How to Set up as an Independent Contractor in The Philippines

Working as an independent contractor in the Philippines has never been so profitable. The TRAIN law (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act, also known as Republic Act No. 10963) came into effect in January 2018.

Self-employed individuals and/or professionals whose gross sales or receipts and other non-operating income do not exceed the VAT threshold (PHP 3 million) have the option to avail of an 8% income tax on gross sales or receipts and other non-operating income in excess of PHP 250,000 in lieu of the graduated income tax rates and the percentage tax. The election must be made in the income tax return for the first quarter of the taxable year.

The 8% flat tax option is not available to:

• Partners of general professional partnerships
• VAT-registered taxpayers
• Taxpayers subject to the percentage tax (except for non VAT-registered taxpayers whose gross sales and/or receipts do not exceed the VAT threshold)

Please note that required documents vary by cities- each Bureau of International Revenue (BIR) has its own set of requirements.

Disclaimer: This article doesn't constitute legal advice. Information in this article was collected from Filipino government websites and other online resources. Always check direct sources before you take action.

The registration process of an independent contractor to the Bureau of International Revenue

You have to register to the Bureau of International Revenue, an agency of the Department of Finance.

Secure an Occupational Tax Receipt (OTR) or a Professional Tax Receipt (PTR)

• Some cities, like Makati, don't issue an OTR. If you are based in one of these cities, you can go straight to the next paragraph (getting TIN).
• If you have a professional license, you must secure a Professional Tax Receipt (PTR); if not, you must secure an Occupational Tax Receipt (OTR).
• To get a PTR / an OTR, go to your local Treasurer's Office with a contract copy from any of your existing clients.
• Some cities, like Muntinlya, will also require you to secure a health permit before giving you your PTR / OTR.

Get your TIN (Tax Identification Number)

• If you are transitioning from being employed to self-employed professional, your TIN is probably registered in the Revenue District Offices of your previous employer. In this case, you will have to go there to fill in Form 1905 and request a transfer of your TIN to the RDO of your current location.
• If you've never been an employee in the Philippines, you don't have a TIN yet. In this case, go to your designated BIR Revenue District Offices (RDO) and apply for a Tax Identification Number.
• This process should take 3-10 business days.

Apply for Book of Accounts

To get your Book of Accounts, you are required to bring the following documents to your designated BIR Revenue District Office:

• 3 filled-out copies of BIR Form Application 1901 (Registration for Self-Employed and Mixed Income Individuals)
• A Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) birth certificate
• A labor contract or company certification
• Books for stamping
• Your cash receipt journal
• Your cash disbursement journal
• Your general journal
• Your general ledger
• Your marriage contract, if applicable

When changing to a new Revenue District Office, you need to go back to your old Revenue District Office to ask them to transfer your records to the new one.

Payment of your registration fee

To get your Certificate of Registration in your designated BIR Revenue District Office, you have to follow these steps:

• Fill out Form 1901 (Application for Registration)
• Pay PHP 500 for the Certification fee and Documentary Stamp Tax at any authorized bank

Apply for a Certificate of Registration (COR)

• Secure your Book of Journals: 4 books for non-VAT (but some cities will require only 2 books). It will cost you around PHP 50 per book.
• Attend the required taxpayer's briefing of Form 2303 (the BIR Certificate of Registration) and the "Ask for a Receipt" Notice
• Use Bureau of International Revenue's Form 1906 to apply for Authority to Print Receipts and print 3 copies of the Form 1906.

Depending on the Revenue District Office, you will have to wait between 2 and 4 weeks to get your Certificate of Registration.

Taxes in the Philippines

Here is an overview of the taxes you will have to pay every year:

• Annual Registration Fee (BIR Form 0605): billed every January
• Monthly Percentage Tax (BIR Form 2551M): on or before the 20th of the month
• Quarterly Income Tax Return (BIR Form 1701Q):

Q1: On or before May 15 of the current taxable year
Q2: On or before August 15 of the current taxable year
Q3: On or before November 15 of the current taxable year

The importance of working in compliance with Filipino laws and regulations

Filipino laws apply even if your clients are based abroad. If you are caught not issuing an Official Receipt, the Bureau of International Revenue may:

• penalize and charge you anywhere from PHP 30,000 to PHP 100,000
• apply sanctions under the Oplan Kandado program
• charge you with tax evasion, which is punishable by imprisonment