cannot engage in income-generation. It’s a popular option for foreign companies with an international network of subsidiaries, branches, and affiliates. It doesn’t have a separate legal identity from its parent company.
Regional Operating Headquarters (ROHQ)
An ROHQ is an income-generating entity that expands its parent company’s business activities in the Philippines. It’s often established by foreign corporations with an international network of subsidiaries, branches, and affiliates.
Business Registration FAQs
What’s the scope of Launchpad’s business registration services?
Launchpad works with businesses of all sizes, from small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) to multinational corporations. We provide end-to-end business registration assistance, which includes:
- Company incorporation
- Foreign licensing
- Application for business permits
- Assessing eligibility for tax incentives
- Corporate restructuring
We can also help you in evaluating the following:
- Nature of the business
- Ideal location for the business
- List of business activities to engage in
- Market-entry plans of the business
- Capital requirements on chosen industry (including options for reducing the minimum capital required for starting operations)
- Appointment of nominee director/s or resident agent
- Choosing corporate officers (e.g. president, corporate secretary, treasurer)
- Staffing requirements to assess the approximate size of office space and facilities
Do you work with a third party legal team?
Launchpad has an in-house team of seasoned business registration experts and bookkeeping professionals. Additionally, we also have a corporate lawyer who provides us with sound legal guidance on company formation and business registration in the Philippines.
How long does it take to register a new company?
The timeframe of registration will vary depending on the exact business entity you choose and the prompt submission of requirements. Here’s a preview, so you know what to expect:
- SEC incorporation can take anywhere from 3 to 4 weeks.
- BIR registration can take anywhere from 3 to 4 weeks.
- LGU registration can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks
- DOLE Rule 1020 Registration can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks.
Get in touch with us via email or via phone call to learn more.
If you have other questions that are not answered in the above FAQ, please feel free to get in
touch with us via email at [email protected], via phone call, or using our website contact form.