Start a business on your own (sole proprietor): your forms
You are starting a store, online shop, trade or freelance practice in your own name and need to get registered, in order.
Forms in this pack: Register your business name with DTI; Get a barangay clearance; Get your mayor's (business) permit; Register with BIR; SSS registration (E-1); PhilHealth member registration (PMRF); Pag-IBIG membership registration; Your first quarterly income tax return; Your first annual income tax return.
Register your business name with DTI: If you trade under any name other than your own. Done online in minutes; you need the DTI certificate for every step after this.
Get a barangay clearance: At the barangay hall where your business is. Your city will not issue a permit without it, and the barangay must act within 7 working days (Local Government Code, Sec. 152(c)).
Get your mayor's (business) permit: At your city or municipal hall's business one-stop shop, with your DTI certificate and barangay clearance. Renewed every January. This is the Quezon City form; in another city, use that city's own application.
Register with BIR: On or before the day you start (NIRC Sec. 236 as amended by RA 11976): gets your TIN, your tax types and your Certificate of Registration (Form 2303), and is where you choose the 8% rate.
SSS registration (E-1): If you have no SSS number yet. A self-employed person must register within 30 days of starting (RA 11199, Sec. 24-A).
PhilHealth member registration (PMRF): Register, or update your record from employee to self-earning member.
Pag-IBIG membership registration: If you have no Pag-IBIG MID number yet.
Your first quarterly income tax return: Due after the first quarter you are registered in, even if you earned nothing.
Your first annual income tax return: Every April 15 for the year before. 1701A if you are on the 8% rate or the optional standard deduction (itemized deductions file Form 1701 instead).
Register with BIR on or before the day you start — not after your first sale.
The PHP 500 annual registration fee was removed in 2024 — older checklists still list it.
Hiring your first employee? Register as an employer with SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG and report them right away — then switch to the Small office pack.
Not for: A business with partners or co-owners (see Start a corporation), or someone already registered with BIR (pick the pack for how you pay tax).
Not affiliated with BIR, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG or any government agency.