Foreign-Invested Companies: SEC eFAST and BIR VAT Compliance After Registration
Registration is the beginning of a foreign-invested company’s Philippine compliance cycle. SEC reportorial duties, BIR tax administration, investment-promotion-agency conditions, payroll, permits, and corporate records must be maintained after the certificate or license is issued.
Calendar SEC filings through eFAST
SEC Memorandum Circular No. 9, Series of 2026 governs the 2026 filing of Annual Financial Statements and General Information Sheets. eFAST accepts these and identified other reports. Companies should maintain working access, confirm their filing window, and prepare approvals and signatures before the due date.
Keep corporate and beneficial-ownership records aligned
The GIS, beneficial ownership declaration, stock and transfer book, board records, and financial statements should reflect the same legal and factual position. Capital changes, transfers, new officers, address changes, and upstream ownership changes should be reviewed promptly rather than postponed until annual filing.
CREATE MORE did not create blanket VAT immunity
BIR Revenue Regulations No. 1-2026 amended rules concerning VAT on local sales by Registered Business Enterprises. VAT treatment depends on statutory eligibility, the registered project or activity, the nature of the sale or purchase, and whether the goods or services are directly attributable to that project.
Economic-zone purchases require transaction-level attention
The current rules contain specific procedures for certain business-to-business local sales involving economic zones and freeports, including filing and payment mechanics pending a prescribed form. Accounting teams should not apply zero-rating or exemption merely because one party holds PEZA or BOI registration.
Integrate corporate, tax, and incentive compliance
Management should maintain one compliance calendar, assign responsible officers, preserve supporting records, and review proposed transactions before invoicing. BizzureVisa supports foreign-invested company formation and post-registration coordination. Contact us for assistance.
General information only and not tax or legal advice. Confirm current SEC, BIR, FIRB, BOI, and PEZA rules for the registered project.
