What is Professional Tax Receipt (PTR): Guide for freelancers

People working in professions where licensing is required - so doctors, lawyers, or accountants for example, must get a Professional Tax Receipt (PTR) when they receive their professional status, and then annually.

If you’re wondering: what is PTR, this guide is for you. We’ll walk through common PTR requirements and how to get a PTR in person or online.

What is a Professional Tax Receipt (PTR)

PTR meaning in the Philippines is Professional Tax Receipt - it’s a document which professionals in certain fields who work on a freelance or self employed basis need.

Getting a PTR is a legal requirement, and fines may be imposed if you do not have one or if yours is not renewed in time. Or, you might find that your Professional Regulation Commission ID is revoked if you forget to renew your PTR.

The PTR application process can vary from place to place, so you’ll need to make sure you have all the most up to date information for the place you’re registered and where you do business. The good news is that the process is usually pretty straightforward and the cost of this document is fairly low in most cases.

Do I need a PTR to freelance?

The exact Professional Tax Receipt requirements might vary depending on the type of work you do. However, generally you need a PTR if you’re in a line of work which requires regulation by the Professional Regulation Commission¹. This covers many professions such as medicine, engineering, financial services and so on.

It’s helpful to note that there are two quite similar sounding documents which can become a bit confusing. The PTR is the Professional Tax Receipt while there’s also an OTR which is the Occupational Tax Receipt. OTRs are used by people working as freelancers in an industry which does not require professional licensing or regulation.

What are the Professional Tax Receipt (PTR) requirements?

Professional Tax Receipt requirements vary depending on the sort of work you do.

The most important document you’re likely to need is your Professional Regulation Commission ID. This proves you’re licensed to work in your particular field. You’ll need to take this with you to your City Hall or Municipal Hall in most cases, to pay your fee and be issued your PTR. There are a few places where the process can be completed online but this is not always an option.

Where to get your Professional Tax Receipt

Where to get your PTR will depend on where you live. It’s possible to make a PTR online application in some places - but as the process is administered locally this isn’t always available. Check if you can apply for your PTR using the Electronic Business Permitting and Licensing System (eBPLS). If this is possible, you can apply and pay online by creating an account with eBPLS.

If it is not possible to get your PRT online you’ll have to go to your City Hall or Municipal Hall. It’s sometimes possible to have an agent do this in person application for you, as long as you give them authority to act on your behalf. However, as the process varies from place to place you’ll need to find out your options based on your location.

How to get your Professional Tax Receipt

The basic steps you need to take are as follows:

1. Visit your City Hall or Municipal Hall and ask which office to visit for a PTR payment
2. Head to the clerk to get the PTR form which you need to complete
3. Hand over you completed form with your Professional Regulation Commission ID and any other documents you’re required to present based on the sort of work you do
4. Pay your fees with the cashier - this should not be more than 300 PHP, but does vary from place to place

Professional Tax Receipt (PTR) online registration

If your city or municipality allows online PTR registration through their Electronic Business Permitting and Licensing System (eBPLS) you can usually sort out your paperwork with the following steps:

1. Visit the website for your specific Electronic Business Permitting and Licensing System (eBPLS)
2. Create an account, or log in if you already have one
3. Select the option for online PTR registration and complete the form following the prompts
4. Upload your PRC ID and any other required documents based on your profession
5. Make your payment - you might be able to use a card or make a bank transfer, this will depend on the specific location you’re in
6. Wait for your application to be approved - once it has been approved you can print off your PTR so you have a hard copy for your records

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