BIR Registration for Freelance Artists in the Philippines

Hi guys, I made a guide on how to be a registered freelancer in the Philippines like me. Hopefully this is clear enough to help anyone interested.

To be honest, I’m not yet sure how much the pros and cons weight in the long term by doing this. I know most people will say that you can get away without ever registering but if this is something that you plan to do in the long term, and you’re not employed in any full-time job, then being legit will definitely help you out.

PROS:

  • You’ll be a law abiding citizen.
  • You have proof that you are earning money. This proof can be used for things like getting a credit card, a phone line, a car or housing loan in the future, etc.
  • You actually have official receipts enabling you to get big clients without worry.
  • You are in control of how much you earn, spend, and declare.

CONS:

  • You will do all the paper work on your own.
  • You need to pay percentage tax once a month, income taxes 4 times a year, and a registration fee once a year.
  • You need to give out receipts to your customers and maintain books of accounts.

The cons aren’t really that bad. You only need a few hours per month to organize and pay things and that’s it. Below are the steps on how to get registered assuming you already have a TIN number.

Important Terms

RDO – Regional District Office

RDOs only handle people’s taxes in their specified areas so for example you previously worked at Quezon but started freelancing in Makati, you need to go to the RDO in Quezon and get them to change your RDO to Makati. They will take around 5 days to transfer your papers and information to the other RDO.

Form 0605 – Payment Form

You will use this form to pay for the annual registration fee of Php500.00. Make sure to photocopy this form at least 4 times since it will be attached on other forms.

Form 1905 – Application for Registration Information Update/Correction/Cancellation

This form is used to update information/ change status, change RDO, etc

Form 1901 – Application for Registration

Only fill up the information you know. As a freelance artist you just need to indicate that you are a professional engaging in freelance illustration services as well as the 3 taxes you need to pay:

  1. Registration Fee
  2. Income Tax
  3. Percentage Tax

There are other taxes that can be listed for you but it is recommended not to have these:

  1. Witholding Tax – if you are renting an office or apartment. (NOT RECOMMENDED)
  2. VAT – only if you earn around 2million a year.

STEP 1: Confirm or change your RDO

  1. You need to have a TIN number first. Not sure how to do this since I got mine when I got my first job.
  2. Go to nearest BIR to check if your RDO correctly matches your home address since you are engaging in freelance at home.
  3. If it is not correct, get the form 1905 go to the old RDO and submit form 1905 to change to your new RDO and wait around 1 week of processing. (if you have a fax machine, try to ask if you can fax it instead of going to the old RDO since it can be inconvenient.)
  4. While doing this, it is recommended that you also fill up the form 1901 so you can ask and double check future requirements needed.

STEP 2: Registration Requirements

MAIN Requirements for 1901 (Registration for professional)

  1. Paid Form 0605
  2. Barangay clearance

 Requirements of 0605

  • 3x xerox of form 0605
  • 500 pesos registration fee – pay it at a bank that serves your RDO

Requirements for barangay clearance

  • xerox of valid ID (postal ID is easiest to obtain if you don’t have a work ID)
  • xerox of voters receipt (you can use your postal ID to get this too)

*It is recommended that you DO NOT tell BIR that you are renting in an apartment if you are. This is because they will assign a new tax type to you (widtholding tax) that will involve the owner of the apartment. For example, if you pay 9,000 per month on rent, you will need to tell the apartment owner that you cannot pay the full amount anymore because you are forced to withold a certain amount from them BIR. If the apartment owner doesn’t pay taxes correctly or if they don’t want you engaging in business within their place, you might be kicked out if they find out. The way is to register a permanent address owned by a family member or friend that is near where you live.

STEP 3: COR, Seminar, and additional requirements

  1. Once your forms have been accepted, you must now attend a seminar to determine taxes needed to be paid by freelance artists.
  • 3% percent tax (Form 2251M)
  • annual 500 registration ( Form 0605)
  • income tax (Form 1701)
  • if renting an office, widtholding tax
  1. Pay Php 15.00 for the stamp on the COR just wait and get it signed by different people.
  1. Get your COR. This is your proof that you are officially registered now.
  1. Get a printer( to print receipts) from BIR and fill up form 1906
  • The minimum cost at BIR is Php 1000.00 for 10 stacks of the receipts. If you want to save money, it will be better to find a different printer service but I can’t guarantee finding a cheaper one. The receipts last for 5 years I believe.
  1. Buy two ledgers from national bookstore need 10 – 12 columns (around P220 each)
  1. Fill up the form 1905 again but this time for the ledgers. Bring the ff:
  • Xerox of form 0605
  • Xerox of COR
  • stamp the ledgers (ask the guard how to stamp it)

STEP 4: Now you are officially registered!

  1. Get the Receipts when it is available and get the “Ask for Receipt Signboard” at the same time.
  2. Download eBIRForms from the website.

* Technically, each step can be done within one day so you only need at least 4 working days to register yourself as a professional freelancer.

STEP 5: Setup

  1. Display the Ask for receipt notices and COR on your wall where you work.
  2. Buy carbon copy paper and fill up the receipt whenever you get paid. (Make sure the carbon copy paper will transfer to your copy of the receipt)
  3. Give your client the receipt for each payment received.
  4. Write down the proper information in your ledgers for each sale or expense (if you want to use itemized deductions).

STEP 6: BIR filing of payment for 0605 and 2551M

eBIRForms2551m
  1. Open the eBIRForms software, fill it up, and make sure the information is the same as your COR.
  2. Select the form you need. (it is recommended that you do this step for the first time inside the BIR office so you can ask someone to help you.)
  3. Once inside the form page, select ATC and click the correct category. (PT010 for form 2551M, MC180 for form 0605)
  4. Press Validate
  5. Press Save to save a local copy.
  6. Print 3 copies.
  7. Press Final Copy to submit to BIR. Click cancel if it asks if you are a member online
  8. Click Agree to terms then you should receive an email of the proof of the transaction.
  9. Print 3 copies of the emails too and attach them to the 3 printed copies of the form
  10. Go to the nearest RDO bank and pay for it and you are done for the month!

STEP 7: ITR filing

  • This step is still under construction but it is similar to step 6 only with additional computations and tips. I’ll continue to update this as I understood this process better.
  • You have to choose between using Itemized deduction or the Optional 40% deduction.
  • These deductions can reduce the income tax you need to pay. For freelance artists, it is usually better to choose the optional standard 40% deduction unless you spend more than 40% your income on business related expenses. Personally, I don’t spend that much on business related expenses since most business spending I have are only for maintaining the business such as internet, electricity, occasional computer repair/upgrades. Unfortunately we cannot deduct expenses such as food, personal insurance. There is also certain limits to some deductibles. You can read more about them here.
  • If you still plan to use the itemized deduction method, be prepared to have all the proof(receipts, etc.) of your purchases all logged in your Cash Disbursement book.
  • Quarterly ITRs are very easy to file if you use the optional 40% deductions.
  • For more information on filing the last ITR which accounts for the whole year, please check others sites for now since I am not yet familiar on the steps regarding it since it will be more complex due to the personal exemption deduction.

STEP 8: Books of accounts/ledgers

  • Basically you need to record your professional expenses(cash disbursement) and Sales(cash receipts) in these columnar books.
  • You can buy these books in any bookstore and they come in lots of columns. Personally, I’m not a specialist in this area but the only important thing to do is to make sure to note down important details such as Date, Invoice number, Merchant or Client (for Sales Book), Transaction, and Amount.
  • The purpose of these books is simply to compile all transactions.
  • If you do not plan to use the itemized deduction method for the ITR, then you don’t really need to fill up the Cash Disbursement Book.

DEADLINES

  1. Annual Registration – (0605) – Due on or before January 31
  2. 3% Percentage Tax Returns (2551M) – Due on the 20th of the next month of the period covered. Ex. For the payment of March, the deadline will be on April 20
  3. Income Tax Returns – (1701Q and 1701):
  • 1st Qtr due on April 15
  • 2nd Qtr due on August 15
  • 3rd Qtr due on November 15
  • Final Return due on April 15 the following year

FAQ

Now that I’m registered, do I still need to go back to BIR everytime?

  • No, you don’t need to go to BIR anymore. Just make sure to pay on time using eBIRForms and pay to your nearest RDO bank or online using GCash.

How will BIR know how much I earned for the month?

  • They won’t since it is mostly an honesty based system. You should be good so long as you keep a clean record and file the necessary documents on time always.

What will I do if I did not earn anything for a month?

  • Continue to file using eBIRForms like normal but make sure you indicate that your earning is 0. Not filing anything online will result in your account getting an open case. This is automatically generated by the system.

How will I know if the payment worked?

  • You need to check if you received an email of confirmation from eBIRForms for each filing. This email will let you know that your filing online worked. Just make sure you actually pay before the deadline what you filed.
  • The best way to check is just go to BIR and ask if you have any open cases. Each penalty is worth at least Php 1,000.00 so make sure you remember your deadlines.

How to fill receipt if the client is foreign?

  • Just fill whatever info you get and convert the dollar amount to peso on the day you received it.

For the ITR, Is the personal exemption deductible?

  • Yes but you can only deduct it on the final ITR on the year. If it turns out that BIR owes you money after this, then you can use that extra credits to reduce your taxes next year.

I’m still new to all of this and it is not yet that detailed and complete but I hope this guide will help make things easier. For more details, there is always the official website. I will still update this soon once I’m able to pass through the ITR process next.

Thanks for reading! Here are some additional guides that might help:

Full Suite – The Ultimate Guide to BIR Forms

 

34 Comments

John Z

You just need DTI if you will be using a trade name and not your name thats written in your birth certiicate

Reply
Aisa dela Cruz

Hi, Deiv,

Thank you! I bookmarked this article as it will come handy in the future.

Earlier as I was applying for my Certificate of Registration, the BIR staff member told me that an Affidavit certifying that I was a Freelance professional was needed before she could process my application. I’ve never read about such requirement from any of the freelancer blog articles on applying with the BIR, hence I didn’t have one with me.

Since I was running out of time, I just had the Affidavit made and made plans to reprocess my application next week.

I also read a comment from another freelancer in another blog that she was advised to register with the DTI and get all the required permits.

Have you encountered such difficulties or have heard of other freelancers being asked to present “additional requirements” by other RDOs?

Thanks!

Aisa

Reply
DeivCalviz

That is strange. They did not ask for those requirements from me. It might be because I told them I was just starting as a freelancer after leaving my old regular job.

I also haven’t heard about the DTI requirements unfortunately. My friends had a similar process as mine. I believe DTI requirements are only needed if you wish to register an actual business name.

I’m honestly not sure but the best way is to keep asking the people at BIR.

Reply
Jon Gleason

“Earlier as I was applying for my Certificate of Registration, the BIR staff member told me that an Affidavit certifying that I was a Freelance professional was needed before she could process my application. ” – Yes this really happens depends on what RDO you are and what City. I just hope that BIR is calibrated with all of their RDOs

“I also read a comment from another freelancer in another blog that she was advised to register with the DTI and get all the required permits.” – Deiv was right. DTI is only needed if you will be registering using a Trade Name. but if you will be using your name thats written on your birth certificate no need for a DTI

Reply
Bay

I went to BIR and they gave me a list of requirements, apparently I have to produce a PTR (Professional Tax receipt) or OTR (Occupational Tax Receipt) or DTI registration or Mayor’s permit. When I went to the Mayor’s office they won’t give me a PTR because they said it’s only for PRC license holders. I asked for an OTR (the one for non-PRC supposedly) but they said they don’t give that one. I was thinking of getting a Mayor’s business permit but I had been advised by BIR personnel that this will entail a lot of headache especially if I need to close it, and for small freelancers or businesses might not be worth the hassle.

Finally I was advised to go to another city and see if I could get OTR. I went to the Pateros Mayor’s office and there I got a PTR for P300 (they said they issue it to anyone regardless of PRC license holders or not, and regardless of residence because it is the same one they issue to freelance underwriters), without any hassle. So for freelancers like me who need a PTR just go to the Pateros Mayor’s office Treasury. They are a friendly bunch of people too unlike the first city I went to puro seryoso at nakasimangot. LOL

Reply
Jon Gleason

Lucky for you. The first city you went to was such a bunch of craps haha. Its odd for them to say they dont provide OTR because your right its for non-license professional. Hindi naman lahat ng profession may PRC license eh. Like for example “Professional Basketball Player” nag boboard exam ba yang mga yan para mag ka PRC license. Engoters lang din minsan ung mga na eencounter naten sa local gov’t madala

Reply
Abs

Can’t disagree with you. Kailangan mo talaga ng suwerte when dealing with local gov’t personnel. A couple of months ago pa dapat ako naka-register pero dahil hindi alam ng mga taga-munisipyo ng Taguig yung OTR, naudlot na registration ko. They keep telling me that I should get a Mayor’s permit kasi yun lang daw ang binibigay nila.

I took Bay’s advice na kumuha sa Pateros. Unfortunately nung araw din na pumunta ako doon, hindi rin alam ng mga officers of the day kung ano yung OTR. Tapos sinabihan pa ko na hindi ako pwedeng kumuha ng kahit anong permit from them kasi taga-Taguig daw ako. Hay!

Sobrang nakaka-frustrate na gusto mong maging law-abiding citizen pero ang pumipigil sayo, eh taga-gobyerno mismo.

Scott

Hi! For paying monthly, quarterly, and annually, is it alright to pay directly to the RDO instead of paying thru the bank?

Thanks!

Reply
Jon Gleason

Thats possible. Say you’re only 5 mins away from your RDO yes you may do it. But in most cases, taxpayers are quite far from their respective RDOs so most of us opt to pay it through their AAB (Authorized Agent Banks)

Reply
Miki

Hi! Would you advise I register this month or January 2017 na? I’m just considering the annual registration fee of P500, I mean if I register within December 2016, by the time it’s January 2017 baka ipapa-bayad naman ulit ako ng another P500. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Reply
Abs

Share ko lang yung naging process ng registration ko. May konting differences lang sa shinare ni Deiv, pero please take note na sa Taguig-Pateros ito, June 2017.

– Day 1 pa lang, nakapag-register ako agad ng ledgers. Bili kayo ng dalawa from National Bookstore, P22 each lang naman. P40 isa pag sa loob ng BIR.
– Ang requirements nila aside sa forms ay photocopy ng: dalawang ID na may address & birthdate mo OR barangay clearance & NSO birth certificate. Lastly, service contract.
– Hindi ako hinanapan ng OTR. (Medyo nakakaloka na masyado ako nagpaka-girls scout at naghanap ako ng OTR sa dalawang munisipyo beforehand, hindi naman pala nila requirement.)
– After ma-accept at matatakan ang forms and reqts mo, irerefer ka nila sa magpprint ng receipts. Nandun lang din sya sa BIR office.
– Three working days after nyan, pipickup-in mo na yung COR. Kapag nakuha mo na, next na babalikan mo naman is yung booklets ng resibo mo. Kokontakin ka through text kung kailan mo kukunin.
– On the 7th working day since ma-release ang COR, tinext ako na ready for pickup na yung booklets.
– Walang seminar.

Usually, bilang online worker, wala tayong contracts talaga. So kung wala ka ma-provide, TRY mo magpagawa na lang muna ng affidavit stating na online ka nagta-trabaho bago ka pumunta ng BIR. Hindi ako sure kung lahat ng BIR personnel tinatanggap to in place of service contract but I was lucky. May iba na mukhang very strict. Manalangin ka na mapunta ka sa counter na lenient yung nakaupo.

Thank you Deiv at sa lahat ng commenters na nag-share ng experiences nila! Dito ko lang din nakuha yung idea na magpagawa ng affidavit. Fortunately, tinanggap naman kahit na hindi talaga yun mismo ang requirement ng RDO ko. I’m happy na registered freelancer na ko!

Reply
Joe

I suggest po you can ask for your barangay to issue a certification that is stating that you are working as a freelancer. Most BIR RDOs will accept that instead of getting an affidavit.

Jon Gleason

Hi Deiv Calviz!

By the way thank you for sharing this article. Its informative and easy to understand. Also your creations were amazing! Kudos!

You said in your article, “I’m still new to all of this and it is not yet that detailed and complete but I hope this guide will help make things easier … I will still update this soon once I’m able to pass through the ITR process next.”

April 17 2017. BIRs deadline for filing our ITRs what happen when you filed your ITR? Did you need to hire an accountant for this?

I have not file my ITR yet as a freelance but im already registered as a professional with BIR. I just got my COR last 04/17/17.

I hope you can update this article if you find the luxury of time to do so. 🙂

Reply
Margie

Hi Po, do I also need to write my life insurance in Cash Disbursement and in General Ledger book? please help 🙁 if regarding also sa ebirforms no need to register my updated email at BIR ?

Reply
Peach

Kudos to the writer of this article! Nasundan ko lang toh from Deiv’s thread sa UW https://community.upwork.com/t5/Asia-Pacific/How-to-register-as-professional-self-employed-tax-payer/gpm-p/320662/page/2 >> very helpful talaga.
I’m “in the process”, but barely started getting myself registered as a professional / self-employed / etc and I’ve been on a VA contract for a single client, for over 2 years now. No time to go out and accomplish all these things – typical, NWNP (no work no pay).
At any rate, what I want to share is this, as I’ve found out this week when OFW hubby and I, online freelance contractor – inquired about home loans from HDMF / Pag-Ibig (since I was employed full-time for over 10 years prior to working from home; and a major bank (BPI). So, if you want to make a loan:
> HDMF requires documentation on you being Self-employed so they need DTI, Mayor’s business permit (and all that stuff…); while BPI needs an ITR (so that process to go through with BIR).
Sa ayun. Kung may nai-contribute ka na before sa HDMF and / or you want to make a loan from a bank (and I guess anywhere else, even in applying for a credit card, unless the bank offers you a CC because you’ve been ‘selected’; malamang nakita ang remittances mo.. speaking from experience here) – having those requirements and registration – are well worth it.
Maraming salamat sa mga kabaro ko dito sa mga tips and advices! 😀

Reply
Meg

Hi Deiv! May question lang ako. What if zero income ka for that month? Do I need to still go to BIR and have it stamped? Or okay nasa AAB lang?

Reply
Twin

Hello Deiv, Thanks for the very informative article! i’d like to ask, however, if you’re someone who doesn’t have a regular freelance work, and only accepts commissions from time to time, do the rules (in taxation) still apply and I have to register? Thanks 🙂

Reply
aebc

Thank You for Sharing this, really big help for beginners and newly registered taxpayers.. 🙂

Reply
Didi

Hi, Michael! Have you managed to get your affidavit done? I also got the list of requirements from RDO 43 and they included this affidavit along with the other documents mentioned in this post. I plan to drop by the nearest notary public to get this done before I go back to RDO 43.

Reply
Jonathan

Anyone here filed their 2551M or 1701Q through eBIRForms, but didn’t get any confirmation email even after 2 hours? Ano po ba ang gagawin? I have been filing my reports the past months via eBIRForms using the same email address and info, pero ngayon ko lang naexperience na walang email confirmation.

Reply
Greys

Hello paano po kapag freelancer ka and then yung nasa withelding tax mo na net income is Hindi naman lahat sayo na pupunta becAuse. Commission lang kinikita mo dun do I need to pay tax? For that

Reply

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