BIR Business Registration: How to Register Your Company in the Philippines

Registering your business with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is an essential step in legally establishing your operations in the Philippines. It ensures compliance with local tax laws, provides you with a Tax Identification Number (TIN), and grants the authority to issue official receipts.

This process is not only a legal requirement—essential if you want to scale your business legitimately—but it also opens doors to new opportunities, such as access to larger clients, financing options, and partnerships available only to registered businesses.

While BIR business registration may seem complex at first, this article will guide you through everything you need to know—from the steps to register with the BIR to the requirements you must fulfill afterward. We'll also introduce the Wise Business account as a way to simplify cross-border payments once your business is registered and ready to go.

Why is BIR registration important for businesses?

Registering with the BIR provides several important benefits that establish your business as credible, lawful, and ready for growth:

• Legitimize business operations: BIR registration, alongside SEC or DTI registration and other required permits, is a critical step in formalising your business—whether you are a sole proprietor, partnership, or corporation.
• Legal compliance: All businesses are mandated by law to register with the BIR in order to operate legally. This ensures compliance with Philippine tax laws and regulations, and protects your company from potential legal issues, fines, and penalties.
• Business opportunities: Having a registered business with a solid legal and financial reputation makes it easier to secure loans, attract clients, and explore new markets.

Key financial obligations and reminders

As of January 2024, businesses are no longer required to pay the annual 500 PHP BIR registration fee, thanks to the new ‘Ease of Paying Taxes Act’, which aims to make tax compliance more accessible for everyone.¹ However, you are still required to pay a 30 PHP Documentary Stamp Tax (DST) upon registration.

When you complete your BIR registration, you’ll receive two important documents that must be clearly displayed at your physical business location, where customers can easily see them:

• Certificate of Registration
• Notice to Issue Receipt/Invoice (NIRI)

Your BIR Certificate of Registration lists the specific taxes your business is required to pay, such as corporate income tax and Value-Added Tax (VAT), depending on the nature of your business. This certificate serves as your official guide to understanding and fulfilling your tax obligations.

The NIRI, on the other hand, is an official BIR notice that informs customers that your business is required to issue receipts or invoices for every sale or service automatically, without the customer needing to request one.

• Obtain account details to receive payments in USD, EUR, GBP, SGD, HKD and more for a one-time fee of 1,400 PHP.
• Simply share your account details with customers or add them to invoices.
• Zero fees when you get paid via ACH, FAST, InstaPay/PESONet, & other local transfers.
• Full fee transparency when clients pay you via Wire / SWIFT.
• Hold, send, and convert money at the mid-market rate in one account.
• Accept payments from customers and payment service providers (PSPs) like Stripe and Amazon.

➡️Get started with Wise Business today

How to register your business with the BIR

Follow these five steps to register your business with the BIR. It’s important to note that you must file your application before starting business operations.

Step 1: Register with the SEC or DTI

Your first step depends on your business structure:

• If you are forming a corporation or partnership, register with the SEC first to secure the Certificate of Incorporation or Certificate of Recording.
• If you’re a sole proprietor using a trade name (e.g., “ABC Consulting”), register it with the DTI to get your certificate — but if you operate under your own legal name, you can skip DTI registration and go straight to BIR registration as a self-employed professional.

Once you’re registered with the SEC or DTI, you must register with the BIR within 30 days of receiving your certificate. Failure to do so may result in penalties ranging from 5,000 PHP to 20,000 PHP, depending on your business type.²³

Step 2: Prepare the required documents

Gather the documents you’ll need for your BIR registration. These may vary depending on your business type, but generally include:

• BIR Registration Form (Form 1901 for sole proprietors, or Form 1903 for corporations and partnerships), which you can download from the NewBizReg portal⁴
• Tax Type Questionnaire, also available to download at the NewBizReg website
• SEC or DTI Certificate of Registration
• Articles of Incorporation/Partnership
• Any valid government-issued ID
• Proof of residence or business address

Step 3: Register with the BIR

Once you have gathered all the required documents and filled out the necessary forms, you have two options for submitting your BIR registration application:

Online via the NewBizReg Portal

Visit the BIR NewBizReg website, enter your location, business type, and name to get the correct RDO email address for submission. Send your application email with scanned copies of all required documents attached.

You’ll receive a confirmation email and can expect approval within three working days.

In person at your RDO

Head to the Revenue District Office (RDO) that covers your business address and submit your documents over the counter. Bring originals for verification and photocopies for submission.

Step 4: Pay the Documentary Stamp Tax (DST)

Once your application is accepted, you’ll need to pay the 30 PHP Documentary Stamp Tax (DST). If you applied online, the BIR will email you instructions on when and how to pay. You can settle the payment through BIR ePayment Channels such as GCash, LandBank, DBP, or Maya.

If you applied in person, you may pay the 30 PHP DST over the counter at the RDO when you pick up your Certificate of Registration.

Step 5: Collect your Certificate of Registration

You will receive an email once your application is approved, informing you that your Certificate of Registration is ready for pickup in person at your assigned RDO.

Post-registration steps and requirements

After receiving your BIR Certificate of Registration, there are still a few additional steps to complete. These ensure your business is fully compliant and ready to operate legally and professionally:

• Apply for receipts/invoices: Before issuing any to clients, you must register them with the BIR. You can either buy BIR-printed receipts booklets at your RDO, apply for an Authority to Print (BIR Form 1906) for custom-printed booklets, or register a BIR-accredited POS system or invoicing software if you plan to issue computerized receipts.
• Register your books of accounts: These serve as your official record of income and expenses and need to be registered before use. You can choose manual, loose-leaf, or computerized books and register them at your RDO or through the BIR’s Online Registration and Update System (ORUS).⁵
• Attend a taxpayer briefing: Some RDOs require new registrants to attend a short briefing to help you understand your tax obligations, filing deadlines, and how to avoid penalties. This may be held in person or online, is usually free, and typically takes about 1–2 hours.

Conclusion

Completing your BIR registration is a crucial step in establishing a legally compliant and legitimate business in the Philippines. It allows you to meet all local tax requirements and gives you the confidence to grow your business within the bounds of the law.

Being registered also adds to your business’s credibility and opens doors to valuable opportunities, such as access to financing, business partnerships, and larger clients that require official documentation. However, maintaining compliance is equally important—be sure to keep up with your tax obligations, issue official receipts, and maintain accurate records to ensure smooth operations.

Beyond fulfilling legal requirements, your BIR registration enables you to contribute to the country. By paying taxes and operating transparently, your business supports the Philippine economy, helping to sustain public services and infrastructure that benefit communities nationwide.

Sources:

1. Philippines: Annual Registration Fee will not be collected starting 22 January 2024 - Baker McKenzie InsightPlus
2. BIR Penalties for Late Registration After DTI Permit in the Philippines
3. BIR Business Registration Made Easy: Complete Step-by-Step Process - YouTube
4. BIR NewBizReg
5. ORUS Step by Step on How to Register Books of Accounts - BIR

Sources checked on 6th October 2025