Getting your business registered with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is a major step in making it official and fully compliant with local tax regulations. What’s more, being registered gives your business legitimacy in the eyes of your clients and the government. 

This guide will show you the ins and outs of registering your business with the BIR, online and in-person.

3 reasons why you should get BIR registration

Besides being a legal requirement for merchants, BIR registration has several benefits as follows:

• Legitimize your operations. BIR registration gives your business the trustworthiness and credibility it needs to attract new clients, form partnerships, and enter into contracts.

• Stay compliant. Registering your business with the BIR ensures that you stay fully compliant with your tax obligations as a merchant. Moreover, your taxes help contribute to the country’s development. 

• Availability of financial benefits. BIR registration enables you to issue invoices and official receipts, besides allowing you to take advantage of various financial services and funding. For instance, you’ll be able to open a business bank account and be eligible for bank loans and other credit lines. 

Which businesses are required to register?

All Philippines-based businesses are required to perform BIR registration, regardless of whether they are sole proprietorships, partnerships, or corporations. 

For freelancers, sole proprietorships, and mixed-income earners, BIR registration is the first step before launching your enterprise.

For corporations and partnerships, BIR registration is the next step after completing registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) since one of the prerequisites to BIR registration for corporations and partnerships is the Certificate of Registration issued by the SEC.

While the BIR registration process may appear intimidating at first glance, you’ll be relieved to know that you have two options: Online BIR registration and in-person BIR registration. Online BIR registration streamlines the process through its online portal, making it more convenient for new business registrants. Alternatively, you can perform in-person BIR registration at your local RDO. We’ll explore both options in this guide, starting with online BIR registration.

A step-by-step guide to online BIR registration

It’s never been easier to register your business with the BIR. Everything you need is online. Simply log on to the official BIR Online Registration and Update System and follow these steps: 

1) Compile the necessary documents

Here are the documentary prerequisites you need to register your business:

• Certificate of Registration from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

• Business Clearance from your respective barangay

• Mayor’s Permit from your local municipal or city government

• Your place of business’ Certificate of Lease or Certificate of Land Title

The official BIR website has a full list of requirements depending on the type of business you wish to register or whether it’s your primary or second registration. 

Prepare these documentary requirements in PDF format for submission via email.

2) Fill out the BIR application form

Download the appropriate BIR form and fill it out to begin your registration. Once you’re done, scan it and save it to PDF for email submission.

• If you’re registering as a sole proprietorship, you’ll need to accomplish BIR Form 1901.

• If you’re registering as a corporation/partnership, you’ll need to accomplish BIR Form 1903. 

In case the above links don’t work, head to the official BIR forms page and click “Application Forms” to find them.

3) Fill out the tax type questionnaire to determine your tax obligations

The BIR website provides a tax type questionnaire to determine your filing and tax obligations for your business. Download the form, fill it out, scan it, save it, and attach it to your email application.This ensures that you’re paying the appropriate taxes and complying with the appropriate filing obligations. 

4) Settle registration fee and documentary stamp tax

As of 2025, the registration fee is PHP500 and the documentary tax stamp is PHP30. Settle these obligatory fees through the BIR’s official payment channels. 

Payment methods include Landbank, UnionBank, GCash, PayMaya, InstaPay, and PESONet, among other local payment methods.

Applicants without a tax identification number (TIN) will need to wait for the BIR to send them an email as to when they can pay the required fees. They will be directed at their respective Revenue District Office (RDO) when they fetch their Certificate of Registration. 

5) Send in your application through email 

Assuming all your documents are prepared and your payment has been settled, you’ll need to visit the BIR website to determine the appropriate Revenue District Office (RDO) to send your application to. Enter the city, province, or municipality where your business is located to determine which RDO office will handle your application.

You will then be shown the appropriate email address to send in your application as well as additional details such as subject formatting to ensure that your application goes through. 

Attach all necessary documents and send them to the corresponding email address. Once your application has been received, you should receive a confirmation email. If your documents are all sorted out, you should receive your BIR Certificate of Registration (also known as BIR Form 2303) within three working days from the date of email acknowledgment receipt of your documents.

6) Pick up your Certificate of Registration (BIR Form 2303)

Once you receive the email containing the details on when you can pick up your Certificate of Registration, you could head over to the respective BIR office to complete the process. 

That’s how simple it is to get your business registered with the BIR. Follow these steps to get your business legitimized with the tax authorities in the Philippines.

How to perform in-person BIR registration

Alternatively, you may choose to register your business at your local BIR Revenue District Office (RDO). Here’s how it works:

1) Compile the required documents

First, you’ll need to compile the required documents based on the business you wish to register. You may refer to the official BIR website for the list of required documents or the following section for more details.

2) Submit your documents at your local BIR Revenue District Office

Once you’ve gathered all the necessary documentation, submit them at your local BIR Revenue District Office (RDO) that has jurisdiction over your business’ registered address. You may refer to your designated BIR RDO on your registration form, or by contacting the BIR Hotline at 8981-7000 or 8929-7676.

3) Pay the registration fees

Pay the registration fees at your designated BIR RDO or at an authorized agent bank that your RDO works with. 

4) Wait for the issuance of your BIR Form 2303

The BIR typically processes registration applications within 3 to 5 business days. If you avail of in-person registration, you’ll need to wait several days until picking up your Certificate of Registration (BIR Form 2303) at your designated BIR RDO.

5) Apply for the Authority to Print Receipts and Invoices (BIR Form 1906)

Once you receive your Certificate of Registration (BIR Form 2303), you will be required to apply for BIR Form 1906, or the Application for Authority to Print Receipts and Invoices. This is a required document to register your books of account and attend a taxpayer initial briefing.

List of BIR Business Registration Requirements

From January 2024, business taxpayers are no longer required to pay the annual BIR registration fee of ₱500. Moreover, since 2020, the BIR no longer requires a mayor’s permit or business permit to register your business.

The following is a list of documentary requirements for BIR registration categorized by business type:

BIR registration requirements for sole proprietorships

• BIR Registration Form 1901 

• Valid government-issued ID

• DTI Certificate of Registration

• BIR-accredited printed receipts/invoices

• Documentary Stamp Tax payment of ₱30

BIR registration requirements for partnerships and corporations

• BIR Registration Form 1903 

• 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-accredited printed receipts/invoices

• Documentary Stamp Tax payment of ₱30

BIR registration requirements for cooperatives

• BIR Registration Form 1903 

• Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)

• Certificate of Registration

• Articles of Cooperation

• BIR-accredited printed receipts/invoices

• Documentary Stamp Tax payment of ₱30

Other BIR registration requirements (as needed):

• DTI Certificate

• Work Visa (for foreign nationals)

• Franchise Documents and Agreement (if you’re registering a franchised business)

• Memorandum of Agreement (for joint ventures)

• Certificate of Authority (if registered as a Barangay 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 applicable)

• Special Power of Attorney (SPA), and any government-issued ID of the authorized representative (if transacting through a representative)

• Certificate of Authority, if Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBE) registered entity

• Proof of registration/permit to Operate BOI/BOI-ARMM, PEZA, and BCDA/TIEZA/TEZA, SBMA (if applicable)

For more details and clarifications, you may refer to the official list of requirements from the BIR or contact the BIR Hotline at 8981-7000 or 8929-7676 to ensure you have all the documents you need before proceeding. 

And that’s a wrap! Registering your business at the BIR is one of the critical steps in legitimizing your business. By doing so, you can rest assured that your business is fully above-board with regulatory and legal requirements, showing clients and government agencies alike that you are committed not only to following the law, but also dedicated to contributing to the country’s development.