Guides
BIR, made simple.
Plain-language walkthroughs of the BIR tasks people ask about most. Read the basics here, then ask AskOnward for the current forms, fees, and steps for your exact situation.
- Registration3 min read
How to Get a TIN Number in the Philippines
A TIN (Tax Identification Number) is the number the BIR uses to track your taxes. You need one to work, run a business, or complete many government and bank transactions. Here is how getting one actually works.
Read guide - Freelancing2 min read
How to Register as a Freelancer or Self-Employed with the BIR
If you earn income on your own, as a freelancer, online seller, professional, or sole proprietor, the BIR expects you to register as self-employed. Here is what that involves, in plain terms.
Read guide - Forms2 min read
BIR Form 2316 Explained: What It Is and Why You Need It
BIR Form 2316 is one of the most important documents an employee receives each year. In short, it is your employer's official record of how much you were paid and how much tax was withheld. Here is what you need to know.
Read guide - TIN1 min read
How to Get a TIN ID Card in the Philippines
The TIN card is the physical ID that shows your Tax Identification Number. The BIR issues it as your reference for tax purposes. Here is how to get one.
Read guide - Registration1 min read
How to Register a Branch with the BIR
If your business opens a second location where sales happen on their own, the BIR treats that as a branch, and it needs its own registration. Here is what that involves.
Read guide - Receipts & Invoices1 min read
Authority to Print (ATP): Getting Your Official Receipts and Invoices
Authority to Print, or ATP, is the BIR's approval that lets an accredited printer produce your official receipts or invoices. Here is how it fits into running a registered business.
Read guide - Compliance1 min read
How to Register Your Books of Accounts with the BIR
If you run a business or practice a profession, the BIR requires you to keep books of accounts and register them. Here is what that means in practice.
Read guide - Registration1 min read
How to Close or Retire a Business with the BIR
When a business stops operating, you cannot simply stop filing. You must tell the BIR so it can close your registration and confirm you have no unsettled taxes. Here is how it works.
Read guide - Estate & Property1 min read
Estate Tax in the Philippines: The ONETT Process Explained
When a person passes away, their estate may owe estate tax, and the BIR must process this before the heirs can transfer the property. Here is a plain-language overview.
Read guide - Estate & Property1 min read
eCAR Explained: Transferring Property Title After a Sale, Donation, or Inheritance
Whenever real property or shares change hands through a sale, donation, or inheritance, the BIR issues an electronic Certificate Authorizing Registration, or eCAR, that allows the transfer to be registered. Here is what to know.
Read guide - TIN1 min read
Getting a TIN for Government Transactions (E.O. 98)
Not everyone who needs a TIN is an employee or a business owner. If you only need one to transact with a government agency, Executive Order 98 covers your case. Here is how it works.
Read guide - Compliance1 min read
How to Get a Tax Clearance (Delinquency Verification Certificate)
Sometimes you need proof from the BIR that you have no unpaid taxes, for example when closing a business or claiming a refund. That proof is the Delinquency Verification Certificate. Here is the rundown.
Read guide - Documents1 min read
How to Get a Certified True Copy of Your BIR Documents
Banks, agencies, and partners sometimes ask for a certified copy of your BIR documents. The BIR can certify records relating to your registration. Here is how to request one.
Read guide - TIN2 min read
How to Verify Your TIN Number Online
If you are not sure whether your TIN is correct, or you cannot remember it, the BIR has official ways to check. Here is how to verify your TIN safely.
Read guide - TIN2 min read
How to Recover a Lost or Forgotten TIN
Forgetting your TIN is common, especially if it was issued years ago by a past employer. The important thing is that you recover the old number rather than apply for a new one. Here is how.
Read guide - Registration2 min read
How to Transfer Your RDO (Revenue District Office)
Your TIN is tied to a specific Revenue District Office, or RDO. When your situation changes, your records sometimes need to move to a new RDO. Here is how that works.
Read guide - Filing2 min read
How to File Your Income Tax Return (ITR) in the Philippines
An income tax return, or ITR, is how you report your income for the year and settle any tax due. Which form you use depends on the kind of income you earn. Here is the plain-language version.
Read guide - Freelancing2 min read
The 8% Income Tax Option for Freelancers and the Self-Employed
When you register as self-employed, you usually get to choose how your income tax is computed. One popular choice is the flat 8% option. Here is what it is and who it suits.
Read guide - Filing2 min read
How to File and Pay BIR Taxes Online
Filing and paying your BIR taxes no longer has to mean a trip to the office and a queue at the bank. The BIR has online systems for both. Here is how it fits together.
Read guide - Taxes1 min read
Percentage Tax (BIR Form 2551Q) Explained
Percentage tax is a business tax that many smaller, non-VAT taxpayers pay on their sales or receipts. Here is what it is and who it applies to.
Read guide - Taxes2 min read
VAT vs Non-VAT: Which One Applies to Your Business
One of the first questions a new business faces is whether it should be VAT or non-VAT registered. The choice affects the taxes you charge customers and the returns you file. Here is the difference in plain terms.
Read guide
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