Following are listed the steps required to set up the corporate vehicle:

Verify and reserve the company name with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

The name search can be done electronically via the SEC’s online verification system, but applicants must pay for the reservation fee on site at the SEC. Once the reserved name is approved by the SEC, a fee of PHP 40 will be required for the first 30 days. The company name can then be reserved for a maximum of 90 days at a cost of PHP 120, which is renewable upon expiration of the period. The reservation certificate is obtained directly at the Security and Exchange Commission.

Deposit the paid-in minimum capital at the bank

Under Section 13 of the Corporation Code, the paid-in minimum capital is PHP 5,000. Even though a certificate of deposit is not a requirement by the Securities and Exchange Commission for company registration, this procedure must be completed in order to abide by the applicable law.

Notarize articles of incorporation and treasurer’s affidavit at the notary

Articles of incorporation should be notarized before filing with the SEC. Under Section 15 of the Corporation Code, the Treasurer’s Affidavit should also be notarized. The 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice require the presence of the person(s) who executed the document (Articles of Incorporation and Treasurer’s Affidavit) before the notary public.

Register the company with the SEC and receive pre-registered Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

The company can register online through SEC i-Register. The following documents are required for SEC registration:

• Company name verification slip;
• Articles of incorporation (notarized) and by-laws;
• Treasurer’s affidavit (notarized);
• Statement of assets and liabilities;
• Registration data sheet with particulars on directors, officers, stockholders, and so forth;
• Written undertaking to comply with SEC reporting requirements (notarized);
• Written undertaking to change corporate name (notarized).

Starting from August 15, 2011, the Security and Exchange Commission launched the Green Lane Unit that provides 1-day registration of applications for stock corporations and partnership. In practice, it takes 1-3 business days to process incorporation papers and obtain SEC approval.

The pre-registered Taxpayer Identification Number is automatically obtained from the SEC Head Office upon registration. However, the company must still register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue in order to identify applicable tax types, pay an annual registration fee, obtain and stamp sales invoices, receipts and the books of accounts.

Cost: 1/5 of 1% of the authorized capital stock or the subscription price of the subscribed capital stock (whichever is higher but not less than PHP 1,000) + legal research fee (LRF) equivalent to 1% of filing fee but not less than PHP 10 + PHP 500 By-laws + PHP 150 for registration of stock and transfer book (STB) required for new corporations + PHP 320 STB + PHP 10 legal research fee for the By-laws.

Obtain barangay clearance

The barangay clearance is a prerequisite for the issuance of business permit to operate.

To get the barangay clearance, it is necessary to submit the following documentary requirements to the Barangay: Application form, SEC Certificate of Incorporation and approved articles of incorporation and bylaws, location plan/site map and the contract of lease over the corporation’s office.

This clearance is obtained from the Barangay where the business is located. Barangay fees vary in each Barangay since they have the discretion to impose their own fees and charges as long as these fees are reasonable and within the limits set by the Local Government Code and city ordinances. In Quezon City, the fees range from PHP 300 to PHP 1,000.

The clearance is obtained in one day, provided that the barangay captain is in the office as the captain is the only official authorized to sign.

Pay the annual community tax and obtain the community tax certificate (CTC) from the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO)

The company is assessed a basic and an additional community tax. The basic community tax rate depends on whether the company legal form is a corporation, partnership, or association (PHP 500 or lower). The additional community tax (not to exceed PHP 10,000) depends on the assessed value of real property the company owns in the Philippines at the rate of PHP 2.00 for every PHP 5,000 and on its gross receipts, including dividends or earnings, derived from business activities in the Philippines during the preceding year, at the rate of PHP 2.00 for every PHP 5,000.

Obtain the business permit to operate from the BPLO

The fees vary depending on the LGU issuing the permit. The rate of license fee imposed in Quezon City is 25% of 1% of the authorized capital stock. Other permits, such as location clearance, fire safety and inspection certificate, sanitary permit, certificate of electrical inspection, mechanical permit, and other clearances or certificates required depending on the nature of business, are also imposable. The rate of these fees depends on the nature of business and land area occupied by the proposed corporation.

Executive Order No. 17, series of 2011 created the Business-One-Stop- Shop to obtain a business permit. The entire procedure including getting approval for the business permit takes around one to two weeks.

Cost: PHP 2,400 business tax (25% of 1% of paid-up capital) + PHP 200 mayor’s permit + PHP 150 sanitary inspection fee + PHP 50 signboard fee + PHP 300 business plate + PHP 100 QCBRB + PHP 545 zoning clearance + PHP 1,300 garbage fee+ PHP 300 FSIC (10% of all regulatory fees).

Buy special books of account at bookstore

Special books of accounts are required for registering with the BIR. The books of accounts are sold at bookstores nationwide. One set of journals consisting of four books (cash receipts account, disbursements account, ledger, general journal) costs about PHP 400.

If the company has a computerized accounting system, it may opt to register it under the procedures laid out in BIR Revenue Memorandum Order Nos. 21-2000 and 29-2002.

The BIR Computerized System Evaluation Team is required to inspect and evaluate the company’s computerized accounting system within 30 days from receipt of the application form (BIR Form No. 1900) and complete documentary requirements.

Apply for Certificate of Registration (COR) and TIN at the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)

After the taxpayer obtains the Taxpayer Identification Number, the company must pay the annual registration fee of PHP 500 at any duly accredited bank, using payment form BIR Form 0605).

All newly formed corporations subject to SEC registration are issued pre-generated TIN by SEC-Head Office, which is indicated on their SEC Certificate of Registration. The corporation only has to register its pre- generated TIN with the BIR and report all internal revenue taxes that it expects to be liable for.

The requirements for application for COR with the BIR are:

• Duly accomplished and filled-out BIR Form No. 1903 (Application for Registration for Corporations);
• Payment Form (BIR Form No. 0605);
• SEC Certification of Incorporation;
• Articles of Incorporation and By-laws;
• Contract of Lease (with BIR Form No. 2000 and supporting BIR Payment Form as proof of payment of documentary stamp tax on the lease agreement);
• Documentary Stamp Tax Return (BIR Form No. 2000) on the original issuance of shares and Payment Form (for the DST payment);
• Mayor’s Permit/Business Permit Application (duly stamped received by the Business Licensing Division of the local government of Quezon City).

Pay the registration fee and documentary stamp taxes (DST) at the AAB

The rate of documentary stamp tax on original issuance of shares of stock shall be PHP 1.00 for every PHP 200 or fractional part thereof, of the par value, of such shares of stock.

The documentary stamp tax return shall be filed and the tax paid on or before the fifth (5th) day after the close of the month of approval of SEC registration.

Cost: (PHP 500 registration fee + PHP 5,165 DST on original issuance of shares of stock. DST on the lease contract is not included in the computation of the cost)

Obtain the authority to print receipts and invoices from the BIR

The authority to print receipts and invoices must be secured before printing the sales receipts and invoices. The BIR issued Revenue Regulations No. 18-2012 and it became effective on January 18, 2013. It adopted the online system for authority to print official receipts, sales invoices and other commercial invoices. In this regard, all unused or unissued receipts and invoices which were printed prior to January 18, 2013 will be deemed valid only until June 30, 2013.

To obtain the authority to print receipts and invoices from the BIR, the company must submit the following documents to the Revenue District Office (RDO):

• Duly completed application for authority to print receipts and invoices (BIR Form No. 1906);
• Job order;
• Final and clear sample of receipts and invoices (machine-printed);
• Application for registration (BIR Form No. 1903);
• Proof of payment of annual registration fee (BIR Form No. 0605).

Have books of accounts and Printer’s Certificate of Delivery (PCD) stamped by the BIR

After the printing of receipts and invoices, the printer issues a Printer’s Certificate of Delivery of Receipts and Invoices (PCD) to the company, which must submit this to the appropriate BIR RDO (i.e., the RDO which has jurisdiction over the company’s principal place of business) for registration and stamping within thirty (30) days from issuance. The company must also submit the following documents:

• All required books of accounts;
• VAT registration certificate;
• SEC registration;
• BIR Form W-5;
• Certified photocopy of the ATP;
• Notarised taxpayer-user’s sworn statement enumerating the responsibilities and commitments of the taxpayer-user.

The company must also submit a copy of the PCD to the BIR RDO having jurisdiction over the printer’s principal place of business.

Register with the Social Security System (SSS)

To register with the SSS, the company must submit the following documents:

• Employer registration form (Form R-1);
• Employment report (Form R-1A);
• List of employees, specifying their birth dates, positions, monthly salary and date of employment;
• Articles of incorporation, by-laws and SEC registration.

Upon submission of the required documents, the SSS employer and employee numbers will be released. The employees may attend an SSS training seminar after registration. SSS prefers that all members go through such training so that each member is aware of their rights and obligations.

Register with the Philippine Health Insurance Company (PhilHealth)

To register with PhilHealth, the company must submit the following documents:

• Employer data record (Form ER1);
• Report of employee-members (Form ER2);
• SEC registration;
• BIR registration;
• Copy of business permit.

Upon submission of the required documents, the company shall get the receiving copy of all the forms as proof of membership until PhilHealth releases the employer and employee numbers within three months.

Register with Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-ibig)

To register with the HDMF, the corporation must submit the following documents:

• Employer’s Data Form (EDF [FPF040]);
• Specimen Signature Form (SSF[FPF170]);
• Copy of SEC Certificate of Incorporation;
• Copy of Approved Articles of Incorporation and By-laws;
• Board Resolution or Secretary’s Certificate indicating the duly designated Authorized Representative.

Upon submission of the complete documents and payment of the first contribution to the fund, the Pag-IBIG will issue the HDMF number and the HDMF Certificate of Registration.

Documentary Requirements

• Form F103 or Application of a Foreign Corporation to Establish a Branch Office in the Philippines;
• Name Verification Slip. As mentioned, this is reserved manually with the Security and Exchange Commission for a minimal fee of PHP 40 for every 30 days up to a maximum of 90 days;
• Authenticated copy of Board Resolution authorizing establishment of office in the Philippines designating resident agent and stipulating that in absence of such agent or upon cessation of business in the Philippines any summons may be served to SEC as if the same is made upon the corporation at its home office;
• Financial Statements as of a date not exceeding one year immediately prior to the application certified by independent CPA of home country and authenticated before the Philippine Consulate/Embassy;
• Authenticated copies/Certified copies of the Articles of Incorporation/Partnership with an English translation, if in a foreign language;
• Proof of inward remittance (US$200,000) minimum;
• Resident Agent’s acceptance of appointment (if not signatory in application form).

License to do Business in the Philippines

The request will undergo initial evaluation of the SEC and approval normally comes after 2-10 days. Connected fees and other registrations are likewise required such as community tax certificate, barangay clearance, fire permit, occupancy permit and similar.

Tax Registration

The Security and Exchange Commission will assign a Tax Identification Number that must be formally registered with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Processing

After the recent improvement in the online processing system, completing all the above requires approximately 3-4 weeks. We recommend you to secure all required services to a GEO agency to assist you in the complete registration of the company in the Philippines.

Documentary Requirements

• Form F-104 or Application of a Foreign Corporation to Establish a Representative Office in the Philippines;
• Name Verification Slip. This should be reserved manually with the SEC for PHP 40 for every 30 days up to a maximum of 90 days, subject to renewal;
• Authenticated copy of Board Resolution authorizing establishment of office in the Philippines; designating resident agent & stipulating that in absence of such agent or upon cessation of business in the Phil. Any summons may be served to SEC as if the same is made upon the corporation at its home office;
• Financial Statements as of a date not exceeding one year immediately prior to the application certified by independent CPA of home country and authenticated before the Philippine consulate/embassy;
• Affidavit executed by the resident agent stating that mother office is solvent and in sound financial condition;
• Authenticated copies of Articles of Incorporation with an English translation if in foreign language other than English;
• Proof of inward remittance (US$30,000) minimum such as bank certificate;
• Resident Agent’s acceptance of appointment (if not signatory in
  application form).

Recommended

• Verify/reserve proposed name;
• Get F-104 form from CRMD;
• Present accomplished forms/docs for pre-processing at CRMD;
• Pay filing fees to cashier;
• Claim license from Records Division.

Time: 2 days from filing.

Licensing Requirements

• Secure license with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), upon favorable recommendation of the Board of Investments (However, ROHQs of banking and financial institutions are required to secure licenses from both the SEC and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
• Minimum Requirements.
  • Certification from the Philippine Consulate Embassy, or duly authenticated certification from the Philippine Dept. of Trade and Industry or its equivalent in the foreign firm’s home country that the firm is engaged in international trade with affiliates, subsidiaries, or branches in the Asia-Pacific region and other foreign markets.
  • Certification from the principal officer of the firm that the firm has been authorisedby its Board of Directors to establish its RHQ in the Philippines, specifying the following:
    • Activities of the RHQ shall be limited to acting as supervisory, communication, and coordinating center for its subsidiaries, branches, and affiliates in the region;
    • RHQ will not derive any income from sources within the  Philippines;
    • RHQ shall notify the BOI and the SEC of any decision to close down or suspend its operations 15 days before the same is effected.
  • An undertaking that any violation of the Omnibus Investments Code and its implementing rules and regulations shall constitute sufficient cause for the cancellation of RHQ’s license to operate.

Documentary Requirements

• Name of verification slip;
• Get F-105 Form from CRMD;
• Articles of Partnership;
• Written joint undertaking to change corporate name signed by two (2) incorporators/Directors;
• Clearance/endorsement from other govt. agencies, if applicable;
• Proof of remittance of foreign partners (only for those partners who want to register their investments with BSP);

Recommended

• Verify/secure proposed name;
• Buy articles of Partnership forms from the Express lane;
• Get FIA Form 105 from CRMD;
• Get endorsement of other government agencies, if needed;
• Presents accomplished forms/docs for pre-processing at CRMD;
• Pay filing fees to cashier;
• Claims Certificate of Incorporation from releasing Unit, Records Division.

Time: 1 day from filing