# Korp Docs — full export > Learn how Korp works and what happens at every step of incorporating your company in the Philippines — kept up to date with revision dates. Generated from https://docs.korp.ph. Individual pages: append `.md` to any doc URL. --- --- title: Overview description: What this documentation covers, who it's for, and how it's organized. section: Getting started slug: overview updated: 2026-07-08 source: https://docs.korp.ph/overview format: text/markdown --- # Overview > What this documentation covers, who it's for, and how it's organized. Last updated: 2026-07-08 · [HTML version](https://docs.korp.ph/overview) · Korp Docs This documentation explains how to set up and run a company in the Philippines with Korp — from SEC incorporation through tax registration, permits, and the compliance essentials that keep a company in good standing. It's written for the people who actually handle company setup: founders establishing their first entity, executive assistants and operations staff managing the process on someone's behalf, and small-business owners who want to understand each step without wading through legalese. Whether you're incorporating from abroad or across town, the goal is the same — clear answers, in plain language. Before anything else, one point matters: > Korp is a private firm, not a government agency. We facilitate registration and compliance. All government documents, certificates, and permits are issued directly by the relevant government agencies. ## What Korp is Korp is a platform for setting up and running a company in the Philippines. You work through a guided application, your documents are prepared for you, and a dashboard shows exactly where your registration stands at any moment. Behind the software, corporate and tax specialists review each filing and handle the interactions with the SEC and other government offices on your behalf. The result is a process that stays transparent and easy to follow, with experienced practitioners making the decisions that require real expertise. For a step-by-step account of how this works, see [How Korp works](/how-korp-works). ## How this documentation is organized The sidebar follows the life of a company: - **Getting started** — [how Korp works](/how-korp-works), end to end. - **Incorporation** — the [SEC step](/sec-incorporation) that gives a company legal existence, [how it runs in Korp](/incorporation-process), the [incorporation checklist](/incorporation-checklist), the [timeline options](/processing-options), and [every status](/request-statuses) you'll see along the way. - **Taxes & permits** — what comes after the certificate: [BIR registration](/bir-registration), the [LGU business permit](/lgu-business-permit), and [personal TINs for foreign incorporators](/tin-foreign-incorporators). - **Compliance & services** — the essentials included with a setup: the [Corporate Secretary](/corporate-secretary) and the [virtual office](/virtual-office). ## Kept current Regulations and processes change, so every page carries a **last updated** date — you always know how current the information is. The most recently revised guide is highlighted on the documentation home page. ## The same language as the platform These docs mirror the product. When a guide refers to a request status, it shows the exact indicator you'll see in your dashboard — such as `status:sec_review` or `status:action_required` — along with the same progress tracker. What you read here matches what you work with. Some guides also preview platform features still in development. Those sections are clearly marked: the service is available today, handled by our specialists, with the dashboard experience on the way. ## Where to start For the complete picture, begin with [How Korp works](/how-korp-works). If a question isn't answered here, [talk to an expert](https://calendar.app.google/khab5J3GVK3csjo98) — 30 minutes, at no cost. --- --- title: How Korp works description: A platform for setting up and running a Philippine company, combining guided software with a team of corporate and tax specialists. section: Getting started slug: how-korp-works updated: 2026-07-08 source: https://docs.korp.ph/how-korp-works format: text/markdown --- # How Korp works > A platform for setting up and running a Philippine company, combining guided software with a team of corporate and tax specialists. Last updated: 2026-07-08 · [HTML version](https://docs.korp.ph/how-korp-works) · Korp Docs Korp is a platform for setting up and running a company in the Philippines. You work through a guided application, your documents are prepared for you, and a dashboard shows exactly where your registration stands at any moment. Throughout the process, corporate and tax specialists review each filing and manage every interaction with the SEC and other government offices on your behalf. This matters because incorporation is part paperwork and part judgment. The platform handles the paperwork efficiently and keeps everything transparent, while the specialists make the decisions that require real expertise — how to structure your filings, how to respond to the SEC, and what a given company actually needs. We take a company the full distance — from [SEC incorporation](/sec-incorporation) to [tax registration](/bir-registration) and the [local business permit](/lgu-business-permit) — so it isn't just registered, but ready to operate. ## How it works 1. **Tell us about your company, once.** A guided intake captures the essentials — company name, incorporators, share structure, business purpose — and saves as you go, so you can pause and return anytime. 2. **Our specialists review and prepare.** We validate your details, reserve your company name with the SEC, and draft your Articles of Incorporation, By-laws, and supporting documents. You'll review the prepared filing details in the [incorporation checklist](/incorporation-checklist) before we proceed. Every incorporator needs a personal TIN; Filipinos typically hold one already, so we arrange [foreign incorporators' TINs](/tin-foreign-incorporators) up front to keep things moving. 3. **You sign electronically.** For most companies the process is fully paperless — no printing, no notary visits. You authenticate your documents online. 4. **We file and manage the SEC process.** Your application goes to the SEC, and we shepherd it through [review](/sec-incorporation), handling any corrections directly. 5. **Your company is registered.** The SEC issues a digitally signed Certificate of Incorporation, legally equivalent to a paper original. Your company exists. 6. **We make it operational.** Our team carries the setup through [BIR registration](/bir-registration) — your company's TIN, books, and authority to invoice — and the [LGU business permit](/lgu-business-permit) for your address. ## Included from day one A Philippine corporation needs more than a certificate to function, so every setup includes the essentials: - **[Corporate Secretary](/corporate-secretary)** — a mandatory officer who by law must be a resident Filipino citizen. We fill the role, manage your GIS filings, and issue secretary's certificates. First 3 months included. - **[Virtual office](/virtual-office)** — a registered Philippine address for your filings, so you can incorporate before leasing space. First 3 months included, with a Makati (CBD) option. ## Complete visibility Your dashboard shows the live status of your registration at every step — from submission to the day your company is registered. Statuses appear as clear indicators, like these: `status:review_in_progress:md` `status:awaiting_signature:md` `status:company_registered:md` Amber means we or the SEC are working, warm amber means we're waiting on you, and green marks a completed milestone. Every status is explained in plain language in the [request status guide](/request-statuses), so there's never any doubt about what's happening or whether we need something from you. When we do need input — a missing detail, an SEC correction, a decision — your request moves to `status:action_required` and we reach out with precisely what's required. BIR registration and the LGU permit are handled by our specialists today and are coming to your dashboard next, so you'll track them the same way. Each guide includes a preview of that experience. ## One payment, every fee included Your Korp package covers incorporation in full: our work and **all SEC fees**, including the registration fee the SEC assesses on approval. You pay once, when your package is confirmed, and we settle every government fee on your behalf — you're never asked to pay the SEC directly. The steps after incorporation carry their own government costs, such as the Documentary Stamp Tax at the [BIR](/bir-registration) and local fees at the [LGU](/lgu-business-permit). Each guide sets out exactly what to expect, so nothing comes as a surprise. ## Questions? If anything is unclear, reach out from your dashboard — a specialist will walk you through it. --- --- title: SEC incorporation description: The first step of registration — how the Securities and Exchange Commission gives your company legal existence. section: Incorporation slug: sec-incorporation updated: 2026-07-08 source: https://docs.korp.ph/sec-incorporation format: text/markdown --- # SEC incorporation > The first step of registration — how the Securities and Exchange Commission gives your company legal existence. Last updated: 2026-07-08 · [HTML version](https://docs.korp.ph/sec-incorporation) · Korp Docs Before your company can register for taxes, get permits, or open a bank account, it has to exist. In the Philippines, a corporation is born when the **Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)** approves its registration and issues a **Certificate of Incorporation**. This is the step Korp was built around. Here's what it actually involves. > Incorporation is Korp's core service, fully built into your dashboard today — you submit your request, sign electronically, and track every stage live. [The incorporation process](/incorporation-process) walks through it stage by stage. ## What SEC incorporation actually does SEC registration is what turns your business idea into a legal entity: - Your company gains **legal personality** — it can own property, sign contracts, and do business in its own name - Your **company name** is registered and protected nationally - Your liability as a shareholder is **limited to your investment** in the company - You receive the **Certificate of Incorporation** — the document every other registration, bank, and counterparty will ask for first Without it, there is no company: just individuals doing business in their own names, with their personal assets on the line. ## When it happens in the sequence SEC incorporation comes first — everything else depends on it: 1. **SEC** — your company legally exists. 2. **BIR** — your company is [registered as a taxpayer](/bir-registration). 3. **LGU** — your company is [authorized to operate at its address](/lgu-business-permit). The BIR won't register a company that doesn't exist yet, and the LGU wants both before finalizing your permit. That's why the SEC step sets the pace for your whole setup. ## What you'll need Unlike the BIR and LGU steps, you don't collect documents for this one — we draft them from your answers. What you need is information: - **Company name** — ideally with alternatives, in case your first choice is taken or too similar to an existing registration - **Incorporators and directors** — names, details, and shareholdings. Each needs their own personal TIN; Filipinos usually have one already, and we sort out [foreign incorporators' TINs](/tin-foreign-incorporators) early - **Share structure and capital** — authorized capital, subscriptions, and who owns what - **Registered address** — a Philippine address for your SEC filings. No office yet? A [virtual office](/virtual-office) covers it - **Business purpose** — what your company will actually do, which becomes the purpose clause of your Articles of Incorporation - **Officers** — including a [Corporate Secretary](/corporate-secretary), who must be a resident Filipino citizen. We provide this role as part of your setup ## The registration steps The SEC side of the process breaks down like this: ### 1. Name verification and reservation Your proposed name is checked against the SEC registry and reserved. Names that are identical or confusingly similar to existing registrations are rejected, which is why alternatives help. ### 2. Articles of Incorporation and By-laws The company's founding documents are drafted: who the incorporators are, the share structure, the business purpose, and how the company will govern itself. ### 3. Signing For most companies this is fully electronic — you authenticate your documents online, with no printing or notarization. A few company types still require wet signatures on paper. ### 4. Filing and SEC review The application is submitted and the SEC examines it. If the SEC asks for corrections, the application is revised and resubmitted. ### 5. Fee assessment and payment Once the application qualifies, the SEC issues its official fee assessment. The fees scale with your capital structure. **All SEC fees are included in your Korp package** — we settle them on your behalf, and you're never asked to pay the SEC directly. ### 6. Certificate of Incorporation The SEC issues a digitally signed Certificate of Incorporation, with the same legal validity as a paper original. Your company now legally exists. (Lending companies, financing companies, and foreign corporations follow an older paper track with a hard-copy submission step after this.) ## What you're signing up for after registration Incorporation creates ongoing obligations to the SEC: | Obligation | When | | --- | --- | | General Information Sheet (GIS) | Within 30 days of the annual stockholders' meeting — and a first GIS shortly after incorporation | | Audited financial statements | Filed annually with the SEC | | Keeping registrations current | Amendments filed when your address, capital, or structure changes | The GIS and related filings are exactly what the [Corporate Secretary](/corporate-secretary) handles — with Korp, that's covered from day one. ## A note on timing and cost How fast the SEC step moves depends mostly on the [processing option](/processing-options) you choose — from a few days on rush processing to a few weeks on the regular track — and on how quickly documents get signed on your side. On cost: SEC fees scale with your capital structure rather than being flat, but with Korp that variability isn't your problem — **every SEC fee is included in your package**, settled by us as part of the process. ## What you'll see in your dashboard No preview needed here — this is the part of Korp that's fully live. From the moment you submit, your dashboard tracks the whole journey with a progress bar and status pills: ```progress sec_review ``` Every status is explained in the [request status guide](/request-statuses), and [the incorporation process](/incorporation-process) walks through the journey stage by stage. --- --- title: The incorporation process description: A step-by-step walkthrough of what happens from the moment you submit your request until your company is registered. section: Incorporation slug: incorporation-process updated: 2026-07-08 source: https://docs.korp.ph/incorporation-process format: text/markdown --- # The incorporation process > A step-by-step walkthrough of what happens from the moment you submit your request until your company is registered. Last updated: 2026-07-08 · [HTML version](https://docs.korp.ph/incorporation-process) · Korp Docs Here's the full journey of your incorporation, stage by stage. Your dashboard tracks it live with a progress bar and status pills — the same ones shown throughout this page. For what the SEC step itself involves, see [SEC incorporation](/sec-incorporation); for the full catalogue of statuses see the [request status guide](/request-statuses); and for timeline options see [processing options](/processing-options). ```progress awaiting_signature ``` ## Stage 1 — You submit your request You complete the guided incorporation form: company details, incorporators, share structure, and business purpose. Everything saves as you go. Once submitted, your request enters our review queue and your dashboard shows `status:request_received`. **What we need from you:** nothing yet — just make sure your contact details are correct so we can reach you. ## Stage 2 — We review and prepare your documents Our team takes your request through preparation: 1. `status:review_in_progress` — we check your details for completeness and confirm your company is eligible for the [processing option](/processing-options) that fits your timeline. 2. `status:package_confirmed` — we validate the scope of your incorporation and confirm your Korp service payment. 3. `status:name_verification` — we check your company name against the SEC registry and reserve it for you. If your first choice isn't available, we'll contact you about alternatives. 4. `status:documents_in_preparation` — we draft your Articles of Incorporation, By-laws, and supporting documents based on your answers. Your [incorporation checklist](/incorporation-checklist) opens during this phase so you can review and confirm the filing details. 5. `status:awaiting_signature` — your documents are ready. For most companies this is fully electronic: you authenticate online, with no printing or notarization. We'll guide you through it. **What we need from you:** respond promptly if we ask about your company name or details, and complete the electronic signing when your documents are ready. This is usually the biggest factor in how fast your incorporation moves. ## Stage 3 — Filing and SEC registration 1. `status:filed_with_sec` — your signed application is submitted to the SEC. 2. `status:sec_review` — the SEC examines your application. If they request corrections, we handle them and keep you posted. With rush processing this review is nearly instant; see [processing options](/processing-options). 3. `status:awaiting_sec_payment` — the SEC has approved your application and issued its official fee assessment. All SEC fees are included in your package, so we settle this payment with the SEC on your behalf — nothing for you to do. 4. `status:digital_certificate_issued` — the SEC issues your digitally signed Certificate of Incorporation. It has the same legal validity as a paper original. **Your company now legally exists.** 5. `status:company_registered` — registration is complete and all documents are available in your dashboard. A small number of company types (lending companies, financing companies, and foreign corporations) still follow the SEC's older paper process, which adds a hard-copy document submission step after the digital certificate. If that applies to you, we'll walk you through it. **What we need from you:** nothing — all SEC fees are covered by your package. We handle the payment and keep you posted until your certificate is issued. ## If something needs attention At any point, your request may show one of these statuses: - `status:action_required` — we need something from you, or the SEC has asked for a correction. Check your dashboard and messages; we'll always spell out exactly what's needed. - `status:cancelled` — the request was withdrawn. If you cancelled by mistake or want to restart, contact us. ## After registration Your Certificate of Incorporation and company documents stay available in your dashboard. Incorporation is the first step of your company's life — tax registration, permits, and bank accounts typically come next. Start with [BIR registration](/bir-registration), which makes your company a recognized taxpayer and lets you legally issue receipts and run payroll. --- --- title: Incorporation checklist description: How to review and confirm your incorporation details before Korp files with the SEC. section: Incorporation slug: incorporation-checklist updated: 2026-07-10 source: https://docs.korp.ph/incorporation-checklist format: text/markdown --- # Incorporation checklist > How to review and confirm your incorporation details before Korp files with the SEC. Last updated: 2026-07-10 · [HTML version](https://docs.korp.ph/incorporation-checklist) · Korp Docs After your incorporation package is confirmed, Korp prepares your SEC filing details from the information you provided. The **incorporation checklist** is where you review those details step by step and confirm they're correct — or tell us what needs to change. It's a pre-filing step only. Once your application is submitted to the SEC, the checklist closes and your case moves forward through the statuses in [the incorporation process](/incorporation-process). ## When it appears The checklist appears only when **both** of these are true: 1. **Korp has activated it** for your case — our team finishes preparing your details internally first. 2. Your request is in a **preparation status** — from `status:package_confirmed` through `status:awaiting_signature`, or `status:action_required` if something needs your input. You'll see it as a card at the top of your case file, labelled **Your incorporation checklist**, with a progress bar showing how many steps you've confirmed. ```checklist card ``` If your request is in `status:action_required`, the card switches to a red **Required now** state: ```checklist card-action ``` ## What you're reviewing Korp structures your incorporation details into eight steps: | Step | What it covers | | --- | --- | | **Company profile** | Company name, type, classification, and business activity | | **Projected sales** | Expected revenue mix for SEC reporting | | **Industry and purpose** | SEC industry code and the primary purpose clause for your Articles | | **Capital structure** | Authorized capital, share classes, subscribers, and amounts | | **Official contact** | Registered address and official contact details | | **Incorporators & officers** | Directors, the president, treasurer, and their roles | | **Fiscal year** | Term of existence and annual meeting schedule | | **Supporting documents** | Government IDs, TIN proof, and registered office documents — see [required documents](/required-documents) | Most fields are **prefilled by Korp** from your application. You can edit them if something is wrong. ## How to work through it Open the checklist from your case file and move through the steps one at a time. ```checklist step:companyProfile ``` ### Confirm & continue Use this when the details look correct **and you haven't edited any fields**. The step is marked as confirmed and you move to the next one. ### Editing fields You may change values directly. Once you edit a step, a notice appears and the primary action becomes **Request changes** — you can't confirm that step until our team reviews your edits. ### Request changes Use this when something is wrong or you've edited fields yourself. Describe what needs updating (required if you didn't edit fields; optional if your edits already show what changed). Our team updates the details and notifies you when the step is ready to review again. ```checklist step:capitalStructure:changes ``` ## Supporting documents The last step collects **required uploads** — typically a government-issued photo ID and TIN proof for each incorporator, plus proof of your registered office address. See the [required documents guide](/required-documents) for file types, size limits, and tips. ## Tracking your progress The checklist header shows a running tally — for example, **5/8 confirmed** — and flags any steps where you've requested changes. Each step also carries a status badge: ```checklist overview ``` - **Prefilled — review** — Korp prepared this step; it hasn't been reviewed yet - **Confirmed** — you approved the details - **Changes requested** — you flagged something; our team is working on it When all eight steps are confirmed, the checklist shows **All confirmed**. You can still revisit it until the application is filed with the SEC. ## If your request shows Action required When your case file displays `status:action_required`, the incorporation checklist is usually what's blocking progress. Finish confirming every step — or submit change requests for anything that still needs correction — and our team will pick the filing back up once the details are in order. ## Payment and the checklist If your Korp service payment is still pending, you can continue reviewing the checklist while checkout completes. A payment notice may appear at the top of the checklist with a link to finish payment, but it doesn't block your review. ```checklist payment ``` ## Where it fits in the process The checklist sits in the preparation phase, between package confirmation and electronic signing: 1. `status:package_confirmed` — your package is confirmed; our team prepares and activates the checklist 2. You review and confirm all eight steps (or request changes) 3. `status:name_verification` through `status:documents_in_preparation` — our team continues preparing your filing using the confirmed details 4. `status:awaiting_signature` — your documents are ready for electronic authentication 5. `status:filed_with_sec` — the checklist closes; your application is with the SEC For the full sequence, see [the incorporation process](/incorporation-process). For what each status means, see the [request status guide](/request-statuses). --- --- title: Processing options description: Standard vs. rush processing — what each means, who qualifies, and how the paperless process works. section: Incorporation slug: processing-options updated: 2026-07-07 source: https://docs.korp.ph/processing-options format: text/markdown --- # Processing options > Standard vs. rush processing — what each means, who qualifies, and how the paperless process works. Last updated: 2026-07-07 · [HTML version](https://docs.korp.ph/processing-options) · Korp Docs The SEC offers two ways to process an incorporation. Which one your company uses affects how long the SEC's own review takes — everything else about your experience stays the same. ## Standard processing This is the default for all incorporations. The SEC reviews your application manually, which takes longer, but it accommodates every kind of company — foreign ownership, customized business purposes, regulated activities, special share structures, companies in economic zones, or companies that need clearances from other agencies. Standard processing is still fully paperless for most companies: electronic signing, no notarization, no hard copies. ## Rush processing If you purchased rush processing, and your company qualifies, your application goes through the SEC's automated fast lane — SEC review and approval are nearly instant, targeting registration in as little as one day after filing. Rush processing is available when your company is: - A domestic stock corporation (or one-person corporation) that is fully Filipino-owned - Formed by 2–15 incorporators with a standard structure - Using standard Articles of Incorporation and By-laws (no customized purpose clause) - Paying for shares in cash - Not requiring clearances from other government agencies We confirm eligibility during our review. If it turns out your company doesn't qualify — for example, the SEC's system rejects the data during encoding — we switch your application to standard processing and let you know. Your incorporation continues without restarting; only the SEC review timeline changes. ## Paperless by default For domestic stock corporations, the SEC's registration process is now fully electronic: your documents are signed and authenticated online, and your Certificate of Incorporation is issued digitally with the same legal validity as a paper original. There are no wet signatures, no notary visits, and no hard-copy submissions. The exceptions are lending companies, financing companies, and foreign corporations, which the SEC still processes on its older paper-based track. If your company is one of these, physical signing and hard-copy submission steps apply — we'll guide you through them. ## Which option do I have? Your dashboard reflects the processing option applied to your request. If you're unsure, or you'd like to upgrade to rush processing, contact our team and we'll confirm your eligibility. --- --- title: Required documents description: Which files to upload during the incorporation checklist and how to prepare them. section: Incorporation slug: required-documents updated: 2026-07-10 source: https://docs.korp.ph/required-documents format: text/markdown --- # Required documents > Which files to upload during the incorporation checklist and how to prepare them. Last updated: 2026-07-10 · [HTML version](https://docs.korp.ph/required-documents) · Korp Docs During the **Supporting documents** step of your [incorporation checklist](/incorporation-checklist), you'll upload identity and address documents Korp needs to complete your SEC filing and eSECURE registration. ## Why we need these The SEC and eSECURE require verified identity for everyone named on your incorporation documents. Korp collects these upfront so filing isn't delayed later. ## Per incorporator For **each incorporator** listed in your capital structure, upload: | Document | What to provide | | --- | --- | | **Valid government-issued photo ID** | Philippine passport, PhilID, driver's license, or other government ID with a clear photo | | **TIN proof** | TIN card, BIR Form 1903/1904, or other official proof of tax identification | ### Foreign incorporators If an incorporator is not a Philippine resident, a **passport** is usually the right government ID. They still need a Philippine TIN for SEC purposes — see [TIN registration for foreign incorporators](/tin-foreign-incorporators) for how that works. ## Company-level documents Upload **proof of registered office address** — for example a lease contract, utility bill, or letter showing the address that will appear on your SEC records. ## File requirements - **Formats:** PDF, JPG, PNG, or WebP - **Size:** up to 10 MB per file - **Quality:** full document visible, readable text, no heavy cropping of ID photos ## After you upload Our team reviews each file. If something isn't acceptable, the upload is marked **Rejected** with a short note — replace the file and we'll review again. Uploading documents does not use the same “Request changes” flow as editing text fields; just upload a new file. ## Privacy Documents are stored securely and used only for your incorporation filing. They are not shared outside what SEC registration requires. For the full checklist workflow, see [the incorporation checklist guide](/incorporation-checklist). --- --- title: Request status guide description: Every status you'll see on your dashboard, what it means, and what you need to do at each one. section: Incorporation slug: request-statuses updated: 2026-07-08 source: https://docs.korp.ph/request-statuses format: text/markdown --- # Request status guide > Every status you'll see on your dashboard, what it means, and what you need to do at each one. Last updated: 2026-07-08 · [HTML version](https://docs.korp.ph/request-statuses) · Korp Docs Your dashboard shows a status for your incorporation request at all times — as a pill like `status:review_in_progress`, and on a progress tracker like this one: ```progress documents_in_preparation ``` Statuses move forward in the order below. This page explains each one — and, most importantly, whether anything is needed from you. ## Preparation ### `status:request_received:md` Your incorporation request has been submitted successfully and is in the queue for review. **Needed from you:** nothing — sit tight, we're on it. ### `status:review_in_progress:md` We're reviewing your submitted details and checking the requirements for your company, including which [processing option](/processing-options) it qualifies for. **Needed from you:** nothing, unless we reach out with a question. ### `status:package_confirmed:md` Your incorporation package and scope have been validated, and your payment is confirmed. Your package covers everything — including all SEC fees — so this is the only payment you'll make. **Needed from you:** nothing further at this step. ### `status:name_verification:md` We're checking your company name against the SEC registry and reserving it. **Needed from you:** a quick response if your first-choice name isn't available and we propose alternatives. ### `status:documents_in_preparation:md` We're drafting your legal documents — Articles of Incorporation, By-laws, and everything else your filing needs — based on the information you provided. **Needed from you:** nothing; we'll notify you the moment they're ready. ### `status:awaiting_signature:md` Your documents are ready for signing. For most companies this is done entirely online — electronic authentication, no printing or notarization. The amber pill means the ball is in your court. **Needed from you:** complete the signing as soon as you can. Your filing can't proceed without it, and this step is the most common source of delay. ## Filing and registration ### `status:filed_with_sec:md` Your application, with signed documents, has been submitted to the SEC. **Needed from you:** nothing — the SEC takes it from here. ### `status:sec_review:md` The SEC is reviewing your application. With rush processing this is nearly instant; with standard processing it takes longer. If the SEC requests corrections, we handle them and keep you informed. **Needed from you:** nothing, unless we contact you about a correction. ### `status:awaiting_sec_payment:md` Good news — your application qualified. The SEC has issued its official fee assessment, which must be settled before your certificate is released. All SEC fees are included in your package, so we make this payment on your behalf. **Needed from you:** nothing — we handle the SEC payment. Your certificate follows shortly after it clears. ### `status:digital_certificate_issued:md` The SEC has issued your digitally signed Certificate of Incorporation — same legal validity as a paper original. **Your company is officially incorporated and may begin operating.** For most companies this is effectively the final step, which is why the pill turns green. **Needed from you:** nothing — congratulations! ### `status:submission_of_original_documents:md` *Applies only to lending companies, financing companies, and foreign corporations on the SEC's paper-based track.* Signed original hard copies are being submitted to the SEC to obtain the physical certificate. **Needed from you:** provide the signed originals if we haven't collected them already — we'll coordinate this with you. ### `status:post_evaluation:md` *Applies only to the paper-based track.* The SEC is evaluating the submitted hard-copy documents. **Needed from you:** nothing, unless corrections are requested. ### `status:company_registered:md` Registration is complete. All your company documents are available in your dashboard, and the progress tracker shows every step done: ```progress company_registered ``` **Needed from you:** nothing — you're done. Time to build. ## Exception statuses These can appear at any point and pause the normal flow: ### `status:action_required:md` Something needs attention — from you or from us — before the request can move forward. Common reasons: missing information, an SEC-requested correction, or a payment issue. During preparation, this often means your [incorporation checklist](/incorporation-checklist) has sections that still need confirming or correcting. The red pill means your request is waiting on a resolution. **Needed from you:** check your dashboard and messages; we'll always state exactly what's needed and how to resolve it. ### `status:cancelled:md` The request was withdrawn or cancelled. **Needed from you:** if this was unintended, or you'd like to restart, contact our team. ## Reading the colors | Pill | Meaning | | --- | --- | | `status:sec_review` | Yellow — in motion. We or the SEC are working; no action needed from you. | | `status:awaiting_signature` | Amber — waiting on you. The request can't move until you act. | | `status:company_registered` | Green — done. A milestone is complete. | | `status:action_required` | Red — attention needed. Something is blocking progress. | | `status:cancelled` | Grey — inactive. The request is not moving. | --- --- title: BIR registration description: What happens after incorporation — how your company registers with the Bureau of Internal Revenue and becomes a recognized taxpayer. section: Taxes & permits slug: bir-registration updated: 2026-07-08 source: https://docs.korp.ph/bir-registration format: text/markdown --- # BIR registration > What happens after incorporation — how your company registers with the Bureau of Internal Revenue and becomes a recognized taxpayer. Last updated: 2026-07-08 · [HTML version](https://docs.korp.ph/bir-registration) · Korp Docs Once your company is incorporated with the SEC, it isn't ready to operate yet. Before you can issue receipts, hire employees, or pay taxes legally, you need to register with the **Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)**. This is where your company gets recognized as a taxpayer. Here's how it works. > Korp handles BIR registration for you today — our team runs the process end to end. We're also building it into your dashboard, so you'll soon track it the same way you track your incorporation. Questions in the meantime? [Talk to an expert](https://calendar.app.google/khab5J3GVK3csjo98). ## What BIR registration actually does BIR registration is the step that turns your incorporated company into an active, tax-paying business. It: - Gives your corporation its own **Tax Identification Number (TIN)** - Authorizes you to issue official receipts and invoices - Puts you on record for the specific taxes your business is liable for Without it, you can't legally bill clients or run payroll. ## When it happens in the sequence BIR registration comes **after** SEC incorporation, not before. The order matters: 1. **SEC** issues your [Certificate of Incorporation](/sec-incorporation) — your company legally exists. 2. **BIR** registers the company as a taxpayer and assigns its TIN. 3. **LGU** (your city or municipality) issues the [local business permit](/lgu-business-permit) for where you operate. Some of these overlap in practice, but you can't register with the BIR until the SEC has issued your certificate, because the BIR needs proof the company exists. If you're still mid-incorporation, see [the incorporation process](/incorporation-process) for where you are in that journey. ## What you'll need For a domestic corporation, the BIR typically asks for: - SEC Certificate of Incorporation, plus your Articles of Incorporation and By-laws - The completed BIR registration form (currently **Form 1903** for corporations and partnerships) - Proof of business address (lease contract or proof of ownership) - Valid IDs of the incorporators and authorized signatory - Documentary Stamp Tax payment on the original issuance of shares Every incorporator and director needs their own personal TIN before the process can move forward — Filipino or foreign. Filipino incorporators usually already have one; foreign incorporators typically need [a fresh registration](/tin-foreign-incorporators), which is a common source of delay for foreign-owned setups, so it's worth sorting early. ## The registration steps The BIR process itself breaks down into a few stages: ### 1. Get the company TIN The corporation is issued its own Tax Identification Number, separate from any personal TINs of the incorporators. ### 2. Pay the registration and stamp taxes This includes the **Documentary Stamp Tax** on the subscribed capital — currently **0.75% of the subscribed amount**. This is a real cash outlay that scales with your capitalization, so budget for it. ### 3. Register your books of accounts Your accounting records — journals and ledgers, whether manual, loose-leaf, or computerized — have to be registered with the BIR before you start recording transactions. ### 4. Get authority to issue receipts and invoices You can't legally issue an official receipt until the BIR authorizes it. This used to run through the Authority to Print system; the BIR has been shifting toward electronic invoicing, so the exact mechanics depend on your setup and the current rules. ### 5. Register for the right tax types Based on your business, the BIR records which taxes you're liable for — corporate income tax, VAT or percentage tax, withholding taxes on payroll and purchases, and so on. ## What you're signing up for after registration Registration isn't a one-time event. Once you're in the system, you have recurring obligations: | Obligation | Frequency | | --- | --- | | Corporate income tax returns | Quarterly and annual | | VAT or percentage tax | Monthly or quarterly, depending on your registration | | Withholding taxes | On employee compensation and certain purchases | | Registration housekeeping | Annual, plus keeping your business details current | Missing deadlines or filing incorrectly carries penalties, so most companies set up a compliance calendar or bring in help from the start. ## A note on timing and cost For a corporation, expect the BIR portion to take **a few days to a couple of weeks** once your SEC certificate is in hand, depending on the Revenue District Office (RDO) handling your address and how clean your documents are. The Documentary Stamp Tax is the main variable cost, since it's a percentage of your subscribed capital rather than a flat fee. ## What you'll see in your dashboard *A preview of what we're building. Names and steps may change — the service itself is available today, handled by our team.* BIR registration will work like your incorporation: you start it from your dashboard, and a progress tracker with status pills shows exactly where it stands. **Starting it.** Once your incorporation reaches `status:company_registered`, your dashboard will offer to start BIR registration. Most of what the BIR asks for — your SEC certificate, Articles, incorporator details, business address — carries over from your incorporation, so you confirm rather than re-enter. **Tracking it.** The planned stages: 1. `status:bir_preparation` — we prepare Form 1903 and your supporting documents, and compute the Documentary Stamp Tax due on your shares. 2. `status:filed_with_rdo` — your application is lodged with the Revenue District Office covering your address, and the registration taxes are settled. 3. `status:books_and_invoicing` — your books of accounts are registered and your authority to issue receipts and invoices is processed. 4. `status:bir_registered` — your Certificate of Registration is issued and available in your dashboard, alongside your SEC documents. **What we need from you:** the same as during incorporation — respond when something needs your input. Your dashboard will flag it with `status:action_required` and spell out exactly what's needed. --- --- title: LGU business permit description: The final layer of registration — how your city or municipality authorizes your company to operate at its address. section: Taxes & permits slug: lgu-business-permit updated: 2026-07-08 source: https://docs.korp.ph/lgu-business-permit format: text/markdown --- # LGU business permit > The final layer of registration — how your city or municipality authorizes your company to operate at its address. Last updated: 2026-07-08 · [HTML version](https://docs.korp.ph/lgu-business-permit) · Korp Docs After the SEC gives your company legal existence and the [BIR registers it as a taxpayer](/bir-registration), there's one more layer: the **Local Government Unit (LGU)**. This is the city or municipality where your business is physically located, and it's the office that issues your **Business Permit** — sometimes called the Mayor's Permit. You need this to legally operate at your address. Here's how it works. > Korp handles the LGU permit for you today — our team runs the process end to end, alongside [BIR registration](/bir-registration). We're also building it into your dashboard, so you'll soon track it the same way you track your incorporation. Questions in the meantime? [Talk to an expert](https://calendar.app.google/khab5J3GVK3csjo98). ## What the LGU permit actually does The Business Permit is local authorization to operate in a specific city or municipality. Where the SEC recognizes your company nationally and the BIR registers you as a taxpayer, the LGU regulates whether you can run a business at your particular location. It's tied to your registered address, so if you move or open another site, you deal with that location's LGU separately. ## When it happens in the sequence The LGU permit generally comes last in the initial registration flow: 1. **SEC** — your company [legally exists](/sec-incorporation). 2. **BIR** — your company is registered as a taxpayer. 3. **LGU** — your company is authorized to operate at its address. In practice there's some back-and-forth, since a few LGUs want to see BIR registration and some clearances before finalizing, while the BIR may want proof of address that the LGU touches. But the Business Permit is typically the final piece before you're fully operational. ## What you'll need Requirements vary by city or municipality, but most LGUs ask for some combination of: - SEC Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of Incorporation, and By-laws - BIR registration (Certificate of Registration) - Proof of business address — lease contract or, if you own it, the land title, plus the tax declaration - Barangay Business Clearance from the barangay where you're located - Occupancy permit or building-related clearances, depending on the space - Locational or zoning clearance confirming your business is allowed at that address - Fire Safety Inspection Certificate from the Bureau of Fire Protection - Sanitary permit and, in some cases, health certificates for staff The exact list, and the order you collect them in, differs from one LGU to the next. This is the part of registration with the least standardization across the country. ## The registration steps The flow usually looks like this: ### 1. Get your Barangay Business Clearance The barangay is the smallest local unit. Most LGUs won't process the business permit until you have this clearance from the barangay covering your address. ### 2. Secure locational or zoning clearance The LGU confirms your business type is permitted at your location. A restaurant, a warehouse, and an office each face different zoning rules. ### 3. Pass the required inspections Fire safety and sanitary inspections are the common ones. Some LGUs schedule these before issuing the permit; others allow provisional operation and inspect after. ### 4. Assessment of fees and local taxes The LGU computes your business tax (often based on capitalization for a new business, then on gross receipts in later years), plus regulatory fees and charges. ### 5. Pay and claim the permit Once fees are settled and clearances are in, the LGU issues the Business Permit and the accompanying plate or sticker to display at your premises. ## What you're signing up for after registration The Business Permit isn't permanent. It has to be renewed every year, and the renewal window is tight: | Obligation | When | | --- | --- | | Annual renewal | Start of each year, typically January, with a hard deadline (commonly January 20) after which penalties and surcharges apply | | Local business taxes | Assessed and paid on renewal, calculated on the prior year's gross receipts | | Updated clearances | Fire, sanitary, and barangay clearances usually refreshed alongside the renewal | Missing the January deadline is one of the more common and avoidable penalties new companies run into, because it comes so soon after setup. ## A note on timing and cost LGU processing is the most variable part of registration. A straightforward permit in an efficient city can be done in a few days; a complex location, or one needing multiple clearances and inspections, can stretch to several weeks. Costs vary widely too, since local business tax and fees are set by each LGU. For planning purposes, our full setup includes a provision of **PHP 10,000 for LGU government fees**, adjusted based on the actual costs at your location. ## What you'll see in your dashboard *A preview of what we're building. Names and steps may change — the service itself is available today, handled by our team.* The LGU permit will be tracked in your dashboard the same way as your incorporation and [BIR registration](/bir-registration): a progress tracker with status pills, and clear flags when something needs you. **Starting it.** Once BIR registration is done, your dashboard will offer to start the permit process for your registered address. Your company documents and address details carry over — the main new inputs are location-specific, like your lease and space details. **Tracking it.** The planned stages: 1. `status:clearances_in_progress` — we collect the barangay clearance and the locational or zoning clearance for your address. 2. `status:inspections_scheduled` — fire safety and sanitary inspections are arranged, and we keep you posted on anything your premises need. 3. `status:assessment_and_payment` — the LGU assesses your business tax and fees, and we settle them against your PHP 10,000 provision, flagging any difference before paying. 4. `status:permit_released` — your Business Permit and its plate or sticker are issued; the documents land in your dashboard and we send the physical items to you. Because renewal comes every January, your dashboard will also surface the **renewal deadline** ahead of time rather than leaving you to remember it. **What we need from you:** location details we can't source ourselves — your lease, and access for inspections when the LGU requires them. Your dashboard will flag it with `status:action_required` when it's your turn. --- --- title: TIN for foreign incorporators description: Every incorporator needs their own Tax Identification Number — here's how it works for foreign incorporators, who usually don't have one yet. section: Taxes & permits slug: tin-foreign-incorporators updated: 2026-07-08 source: https://docs.korp.ph/tin-foreign-incorporators format: text/markdown --- # TIN for foreign incorporators > Every incorporator needs their own Tax Identification Number — here's how it works for foreign incorporators, who usually don't have one yet. Last updated: 2026-07-08 · [HTML version](https://docs.korp.ph/tin-foreign-incorporators) · Korp Docs Every incorporator and director of a Philippine corporation needs their own **Tax Identification Number (TIN)** from the Bureau of Internal Revenue — Filipino or foreign. This is separate from the [company's TIN](/bir-registration). Filipino incorporators almost always have one already, from employment or a past business. Foreign incorporators usually don't — and getting theirs is the step that catches founders off guard, because it's a personal requirement that sits inside a corporate process. This guide covers how it works for them. Here's how it works and why it matters. ## What an individual TIN does A TIN is the BIR's way of identifying a person as a taxpayer, and everyone named on the company's incorporation documents has to be on record with their own number. Even a foreign incorporator who never draws a salary in the Philippines needs one — being named on the documents ties them to a Philippine entity. It's an identity requirement, not necessarily a sign the person will owe personal tax. In fact, this kind of registration runs under **Executive Order 98**, the rule that requires anyone dealing with government agencies to carry a TIN on the forms and documents they file. It's a "basic TIN" for transacting, not a declaration that the person is now earning income here. ## Why it comes up during incorporation Every incorporator's TIN appears on the SEC filings and, in turn, on the company's BIR registration — and the company's tax registration can stall if the individuals attached to it aren't properly identified. In practice, Filipino incorporators already have their numbers, so the work concentrates on foreign incorporators, who typically need a fresh registration. This is why we sort it early rather than discovering it as a blocker later in [the incorporation process](/incorporation-process). It's worth being clear on one point: a TIN issued purely for incorporation purposes doesn't automatically mean the person is now liable for Philippine income tax. This is a limited-purpose registration. If the foreigner later takes up local employment, the registration gets updated at that point rather than requiring a fresh number. ## The form and what's needed Foreign incorporators register using **BIR Form 1904** — the application for one-time taxpayers and persons registering under Executive Order 98. One thing to watch: the BIR periodically revises the form, and only the current revision is accepted, so it's worth pulling the latest version from the official BIR site or the ORUS portal rather than reusing an old copy. For a non-resident foreign national, the core requirements are: - Completed BIR Form 1904 - Passport — the bio page, including entry and exit stamps where applicable - If the person isn't applying themselves, an **apostilled or consularized Special Power of Attorney** naming the authorized representative, plus government-issued IDs of both the incorporator and the representative That SPA point is the one that trips up remote founders most. A non-resident foreign national who registers through a representative needs an apostilled or embassy-authenticated Special Power of Attorney stating the purpose and the name of the authorized representative. If your incorporators are abroad and won't be in the Philippines to file in person, the SPA has to be arranged and authenticated ahead of time, which adds lead time. ## The registration steps At a high level: ### 1. Confirm the correct classification Foreign incorporators registering for the entity generally fall under the E.O. 98 foreign national category rather than the income-earning categories. ### 2. Prepare the application and supporting documents Form 1904, passport, and — if filing through a representative — the authenticated SPA and IDs. ### 3. File with the correct RDO The application goes to the Revenue District Office with jurisdiction over the relevant address. Filing at the wrong RDO is a common cause of delay. ### 4. Issuance of the TIN Once processed, the individual is assigned their TIN, which then feeds into the [company's registration](/bir-registration). ## The one-TIN rule A person is only ever supposed to have **one TIN in their lifetime**. If a foreign incorporator has previously been issued a Philippine TIN — from a past business, employment, or investment — they should not apply for a new one. Holding more than one TIN is a criminal offense under the Tax Code. Part of the work is checking whether the individual already has one before applying. ## A note on cost and how we handle it Worth knowing: the BIR itself charges no fee to register under Form 1904. What we charge — **PHP 10,000 per incorporator, when applicable** — covers the facilitation: confirming classification, preparing and lodging the application, coordinating the authenticated SPA where the incorporator is abroad, and dealing with the correct RDO on your behalf. "When applicable" matters here: not every foreign incorporator needs a fresh registration. It depends on their classification and whether they already hold a TIN. We confirm what's actually needed rather than registering everyone by default. --- --- title: Corporate Secretary description: Why every Philippine corporation needs one, why the seat must be held by a resident Filipino, and how Korp provides it. section: Compliance & services slug: corporate-secretary updated: 2026-07-08 source: https://docs.korp.ph/corporate-secretary format: text/markdown --- # Corporate Secretary > Why every Philippine corporation needs one, why the seat must be held by a resident Filipino, and how Korp provides it. Last updated: 2026-07-08 · [HTML version](https://docs.korp.ph/corporate-secretary) · Korp Docs Every Philippine corporation is required to have a **Corporate Secretary**. It's not an optional hire or a nice-to-have — it's one of the officers the law says your company must elect right after incorporation, and it comes with a qualification rule that directly affects foreign founders: you can own the company outright, but you cannot hold this seat yourself. Here's what the role is, who can hold it, and how we handle it. > Korp provides the Corporate Secretary today — it's part of your setup from day one. We're also building it into your dashboard, so you'll soon request certificates and track filings there. Questions in the meantime? [Talk to an expert](https://calendar.app.google/khab5J3GVK3csjo98). ## Why every corporation needs one The **Revised Corporation Code** requires a corporation to elect its officers — including a Corporate Secretary — immediately after incorporation. The appointment is reported to the SEC in the company's first **General Information Sheet (GIS)**, filed within 30 days of the organizational meeting. A company without a qualified Corporate Secretary isn't fully organized in the SEC's eyes. ## The qualification rule This is the part that matters most for foreign founders: the Corporate Secretary must be **both a Filipino citizen and a resident of the Philippines**. Both conditions, not one or the other. - A **100% foreign-owned company** still needs a resident Filipino as its Corporate Secretary. - A **foreign national living in the Philippines** does not qualify — residency alone isn't enough. - The SEC **cannot waive** this requirement. ## How it compares to other roles The other officer rules are looser. The **Treasurer** must be a resident of the Philippines but doesn't have to be a citizen. And the old rule requiring a majority of directors to be residents was removed by the Revised Corporation Code. The Corporate Secretary is the one seat reserved for a resident Filipino. One structural rule to know: the same person can hold multiple officer roles, **except** that no one can serve as President and Corporate Secretary at the same time. ## What the Corporate Secretary actually does The role is the custodian of the company's official records and the person who makes corporate decisions provable on paper: - Keeps the **corporate records** — the minutes book, the stock and transfer book, and the corporate seal - Prepares **minutes** of board and stockholders' meetings - **Certifies board resolutions** and issues secretary's certificates — the documents banks, counterparties, and government offices ask for to confirm the board actually authorized something - Handles **SEC filings**, including the annual GIS ## Why it matters for foreign-owned companies You can own and run the company, but you can't be its secretary. Appointing someone ineligible — or leaving the seat effectively vacant — is one of the more common early missteps, and it surfaces at inconvenient moments: opening a bank account, certifying a board resolution, or filing the GIS. Routine transactions stall because there's no qualified officer to sign. ## How Korp handles it We provide the Corporate Secretary as part of your setup. The **first 3 months are included** in your package; after that, the service is **PHP 27,000 per quarter**. The scope covers: - Preparing and filing the **GIS**, including the annual stockholders' and board meeting minutes - Issuing **standard secretary's certificates** - **One instance per quarter of legal support** — additional queries, agreement review, or transaction-specific certificates ## What you'll see in your dashboard *A preview of what we're building. The service itself is available today — requests currently go through our team directly.* Corporate Secretary work will live in your dashboard as a service you can call on, rather than a process you track once: - **Request a secretary's certificate** — pick what needs certifying (a board resolution, signing authority, company details), and track the request from `status:certificate_requested` to `status:certificate_issued`, with the signed document landing in your dashboard. - **See your GIS status** — the annual filing and its deadline, tracked with the same status pills as your other filings, so you know it's handled without asking. - **Use your quarterly legal support** — raise your included instance (a query, an agreement review, a transaction-specific certificate) and see its progress. - **Browse your corporate records** — minutes and certificates issued through Korp, kept in one place alongside your SEC and BIR documents. --- --- title: Virtual office description: A registered Philippine business address for your company's filings, without leasing physical space. section: Compliance & services slug: virtual-office updated: 2026-07-08 source: https://docs.korp.ph/virtual-office format: text/markdown --- # Virtual office > A registered Philippine business address for your company's filings, without leasing physical space. Last updated: 2026-07-08 · [HTML version](https://docs.korp.ph/virtual-office) · Korp Docs A corporation needs a **registered address in the Philippines** — it goes on your SEC filings and it's where official correspondence is sent. If you're incorporating from abroad and don't have a Philippine office yet, that's a problem a lease shouldn't have to solve on day one. A **virtual office** covers it: a real business address your company uses for its registered address, without renting physical space. > Korp provides the virtual office today — it's part of your setup from day one. We're also building it into your dashboard, so you'll soon manage it there. Questions in the meantime? [Talk to an expert](https://calendar.app.google/khab5J3GVK3csjo98). ## Why it comes up You can't incorporate without an address. The SEC requires a registered office address in the Philippines, and government agencies use it to reach your company. For foreign founders who haven't set up locally, the virtual office is usually the first piece of the setup to sort out, because everything else references it. ## How Korp handles it Two tiers, depending on where you want the address: - **Registered address (non-CBD)** — first 3 months included in your package, then **PHP 7,500 per quarter**. - **Registered address in Makati (CBD)** — add **PHP 3,000 per quarter** on top, if you want a central business district address on your company documents. ## What you'll see in your dashboard *A preview of what we're building. The service itself is available today — it's set up with your incorporation.* The virtual office will appear in your dashboard as part of your company profile: - **Your registered address**, exactly as it appears on your SEC filings, ready to copy into contracts and forms. - **Address documents** — the proof-of-address paperwork agencies and banks ask for, downloadable when you need it. - **Your plan and renewal** — which tier you're on, when the next quarter renews, and a one-click upgrade to the Makati (CBD) address if you want it on your documents. **What we need from you:** nothing to set it up — it's part of your incorporation. If you later lease a real office, you update your registered address, and we handle the filings that come with the change. ---