BIR Registration: An Online and In-Person Guide to New Business Registration with BIR

Resources & Tools
Updated
February 12, 2024

In the Philippines, registration with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is one of the first and most crucial steps to formalize your business and ensure compliance with local tax laws and regulations.

Completing your BIR registration provides you a tax identification number (TIN), a nine-digit number to help BIR identify and track your company's tax activities. You will also receive a BIR Certificate of Registration, Books of Account, and Authority to Print, which are important documentary requirements to securing financial services for your business, attracting paying clients, and availing government benefits or tax credits.

Why should you register your business with BIR?

BIR registration is a critical step in legitimizing a business, as it allows the company to legally issue official receipts, file taxes, and avail of tax credits or deductions. It also helps the government monitor and collect taxes which are essential for funding public services and infrastructure. The BIR registration process ensures that businesses contribute to the national economy through proper tax collection, thereby playing a key role in the country's development and governance. Compliance with BIR requirements also protects businesses from penalties, fines, or legal issues associated with tax evasion or non-compliance.

Which businesses are required to complete BIR Registration?

All types of Philippine businesses are required to register with the BIR — whether they are set up by a sole proprietor, a partnership (professional, general, or limited), or a corporation (stock or non-stock).

For sole proprietorships, mixed-income earners, and freelancers, BIR registration must be your first step prior to launching your business. Meanwhile, for corporations and partnerships, BIR registration is the next step after completing registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), since one of the BIR registration requirements is your SEC Certificate of Registration.

The registration process might seem daunting, but the good news is that BIR online business registration is available to speed up the process. If you prefer to complete new business registration with BIR in person, they also have branches all over the country. Just keep in mind that BIR processes applications within 3-5 business days, so if you applied in person, you'll have to return to your branch in a few days' time to claim your Certificate of Registration.

BIR slogan 2022 - Pagbabayad ng buwis sa bayan
BIR slogan

What are the BIR Business Registration Requirements in 2024?

Pursuant to Republic Act (RA) No. 11976 or the Ease of Paying Taxes (EOPT) Act, which aims to simplify the Philippine tax compliance system, business taxpayers are no longer required to pay the annual BIR registration fee of ₱500.00 beginning January 2024.

As of 2020, the BIR no longer requires a business permit/mayor's permit to register for a new business.

BIR Registration Requirements: Sole Proprietors

  • BIR Registration Form 1901 (download the latest version here)
  • A valid government-issued ID, such as a driver's license, passport, etc.
  • DTI Certificate of Registration
  • BIR Printed Receipts/Invoices, or a final and clear sample of your own receipts from a BIR-accredited printer
  • BIR Registration fees: ₱30 for Documentary Stamp Tax

BIR Registration Requirements: Partnerships and Corporations

  • BIR Registration Form 1903 (download the latest version here)
  • Photocopy of SEC Certificate of Incorporation (for Corporations) or Certificate of Recording (for Partnerships)
  • Articles of Incorporation (for Corporations) or Articles of Partnership (for Partnerships)
  • Photocopy of License to Do Business in the Philippines (for foreign corporations)
  • BIR Printed Receipts/Invoices, or a final and clear sample of your own receipts from a BIR-accredited printer
  • BIR Registration fees: ₱30 for Documentary Stamp Tax

BIR Registration Requirements: Cooperatives

  • BIR Registration Form 1903 (download the latest version here)
  • Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)
  • Certificate of registration
  • Articles of Cooperation
  • BIR Printed Receipts/Invoices, or a final and clear sample of your own receipts from a BIR-accredited printer
  • BIR Registration fees: ₱30 for Documentary Stamp Tax

Other BIR registration requirements, if applicable:

  • DTI Certificate
  • Work Visa for Foreign Nationals
  • Franchise Documents and Agreement if you’re setting up a franchise business
  • Memorandum of Agreement for Joint Ventures
  • Certificate of Authority if you are registered as a Baranggay Micro Business Enterprise
  • Proof of Registration or Permit to Operate from the Board of Investment, Philippine Export Zone Authority, Bases Conversion Development Authority, or Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority
  • If transacting through a Representative: Special Power of Attorney (SPA), and any government-issued ID of the authorized representative
  • Certificate of Authority, if Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBE) registered entity
  • Proof of registration/permit to Operate BOI/BOI-ARMM, PEZA, BCDA/TIEZA/TEZA, SMBA, etc

You may also see BIR's official list of requirements or contact the BIR directly (8981-7000 or 8929-7676) to ensure you have all the documents you need before proceeding.  

What is the BIR Business Registration process?

There are two ways to complete your BIR new business registration. You can complete your application for BIR registration in person at your nearest BIR Revenue District Office (RDO), or complete BIR online registration at their website, the NewBizReg Portal (https://www.bir.gov.ph/newbizreg/)

Application for BIR registration in person at BIR RDO

Once you have your documents, submit them at the BIR Revenue District Office (RDO) that has jurisdiction over the address where your business will be operating. Know your BIR RDO by checking your BIR forms, or by contacting BIR at 8981-7000 or 8929-7676.

After you’ve submitted the required documents, here are the next steps:

  1. Pay your BIR registration fees. You may do this at the BIR branch, or at an Authorized Agent Bank (AAB) that works with your RDO.
  2. Wait for the notice from BIR that your Certificate of Registration (Form 2303) is ready.
  3. After receiving your Certificate of Registration, you will be required to complete the Application for Authority to Print Receipts and Invoices. You’ll need the BIR Form 1906 to register your books of account and attend the taxpayer's initial briefing.

BIR registration online via NewBizReg Portal

If the idea of doing all those makes you cringe, BIR registration online is now available via the NewBizReg Portal. This BIR e-registration system lets you send your application, documents, and fees via email. According to BIR, your application shall be processed manually within three (3) working days from the date of email acknowledgement receipt of your documents.

The BIR requirements for business registration are the same as above. Simply have your documents scanned (BIR requires pdf formats no larger than 4MB each). Afterwards, proceed to the NewBizReg Portal at https://www.bir.gov.ph/newbizreg/.

New business registration portal BIR
NewBizReg portal
  1. Complete the form on the website with your business details.
  2. Choose “Email your application” and wait for your email service to open a new email.
  3. Copy the generated email information in the BIR portal, then attach your BIR requirements.
  4. Send the email to the “To” email address in the BIR portal.

Once your BIR office confirms their receipt of documents, you will be asked to pay the corresponding BIR registration fees via their ePayment Channels. Ensure that you respond promptly to emails from BIR regarding your business registration to speed up the process.

Why is BIR registration important?

Compliance is not only the reason your company needs to register with the BIR. Here are the main reasons to get registered as soon as possible.

Avoid Fines and Jail Time

Operating an unregistered business hurts your reputation, and carries financial penalties. For businesses operating in matters of public health and safety, operating without a license may equate to a prison sentence.

Get Approved for Loans and Other Financial Services

BIR registration is important if you want to apply for funding and financial services. For instance, to open a corporate bank account, you’ll need a TIN and BIR Certificate of Registration. You’ll also need to be registered if you intend to apply for a bank loan or other types of financing. First Circle, for example, will only underwrite your business for a Revolving Credit Line if it is BIR-registered.

More Business Opportunities

Having a solid financial and legal reputation means you are reliable when it comes to compliance and supplier payments. This offers you opportunities to land new clients or find business services and supplies at more affordable prices. It will also be easier to explore opportunities in untapped sectors or markets, submit bids for government contracts, or even export your products.

Contribute to Society

More than half of the government’s revenues come from the BIR’s collections, which are used to fund government services and improve the country’s assets and infrastructure. People often complain about taxes, but they are essential in financing government activities that aim to uplift citizens’ lives.

BIR business registration is one of the important steps to legalize your business. Doing so means you get to conduct your business legitimately, showing customers and government agencies that you are compliant with business requirements and regulations.

Need more guides on registration? Learn how you can register your business with the SEC, PhilGEPS, or DTI.

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