Filipinos are well-known for our creativity. As all of us have witnessed personally and in social media, instead of giving in to a lot of frustrations brought about by the pandemic especially the lost of income since there are so many companies closing nowadays, most of us opted to do business on the side to ensure that there is always food on the table for our family.
Since we are having a pandemic due to COVID-19 and we were under ECQ and now GCQ, it was and it is very difficult and unsafe to go out and buy. So many existing sellers and new sellers are now using electronic media especially social media to conduct business transactions. But in the month of June this year, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) notifies thru Revenue Memorandum Circular 60-2020 the persons conducting business through any forms of electronic media and those persons with existing businesses that are not yet registered regarding their tax obligations and the registration of their businesses with BIR on or before 31 July 2020 to avoid penalties.
Why do We Need to Register Our Online Shops in BIR
As per RMC 60-2020, “all persons doing business and earning income in any manner or form, specifically those who are into digital transactions through the use of any electronic platforms and media, and other digital means to ensure that their business are registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 236 of the Tax Code , as amended , and that they are tax compliant. ” Although exempted to pay the income tax if gross income is less than Php 250,000, all small, medium and big businesses are required to register with BIR and file their taxes regularly. BIR also stated, ” all those who will be found later doing business without complying with the registration/update requirements, and those who failed to declare past due taxes/ unpaid taxes shall be imposed with the applicable penalties under the law, and existing revenue rules and regulations. “How to Register Our Online Shops in BIR1. Register Business Name in DTI
The first thing to do is to register your business name with DTI. This is very easy since DTI is now online. You do not have to go to their office physically. You can just do this even at home. Just log- in to their website and fill out the application form. You can also pay online using e-payment facilities for example GCash and the likes. The cost of Business Name Registration is depending on your store’s scope. Please find below info on the cost:
2. Register Business in BIR
Before going to BIR, make sure to bring your own ball pen. For safety measures, it is not allowed to borrow or lend a ball pen inside the BIR office. Below are the documents you need to register.
You need to fill out two copies of BIR Form no. 1901 Version 2018 – Application for Registration. You can print this at home so you can fill it out prior going to BIR or you can ask this form from the BIR guard. After filling out this form, submit this to the BIR officer in-charge for New Business Registration together with the photo copies of your ID/s and DTI BNRS Certificate. 
3. Pay for BIR Registration Fee
After the BIR officer’s evaluation of the required documents, you need to pay for BIR registration fee, Php 500 and documentary stamps Php 30. You need to fill out two copies of BIR Form No. 0605 and make payments for the registration thru e-payment gateways shown below or you can go to the banks near you. As for me, I opted to use GCash to lessen the hassle. I just went out from BIR Office to print the proof of payment thru a small store offering printing services in front of BIR. You need to attach the proof of payment to the required documents discussed earlier so they can process your application for registration.
4. Claim BIR Certificate Registration
You can claim your Certificate of Registration (COR) after 1-2 working days from your application date.
5. Register Your Books
You need to register your books where you will record you business transaction entries. During BIR inspections, they will look for your books. You need to register the following books:
5. Submit Application to Print Receipts and Invoices
As a business entity, you must issue receipts or invoices to your customers. Online shops or stores with physical products must issue sales invoices but professionals and service providers must issue official receipts.These receipts and invoices that we issue to our customers should be registered with BIR. So to apply for registered receipts and invoices, you need to fill out two copies of BIR No. 1906 – Application for Authority to Print Receipts and Invoices. In my own experience, to lessen the hassle, I ordered my Sales Invoice Booklets from my RDO’s accredited printer. I paid Php 1,500 for 10 booklets. BIR will require you to have at least 10 booklets of sales invoices or official receipts.
I was able to claim my sales invoice booklets after 7 working days. It may take longer or shorter days in your RDO. 
Like!! Really appreciate you sharing this blog post.Really thank you! Keep writing.
Thank you.