Multi-agency (DTI, LGU, BIR, and others as applicable)

Start a Sole Proprietorship

Starting a sole proprietorship is a multi-agency process. Register a business name with DTI (BNRS), secure Barangay/LGU clearances and the Mayor’s/Business Permit where your business is located (requirements vary by LGU), then register with BIR. Employer registrations (SSS and others) apply when you hire. DTI BN alone does not authorize you to operate.

High-level, multi-agency sequence to start a sole proprietorship in the Philippines—without inventing a single nationwide Mayor’s Permit checklist.

Last verified October 7, 2026

Updated October 7, 2026

Agency sequence and LGU variability come from DTI’s Business Registration and Permits page. Detailed DTI/BIR checklists live on their dedicated guides—this page does not invent a universal city permit list.

Quick Summary

Agency
Multi-agency (DTI, LGU, BIR, and others as applicable)
How to apply
Online or walk-in
Published processing time
No single nationwide processing time. Each agency publishes its own timeline (for example, DTI BNRS estimates ~15 minutes under normal circumstances). LGU and BIR times depend on the locality and transaction type—confirm locally.
Multi-agency fees
See DTI Business Name guide

What You’ll Need

Use this as a preparation checklist. Items marked “If it applies” are situational.

  • DTI Business Name Registration (sole proprietorship)

    Official source

    Register the trade name you will use. DTI states BN registration is necessary for a single proprietorship’s legal identity to use the business name—and that it is not a license to operate.

    Get it from: bnrs.dti.gov.ph or DTI office

  • Barangay and Mayor’s / Business Permit from your LGU

    Official source

    DTI states all businesses must secure a mayor’s permit or municipal license from the city or municipality where they are located, and that registration procedure varies across LGUs. Do not rely on a copied “nationwide” barangay/mayor checklist—use your LGU’s current requirements.

  • BIR registration for the business / taxpayer types

    Official source

    DTI states every enterprise must register with BIR for taxation. Self-employed registration commonly uses BIR Form 1901 / ORUS new-business flows. See the BIR TIN guide for form routing; confirm COR, ATP, and books requirements in ORUS or at your RDO.

  • Employer registrations (when you hire)

    If it appliesConfirm at office

    DTI notes employers must register with SSS. PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG employer enrollment also commonly apply once you have employees—confirm current employer onboarding on those agencies’ official channels. These are not universal day-one requirements for a solo operator with no staff.

  • Industry or product-specific registrations (if any)

    If it appliesOfficial source

    DTI lists additional regulators for certain products (FDA, BFAR, and others). Only pursue these if your activity is covered.

How To Do It

  1. 1

    Confirm business activity and location

    Confirm at office

    Your LGU and possible sector regulators depend on where and what you operate. Home-based, online, and storefront businesses can face different local rules.

  2. 2

    Register the business name with DTI

    Official source

    Complete BNRS registration for the sole proprietorship name and keep the BNR Certificate. See the DTI Business Name guide for fees and documents.

  3. 3

    Secure Barangay and Mayor’s/Business Permit locally

    Official source

    Follow the published checklist of the Barangay and City/Municipal Business Permits and Licensing Office where the business is located. Requirements and sequencing (e.g., zoning, occupancy, sanitary) are local.

  4. 4

    Register with BIR

    Official source

    Register the business taxpayer record (often via ORUS or RDO). Obtain the registrations BIR requires before issuing receipts/invoices. Use the BIR TIN guide for employee vs self-employed form differences.

  5. 5

    Register as an employer only when it applies

    Confirm at office

    If you hire workers, enroll as an employer with SSS and complete PhilHealth/Pag-IBIG employer steps as those agencies require. DOLE registration rules depend on workforce size per DTI’s overview—confirm current thresholds with DOLE.

Fees

DTI fees are published nationally. LGU and BIR amounts are confirmed at those channels—this category does not invent city fee tables.

DTI business name fees
Territorial scope fees + ₱30 DST are published in the DTI Citizen’s Charter.
Official source
See DTI Business Name guide
Barangay / Mayor’s Permit fees
No nationwide fee table is published on the DTI overview page. Confirm at your city/municipality.
Confirm at office
Set by your LGU
BIR registration fees
Employee-only TIN paths differ from self-employed business registration fees. Confirm amounts shown at payment.
Confirm at office
Confirm in ORUS / RDO

Important Notes

  • LGU requirements are not universal

    Official source

    DTI explicitly states mayor’s/municipal permit procedures vary across cities and municipalities. This guide will not invent a fake nationwide BPLO checklist or city clones.

  • “Business” here is not one government office

    Official source

    Ano Kailangan groups this as a cross-agency procedure. Each stage is owned by DTI, your LGU, BIR, or another regulator—verify on that agency’s channel before you pay.

Where / How To Apply

DTI/BNRS for business name; your Barangay and City/Municipal Hall for local permits; BIR RDO or ORUS for tax registration; SSS and other agencies when you become an employer or when your industry regulator requires it.

DTI business registration overviewOpen BNRS

Official Sources

Verify the checklist against the agency before you travel or pay.