Your 2025 Guide to Business Permit Renewal in the Philippines

All businesses in the Philippines, regardless of their size and entity type, need a valid business permit to operate legally, and the permit needs to be renewed every year. The process involves gathering documents, paying fees, and dealing with multiple government offices. Get it wrong or leave it too late, and you’re looking at fines, penalties, and potential business closure.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know about business permit renewal in 2025. We’ll cover deadlines, requirements, fees, and the step-by-step process. Plus, if you’re expanding overseas or dealing with more international payments, we’ll show you how a Wise Business account can help you manage cross-border transactions with less hassle and lower fees.

Table of contents
What permits and documents need annual renewal? What are the key deadlines? What are the consequences of late renewal? A step-by-step guide to the business permit renewal process

What permits and documents need annual renewal?

In the Philippines, two main permits require annual renewal: your Mayor’s Permit (also called a Business Permit) and your Barangay Permit. Both expire on 31 December each year and must be renewed by 20 January.¹

Here’s some good news: you no longer need to renew your BIR registration certificate each year.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) used to charge businesses a PHP 500 Annual Registration Fee every January, but Republic Act No. 11976 (the Ease of Paying Taxes Act) scrapped this requirement in January 2024.²

The certificate you already have stays valid indefinitely - no annual renewal, no annual fee.

➡️Check out our guide to getting your Mayor’s Permit here.

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What are the key deadlines?

The standard deadline for business permit renewal across the Philippines is 20 January 2025. However, some cities extend this deadline or offer penalty-free periods. For example, the Makati business permit renewal deadline is 31 January.³ Other extensions include:

• Caloocan: 22 January
• Las Piñas: 22 January
• Mandaluyong: 31 January
• Marikina: 28 February³

Whilst some Local Government Units (LGUs) may extend deadlines without penalties, don’t count on it. Start preparing your documents one to two months before the deadline to avoid the last-minute rush.

What are the consequences of late renewal?

Missing the deadline is expensive. Here’s what you’re facing if you renew late:

Financial penalties:¹

• 25% surcharge on all unpaid taxes, charges, and fees
• 2% monthly interest on outstanding amounts (including the surcharge) until you’ve paid everything
• Interest can be capped at 72% total (36 months) under some ordinances

Administrative penalties:

• Closure Order or Cease and Desist Order
• Confiscation or seizure of business assets
• Business padlocking

Criminal penalties (like jail time) are incredibly rare for first-time late Mayor’s Permit renewals. As long as there was no intent to defraud, and the mistake was genuine, you’ll just be asked to pay the fine and complete the renewal.

A step-by-step guide to the business permit renewal process

The renewal process involves gathering documents, submitting your application, paying fees, and securing additional permits. Many LGUs now offer a ‘one-stop-shop’ approach or online portals to make things easier, but it is advisable to start getting all your information together a few months in advance.

Even with streamlined systems, expect the entire process to take one to two weeks due to high volumes of applicants during January.¹ The actual renewal itself should take just one day if you have all your requirements complete.

Step 1: Prepare the necessary documents

Requirements vary by LGU, so check with your local Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) for specifics. Here’s what most cities require:¹

1. Barangay Clearance/Permit (current year)
2. Previous year’s Business Permit and official payment receipt
3. Completed Business Permit Renewal Application Form (updated annually by your specific LGU)
4. Audited Financial Statement and Income Tax Return (previous year)
5. Valid Local Insurance Policy or Comprehensive General Liability (CGL) Insurance receipt
6. Community Tax Certificate (Cedula)
7. DTI/SEC Registration Certificate (as applicable)
8. Occupancy Permit (if applicable)
9. Contract of Lease (if renting) or proof of ownership
10. Sketch or Vicinity Map of business location
11. Valid ID of owner or authorised representative

Step 2: Apply for the renewal

In-person application: Visit the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) at your City or Municipal Hall with all required documents. An authorised representative can process the renewal on your behalf if they bring written authorisation and valid IDs from you.

Online application: Several cities now offer online renewal through their eBPLS (Electronic Business Permits and Licensing System) platforms. Many use the MyEG platform.⁴

Many LGUs have adopted a Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS) approach to streamline the process and reduce the number of offices you need to visit.

Step 3: Pay the fees

After your documents are approved, the BPLO will assess your fees and issue a Tax Order of Payment (TOP). You can pay annually (full amount by 20 January) or quarterly (20 January, 20 April, 20 July, 20 October).

Payment locations:

• City Treasurer’s Office
• Online payment options (GCash, PayMaya, bank transfers) in some cities

Common fees include:¹

• Business tax based on gross sales/receipts
• Insurance policy fee
• Sanitary inspection
• Fire safety inspection
• Zoning clearance
• Garbage collection
• Health certificates per employee
• Signage permit

Each of these fees will vary depending on your business size and your location. Sanitary inspection fees in San Juan City, for example, start at PHP 60 per unit,⁵ while in Mandaluyong, fees are far more granular, with the fee for a standard business office of less than 100 sqm at PHP 220.⁶

Step 4: Secure other required permits

After paying your business permit fees, you’ll need to renew additional permits.

Sanitary Permit: Valid for one year (expires 31 December), the Sanitary Permit must be renewed between 1st and 20th January as part of your business permit renewal. Requirements include your previous Sanitary Permit, latest Pest Control Certificate, Water Potability Certificate (in some cities), and Employee Health Certificates with medical tests. Health certificates must be renewed every six months. Processing typically takes one day if all requirements are complete.

Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC): Valid for one year (expires 31 December), your FSIC must be renewed at least one month before expiration. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) issues FSICs after conducting a fire safety inspection. You’ll need your FSIC Application Form, latest FSIC, Certificate of Occupancy, latest Business Permit, Fire Insurance Policy (if applicable), Affidavit of Undertaking (no substantial changes), and photos of valid fire extinguishers with sales invoices. Some LGUs now offer online FSIC applications through the Fire Safety Inspection System (FSIS).

Once you’ve paid your business permit fees and secured your sanitary and fire safety permits, you’re done with the renewal process. Your permits are valid until 31 December, and you’ll need to do this all over again next January.

But a lot can happen in a year, and there’s plenty more to think about.

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Conclusion

Renewing your business permit is another factor in the overall admin of running a business, but it’s an unavoidable step in keeping your company compliant and dodging penalties. Start early, gather your documents, and use online systems where available to make the process smoother.

Use this guide as a quick reference when renewing your Philippines Business Permit. While doing so, remember to also think about any other parts of your company that need renewing - like how you handle payments. If you’re growing internationally or handling more cross-border payments, consider how a Wise Business account can help you manage multiple currencies, receive international payments like a local, and send money overseas - all with transparent fees and the mid-market exchange rate.

➡️Learn more about Wise Business today!

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Sources:

1 - FilePino - Business Permit Renewal

2 - BIR - EOPT

3 - Digido - Business Permit Renewal

4 - MyEG.ph

5 - San Juan City - Sanitary Inspection Fees

6 - Mandaluyong - Sanitary Inspection Fees

Sources checked on 14th November 2025.