To register a domestic corporation in BGC, founders must sequence SEC incorporation, Taguig/BGC local permits, BIR tax registration, and employer registrations, while planning capital, foreign equity, and long‑term compliance from the outset. Bonifacio Global City’s modern infrastructure and Taguig’s streamlined Business One‑Stop Shop (BOSS) make it an attractive base, but the process still spans multiple regulators and detailed documentary requirements.
Why Register a Domestic Corporation in BGC
Choosing to register a domestic corporation in BGC places your head office in one of the Philippines’ most advanced central business districts, with clear benefits for branding, talent attraction, and client access.
- BGC hosts Grade A office towers, many with PEZA or premium IT/BPO specifications, reliable utilities, and strong connectivity—ideal for tech, finance, professional services, and outsourcing firms.
- Taguig City operates a BOSS system at City Hall and SM Aura, simplifying business permit filing and renewal into three basic steps—file, pay, release—while maintaining predictable timelines for inspections and approvals.
- Its location in southern Metro Manila allows easy access to Makati, Ortigas, and NAIA, and draws graduates from leading universities, supporting recruitment of English‑proficient, tech‑savvy staff.
Planning the Corporate Structure Before You Register a Domestic Corporation in BGC
Before you can register a domestic corporation in BGC, you must design a structure that satisfies the Revised Corporation Code and, if applicable, Foreign Investments Act (FIA) rules.
- A domestic corporation requires at least two and up to 15 incorporators/directors, each holding at least one share. There is no fixed minimum authorized capital; however, at least 25% must be subscribed and 25% of that paid up, with a floor of PHP 5,000 paid-up capital.
- For corporations with 0-40% foreign equity (or export‑oriented with at least 60% exports), minimum paid‑up capital can be as low as about PHP 5,000; for those with more than 40% foreign ownership targeting the domestic market, general FIA rules require at least USD 200,000 paid‑in capital, reducible in limited cases (e.g., 50+ Filipino employees or advanced technology).
- You must identify required officers: President, Treasurer, and Corporate Secretary (the latter must be a Philippine resident and, in practice, usually a Filipino citizen), plus a Compliance Officer where required.
SEC eSPARC Process to Register a Domestic Corporation in BGC
SEC registration via eSPARC (or SEC ZERO, where applicable) creates the legal entity that will later secure BGC permits.
- Using SEC eSPARC “Regular Processing,” you:
- Verify and reserve at least three proposed corporate names with proper suffix (Inc./Corp.),
- Encode company details (primary/secondary purposes per PSIC, BGC principal office address, contact info),
- Encode capital structure (authorized, subscribed, and paid‑up capital; share classes),
- Encode officers and incorporators (names, TINs, nationality, addresses, shareholdings).
- You prepare and upload in PDF: drafted and signed Articles of Incorporation and By‑Laws, Treasurer’s Affidavit, valid IDs, and proof of BGC address (draft lease, LOI, or confirmed lease, depending on landlord policy).
- The SEC assesses registration fees at approximately 1/5 of 1% of the authorized capital, plus fixed charges (starting around PHP 2,000), payable through eSPAYSEC or partner channels. Upon approval and payment, the SEC issues a digital Certificate of Incorporation, followed by the original hard copy once printed sets are submitted.
Capitalization, Bank Account, and Proof of Address for a BGC Corporation
Banking and address proof affect both the SEC and Taguig processes when you register a domestic corporation in BGC.
- While law allows a paid‑up minimum of PHP 5,000 for purely Filipino or majority‑Filipino corporations, banks often expect higher deposits—often PHP 500,000–2,000,000 for full corporate accounts in major BGC banks—as part of their risk and KYC policies.
- For foreign‑owned domestic corporations exceeding 40% foreign equity, you should plan for at least USD 200,000 equivalent paid‑in capital (unless you qualify for the USD 100,000 labor/technology exemption), supported by a bank certificate once funds are remitted and deposited.
- Lease contracts or, at the very least, a signed Letter of Intent for BGC office space typically serve as proof of address to the SEC and are mandatory for Taguig business permit issuance.
BIR Registration After You Register a Domestic Corporation in BGC
Once you have the SEC Certificate, you must register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) attached to your BGC/Taguig address.
- File BIR Form 1903 (corporation registration) with the Revenue District Office (RDO) that covers BGC, together with copies of your SEC Certificate, Articles and By‑Laws, IDs, and lease contract, to obtain your TIN and Certificate of Registration (Form 2303).
- Within 30 days from incorporation, register your books of accounts (manual or loose‑leaf/CAS with approval) and apply for Authority to Print official receipts or sign up with an accredited e‑invoicing/POS provider once thresholds or industry rules require it.
- Elect VAT (if expected annual gross sales exceed PHP 3,000,000 or advisable for corporate clients) or percentage tax; then follow monthly/quarterly filing calendars (withholding, VAT/percentage, income tax) to avoid surcharges and interest.
Taguig and BGC Local Permits When You Register a Domestic Corporation in BGC
Taguig requires barangay and city permits for any office operating in BGC.
- Barangay Clearance: Secure clearance from the barangay covering your BGC building (e.g., Fort Bonifacio) by submitting the SEC Certificate, lease, IDs, and location sketch; this is a prerequisite for city permitting.
- Taguig Business Permit (Mayor’s Permit): Through Taguig’s BPLO/BOSS (City Hall or SM Aura satellite), submit: unified business permit application form, Barangay Clearance, SEC docs, location sketch, lease contract/tax declaration, locational clearance, Certificate of Occupancy/undertaking, fire safety inspection certificate, photos of the establishment, and corporate logo.
- Taguig’s process typically follows three steps: file, pay based on assessment, and release of permit—subject to post‑release inspection; permits are renewed annually in January at the BOSS centers.
Social Agency and Labor Compliance After You Register a Domestic Corporation in BGC
As soon as you hire employees in BGC, you must formalize employer status with social agencies and observe labor standards.
- Register as an employer with SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag‑IBIG using your SEC Certificate, Mayor’s Permit, BIR COR, and employer registration forms; these yield employer numbers used for monthly contributions.
- Taguig/BGC firms must follow Metro Manila wage orders (around PHP 610+ per day as of 2025, subject to increases), pay 13th‑month pay by December 24, grant service incentive leaves where applicable, and report new hires/separations to DOLE if they cross headcount thresholds.
- Maintain detailed payroll records, payslips, and remittance proofs, as BGC operations are more likely to encounter DOLE/BIR inspections given the concentration of large employers in the district.
BGC-Specific Advantages and Long-Term Corporate Obligations
Registering a domestic corporation in BGC offers strategic advantages, but also raises the bar for governance and compliance expectations.
- Advantages:
- Access to PEZA‑accredited or IT/BPO‑grade office buildings for export‑oriented or support entities.
- Master‑planned environment with modern roads, reliable utilities, and strong telecoms, essential for 24/7 or high‑availability operations.
- Proximity to regulators (Taguig offices, SEC/DTI/BIR in Metro Manila) and major banks, law firms, and professional services providers.
- Ongoing Obligations:
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- File annual General Information Sheet (GIS) and Audited Financial Statements with the SEC, disclosing beneficial ownership and financial performance.
- Renew Mayor’s Permit, Barangay Clearance, and pay local business taxes each year (typically in January) at Taguig’s BOSS locations.
- Maintain books for at least 10 years, comply with BIR e‑invoicing rules where applicable, and keep labor and social compliance up to date.
Practical Tips to Sustain a Compliant Corporation in BGC
After you register a domestic corporation in BGC, treat compliance as part of ongoing operations, not a one‑off setup exercise.
- Implement a corporate calendar tracking SEC/BIR/LGU deadlines (GIS/AFS, income tax, VAT/percentage, permit renewals), and assign clear internal ownership or outsource to a local CPA/compliance firm.
- Coordinate early with your BGC building administration on fit‑out approvals, fire/safety requirements, and, if applicable, PEZA/zone rules governing IT infrastructure and access controls.
- Use Taguig’s digital resources (online forms, downloadable unified permit forms, Facebook BPLO updates) to anticipate documentary changes or new requirements each year.
Final Thoughts
To register a domestic corporation in BGC is to secure a foothold in a premier Philippine CBD—but it requires disciplined execution across SEC eSPARC, BIR, Taguig/BGC permits, and employer registrations. By aligning capital structure with foreign ownership rules, preparing complete documentation, and using Taguig’s BOSS and SEC’s online platforms effectively, you can minimize delays and launch operations in a location that enhances your brand, talent access, and client confidence.
Getting Professional Help
For many foreign and local investors, partnering with a specialist like BusinessRegistrationPhilippines.com, which understands both national rules and Taguig/BGC specifics, is the most efficient path to a smooth, fully compliant setup. Contact us today:
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