Go EntrePinay: Business Mngmt

PAG-IBIG has another great news for Marikina business-owners who live near at Sto. Nino, Lamuan, Concepcion and Parang areas! There is now a PAG-IBIG office right at the second floor of Graceland Plaza Marikina located at J.P. Rizal Street or "Lamuan", just across the Shell gas station. This new PAG-IBIG branch comes as a much welcome addition to the PAG-IBIG office in Marikina City Hall.

PAG-IBIG now open at Graceland Plaza Marikina
Photo by Go Entrepinay

With the SSS Marikina-Malanday branch situated across at the second floor, the new PAG-IBIG office doubles the delivery of business-related government services to enterpise owners in Marikina. PAG-IBIG Graceland Plaza Marikina branch may be reached via its contact number at 861-4842.

PAG-IBIG Graceland Plaza Marikina across SSS Marikina Malanday Branch
Photo by Go Entrepinay

Surely, this development brings so much convenience to business-owners who wish to pay on time their PAG-IBIG monthly contributions. But the new PAG-IBIG office in Graceland Plaza Marikina can also process all other concerns of PAG-IBIG members ranging from membership verification services to applications for loans and other benefits.

PAG-IBIG Graceland Plaza Marikina Member Services
Photo by Go Entrepinay

Once again, the deadline for filing Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) annual income tax returns (ITR) hovers with the month of April trudging in. As the April 15 annual income tax deadline nears, businesses rummage through financial records to beat this date.

Photo courtesy of www.efile.com via Flickr Creative Commons

While corporations and partnerships may just breeze through this task, single proprietorships are most commonly saddled with income tax return preparations due to the usual basic and grassroots nature of operations. Especially if you're a start-up single proprietor entity, ranging from a freelancer, work–at-homer, or small business entrepreneur, you'll definitely be relieved from major headache when the tax season falls due with these simple tips in mind.

1. Take note of the schedules.

You'll face penalties with late filing of tax returns. Hence, take seriously the schedules of income tax filings. Oftentimes, some business applicants fail to attend the orientation seminar, which is usually set before the release of Certificates of Business Registration and Authority to Print (ATP) receipts. But it is during this time when the different tax filing schedules are specified for VAT and non-VAT taxpayers. Hence, others end up misguided and faced with huge penalties later on when they've already started with their businesses.

Aside from the April 15 annual income tax filing, non-VAT taxpayers are also required to file on these timings:

Monthly: every 20th of the month
Quarterly: April 15, Aug 15, Nov 15
Annual Registration: on or before Jan 31

Photo courtesy of kaboompics via Pixabay

2. Keep financial records organized.

Keep in place and in order your records of sales, expenses, investment costs, etc., with necessary back-up receipts and transaction documents to serve as reference attachments, if needed. Maintaining your monthly income statements updated will also be most helpful to facilitate an easy and fast computation of annual income tax due at the end of the year.

3. Understand the computation process.

Filling up correctly the income tax return forms may not be achieved at one time only. You may need to do a draft first, especially if you're a first-time taxpayer, and finalize it later after reviewing it several times. Not only do you need to understand the computational procedure, but you may likewise have to look up some terminologies, too.

4. Be time-conscious.

Nothing beats an early bird so work in advance. Preparing records and doing computations at the last minute are everything you won't need. These will only build up stress and costs, apart from the hassle of joining in the long lines at BIR offices and accredited banks.

Photo courtesy Public Domain Pictures via Pixabay

5. Seek professional assistance.

Lastly, if you think numbers and accounting stuffs are beyond your working realm, don’t hesitate to get professional help. It's better to pay for some additional fees for the extra help, than not accomplishing the tax returns and being penalized later on.

Thanks to PAG-IBIG! Aside from DTI, PAG-IBIG Fund has likewise set up its Service Desk at Marikina City Hall. Among others, payments for Members' premium contributions are made convenient and easier through here. It's open every first and last Tuesday of the month at 10am-3pm. Located within the Business Permits and Licensing Office, (BPLO), transactions are coursed via its glass counter facing DTI Marikina City Hall Office.

Pag-ibig Fund Service Desk in Marikina City Hall
Photo courtesy of Go Entrepinay

PAG-IBIG Fund contact numbers are as follows:

For details and inquiries: 421-9447

For verification of contributions: 861-4147
For loan inquiries: 421-5838/421-9445

Concerns transacted via Pag-ibig Fund Service Desk's glass counter.
Photo courtesy of Go Entrepinay

Gosh, you suddenly realized you're short of cash. The decades-old print machine at your workshop broke down and requires immediate replacement. Or, you got a business milestone forthcoming worthy of some grand celebration. Worst, you bumped into an emergency at home.

These familiar scenes may happen at some point to everyone. Admit it, we all have our share of downtime moments, right? And when that happens, it feels like you just want to knock your entire head off for some fast resolve.

Personal loan as one viable option for cash problems
Photo courtesy of luxstorm via Pixabay

A possible quick, turn-to solution is the Personal Loan which you could access upon application from banks. Not only for salaried employees, what's best about it is that several banks make personal loans available also to self-employed individuals like entrepreneurs and private professional practitioners, so long as you can show proof of your repayment capability. Find out more about a personal loan features and why it could be your best bet to stir out from a temporary money crunch you absolutely don't want to get trapped with.

1. Multi-purpose

As its name implies, a personal loan is allowed for various purposes to supplement the borrower's funding needs. These could range from personal necessities or indulgences, business requirements, and to even debt consolidation when you're bugged with several credit accounts. That's how friendly it is!

2. Non-collateral

A personal loan does not require any asset from the borrower to serve as loan collateral or guarantee. It may apply certain fees and charges at minimal amount though, depending on the bank, such as processing fees, late payment charges, documentary stamps, etc.

3. Loan amount options

Loanable amounts vary among banks but the common range falls from as little as Php 30K to a hefty 2M, which is made payable in fixed, equal monthly installments.

4. Low interest rates

Banks charge low monthly add-on interest rates for personal loans at a little more than 1%. That translates to affordable monthly cash pay-outs for you.

5. Flexible terms of payment

The borrower can choose from short- to medium-term repayment schedules commonly set at 12, 18, 24 to 36 months.

6. Fast and easy

Applying for a personal loan is easy nowadays with available online facilities of some banks. Once you are able to comply with all documentary requirements, your loan approval could come in just 1-2 weeks.

When availing of a personal loan, check around at banks first before locking yourself in with a loan contract. Compare rates and loan packages, then decide which one best suits your financial need.

On the same note, when you're faced with life's urgent and pressing challenges such as sudden liquidity bottlenecks, the first step to bailing out is knowing and generating your solution options to turn to. As what optimists say, for every problem there's always a solution!

Got your place near around SM Marikina? Lucky you if you plan to register your single proprietorship business since you’re just a stone's throw away from the SM Business Center. Actually, DTI SM Marikina happens to be another satellite office aside from DTI Marikina City Hall focusing on business name registration service.

DTI Business Name Registration offered at SM Marikina Business Center.
Photo courtesy of Go Entrepinay

If you're not much particular about paying for little, extra fees in exchange for the added convenience and faster processing, you'll surely opt to go here rather than travel yourself all the way to DTI Makati Head Office. Located at the basement floor, servicing is also done during mall hours but you'll definitely come out with your completed and legit Business Name Certificate within just a day. However before going there point-blank, below is a run-down of fees which you may want to prepare for to ensure your trip ends worthwhile.

1. Actual Registration Fees, G-Cash Payment and Documentary Stamps Fees. While doc stamps cost about Php 15.0, this amount depends on your desired area business coverage as follows:

> Barangay - Php 200 + 20

> City - Php 500 + 20

> Regional - Php 1000 + 40

> National - Php 2000 + 60

2. Two Application Forms at Php 10.0@

3. Business Name Certificate Print-out of Php 50.0

Business name registration has never become as easy as now. Gone were the days when you still need to travel lengthy distances to and fall into long lines at pertinent government agencies for public services. Let government satellite offices come handy for you in fulfilling your dream enterprise. No more excuses, mga sis (LOL)...!

For Marikina business-owners, you may be delighted to know that DTI has set up its Help Desk at the Trade and Industry Office of Marikina City Hall. Located at the ground floor, it may be found across the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO). From business name registration to a whole lot of other business concerns, why not drop by and check it out first for your sure convenience before heading to DTI Head Office in Makati.

DTI Help Desk in Marikina City Hall
Photo courtesy of Go Entrepinay

The clerk who assisted me when I chanced upon it last time was generous enough to give me valuable DTI contact information below. Hope you will find them helpful!

DTI Hotlines:

DTI Consumer Complaints Desk : 570-3716

DTI Marikina : 646-2360 to 69 local 200

Nearby DTI Regional Offices:

1.) DTI Mandaluyong; 3/F, Lux Center Bldg., EDSA, Wack-Wack, Mandaluyong City (front SM Megamall). Office Hours: 8am - 5pm, Mon-Fri

2) DTI Rizal: 4/F, Fair Trade Commercial Center, Km. 23, Ortigas Avenue Extension, Cainta, Rizal

3) DTI Rizal: 2/F Altica Arcade., Brgy. San Jose, Antipolo City, Circumferential Road (near Rotonda and beside Max Restaurant)

4) DTI Cubao: 3/F, Ali Mall, Cubao

5) SM Marikina: Basement, Business Center. Office Hours: 10am-5pm, Mon-Sat

To all Marikina-based businesses, I'm sure you will all be relieved to learn that BIR (www.bir.gov.ph) and SSS (www.sss.gov.ph) have recently set up new offices here. This development definitely brings great convenience as these government agencies are now located near downtown Marikina.

The new SSS Marikina-Malanday branch has based itself at the 2nd floor of Graceland Mall along J.P. Rizal or Lamuan, as the place is more commonly known. The building sprawls a wide frontage and runs across a Shell gas station so it's definitely hard to miss. Many public vehicles like FXs, jeepneys and tricycles also ply along this route so it's no problem going there. Daily passers-by at Graceland Mall are the Parang-Lamuan-Marikina or Montalban-Lamuan-Marikina PUJs with terminal stops stationed at Marikina Sports Center. I chanced once at SSS Marikina-Malanday branch and they may be reached at the following contact numbers: 920-64-46 to 55 or 917-77-77.

SSS Marikina-Malanday office in Graceland Mall, J.P. Rizal St., Lamuan
Photo courtesy of Go Entrepinay

Meanwhile, BIR Regional Development Office (RDO) 045 has transferred from the previous Marcos Highway site to its new office building at Antonio Luz Arcade located behind Amang Rodriguez Hospital from Sumulong Highway or also, at the back of Marikina Health Office near SM Savemore if one is coming from Shoe Avenue. The new BIR office occupies two floors with the regular monthly tax filings housed at the 2nd level while other transactions processing are done at the Ground floor. It also now has wider parking space for just almost adjacent to it is the Blue Wave Marquinton Mall.