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How Much Is SEC Registration Fee in the Philippines? (2026 Guide)
How much does it cost to register a corporation in the Philippines? This is one of the first questions entrepreneurs, business owners, and foreign investors ask when planning to establish a company.
The cost of SEC registration in the Philippines depends primarily on the corporation's authorized capital stock, corporate structure, and applicable filing requirements.
For an ordinary domestic stock corporation with ₱1 million in authorized capital stock, the basic SEC filing fee is generally ₱2,000, before additional registration charges, taxes, permits, and professional fees. However, the total cost of establishing a corporation is not limited to the SEC registration fee.
In this 2026 guide, we explain the applicable fees, provide sample computations, and discuss the other expenses business owners should consider before incorporating a company in the Philippines.
How Much Is the SEC Registration Fee in the Philippines?
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is the government agency responsible for registering domestic corporations and licensing foreign corporations to do business in the Philippines.
Under the SEC's published fee schedule, the basic registration fee for a domestic stock corporation with par-value shares is generally computed at:
0.2% of the authorized capital stock, or the subscription price of the subscribed capital stock, whichever is higher, subject to a minimum filing fee of ₱2,000.
This means that corporations with larger authorized capital stock will generally pay higher filing fees.
In addition to the basic filing fee, applicants may be assessed charges for:
Legal Research Fee
Registration of By-Laws
Corporate name reservation or verification, where applicable
Registration of the Stock and Transfer Book
Other applicable SEC processing charges
The amount payable should always be confirmed through the SEC's official assessment before payment.
Sample SEC Registration Fee Computation
To understand how the SEC filing fee works, consider the following examples:
Authorized Capital Stock | Basic SEC Filing Fee |
₱500,000 | ₱2,000 |
₱1,000,000 | ₱2,000 |
₱2,000,000 | ₱4,000 |
₱5,000,000 | ₱10,000 |
₱10,000,000 | ₱20,000 |
These examples assume that the authorized capital stock is the controlling basis for the fee computation and that ordinary par-value stock corporation rates apply.
Important: These figures represent only the basic SEC filing fee. They do not include other charges, applicable discounts, documentary stamp taxes, business permits, or professional fees.
For the official assessment, applicants may refer to the SEC Registration Calculator.
Are There SEC Registration Fee Discounts in 2026?
Yes. The SEC has provided filing fee discounts for qualified micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Under SEC Memorandum Circular No. 13, Series of 2026, qualified MSMEs may avail themselves of a 20% discount on assessed corporation registration fees until December 31, 2026, subject to the circular's applicable conditions.
The MSME classification generally considers the enterprise's asset size:
Micro enterprise: Not more than ₱3 million
Small enterprise: ₱3,000,001 to ₱15 million
Medium enterprise: ₱15,000,001 to ₱100 million
Applicants should verify their eligibility and supporting documentation before applying the discount.
This is particularly relevant for startups and smaller enterprises planning to incorporate before the end of 2026.
What Other Expenses Are Involved in Registering a Corporation?
The SEC registration fee is only one component of the cost of legally establishing a business in the Philippines.
Entrepreneurs must also account for tax registration, local permits, and other administrative requirements.
1. Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Registration
After incorporation, the company must comply with applicable Bureau of Internal Revenue registration requirements.
These may include obtaining or confirming the corporation's Tax Identification Number, securing its Certificate of Registration, registering books of accounts, and complying with invoicing requirements.
An important development under Republic Act No. 11976, or the Ease of Paying Taxes Act, is the removal of the former ₱500 annual BIR registration fee, effective January 22, 2024.
Other taxes and registration-related expenses may still apply.
2. Documentary Stamp Tax on Shares
The original issuance of corporate shares may be subject to documentary stamp tax under the National Internal Revenue Code.
This is distinct from the SEC incorporation filing fee.
The amount depends on the taxable issuance and the applicable statutory rules.
Investors should account for documentary stamp tax when determining the total amount needed to establish the corporation.
3. Barangay Clearance and Mayor's Permit
Corporations generally need local government permits before commencing business operations.
These may include:
Barangay Clearance
Mayor's or Business Permit
Fire safety and other applicable permits
Industry-specific approvals, where required
The amount payable varies depending on the city or municipality, the nature of the business, and other factors used by the local government unit.
For example, a corporation establishing its principal office in Davao City must comply with the applicable registration and licensing requirements of the City Government of Davao.
4. Legal, Accounting, and Documentation Expenses
Depending on the nature and complexity of the proposed corporation, additional expenses may arise from:
Preparation and review of Articles of Incorporation
Corporate structuring and capitalization planning
Shareholders' Agreements
Legal review of foreign ownership restrictions
Authentication or notarization of documents, where required
Accounting and tax advisory services
Professional fees are separate from government registration fees and depend on the services provided.
Is There a Minimum Capital Requirement to Register a Corporation?
Under Section 12 of Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines, stock corporations generally are not required to have a minimum capital stock unless a special law provides otherwise.
This allows many ordinary domestic corporations to determine their capitalization according to their intended business operations and investment requirements.
However, this does not mean that all corporations may be registered without complying with capitalization rules.
Certain regulated industries and foreign-owned enterprises remain subject to specific capital requirements.
How About Foreign-Owned Corporations?
Foreign investors must consider additional requirements under the Foreign Investments Act and applicable industry-specific regulations.
For example, a domestic market enterprise with more than 40% foreign equity is generally subject to a minimum paid-in capital requirement of US$200,000, unless a statutory exception or different applicable requirement applies.
Under Republic Act No. 11647, the minimum may be reduced to US$100,000 for qualifying enterprises that satisfy specific statutory conditions.
Foreign investors should also verify whether their intended business activities permit 100% foreign ownership.
The applicable capitalization requirement is different from the SEC filing fee.
How to Register a Corporation with the SEC in 2026
The Philippine SEC provides online registration facilities through the Electronic Simplified Processing of Application for Registration of Company (eSPARC).
Depending on the application and the corporation's eligibility, registration may be processed through the available SEC online registration pathways, including OneSEC and ZERO Processing.
Step 1: Determine the Corporation's Structure
Decide whether to establish an ordinary stock corporation, One Person Corporation, or another eligible corporate entity.
Identify the proposed incorporators, ownership arrangements, corporate purposes, and capitalization.
Step 2: Verify the Proposed Corporate Name
Check whether the proposed corporate name complies with SEC naming requirements and is available for registration.
The proposed name must satisfy applicable restrictions and registration standards.
Step 3: Prepare the Incorporation Information and Documents
Prepare the information required by the SEC, including the company's principal office, corporate purposes, incorporators, directors, officers, share structure, and capitalization.
The Articles of Incorporation and other required documents must comply with the Revised Corporation Code and SEC regulations.
Step 4: Submit the Application Through the SEC Registration System
Eligible applicants may use the SEC's online registration facilities to complete and authenticate the required documentation.
The SEC's ZERO Processing pathway provides for electronic authentication and digitally signed incorporation certificates for eligible applications.
Step 5: Pay the Assessed Registration Fees
Once the SEC issues its assessment, pay the applicable fees through the designated payment facilities.
Step 6: Obtain the Certificate of Incorporation
Upon approval and completion of the applicable registration requirements, the SEC issues the corporation's Certificate of Incorporation.
This establishes the corporation's separate juridical personality.
Step 7: Complete Post-Incorporation Requirements
After incorporation, the company must complete the applicable BIR, local government, employer registration, and other licensing requirements before commencing its regulated business activities.
Applicants can begin by visiting the official SEC eSPARC registration portal.
Conclusion
Understanding the SEC registration fee in the Philippines is an important part of planning a new corporation.
Although the basic filing fee is generally determined by the corporation's capital structure, business owners should also consider other government charges, documentary stamp taxes, local permits, and professional expenses.
The total cost therefore depends on the particular circumstances of the proposed business.
Careful corporate planning, accurate registration documents, and compliance with applicable Philippine laws can help entrepreneurs establish their companies with fewer administrative complications.
Corporate Incorporation and SEC Registration Services in Davao City
Hernandez & Associates is a law firm based in Davao City providing corporate legal services to entrepreneurs, business owners, corporations, and foreign investors.
The firm's corporate law services include:
SEC registration and incorporation of domestic corporations
Establishment of foreign-owned corporations
Preparation of Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws
Corporate structuring and capitalization planning
Shareholders' Agreements and investor protection arrangements
Corporate amendments and regulatory compliance
Legal assistance with business registration requirements
For information regarding corporate incorporation services and consultation arrangements, visit www.hernandezlaw.info.
This article provides general information on Philippine corporate registration requirements as of October 2026. Actual assessments and applicable requirements should be verified with the relevant government agencies.
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