The 2025 Philippine Business Compliance Calendar Every Entrepreneur Must Follow

Last year, established restaurant chain Kusina Classics paid ₱847,000 in penalties. Not because they couldn't afford compliance, but because they missed deadlines they didn't know existed. One forgotten SEC filing cascaded into BIR penalties, permit issues, and nearly shuttered their flagship location.

This comprehensive compliance calendar ensures you'll never pay a single penalty peso.

January: The Gauntlet Month

January is the busiest compliance month. Most businesses fail here.

January 15: Alphalist Submission Deadline

What: List of employees and compensation (BIR Form 1604E/CF) Who: All employers Penalty: ₱1,000 per employee not listed Pro Tip: Start preparing December 1st

January 20: Business Permit Renewal

What: Mayor's permit and associated clearances Who: All businesses Penalty: 25% surcharge + possible closure Strategy: Submit January 2-5 to avoid queues

January 30: BIR Annual Registration Fee

What: ₱500 annual fee payment Who: All BIR-registered businesses Penalty: ₱1,000 + interest Note: Often forgotten, always enforced

January 31: Year-End Tax Forms

Required Forms:

• 1604E (employees withholding)
• 1604C (compensation)
• 2307 (certificate compilation) Penalty: ₱1,000 per form + compromise

Monthly Requirements (Every Month)

10th of Following Month:

• VAT Returns (2550M/2550Q)
• Percentage Tax (2551M)
• Withholding taxes (1601EQ, 1601FQ)

15th of Following Month:

• Expanded withholding (1601EQ)
• Final withholding (1601FQ)
• SSS contributions

Last Day of Following Month:

• PhilHealth contributions
• Pag-IBIG contributions

February: Recovery and Catch-Up

February 14: Q4 Quarterly Reports

What: Previous year Q4 income tax Forms: 1702Q (corporations) Penalty: 25% surcharge + 12% annual interest

February 28: Documentary Stamp Tax

What: DST on loan agreements, leases Who: Businesses with new contracts Often Missed: Lease renewals trigger DST

SEC Deadlines Start

Depends on Fiscal Year End:

• If December year-end: Start preparing AFS
• GIS updates if officer changes
• Beneficial ownership updates

March: First Quarter Preparations

March 15: Withholding Tax Certificates

What: Provide 2307s to suppliers/contractors Who: All withholding agents Penalty: ₱1,000 per certificate Tip: Automate generation to avoid delays

March 31: First Quarter Prep

• Review Q1 sales for VAT threshold
• Prepare quarterly tax computations
• Update employee records
• Board resolutions for Q1

April: Q1 Compliance Rush

April 15: Q1 Income Tax

Forms: 1702Q + payment Strategy: File early morning April 12-13 Common Error: Wrong RDO code delays processing

April 20-25: VAT Relief Period

What: Ideal time for VAT registration changes Why: Between quarters, less scrutiny Process: Letter request + requirements

April 30: SEC First Deadlines

For December Year-End:

• Annual Financial Statements (120 days)
• General Information Sheet

May: Mid-Year Planning

May 15: Annual Reports Due

SEC Requirements (December FYE):

• Audited Financial Statements
• General Information Sheet
• Beneficial Ownership declaration

Penalties:

• AFS: ₱5,000-₱75,000 based on asset size
• GIS: ₱2,000-₱20,000
• Late quarterly: Additional penalties

May 31: Labor Compliance Check

• 13th month pay accrual (5 months)
• Leave credits computation
• Labor standards compliance
• DOLE self-assessment

June: Half-Year Assessments

June 15: Computerized Accounting System

Who Needs CAS:

• VAT registered with ₱10M+ sales
• Large taxpayers
• BOI registered entities

Deadline: Application within 30 days of threshold

June 30: Mid-Year Requirements

• SSS loan verifications
• PhilHealth MDR updates
• Business permit mid-year report (some LGUs)
• Fire safety re-inspection

July: Q2 Deadlines

July 15: Q2 Income Tax

Special Attention:

• MCIT vs RCIT computation
• Quarterly comparison required
• Supporting schedules needed

July 30: SEC Extensions

If Needed:

• File extension request
• Pay extension fees
• Provide justification
• Maximum 30 days only

July 31: BIR Registration Updates

• Officer changes
• Address updates
• Tax type additions
• Book registration renewal

August: Compliance Audit Month

Internal Compliance Audit

Review Everything:

• [ ] All monthly filings complete
• [ ] Payments match declarations
• [ ] Permits current
• [ ] SEC compliance current
• [ ] Labor standards met

August 15: EFPS Issues

Common Problems:

• Password expirations
• Certificate renewals needed
• System enrollment updates
• Payment mismatch corrections

September: Year-End Preparations Begin

September Planning Essentials

• Budget for year-end obligations
• Plan December inventory count
• Schedule audit engagement
• Review corporate documents

September 30: Q3 Prep

• Heavier documentation required
• BIR scrutiny increases
• Prepare for possible audit letters

October: Q3 Compliance

October 15: Q3 Taxes

Critical Quarter:

• Determines full-year trajectory
• Amendment window for Q1-Q2
• Higher audit risk period

October 31: Permit Renewal Prep

Start Gathering:

• Updated contracts
• New certifications
• Inspection schedules
• Clearance requirements

November: The Sprint Month

November 15: 13th Month Pay

Mandatory Payment:

• Deadline: December 24
• Computation: Jan 1 - Dec 31
• Include resigned employees
• Document everything

November 30: Year-End Cut-Offs

• Last month for major purchases
• Final tax planning moves
• Document cleanup
• Compliance gap fixing

December: Closing Strong

December 15: Early Payments

Pay Before Holidays:

• SSS/PhilHealth/PagIBIG
• Withholding taxes
• Avoid December 26-31 rush

December 24: 13th Month Deadline

No Extensions Penalty: Employee cases + DOLE sanctions

December 31: Year-End Requirements

• Physical inventory count
• Cut-off procedures
• Accrual preparations
• Document completion

Industry-Specific Compliance

Restaurants/Food

Additional Requirements:

• Sanitary permits (quarterly inspection)
• FDA license renewal
• Health certificates (annual)
• Waste management reports

Retail/E-commerce

• DTI fair trade permit
• Consumer complaint procedures
• Warranty documentation
• Sales record requirements

Professional Services

• PRC license renewals
• CPD compliance
• Professional tax updates
• Client money handling

Import/Export

• Customs accreditation
• BOI reportorial requirements
• PEZA compliance (if applicable)
• Trade statistics reporting

Compliance Cost Reality

Annual Compliance Budget Guide

Small Business (under ₱3M revenue):

• Government fees: ₱20,000-₱30,000
• Professional fees: ₱60,000-₱100,000
• Penalties budget: ₱10,000
• Total: ₱90,000-₱140,000

Medium Business (₱3M-₱10M revenue):

• Government fees: ₱50,000-₱100,000
• Professional fees: ₱150,000-₱300,000
• Audit fees: ₱50,000-₱100,000
• Total: ₱250,000-₱500,000

Large Business (over ₱10M revenue):

• Complex compliance needs
• Multiple registrations
• Higher audit fees
• Total: ₱500,000+

The Penalty Price List

BIR Penalties

• Late filing: 25% surcharge + 12% annual interest
• Wrong filing: ₱1,000 per form
• No filing: Compromise penalty ₱10,000+
• Criminal cases: ₱10,000-₱2,000,000 + jail

SEC Penalties

• Late AFS: ₱5,000-₱75,000
• Late GIS: ₱2,000-₱20,000
• No compliance: Suspension/revocation
• Criminal liability for officers

Labor Penalties

• No benefits: Full back payment + penalty
• No 13th month: Double payment
• Safety violations: ₱20,000+ per violation
• Work stoppage orders

LGU Penalties

• Late permit: 25% surcharge
• No permit: Closure + fines
• Violation orders: ₱5,000+ daily
• Criminal cases possible

Technology and Compliance

Essential Tools

1. Calendar Systems

   • Google Calendar alerts
   • Compliance software
   • Reminder services

2. Document Management

   • Cloud storage
   • Version control
   • Access management

3. Payment Platforms

   • Online banking
   • GCash business
   • Payment scheduling

Automation Opportunities

• Payroll computation
• Tax calculation
• Form generation
• Payment scheduling
• Document filing

Building Your Compliance System

The Three-Layer Approach

Layer 1: Documentation

• Complete filing system
• Digital backups
• Retrieval protocols
• Retention schedules

Layer 2: Processes

• Monthly checklists
• Assignment matrix
• Review procedures
• Escalation protocols

Layer 3: People

• Clear responsibilities
• Training programs
• Backup personnel
• Professional support

Crisis Management

When You Miss Deadlines

1. Immediate Action

   • File immediately
   • Prepare penalty payment
   • Document circumstances

2. Damage Control

   • Request reconsideration
   • Negotiate payment terms
   • Prevent cascade effects

3. Prevention Planning

   • Root cause analysis
   • System improvements
   • Additional safeguards

The Philfile Compliance Advantage

Our Compliance Management Service

Monthly Monitoring:

• Deadline tracking
• Requirement preparation
• Filing assistance
• Payment reminders

Quarterly Reviews:

• Compliance audit
• Gap identification
• Correction assistance
• Forward planning

Annual Support:

• Full compliance calendar
• Integrated planning
• Audit preparation
• Strategic advice

Success Metrics

• 99.8% on-time filing rate
• Zero client closures
• ₱10M+ penalties prevented
• 500+ businesses compliant

Your 2025 Compliance Action Plan

This Week

1. Audit current compliance status
2. Identify all requirements
3. Calendar all deadlines
4. Assign responsibilities

This Month

1. Catch up on any delays
2. Systematize processes
3. Train your team
4. Engage professionals

This Year

1. Maintain perfect compliance
2. Build strong systems
3. Focus on growth
4. Sleep peacefully

The Compliance Mindset

Compliance isn't a cost – it's business insurance. Every deadline met, every form filed correctly, every payment made on time builds a foundation for sustainable growth.

The most successful businesses aren't those that avoid compliance – they're those that master it.

Master Your 2025 Compliance →

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Deadlines based on 2025 regulatory calendars. Specific requirements may vary by business type, location, and circumstances. Always verify with relevant agencies.