A corporation can be a stock or a non-stock corporation. As their names suggest, stock corporations issue shares of stock, while non-stock corporations don’t. A stock corporation is a for-profit corporation which the ownership of the corporation is expressed by shares of stock. The owner of the shares of a corporation is called stockholder or shareholder. Now, if you’re on your way to incorporate your business as a stock corporation, the following are steps and guides on how to register it with the Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Basic Requirements
1. Name Verification Slip (secure online or from SEC Name Verification Unit)
You can visit the SEC i-Register, the web-based Company Registration System of Philippines SEC, to verify and register online. SEC i-Register is a quick, affordable, and user friendly service that is available to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To use their online services, you need to sign-up to create an account. Once you’ve created an account, you can already verify and reserve your proposed company name and file application for company registration. Alternatively, you can visit the SEC Verification Unit, located at the SEC Building, EDSA, Greenhills, Mandaluyong City to secure your Name Verification Slip at the counter. If you’re residing near Cebu City, you can register your business or company at SEC Cebu located at V. Rama Avenue, Guadalupe Cebu City.
2. Articles of Incorporation and By-laws
You can ask for blank forms from the Company Registration and Monitoring Department (CRMD). For the preparation and drafting of Articles of Incorporation, By-laws and other requirements, you can consult a corporate lawyer to get assistance. If you have time and want to save from expensive professional fees, you may also draft the documents on your own, especially if you’re already familiar with them. You can just visit a lawyer for notaries.
Click here to download a sample / blank forms of Articles of Incorporation and By Laws, with a Treasurer’s Affidavit from SEC Website.
3. Treasurer’s Affidavit
The Treasurer’s Affidavit also authorizes the Securities and Exchange Commission and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to examine and verify the deposited amount in the bank, which is in the name of the treasurer in trust for the corporation, representing the paid up capital of the corporation on the process. The bank certificate of deposit is one of the documents that must be submitted with the SEC. Hence, you must obtain it from the bank.
4. Affidavit of incorporator or director undertaking to change corporate name (not required if Articles of Incorporation has provision on this commitment).
Additional Requirements
1. Endorsement/clearance from the following government agencies, if applicable.
a. Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) – for Air Transport
b. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas – for banking, pawnshops & other financial intermediaries with quasi-banking functions.
c. Games and Amusement Board (GAB) – for Professional boxing
d. Philippine Charity Sweeptakes Office (PCSO) – for operation of games of chance (e.g. lotto)
e. Department of Education (DepEd) – for educational institution – elementary to high school
f. Commission on Higher Education (CHED) – for educational institution – college or tertiary course
g. Technical Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – for educational institution – technical or vocational course
h. Department of Energy (DOE) – for electric power plants
i. Department of Health (DOH) – for hospitals
j. Insurance Commission (IC) – for insurance
k. Land Transportation Franchise Regulatory Board (LTFRB) – for land transport
l. Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) – for water transport, construction and building of vessels
m. National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) – for operation of radio, television and telephone
n. Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) – for recruitment of overseas employment
2. For corporations with foreign equity: Proof of remittance by non-resident aliens and foreign corporate subscribers who want to register their investment with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)
3. For corporations with more than 40% foreign equity: SEC Form No. F- 100
4. For corporations with Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) or other economic zones application: Certificate of Authority or endorsement from said government agencies
5. Additional requirements based on kind of payment of subscription. If paid by cash below are the additional requirements.
a. Bank Certificate of deposit of paid up capital notarized in place where signed (as stated in no.3 Treasurer’s Affidavit)
b. For corporations with foreign subscribers who want to register their investments with the BSP: Proof of inward remittance or bank certificate
If paid other than cash (i.e., properties, inventories, shares of stock, etc.,), please see the complete requirement on this link page from the Philippines SEC.
Things to remember
1. Incorporators are required to be not less than five (5) but not more than fifteen (15). Incorporators are the original stockholders included in the application for registration. Stockholders can increase after incorporation.
2. Majority of the incorporators are required to be residents of the Philippines.
3. All incorporators must be natural persons and must be of legal age. A Corporation or a partnership can become a stockholder by acquiring shares of stock after the corporation has been duly incorporated.
4. All incorporators must subscribe to at least one (1) share of stock of the corporation being organized.
5. Minimum subscription: The law requires that the total capital stock to be subscribed at the time of incorporation should at least be twenty five percent [25%] of the authorized capital stock of the corporation being organized.
6. Minimum paid-up capital: The paid-up capital of a Philippine corporation must not be less than PhP5,000.00. Thus, it is required that at least twenty five percent [25%] of the subscribed capital stock should be fully paid up but the amount of which should not be less than said PhP5,000.00. Certain types of companies, such as financing and insurance companies are required to have different minimum paid-up capital based on their industry. To see the different minimum paid-up capital requirements published by SEC please click here.
7. Don’t forget to pay the documentary stamp tax on the original issuance of shares of stock. It must be filed and paid with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) or Authorized Agent Bank (AAB). Section 174 of the National Internal Code (as amended), requires a payment at the rate of Php1 on each Php200 or a fractional part thereof of the par value of the shares of stock. Payment must be made on or before the 5th of the month following the date of issuance of the registration certificate or issuance of shares. The documentary stamp tax return or BIR form 2000 is one of the document required to be submitted with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) when you register your corporation with them.
The SEC website has published a citizen’s manual on the registration of corporation and partnerships with the SEC. The pdf file can be downloaded here, you can save it in your computer and print it for your guide.
Victorino Q. Abrugar is a marketing strategist and business consultant from Tacloban City, Philippines. Vic has been in the online marketing industry for more than 7 years, practicing problogging, web development, content marketing, SEO, social media marketing, and consulting.
Hi Sir Vic,
Just wanna ask for penalty for Non Filing of Audited FS and G.I.S. (our office is only representative office)
Thanks in advanced and more power
hi!
I would like to inquire on how to incorporate a REALTY COMPANY. The subscribers have real properties in their own names which they plan to invest in a new realty company they will put up in exchange for shares of stock.
My questions are as follows:
1. is it possible that the 25% paid-up capital in a proposed new company is partly CASH and partly REAL PROPERTY?
2. are these real properties invested in a new company as paid up capital subject to CAPITAL GAIN TAX?
3. what are the things that we should know in putting up real properties in a company in exchange for a capital stock?
We hope you can enlighten us on this matter?
Thanks
Hi Jojo! Please find hereunder my view on your concerns.
1. is it possible that the 25% paid-up capital in a proposed new company is partly CASH and partly REAL PROPERTY?
Ans. Yes, it is possible because property is allowed as a consideration for the issuance of shares of stocks.
2. are these real properties invested in a new company as paid up capital subject to CAPITAL GAIN TAX?
Ans. Yes they are subject to capital gains tax (CGT) as a regular sale with shares as consideration. Alternatively, you may opt to undergo the tax-free transfer such property to legally minimize taxes on the transfer of such property.
3. what are the things that we should know in putting up real properties in a company in exchange for a capital stock?
Ans. In addition to the above, the following maybe material:
a. Certificate Authorizing Registration (CAR) for the property after he transfer;
b. At least 60% Filipino equity;
c. Fair market values of such properties;
d. Taxes on the shares and real properties; and,
e. More…
Hope the above helps.
@ Jojo
If subscription is paid through real properties (Land and/ Building/Condominium Unit), the following are the documents that may be submitted to SEC:
-Detailed schedule of the property showing its registered owner, location, area, TCT No., tax declaration number and the basis of the transfer value (market value/assessed value/ zonal value or appraised value )
-Copy of TCT/CCT and tax declaration sheet, certified by the Register of Deeds and the Assessor’s Office, respectively
-If transfer value is based on zonal value: Latest zonal valuation certified by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
-If transfer value is based on appraised value: Appraisal report by a licensed real estate appraiser (not more than six [6] months old)
-Deed of assignment with primary entry by the Register of Deeds
-If property is mortgaged: Mortgagee/creditor’s certification on the outstanding loan balance and his consent to the transfer of property
-For assignment of a building where the assignor is not the owner of the land: Lease contract on the land and consent of the land owner to the transfer
-Affidavit of the transferor that the building/condominium unit is existing and in good condition
-Affidavit of undertaking by any incorporator or director to submit the proof of transfer of the property within the prescribed period
Ghar,
Many thanks for your advice.
But I just want to be enlightened more of that so-called “tax-free transfer” of property in exchange for shares of stock, in order to minimize taxes. What are the mechanics involved, especially if it is intended as paid up capital for a proposed new corporation? Should we need clearance from BIR before filing the incorporation papers with SEC?
The proposed new corporation is a family-owned realty entity. If some of the properties are already in the names of the children, and some in the names of the father, and these said children had executed a “Waiver of Ownership” in favor of the father, are these waivers valid for purposes of exchange of property for shares of stock in a new corporation to be set up?
If the waivers if not valid, what should be the proper document we have to prepare to legalize the transfer of ownership of property from the children to the proposed new corporation? How about those children who have no property in their names? Can they still get equal shares together with the other favored children in a new corporation?
The above query is a hard stuff to us. May you enlighten us again on how to proceed on this matter.
Thank you Ghar.
Hi Jojo. Your oncerns below is very common to family corporations in relation to estate planning. There could be many ways to implement your objective to distribute and assign proportionate shares to te children while safeguarding the ownership interest of the parents. We could sit down with you to discuss more on your concerns. Please contact us for related concerns. Thanks
how do I contact you?
To whom it may concern:
Please kindly resolved my problem about my business name ” DORWIL BUILDERS CO.” which is already have an article of dissolution applied last 2006 and yet was found already dissolved from sec registration on that year but now was found appearing back in sec registration and It so sad I can never renew my business name “DORWIL BUILDERS” as sole proprietor in DTI this year.
I hope for your immediate action regarding this matter.
Thank you very much…..
Hi Doroteo. If you used the name ahead, you may file a case with the SEC and ask to order the company to change name. You may need a lawyer for this.
hi! i would like to ask about putting up a business with a foreigner. i have a friend and we might use my name in order to operate. is it possible that i would just contribute less and my service? we are thinking about importing gadgets’ parts and we would be like the distributors… what should i do? im a first timer and i dont know a lot about legal matters.. please help.. thank you in advance..^^ i badly need help…
Hi Bona,
I suggest you Incorporate your Business giving at most 40% share to the foreigner and at least 60% for you. To minimize the business risk considering you’ll have to go through importation and remittances.
Hi, how does an individual earn in a corporation — say, my sole prop business converted to Corporation.
I know through stocks but how? Are the stocks paid monthly to stockholders? how do we ‘withdraw’ funds for other use (i.e. personal or otherwise) which is easier in a sole prop business.
Thanks for your help.
Shareholders earn from a corporation earning profits, which increases stock value, or through dividends that are distributed to stockholders by a business when it earns profits.
Money from business can be got different ways:
/If WORKING in the business, then it common to get pay for that too. Depending of business type if it’s counted as salary or part of profit. Such are often monthly, but can be agreed to be adjusted afterwards depending of profit.
/Dividents are yearly
/Increase value of stocks become CASH only when selling (some of) them.
/There are RESTRICTIONS concerning allowed deduction in the business bookkeeping, but it’s possible it can be royalty, licence fees, loan interests, lease fees for equipment. Such are deducted in the business, but the reciever pay tax.
Sorry, one more, can a husband and wife be both incorporators / stockholders in the same corp business?
Yes Carla there is no restriction for that.
But if one/both are foreigners, then it’s max 40 % TOTAL foreign share in most types of businesses. The main exception is “export business” = Minimum 60 % are exported.
The “Anti-Dummy” law can be a problem too, if the officials believe one spouse have financed (part of) the other spouse’s shares too.
I want to solicit idea how to register a hospital name to the SEC? SEC requires endorsement from DOH while DOH requires name of the hospital approved by SEC.
Hmmm. That’s confusing. Maybe what the DOH means is that you obtain a reserved name from SEC that is approved as available. You can go to SEC and reserve an available name for your corporation. You may also inquire further details at the commission.
Good day!
Hi, I some questions regarding registering a business with SEC. We are planning to open a business to be registered in SEC, I would to ask if the investment capital is always 1M? As reflected in the requirements for non-stock corporation. I dont really understand the paid-up capital for the stock corporation. The business that we plan to register is a lending business. I like to know if there’s a lower investment capital than 1M, or if there’s any possiblity to register a business with SEC with lower investment capital of 1M? I hope you can help me.
Thanks’
Good Day Sir / Madam,
Would you kindly educate me regarding SEC!? My parent is in transportation business
and is interested to register her 2 unit of buses, would that be possible?
I have a problem regarding the name of our school. I registered it as Good Shepherd Developmental School. I am still using its former name Good Shepherd School (the name before it was registered). I would like to use its registered name as the name of the corporation, but I would like to use Good Shepherd School as its trade name. What will I do?
hi sir,
can u help what is the first process for corporation and requirements that i need.
thanks,
dhebs
Hi i just wanna ask hmm…. What is the effect if the corporation failed to file its by-laws within one month after filing of the articles of incorporation as required by law?
thank you
Vic,
On the Additional requirements on Business Name registration, what is the basis of that “endorsement/clearance from any government agencies”? I mean, is it a republic act, A.O., D.O., D.M., etc. thanks Francis
I assume what you mean is a certificate/license from other government agencies which are required by special laws. For example, pawnshops, lending companies, and other financing companies need to obtain registration from the BSP.
can anyone help me register an importing/trading company?
how much is the minimum authorized capital stock for a business with importing of general construction and building merchandise? will it be possible for me to import other goods not related to construction? like garments textiles
thanks guys!
Darling, boss!
I plan to open the Internet of a casino (E-casino/online casino) on Philippines.
I will need your help on registration of all formalities. Report the price of your services.
Clients of a casino will be from other countries. The Internet of a casino will work for 100 % outside of Philippines.
What known banks which are on Philippines, work about casino online?
Banks should represent – special service of bank for business casino online: “pay2pay” it means input of money from a bank card into the account of a casino and a conclusion to the card in case of a prize .
Yours faithfully, Alex
Hi ,I need your help po,our professor is asking forthis.
Show by way of the example steps in computing the amount of
filing of a stock corporation.
Thanks
Hi Sir, do I need to register a fish pond business in BFAR? If so, how much is the fee? Thanks po Sir! 🙂
What it is really? I’m very confused with the law in the Philippines pertaining to owning a real property in the Philippines?
How come it is written everywhere that in a condominium, not more that 40% interest must be sold to foreigners, for example 100 units, 40 can be foreign owners & 60% Filipino. But when I make some research, most of the owners in the condo units are owned by foreigners, in short, they have a greater % in the total interests in the whole project? What does this mean? Let’s say a developer, a corporation who originally owns the land (with 60/40 foreign equity) is only responsible for construction and development alone, then in the master deed, land title will be transferred to “condominium corporation” if the foreign % interest is higher than the Filipino owners, how does the Philippine law reacts to this?
“not more that 40% interest must be sold to foreigners,”
That’s corect.
It’s possible some condos are in Filipino names, although foreigners are LIVING there, by:
/renting (=Allowed)
/the condo is in Filipina SPOUSE to the foreigner name (Doubtful if that follow the law. At least in most cases it don’t.)
How do we contact you? What is your email address? thanks.
Hi Jo,
Gusto kasi naming magtayo ng IT company kaso wala kami masyado kapital. Pwede ba kami mag start sa 50,000 for sec registration. How much ang kailangan paid capital at meron pa ba kaming kailangang bayaran?
The requirement for paid up capital is at least 25% of the subscribed capital which should also be at least 25% of the authorized capital stock. For example, if your authorized capital stock is P500,000, your subscribed capital should be at least P125,000, and your paid up capital should be at least P31,250. So yes, you can register a corporation with only P50,000. But it should not be less than P5,000.
Can we have 100,000 as the authorized capital?
Do I need to deposit to the bank the entire 100,000 for bank certificate?
and is my assumption correct below;
1. subscribed capital 25,000?
2. paid up capital is 6250?
Which amount do I need for bank certificate, is it the authorized capital, subscribed capital or the paid up capital?
Hi, if your authorized capital is 100,000, and subscribed capital is 6,250. then your bank certificate should be for the amount of P6,250, the paid up capital at the time of incorporation.
However, if the authorized capital stock is below P80,0000, the AC x 25% x 25% rule would not apply because the minimum paid up capital is P5,000.
How do we determine the authorized capital stock? We are putting up a corporation for a
gym business.
Hi Sir!
I just want to inquire regarding the needed requirements of a foreign company who wants to become a stockholder in a Phil. registered corporation. This Phil. registered corporation is already an existing company.
Thank you very much and best regards,
Hi I am registering our newly formed small construction company that will engage into built and sell of townhouse units . How do i draft the primary and secondary purpose for the articles of incorporation?
Hi Vic
Our school is applying for an amendment to its articles of incorporation to extend its corporate life. In addition to the basic requirements, SEC requires endorsement/clearance from DepEd and CHED. Do you have a sample letter of endorsement/clearance from government agencies for which I use to prepare the endorsement from DepEd and CHED?
Many thanks
Hi Sir!
We are planning to open a corporation and register the same at SEC within 2016. My question is, after the SEC registration was released, how many days allowed by law to start your business?
Hello JImmy,
We are operating small grade school it was first registered at SEC, however we found out we should be registering on DTI insted since the school is under Sole proprietorship. Can we divert our business permit to DTI. or do we need to cancell first at sec. Honestly we dont how to approach this problem.
Hi,
Quick question. I am filipino and my husband is a foreigner. We want to start a corporation to acquire real estate under this corporation as 40/60 filipino/foreign ownership. What is the start up capital for this type of corporation? Im not seeing anything in regards to real estate. Appreciate your response! Thank you
Best,
Megan
I think SEC has no special minimum capital requirement for a regular real estate business. So it will fall to a minimum of “P5,000” or “at least 25% of the subscribed capital stock which must also be at least 25% of the authorized capital stock”, whichever is higher. But since you are dealing with real properties, it would be reasonable if you can start a minimum capital which is enough to operate your business – an actual amount which can also be attractive to your future clients/stakeholders. In other words, starting a capital of P5,000 or P100,000 maybe acceptable, but it is reasonable?
Good Evening,
We are going to register only a trade name, we are not a company nor corporation just a trade name as a freelance artiosts and we are two owners, so how much is the registration fee and what are the requirements?
Thanks
Hello. For registering your trade name, it has to be registered with the DTI. Check the rates here: http://www.bnrs.dti.gov.ph/web/guest/faqsfees
For registering trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual properties, please visit IPOPHIL website http://www.ipophil.gov.ph/releases/2014-09-22-06-26-56/516-memorandum-circular-no-16-012-ipophl-revised-fee-structure-of-2017
Hi!
I would like if there is an additional requirements needed for registration of a construction company? If yes, what are these?
Thank you.
Hello, I think when it comes to registration they are just basically the same. However when you start bidding for government projects, they will require you to have Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) license. Please read this page for more information https://ciap.dti.gov.ph/content/contractors-licensing-and-registration
hi..i would like to inquire about filling up the capital structure in online registration in SEC..
di po magtugma yung mga input.. lagi lumalabas ” Paid Up Capital should be equal to Total of Capital Amount defined in the Modes of Payment”
eto po mga input ko.
Par value type: with par
authorized captal stock:500,000
number of shares with par:100,000
**(automated)total number of shares:100,000
subscribed no. of shares with par: 500,000
total subscribed capital;125,000
**paid up capital:31,250
**additional paid in capital: blank
Company Share Details
Common – Voting – with par
Detail
Share Type Name :
Common
Specific name of the share type (ex. Common A)
Par Value Type :
Par Value : 5
Total No. of Shares : 20,000
Total no. of shares for the specific share type
Value of Shares : 100,000
Cash Payment Details
Cash
**Capital Amount : 500,000
Total amount paid in cash
yung may double** yun lagi nagrered mark kapag nagproproceed na ko sa next step..
Hi, same problem here. I cannot proceed on the next step.
Hi,
Same problem I can’t proceed with the next step in filling -up the Capital Structure. please help us on how to fill it up properly. Your inputs is very much appreciated.
Thanks,
Myrtle
Hi,
I am encountering the same problem. 🙁 Kindly help us to proceed.
same problem ;(