Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Business owner (in case of PLC/share company) submits three options for the company name.
Process Overview
Fill the physical forms and submit three options for the company name
Pay the fees
The government officer checks the digital system for duplicates and assigns a company
name
The government officer provides a letter with the registered company name
Business owner authenticates the Memorandum and Article of Association and the physical
address of the business. Memorandum and Article of Authentication is applicable to PLC/share
companies and is not for sole proprietors, who only need to provide their ID document for
authenticating the company
Process Overview
3. Get a TIN
This is the first touch-point between businesses and revenue authorities for tax purposes. The
business is liable to declare taxes (monthly, quarterly, yearly as applicable) even if they are not
operational. The requirements to apply for a TIN will vary depending on the legal structure and
turnover of the business. Sole proprietors apply personally and PLC/ share companies are
represented by the manager. Since the manager’s biometric will be required to receive a TIN,
they can only register for one company at a time. The TIN is allocated for business tax (sole
proprietor) and corporate tax (PLC/Share Companies).
Location: TIN for all businesses are issued only at the sub-city (small taxpayers office)
Process Overview
In person visit to the nearest sub-city office to fill a physical form, with guidance from
staff
Submit the form
Register bio-metrics, photo, etc. for digital registration
If server is down, visit another branch
Finish registration and avail TIN and certificate
4. Commercial Registration
Business owner applies to register the company and obtain a commercial registration certificate
which is mandatory to acquire before commencement of any commercial activity. After the
commercial registration, the business is supposed to publish this information in a newspaper with
a nationwide circulation, but this seldom happens. A business also needs to obtain the
trade/business license within one year of receiving the commercial registration.
Location: Ministry of Trade or Trade Bureau at sub-city level
Process Overview
Fill the physical forms and submit along with the Memorandum and Article of
Association, authenticated physical address proof of the company address, TIN number
certificate and other relevant documents
Pay the fees
The government officer reviews all the documents and, on successful verification,
registers the company, issuing a commercial registration certificate to the business
Optionally get a seal made. This is not a legal requirement but a common practice. It is a
paid service and usually done through a private service provider
Incase of Share holder companies, a capital deposit will be required
Based on the nature and type of sector, some businesses might require a competency certificate
before they apply for a trade/business license. Competency certificate is to prove that a business
is competent and equipped to offer the particular services.
Process Overview
Fulfil all requirements (on a case by case basis) for proving competency in each of the
relevant sectors
Related agency/agencies will conduct an on-site examination of the business
On fulfilment of all requirements, a competency certificate is provided to the business
Optional
Process Overview
Fill the physical form and submit it along with the commercial registration certificate,
TIN certificate and other relevant documents
Submit a competency certificate if applicable (refer to step 6 for details)
Pay the fees
The government officer reviews all the documents and, on successful verification, issues
the trade/business license
If business has hired employees, business declares and registers employees for pension and
income tax.
Location: Federal tax office under Ministry of Revenue (for PLC/share companies) or Sub-city
office under Regional Revenue Authority
Process Overview
Declaration: Fill a declaration form along with employee details and documents
Pension: Fill a separate form for pension. This form will be filled by every employee as
well
Get a pension registration certificate and employee pension cards Optional/ Parallel
Business submits tax clearance letter to renew their trade/business license. Other licenses
associated with the business maybe renewed if applicable, e.g. transport licence
Location: City centre office under Trade Bureau or Trade Bureau at sub-city level
Process Overview
Fill out a form and submit with relevant documents including tax clearance letter
Obtain a renewed trade/business license
Business registers for VAT (Value Added Tax) or TOT (Turnover Tax) and, if applicable,
declares additional taxes like excise, profit, withholding and dividend tax. Few sectors like
health, education, etc. are exempt from VAT/TOT. All other businesses register for VAT or TOT
based on the following conditions:
TOT
VAT
Voluntary VAT registration if 75% or more of businesses clients are VAT registered
Turnover of more than 1 million in past or future year on a rolling basis
Location:
Process Overview
For TOT
For VAT