How to Register an Online Business in the Philippines: DTI and BIR Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

You have the idea. Maybe even the product. You know there's money to be made — and this time, you want to be the one making it on your own terms. But before you start selling, you have one question: where do I even begin? The answer, for every online business owner in the Philippines, starts with two registrations: the DTI and the BIR. They're not complicated. They're not expensive. And once they're done, you're officially in business.

This guide walks you through every step — online, plain-language, no accountant required.

Step 1: Register Your Business Name with the DTI

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) registers your business name as a sole proprietor. This allows you to legally use a business name within your chosen territorial scope. 

DTI registration is primarily for sole proprietors. If you're setting up a partnership, corporation, and one-person corporation, register with the Securities and Exchange Commissions (SEC) instead.

What You Need Before You Start

• A valid government-issued ID
• A business name in mind (have 2–3 alternatives ready in case your first choice is taken)
• An active email address
• Payment method: GCash, Maya, Landbank Link.Biz, or credit/debit card

Step-by-Step: DTI Online Registration via BNRS

Go to the DTI Business Name Registration System (BNRS) at bnrs.dti.gov.ph.

1. Accept the Terms and Conditions — read and click "I Agree" to proceed.
2. Fill in your owner information: full name, birth details, contact information, and email address. Review and click Proceed.
3. Choose your business name. Enter your Territorial Scope (Barangay, City/Municipal, Regional, or National), Dominant Name, and Business Name Descriptor (e.g., Trading, Food Services, Consulting). Click "Check Name Availability" and if the name is taken, choose another.
4. Save your Reference Code. The system generates one after name confirmation. Screenshot or note it, you'll need it for payment and future transactions.
5. Fill in your business address, residential address, and any remaining personal details. Review everything carefully.
6. Review and confirm all information for accuracy, then proceed.
7. Accept the Undertaking – read and click ‘Proceed’. You may download a copy for your records.
8. Pay the registration fee via GCash, Maya, credit/debit card, Landbank Link.Biz, or DTI Teller. By selecting Landbank Link.Biz, you may pay via 7-Eleven or Bayad Center. Payment must be completed within 7 calendar days or your application will be automatically cancelled.
9. After successful payment, your Certificate of Business Name Registration (CBNR) will be sent to your email. You can also download it anytime through the Transaction Inquiry section of the BNRS portal.

Your DTI Certificate is valid for 5 years from the date of registration. Keep it — you'll typically need it when registering your business with the BIR and applying for local permits.

What Happens After DTI Registration?

DTI registration only reserves and protects your business name. To legally operate, you'll typically also need:

• Barangay Clearance
• Mayor's Permit / Business Permit from your local government unit
• BIR Registration (covered in Step 2 below)
• Other permits depending on your industry (for example, FDA permits for certain food, cosmetics, or health-related products).

DTI Registration Fees (2026)

Many small and online businesses choose City/Municipal scope when starting because it covers their local market and costs less than Regional or National registration.

Step 2: Register with the BIR

Once you have your DTI certificate, it's time to register as a taxpayer. This is your BIR registration, and it's mandatory for every online seller and business owner in the Philippines, regardless of platform or scale.

Under Philippine law, you must register with the BIR within 30 days of receiving your DTI certificate. Missing this deadline can result in penalties of ₱5,000 to ₱20,000, or imprisonment of six (6) to 24 months. 

What You Need Before You Start

• DTI Certificate of Business Name Registration
• Valid government-issued ID (passport, driver's license, birth certificate, etc.)
• Accomplished BIR Form 1901 (for sole proprietors / self-employed individuals)
• Proof of address (e.g., barangay clearance, utility bill)
• Active email address
• Scanned copies in PDF format, max 4MB total for all attached documents. 

Step-by-Step: BIR Online Registration via NewBizReg

The BIR's online registration system is called NewBizReg. Access it at bir.gov.ph/newbizreg.

1. Go to the NewBizReg portal and download BIR Form 1901. Fill it out completely.
2. Scan all your required documents (PDF, max 4MB).
3. On the NewBizReg portal, complete the online form with your personal and business details.
4. Select "Email your application" — the portal will open a pre-filled email draft.
5. Attach your scanned documents to the email and send it to your Revenue District Office (RDO).
6. Wait for the acknowledgement email from BIR. Processing time varies by RDO and workload. Many applications are processed within a few business days, but timelines may differ.
7. Once approved, you'll receive your Certificate of Registration (COR/BIR Form 2303). If you do not yet have a TIN, one will be assigned; otherwise, your existing TIN will be updated with your business registration.

Step-by-Step: BIR Online Registration via ORUS (Reportedly Faster, Fully Digital) 

The BIR also offers a second online registration path through the Online Registration and Update System (ORUS) at orus.bir.gov.ph. It's reportedly faster than NewBizReg – fully digital, no RDO visit required, and your electronic COR can be downloaded immediately upon approval.

What You Need for ORUS:

• Government-issued ID showing your name, address, and birthdate (PhilID, Passport, or Driver's License)
• DTI Certificate (required if you're registering under a business name)
• Active email address (this is what BIR will log in their system. Use one you check regularly)

Go to orus.bir.gov.ph and make sure you have a stable internet connection before starting.

1. Click "New Registration" and select Individual (for sole proprietors) or Non-Individual (for corporations/partnerships).
2. Accept the Terms and Conditions, then fill in your personal information: full name, birthdate, address, TIN status (existing or none), and email address. Create a secure password that meets ORUS requirements.
3. Check your email for a verification link from ORUS. You have 24 hours to verify. If you don't see it, check your spam folder.
4. Click the verification link and log in to your ORUS account using your registered email and password.
5. Complete your business registration details: business name, address, tax type, and line of business. Upload your required documents (government-issued ID and DTI Certificate).
6. Pay the ₱30 Documentary Stamp Tax (DST) online through the available payment channels.
7. Download and print your electronic Certificate of Registration (COR / BIR Form 2303). It is emailed to you and accessible from your ORUS dashboard.

BIR Registration Fees (2026 Update)

Good news: as of 2024, the ₱500 annual BIR registration fee has been permanently waived under the Ease of Paying Taxes Act. You only need to pay a small fee for Documentary Stamp Tax (DST) upon registration.

2026 Update: Under Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 38-2026, all online sellers must display a BIR Registration Seal Badge on their website, e-commerce store page, and social media business accounts. This replaces the old requirement to post your full COR publicly. The badge includes a QR code for authenticity verification.

After BIR Registration: What to Do Next

• Register your books of accounts at your RDO (manual or loose-leaf format)
• Apply for Authority to Print (ATP) to issue official receipts or sales invoices
• File your taxes on time — quarterly and annual income tax returns are required even if you have zero sales
• Post your BIR Registration Seal Badge on all your digital storefronts

DTI vs BIR: What's the Difference and Why You Need Both

A common question from first-time business owners: "I already have a DTI certificate — do I still need the BIR?" Yes, and here's why they're not interchangeable.

Think of it this way: DTI registration gives you the right to use your chosen business name, while BIR registration makes your business compliant with Philippine tax laws. For most sole proprietorships, both registrations are essential to operate legally, issue invoices or receipts, work with corporate clients, and access many business banking and e-commerce services.

Start Accepting Online Payments from Day One

Once your DTI and BIR registrations are done, the next step is getting paid. 

The fastest way to get paid right away while setting up your online store is through payment links. Payment link tools enable thousands of Philippine businesses to accept different e-wallets, credit cards, online banking, and over-the-counter payments all from a single dashboard. No complex integration and no minimum volume. 

As your online store goes live, relying on manual payment collection such as bank transfers, e-wallet screenshots, or COD becomes a liability. It's slow, error-prone, and opens you up to fraud (screenshot manipulation is a real and common problem among Philippine online sellers). The better move is to integrate a payment gateway directly into your site.

A payment gateway handles the entire transaction flow: the customer checks out, enters their card or e-wallet details, and payment is confirmed in real time – no back-and-forth, no chasing proof of payment. Most gateways offer two integration paths: an API integration for full customization if you have a developer, or no-code storefront plugins for platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce if you don't. Either way, the result is the same: a checkout experience that's fast, secure, and professional enough to actually convert browsers into buyers.

Frequently Asked Questions