How do I apply for a BIR for a sole proprietorship?

How to Register a Sole Proprietor Business in the Philippines?

You may have a great business idea that you want to implement as soon as possible yet you don’t have any idea how to start and register a business. This article aims to give you some pointers on how to register and start a Sole Proprietor business.

What is a Sole Proprietor?

Sole Proprietor is a type of business that is owned and managed by a single individual.

Benefits of a Sole Proprietor Business

  • Easier to set up and register
  • Requires minimal amount of capital
  • Lower cost in registering for government permits and licenses
  • Minimal regulations and monitoring requirements
  • You can register and run your business on your own
  • You can enjoy the profits on your own

Disadvantages of a Sole Proprietor Business

  • Risk and liability is shouldered by the owner (you) alone
  • The loss is solely suffered by the owner (you)
  • You manage and operate the business on your own which sometimes leads to exhaustion
  • Shareholders, such as creditors or government agencies, can run after your own personal assets since the business is you.

Where to Register a Sole Proprietor Business?

Here are the government agencies where you are required to register your Sole Proprietor business.

  1. Department of Trade and Industry
  2. Local Government Units where your business is located:
    • Barangay
    • Mayor’s Office
  3. Bureau of Internal Revenue
  4. If you have employees, you need to register to the following:

Basic Requirements and Procedure in Registering a Sole Proprietor Business

In this part of the article, we will guide you on how to register your business in many different government agencies.

1. Register a business name at Department of Trade and Industry

  1. Come-up with three (3) business names such as
    1. XYZ Trading
    2. XYZ Retail and Trading
    3. XYZ Trading Enterprises
  2. Search in the DTI’s website if there’s an existing name similar to yours
  3. If your business name is available, fill-up Business Name (BN) Application Form.
  4. Submit your completed BN application form to DTI’s offices/branch
  5. Wait for your DTI Certificate of Registration

After acquiring a DTI Certificate of Registration, you may now proceed and register to Local Government Units (LGU), such as Barangay and Mayor’s Office:

2. Registration with Barangay

  1. Go to the barangay where your business is located to secure and fill-up application form
  2. Submit your completed application form together with the following:
    • Certificate of Business Registration from DTI
    • Two (2) valid IDs
    • Proof of Address such as Contract of Lease (if rented) or Certificate of Land Title (if owned)
  3. Claim your Barangay Certificate of Business Registration

3. Register your business in the Mayor’s Office

  1. Go to the municipal office where your business is located to secure and fill-up application form
  2. Submit your completed application form together with the following:
    • Certificate of Business Registration from DTI
    • Barangay Clearance Certificate
    • Two (2) valid IDs
    • Proof of Address such as Contract of Lease (if rented) or Certificate of Land Title (if owned)
  3. Claim you Mayor’s Business Permit and Licenses

When you already got all the certificate and permits from DTI and LGUs, you may now register to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)

4. Register your business in the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)

  1. Go to the Regional District Office (RDO) where your business is located
  2. Fill-up the BIR Form 1901 – Application for Registration (for Sole Proprietor)
  3. Submit completed registration form together with the following:
    • Certificate of Registration form DTI
    • Barangay Clearance
    • Mayor’s Business Permit
    • Proof of Address such as Contract of Lease (if rented) or Certificate of Land Title (if owned)
    • Valid IDs, if applicable.
  4. Pay the Registration Form (BIR Form 0605)
  5. Register your book of accounts and receipts/invoices.
  6. Claim your Certificate of Registration (BIR Form 2303)

After completing all the steps above, you can now focus in operating and growing your business. If you are having a problem or too busy to do it, you can also outsource it to us at a very affordable price. Please see our business registration service.

Good luck.

Overview of Public Universities in South Africa

Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.

University of Pretoria

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
  • Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.

University of Cape Town

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
  • Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.

Stellenbosch University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.

University of the Witwatersrand

  • Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
  • Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.

University of Johannesburg

  • Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
  • Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.

University of the Free State

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.

University of Venda

  • Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
  • Application Period: Usually from May to September.

University of Fort Hare

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
  • Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.

University of the Western Cape

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Generally from May to September.

North-West University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.

Rhodes University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
  • Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.

Nelson Mandela University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
  • Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.

University of Limpopo

  • Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

University of Zululand

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
  • Application Period: Usually between April and November.

Central University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.

Vaal University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
  • Application Period: Typically from May to September.

Walter Sisulu University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.