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How to Register Your Home-based Business in the Philippines

February 6, 2014 Vic 67 Comments

Perhaps you started it as a hobby. You’re doing it part-time. You didn’t expect that you will earn money from it. You’re just doing it at home and you have set up a home office. Now, you want to make your home-based business legal. You want to register your small business. You want to have official receipts and invoices so that you can expand your business, get more customers, and issue such invoices to them. You also want to pay taxes and have income tax returns, which you can use for loan application and other purposes. But you don’t know what to do and don’t know where to go.

If you’re planning to register your home-based business in the Philippines, here are some tips on how to do it:

Know your form of business

In the Philippines, businesses can usually be formed as a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation. Read this article to learn more about the types of businesses in the Philippines. Partnership and corporations are required to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), while sole proprietorship is required to register with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for it’s trade name registration. The two most common forms of companies in the Philippines are single proprietorship and corporation, although there are also a number of Filipinos who register a company as a partnership.

Corporations are required to submit regular reportorial requirements with the SEC, which may be quarterly or annually depending on the type of industry. On the other hand, proprietorship businesses usually submit requirements with the DTI during registration and renewals. In other words, for small or home-based businesses, a sole proprietorship form of business is the easiest, fastest, and most affordable way to process and comply. The only drawback is that if you will register a sole proprietorship business now and you will convert it to a corporation in the future, you will need to process a formal closure of your business with the agencies you were registered (i.e., DTI, Mayor’s Office, BIR, and others) and register it again as a corporation which is a new, separate, and distinct legal entity.

By the way, if you’re a proprietor, your proprietorship business uses the same Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN) as yours. In other words, you and your business are the same entity for tax purposes. On the other hand, if you’re a shareholder in a corporation, the corporation uses a different TIN and is a separate entity for tax purposes. This also means that your proprietary business will be reflected in your personal ITR, while a corporation will file its own corporate ITR.

So, should you register a proprietorship business or a corporation? The choice is yours. Incorporation requires more financial, time and human resources. If you don’t have the money, if you’re not knowledgeable in the corporate setup, and if you don’t have a reliable bookkeeper or accountant who will help you on the process, then it may be wiser to initially register a proprietorship form of business.

The registration process

The business registration process in our country can be a difficult task for small business owners who don’t have any idea what to do and where to go to register their business. That is why most of them are hiring bookkeepers to do this for them. Unfortunately, some micro or small business owners can’t even afford to pay a bookkeeper.

Speaking of micro businesses, please check this article if your business is eligible to be registered as a Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE) under R.A. 9178, otherwise known as the “Barangay Micro Business Enterprises Act of 2002. If your business qualifies, you could enjoy privileges, such as income tax exemption, exemption from the coverage of the Minimum Wage Law, special credit assistance, and other support from the government.

Now let’s go back to the registration process. Actually, I have already written several articles about the different processes and steps of business registration with the different government agencies in the Philippines. Hence, you just need to read those posts for further details.

To have an idea and understand the business registration process, here is an outline of what you should do and where you should go to legalize your home-based business:

If you’re registering a sole proprietorship, you have to deal with the following offices:

1. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – to register your business trade name. Read here to know how to register your trade name with the DTI.

2. Mayor’s Office – to get a Mayor’s business permit and pay local business taxes. Read here to learn how to get a Mayor’s business permit.

3. Bureau of Internet Revenue (BIR) – to register your business, get TIN, apply for official receipts or invoices, register your books of accounts, and remit your national taxes (i.e., income tax, VAT or Percentage Tax, withholding tax, and annual registration fee). Read this post to learn how to register your business with the BIR.

4. Social Security System, Philhealth, and Pag-Ibig Fund – to register yourself as an employer and as a self-employed member. Read this posts on how to register your business with the SSS and Philhealth.

5. Other government agencies – if your business needs secondary licenses. For example, pawnshops, money changer, money remittance businesses are required to register with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Education providers may also be required to register with the DepEd, CHED or TESDA.

A Barangay business clearance is also a requirement to process your registration. You will go to the DTI first to register your trade name. Remember that your trade name will be the business name that will be printed in your Mayor’s Permit, official receipts and invoices.

Take note that having a certificate of registration from DTI doesn’t make your business legal or legitimate. It doesn’t give you the license to operate as a business. Your certificate of DTI registration is only a registration of your “Business or Trade Name”. It gives you the permit to use your “business name” but not the permit to operate as a business until you complete your registration with other agencies, like the Mayor’s Office and BIR.

In other cities of the Philippines, like Makati City, business registration can be a one-shop stop because of the government’s program to make business registration more efficient. Unfortunately, many cities and municipalities in our country are still not enabled for that.

Now if you’re registering a corporation or partnership, you should register your business first with the SEC. You may read this article to learn more about registering a corporation in the Philippines. Basically, corporations and partnerships are not already required to register with the DTI since their company or corporate name will already serve as their trade name. Their corporate name will be the name that will be printed in the official receipts, invoices and other documents of the business.

So the difference between registering a corporate business and a proprietorship business lies only with the SEC and DTI. The first should register with the SEC, while the latter should register with the DTI. The next steps are the same. Both of them need to register with the Mayor’s Office, BIR, SSS, Philhealth, Pag-Ibig Fund, and other applicable agencies, as enumerated in the list above.

Answers to frequently asked questions

I have readers and followers of this blog who are asking me the following questions. So I’ll share my answers here.

1. Is a sole proprietorship business a company?

Yes it is a company, especially if you will register a trade name with the DTI and you will hire employees. You don’t need to register a corporation to have a company.

2. What if my business is only a home-based business, is it required to be registered with government offices?

If you are earning income, you are basically liable for income tax, and if you’re doing business, you are basically liable for business taxes, which can be either VAT or Percentage tax. Hence, you are required to register with the BIR and other agencies. You can make your home-office as your registered business address. You can also claim as business expenses or tax deductions the allowable expenses you will incur in your home-based business, such as the allocated rent, electricity, water, telephone, and improvement expenses that are directly related to your business operation. Your personal or residential expenses must be separated and not be included in your business expenses for tax purposes.

3. What if I am a professional and I don’t have employees, should I register myself?

If you’re not engaging in business yet you are providing services to clients, you are also earning income which can be taxable. Therefore, you are still required to register as a professional with the applicable government offices. If you will not use a “trade name”, and will only use your “full name”, you are not required to register with the DTI. You have to pay your professional tax with the Mayor’s Office and apply for registration with the BIR. Your full name will also be the name that will appear in your official receipts. Furthermore, you have to register yourself as a self-employed member with the SSS, Philhealth and Pag-ibig Fund. To learn more, read this post on how to register as a professional with the BIR.

4. I’m afraid to do transactions with government officers because of the negative things I heard from them like extortion and corruption, what should I do? There are actually laws in the Philippines that protect citizens from abusive and irresponsible government employees and officers. One of these laws that you should remember is Republic Act No. 9485 otherwise known as the “Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007?. The Anti-Red Tape law was enacted to improve efficiency in the delivery of government service to the public by reducing bureaucratic red tape and prevent graft and corruption in government agencies and offices. Read our post about the Anti-Red Tape law to learn more. So the next time you transact with a government employee, tell him or her that you are fully aware of this law.

Vic
Vic

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.

Business business permit, business registration, home-based business, small business in the Philippines, small business tips

Comments

  1. renzo says

    July 10, 2015 at 5:14 am

    is there a cost difference (taxes or permit fee) using “Trading” instead of “Retail” in business name?

    Reply
    • Victorino Abrugar says

      July 10, 2015 at 5:24 am

      Hi. I think trading and retail are just synonymous. So either you use retail or trading in you business name, it will not really matter. The fees and taxes will vary according to your actual business’ nature, form, size, location and operation.

      Reply
      • Wen says

        October 3, 2016 at 4:50 pm

        Hi , i am a expat Singaporean who would like to register for business , a home business basically is selling some health products what step should i take to grt license for this

        Reply
    • Josh Gajo says

      May 10, 2016 at 1:36 pm

      Good read!
      I have few questions, though…

      I would like to start a small food business – selling burgers and shakes. Do i have to register at DTI and BIR? I saw some businesses which operates but do not have such regustration – pansitan, lugawan, bbq-han, and some burger stores, too (which the likes of it i am about to open): are they liable for something? If yes, what are the penalties, if ever?

      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Nads says

        March 14, 2018 at 10:58 am

        Up for this. Can you shed us some light regarding the above question, Victor? Thanks

        Reply
  2. Denise Hamilton says

    July 13, 2015 at 9:22 am

    but do you know how much it would cost to regsiter a partnership business?

    Reply
  3. Gaylie says

    July 23, 2015 at 10:00 pm

    What if I am currently employed and wants to have a business, do I still need to get a New BIR TIN for business or should I be using my personal TIN?

    Reply
    • Victorino Abrugar says

      July 24, 2015 at 7:31 am

      If your business is sole proprietorship, you will be using your personal TIN – you don’t need to have a separate TIN. If your business is corporation or partnership, it must have a separate TIN since both of them have separate legal identity.

      Reply
      • Alfred Cardenas says

        September 12, 2015 at 1:52 am

        Hi! I already have my personal TIN and I’m planning to register my small business as a proprietorship. Do I still need to go to BIR? Thanks in advance! 🙂

        Reply
  4. Francis Scott says

    August 11, 2015 at 7:01 am

    Hello,just a couple of questions,what is the benefit of setting up ones business as an enterprise verses a company (sole proprietor). I was told that business taxes are paid on gross sales,is that true?

    Thanx for your time.

    Reply
  5. Milagros says

    August 19, 2015 at 8:38 am

    I am going to use my husbands’ name in a sole proprietorship business. Am I required to produce a SPA to perform transactions in his behalf?

    Reply
  6. Naka Menos Philippines says

    September 4, 2015 at 5:27 am

    Hi. Great articles about Business ad Legalities. But what about a website business only entity and no physical operation address yet? I’ve been searching the net but when it comes to key-ing words aside from website, like business registration, permits. You’ll end up with the same standard business registration. I feel there are very few or rare articles about registering online entities as a business. Maybe you can do an article/post to shed some light on people like i’ve mentioned doesn’t know who how or where to start or how to propose that business to the govt as a business.

    I like your posts, very insightful. Keep it up!

    Reply
  7. alessi says

    September 14, 2015 at 10:18 am

    Hello! I have an existing TIN that i use for my sole proprietorship food business. I am planning to franchise another food line. Do i need to get another TIN for my new franchise sole prop. business? Thank you…

    Reply
  8. Kmed says

    October 13, 2015 at 7:10 am

    My DTI address is still my old home address. Do I need to change it to my new home address to apply for a business permit? Im doing a home based business by the way.

    Reply
  9. Ariel says

    January 1, 2016 at 4:33 am

    What if my father owns the location and I will not be required to pay for rent, what document the city will require me in terms of the office location.

    Reply
  10. Pieces says

    January 5, 2016 at 8:03 am

    Greetings!

    I have a homebase business ( internet cafe with only 8 computers). It was only registered in Barangay. Now, i want to open another business which is franchise, and one requirement needed is ITR. Since my previous work is an OFW and driver so i didn’t file yet ITR… HELP ME PLS WHAT TO DO.

    Hoping for your reply

    Reply
  11. benjo says

    January 6, 2016 at 7:39 am

    I have some question regarding paying tax as we are planing to register a partnership. How it is computed for partnership if all income will be divided equally to two?

    Reply
  12. Lora Miles Reyes says

    January 24, 2016 at 6:37 am

    Good day Sir Victorino Abrugar,
    I hope you could help me to answer my questions,
    My husband is a freelance construction contractor/foreman, which his projects are only houses and small commercial spaces only
    but we would like to have a business name to use in any legal purposes,
    And we don’t have any idea on how to compute for the taxes
    What should we do ?
    Thanks in advance Sir for your help and the reply..
    God bless you

    Reply
  13. Sanita says

    February 28, 2016 at 9:39 pm

    Hi. I am considering setting up a home business selling washable diapers (imported from China) through Facebook to customers in the Philippines. I am Filipina, live in the UK, but my family live in the Philippines and I plan for them to hold stock and send the parcels out. I plan to buy a small amount to start with, with a retail value of about 60-70k. Do I need to register a home business to do this?

    Reply
  14. mavie says

    April 13, 2016 at 6:53 am

    Hello, I am planning to register what I am doing as my job. What I do is online services like programming, website developing, website consultation, and any other IT service related jobs. Can I register it in DTI? I am confused because it may sounds like outsourcing business. I don’t want to register in SEC because of high cost, I can only register to DTI.

    Reply
  15. Ja says

    April 29, 2016 at 2:01 pm

    Hi how did you establish your home-based business? I mean, the process? DTI, Mayor’s permit then BiR? Or theres something else? Thank you

    Reply
  16. Mark says

    June 10, 2016 at 3:29 am

    Hi. I already have a business with a name “Ice Cream Place and General Merchandise” under the retailer business line but I would like to venture online selling also. Do I need to register another business name?
    Thank you.

    Reply
  17. Emir Madrazo says

    November 16, 2016 at 1:18 pm

    Hi,

    Nag register ako sa DTI ng business permit hanggang kelan ko sya pwede i register para makakuha ng Mayor’s permit? Home based po kasi sya and gumagawa pa ko ng website.

    Reply
  18. Janice Villasor says

    December 12, 2016 at 5:40 am

    Please help me answer my question,

    How to process a business permit on Online Sewing Services?
    Sa facebook ko lang kinukuha mga client ko na magpapatahi., wala po akong pwesto kundi sa bahay lang., Do I still need a permit? Anu pong process at mga magkano kaya aabutin ang gasto? Maliit lang naman income ng online business ko,. Salamat

    Reply
  19. Wilma R says

    December 19, 2016 at 7:51 am

    Hi, I am just a consultant. Do I still need to get mayor’s permit before I can register with BIR?

    Reply
  20. Rolando B. Coquilla says

    December 27, 2016 at 3:51 am

    HELLO I AM PLANNING TO PUT UP A HOME-BASED BUSINESS ABOUT SELLING SALAD, BUT LATER ON WILL VENTURE TO TAPSILOGAN AND OTHER SELLING OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND XYROX COPY ETC. MY QUESTION IS- CAN I REGISTER IT MY BUSINESS NAME LIKE – RBC TRADING COMPANY OR RBC MERCHANDISING COMPANY . OR WILL I MAKE DIFFERENT BUSINESS NAME FOR EACH BUSINESS THAT I AM PLANNING TO PUT UP? IS IT OK TO MAKE AN UMBRELLA COMPANY OR WHAT IS THE BEST NAME THAT WILL COVER ALL OF MY BUSINESSES AS A SOLE PROPRIETOR?
    THANK YOU.

    Reply
  21. Eli says

    February 21, 2017 at 5:36 am

    Hi,

    I want to start a web design as my home based business. For now i want to start as solo. Im usually a freelancer on this field but i decided to register it as a business. what should i do?

    Thank you for the response

    Reply
    • roxy says

      August 1, 2017 at 12:18 am

      Parehas tayo ng katanungan sana my sumagot.
      Thanks

      Reply
  22. Lea says

    March 13, 2017 at 9:18 am

    Hi im going to start an online business and it has bulk shipping from another country. Does it have additional payments in the Customs? thanks!

    Reply
    • chris says

      June 28, 2018 at 10:14 am

      yes po for sure meron yan

      Reply
  23. Lei says

    April 5, 2017 at 4:34 am

    hi, what if I am employed and would like still like to set up sole proprietorship, what are the consequences in my TIN? thank you

    Reply
  24. Marive Viloria says

    April 19, 2017 at 7:38 am

    HI!.. What if I register my home base business in DTI and barangay business clearance last september. Then I want to register it on mAyors permit and BIR. and starting my operation this january 2017. Do i have penalty charges for this?

    Reply
  25. henry macalla says

    July 10, 2017 at 7:40 pm

    Hi, i am planning to put up a small money lending business, can i registered it as single proprietorship?
    Favorable actions towards my query is highly appreciated
    Thank you

    Reply
  26. Victorino Abrugar says

    July 11, 2017 at 5:08 am

    A lending company shall be established only as a corporation according to RA No. 9474. There is also a minimum capital requirement of P1M. Please read our post for more: http://businesstips.ph/how-to-start-a-lending-company-in-the-philippines/

    You may also join a seminar on how to start a micro-lending company. Check this post for the schedule: http://businesstips.ph/businesscoach-inc-july-2017-business-seminar-schedule/

    Reply
  27. Reikko says

    August 9, 2017 at 7:58 pm

    Hello,

    I love to paint and draw and do digital work. I am planning to provide custom designed stationery for weddings and any event and all the work will be done inside my house. Should I register it as a home based business or professional service?

    Your response is greatly appreciated.

    More power!

    Reply
    • Business Tips says

      August 14, 2017 at 4:34 am

      Hi. It doesn’t really matter if it’s home-based or office-based. BIR classifies it as either doing business or practice of profession. You may register as a practice of profession or self-employed professional if you are only selling professional services. If you will be selling goods, designs, painting, then register it as a business. If you want a trade name in your official receipts, get a DTI certificate. Actually, a self-employed professional and self-employed business owner (proprietorship) are just basically the same, when it comes to tax filing. Please consult with a BIR examiner to determine your real taxabilities.

      Reply
  28. Elaine P says

    August 21, 2017 at 2:05 pm

    Hi sir,

    Can I register myself as a self-employed professional, use a trade name and later on expand and hire employees?

    Reply
    • Business Tips says

      August 25, 2017 at 6:23 am

      Yes, you can register your trade name with the Department of Trade and Industry. You can also hire employees, as long as you are also withholding taxes on compensation income, as well as contributing to SSS, Philhealth and Pag-ibig as an employer. Please visit the BIR officer of the day to determine your tax obligations.

      Reply
      • Joey says

        August 31, 2017 at 2:48 pm

        I plan the same too, register myself as a self-employed professional (non-licensed, as a consultant) but with a trade name because I plan to expand later on. I have already gotten my DTI registration online easily. However, I have encountered two pieces of advice on how to go about the BIR registration:

        1) one says to secure a PTR (professional tax registration) or OTR (occupational) from the city government office first and submit to BIR

        2) another says a submit a service contract or affidavit of freelance work

        Moreover, there is also a conflicting advice that I need a mayor’s permit if I want to use my DTI registration (meaning the trade name). I’m confused because wouldn’t a mayor’s permit be tantamount to a single proprietorship already?

        I really just intend to be a self-employed professional/freelancer, but not use my name on my OR (so I can start building the brand of my trade name later on if I expand). Any clarification and help would be greatly appreciated!

        Reply
        • Business Tips says

          September 3, 2017 at 5:03 am

          Mayor’s permit taxes are local taxes in contrast to BIR’s taxes which are national taxes. PTR is required to all professionals practicing their profession, as they are local taxes to be paid to the city/municipality treasury. I know some professionals in the past who don’t have Mayor’s permit but pay PTR instead. However, I cannot guarantee a correct answer here, as different cities/municipalities have their own different ordinances when it comes to local taxation. It would be wise to consult with your city, as well as the BIR in your RDO regarding the matter. Anyway, when you register with the BIR, they will require you a PTR or perhaps a Mayor’s permit before they register you – so it will depend on them what requirements they will ask you.

          Reply
  29. Mary Reyes says

    October 21, 2017 at 4:29 am

    Hi,

    I am a freelancer and I work for foreign clients remotely. Now, I am into coaching and training people who wanted to be a freelancer as well plus I am planning to conduct seminars too. Aside from being a freelancer, I am now venturing into an Online or Homebase business like travel and tours, events management and Selling products online. What is the appropriate action? Do I register as a sole proprietorship under my name or is it okay to use a trade name? for BIR is it going to be the same or there is a different process? Your response is highly appreciated.

    Mary Reyes

    Reply
    • Business Tips says

      October 23, 2017 at 10:59 am

      Hi. If you are venturing into a business, it would be more appropriate to register a trade name with DTI than just using your name without having a trade name. Using only your name is more appropriate for practice of profession. Practice of profession and single proprietorship business are similar when it comes to registration process. The difference is on the registration of your trade name with the DTI.

      Reply
  30. Norbert says

    October 24, 2017 at 6:14 am

    Sir victor, ano po kayang magandang gawin kapag online business? Sa DTI po ba, may effect kapag National ang scope ko? Mas mahal ba bayad nun sa Mayors permit at BIR? Salamat po.

    Reply
  31. Lay Wong says

    November 2, 2017 at 3:18 pm

    What are the condition to register in BIR? Does it need that the product are sold in the Philippine soil? What if it is not sold on the Philippine soil but instead sold in the USA? Do I need to register on BIR and file a tax here?

    Reply
    • Business Tips says

      November 12, 2017 at 3:33 am

      Hi Lay Wong. If the taxpayer is a resident of the Philippines, he must register with the BIR whether he/she is doing business within or outside the Philippines. Thus, if you are a resident of the Philippines, you must register your business and file taxes here even though you are selling products in the USA.

      Reply
  32. Fara S says

    December 29, 2017 at 12:03 pm

    Hi!

    We recently had our corporation fully registered (YAY! Long process but we did it!) and our focus is on e-commerce (buy and sell of goods through dropshipping and internet marketing – affiliate, social media, email, etc). One issue we have seen is that it seems this type of business does not fall into any of the business categories laid out by the government in terms of nature of business.

    They have defaulted to categorizing our business as “Retail” and the QC Mayor’s Permit says we are an RTW Retailer. This bothers us because it does not truly describe our business.

    We haven’t really started operations but we plan to fix this in 2018 when we renew our permits. Could you suggest what is the best choice is for business type/nature of business for us? It’s so hard explaining to the government officials and they seem to have no clue what to choose to. 🙁

    The BIR also considered us selling goods so required us to have a sales invoice for that.

    No one has been able to help us with this and we really hope we’ll find the answer here!

    You guys are awesome, thank you SO much for this blog and for what you do!

    Reply
  33. Ace Alcover says

    April 1, 2018 at 8:21 am

    Hi, I’m engage in online selling of health and beauty products and sometimes sell clothings too. Gusto ko sana register yon business ko using a trade name. Paano po ba ang process and how much Kay cost for the whole process of registration?

    Salamat po sa my sagot

    Reply
    • Business Tips says

      April 3, 2018 at 3:25 pm

      Hello Ace,
      It’s difficult to give the exact cost of the whole process since every business is different. It will also depend on the form of business that you want to register – is it a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation? Your initial capital will also be a basis for computing your business registration fees in various government agencies, Mayor’s Business Permit, BIR, etc. But to give you some ideas of the processes and cost, you may read this article: https://businesstips.ph/the-cost-of-starting-a-small-business-in-the-philippines/

      Reply
  34. John says

    May 3, 2018 at 3:03 pm

    Hello po ,

    I am selling 2 products via e-commerce(Amazon USA) and I am transacting with US customers every day. I have never engaged in any business transaction in the Philippines. So basically, I’m selling my products directly to US-based customers. However, I want to register my business in the Philippines since I’m still a Filipino citizen. Can you advise me on what to do? Should I register it as a sole proprietorship or corporation in the country? I’m also worried on the “issuance of the receipts” part since we have never issued any receipt before since all of our transactions are online(via Amazon.com). Thanks for the help Sirs! 🙂

    Reply
  35. REYNAN SOLAMILLO says

    May 16, 2018 at 3:01 am

    What if its an advertising company and not offering products? Does the company still need to be dti registered?? For example, Yeheey itraffic systems inc

    Reply
  36. Nigel says

    June 12, 2018 at 9:48 pm

    Hi, we are creating an online business that provides a service to the Philippine market. We are OFWs. Are we allowed to set-up a corporation in the Philippines or should we register in where we are living despite our business catering to the Philippine market? Thanks

    Reply
  37. chris says

    June 28, 2018 at 9:49 am

    Hi sir. Thank you for the details and valuable lessons. I would like to ask about putting up a business here in the philippines. Its an ecommerce business. I will be selling at lazada and shopee mostly. Pwde ko ba iconsider as cost of operation ung pagrent ko ng bahay or apartment para dun ako mgoperate? Also one supplier from china wanted to open a branch here, pero ang gagawin sana is partnership with them. I am not familiar how to open a partnership with foreign nationals. Anu po requirements at panu procedure? And the computation of tax din po. Salamat sana masagot po eto

    Reply
  38. Dori says

    July 12, 2018 at 2:19 am

    Hi, thank you so much for this very good blog. May I ask your advise sir?
    I am running an Online Travel Business which is a networking business and my company where I am affiliated is registered to DTI. As we only offer online booking service and can do the business anywhere, do I still need to register my business?
    I would highly appreciate your advice.

    Reply
    • Business Tips says

      October 20, 2018 at 7:46 am

      Hello. Yes, you are still required to register your business whether you are operating it online or offline since you are doing business and is earning income which is subject to income tax and other related taxes. You can have an actual office address, whether a home office or bigger office, as your registered address.

      Reply
  39. Josa Rodriguez says

    July 30, 2018 at 8:45 am

    Hello, I’m a online marketer. Yung company and market namin is sa USA. Hindi kami nagbebenta ng product dito sa Philippines. Homebased po ako pero soon mag hihired narin ako ng ibang tao para lumaki yung Business ko. Ako yung magmamay-ari ng opisina dito at kukuha pa ako ng mga marketer para lumaki yung business ko. Problem ko is, Kailangan ko pa ba ng fund na ipapakita sa BIR, Mayors Office, or DTI?
    and Pwede ko ba na ilagay na business address ko yung apartment ko since yung office ko is nasa first floor naman talaga ng apartment ko?
    Sana po May makasagot.. Salamat..

    Reply
    • Business Tips says

      October 20, 2018 at 7:43 am

      Hello, usually BIR, Mayor’s office and DTI don’t require to show them your actual funds or capital. Yes, you should indicate your actual business address as your registered business, whether it is an apartment or a home office. Also take note, that even though your market is US, since you are a resident of the Philippines, you still have to pay your income taxes/business taxes from your revenue outside the Philippines.

      Reply
  40. Nhoj Yas says

    March 15, 2019 at 11:38 am

    Hi. Love your article.

    I am planning to launch my own skills training business, which is entirely home-based as I will do it via the Internet. I will be training my students about Digital Marketing. It will be a solo proprietorship and I will have no employees apart from myself.

    Currently, I am still fully employed and I plan to do my business only during weekends. Do I still need to file for PAG-IBIG, PhilHealth, and SSS when my employer is already doing all that? Won’t it be redundant? Thank you!

    Reply
  41. Kristine says

    May 16, 2019 at 8:08 am

    Hi, I am a Filipino who’s assisting a Chinese client. My client wants to rent a warehouse/office where the phones/laptops can be stored. Those are intended to sell in Lazada & Shopee and we’re going to hire 2 staffs. My questions are, may I know how and what are the requirements for us to register the business under his name? Do you have idea how much would it cost and how long would it take for a foreigner to own an online business that has a warehouse here in the Philippines?

    Any answer would be appreciated. Thank you!

    Reply
  42. Ced says

    June 3, 2019 at 4:27 am

    Hello Good day! I have a clothing brand business online. Wala pa akong physical store at sa bahay lang gumagawa. Nakapag register na ako sa DTI, at meron na din mayor’s permit. Wala pa akong employee pero katulong ko ang brother ko sa business. Naka receive ako ng letter of demand notice from Pag-ibig Fund na nirerequire ako na iregister ko ang employees ko dahil mandatory daw yun, kung di daw ako magcomply within 15 days magffile sila ng criminal action. Ang tanong ko, pano ko makakapag register sa kanila kung wala pa naman akong BIR? at wala din akong employee? Self-employed lang ako. Required daw ang BIR dun. Eh plano ko na sa October pa ko magopen ng store at magparegister sa BIR.

    Hoping for a response. Thank you!

    Reply
  43. Ella says

    July 24, 2019 at 3:09 am

    Hi no physical store. I’m using online for business. And my house was renting. I call city Hall for confirmation Di kc pinirmahan ng engineering yon papers ko kc need nla yon may ari neto bahy n tinitirhan ko. And asking my friend about this nagttka bat need daw NG gnon kumuha sya NG permit sa City Hall mabilis lng daw. Ganon b tlga kpg renting house need p kausapin may ari NG house

    Reply
  44. Chris says

    August 26, 2019 at 6:38 am

    Hello does the BIR allow 2 businesses to be registered under the same address? Both sole proprietor and same owner.

    How about Mayor’s permit and also barangay permit, do they allow too?

    Thx!

    Reply
  45. Nica says

    November 2, 2019 at 4:35 am

    Hi, I need some advices hopefully you will be able to help. I am a mobile app. developer. I am planning to develop an application on money changer. So basically I do not have a premise nor a booth for my business. All online transactions. I would like to know beside BIR and other registration through the Bureau for example :

    1. SEC registration
    2. Major’s business permit for my office
    3. BIR registration
    4. SSS, PhiHealth and Pag-ibig (optional as I do not have any employee)
    5. Do I still need to register under Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (because I do not have any booth to perform the transaction and it is all online. The application is for expats not local.

    Please let me know what is necessary and in addition what is unnecessary.

    Thank you so much.

    Reply
  46. liza says

    June 5, 2020 at 6:50 am

    hi,pwede ba mag register dalawang business name sa isang address? example po ,i want to open a sari sari store and at the same time gumawa ako ng mga homemade products.

    Reply
  47. Triple I Consulting says

    June 17, 2020 at 12:39 pm

    Great article, thanks. I’m wondering if there are any things we should know about process changes for covid-19, if you know? Thanks again!

    Reply
  48. Reachelle Sulla says

    February 22, 2021 at 5:22 pm

    Hi just want to ask. I plan to do business which is thru online and I will apply it on Food Panda do I need to apply for Mayor’s permit and Barangay Clearance? I have no office and no employees, my business only resides in my home and it will just be for take outs only for food panda. I just want to register my business to DTI and BIR so that I can issue an Official Receipt to my clients.

    Reply
  49. Amalia Lee says

    January 29, 2022 at 10:38 pm

    Hello po, gusto ko po sana kumuha ng mga sinabi mo licenses. Pero ask q lng po sana is kung pwede kumuha lng ng isa license if ang magiging future business online (homebase) is travel and tours plus remittances. Thank you

    Reply
  50. Marga says

    February 27, 2022 at 6:25 am

    Hi,
    Is it legal to run a boutique in my subdivision?

    Reply

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