Taiwan Tax Pro Exclusive Service
Business Registration & Accounting/Tax Services Comprehensive Guide
Detailed explanation of business establishment procedures, required documents, and practical regulations
🚀 Business Setup Process Steps
Overview of Handling Units and Working Days| Item | Step Name | Handling Unit | Working Days | Detailed Description & Notices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Quotation for Business Registration and Accounting Services | Firm | – | Deposit collected in advance; work commences only upon receipt of the deposit. |
| 1 | Complete Basic Information Form | Client Action | – |
Be sure to completely fill in the following items:
|
| 2 | Address Legality Review (Taipei City Only) | Firm | 7 days |
Establishment in Taipei City requires advance review of address legality. Required Documents: Second-type transcript of building ownership (valid within 3 months; expired documents will be rejected), business items to be operated. (This step can be skipped if establishing in other counties/cities) |
| 3 | Business Name Pre-Check | Firm | 2 days | Apply for business name pre-check with the competent authority. |
| 4 | Provide Relevant Document Data | Client Action | 1 day |
Please provide the following data before we can prepare the documents:
|
| 5 | Draft Business Setup Documents | Firm | 2 days | Draft partnership agreement, anti-money laundering review compliance documents (client declaration, source of funds declaration), and power of attorney for the client to sign and confirm. |
| 6 | Business Setup Registration | Firm | 10-14 days | Submit registration documents partially to the National Taxation Bureau in about 7-14 days. |
| 7 | National Taxation Bureau Tax Registration | Firm | Within 14 days |
1. The National Taxation Bureau will inspect the business setup address without prior notice to the founder. 2. The National Taxation Bureau will issue an official document to the company address in about 10-14 days. |
| 8 | Import/Export Registration (Optional) | Firm | 1-2 days | Provide 1 to 6 English names (if applying). |
| 9 | Invoice Purchase Card Application & Invoice Purchase / Application for Tax-Exempt Invoices | Client Signature | 3-4 days |
Upon receiving the official document from the National Taxation Bureau, the founder brings their ID and official document to sign at the bureau. (Applicants for tax-exempt invoices must be approved by tax personnel; review criteria include monthly revenue under NT$200,000, business floor area, and industry category) |
| 10 | Document Handover | Firm | – | Hand over the Ministry of Economic Affairs official document (original), articles of incorporation, company large/small seals, invoice seal, uniform invoices, Article 22-1 declaration data, receipts, and import/export card data, alongside explaining subsequent tax reporting procedures. |
📁 Checklist of Documents Required for Business Setup
Please prepare the following documents prior to application| Item | Preparation Item & Detailed Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Complete basic information form (Mandatory) |
| 2 | Photocopies of front and back IDs of the founder and all shareholders (please enlarge IDs twice, ensure clear handwriting, must be adults aged 18 or older) |
| 3 | Photocopy of founder’s National Health Insurance card |
| 4 | Most recent house tax bill of the latest year (or deed tax certificate if purchasing a new property). For properties over 50 years old and exempt from house tax, please attach a House Tax Registration Certificate (landlord must apply at the National Taxation Bureau) |
| 5 | If applying for a regulated industry, attach required application documents; please contact the firm |
| 6 | Sign the [Property Lease Agreement] or [Original Building Owner’s Usage Consent Form] according to prescribed formats. If leasing from a sublessor, a building owner’s usage consent form issued by the head landlord is required. |
| 7 | Establishment in Taipei City requires confirming whether the address can be legally registered for business. Required documents: Second-type building ownership transcript (application date within the last 3 months, complete documentation required, otherwise rejected) and intended business items. |
| 8 | Business setup quotation sheet |
| 9 | Work commences only upon receipt of the deposit |
💡 Entrepreneurship Practical & Important Regulatory Guide
Taiwan Tax Pro Professional AnalysisStage 1: Organizational Planning & Setup Address Evaluation
At the start of an enterprise, organizational forms must be determined based on business scale and risk tolerance, and address legality must be confirmed.
- Sole Proprietorship / Partnership (Firm/Studio): Founder bears “unlimited liability”. Capital below NT$250,000 is exempt from capital proof.
- Limited Company: Shareholder liability is “limited to the amount of capital contribution”. Names must not duplicate nationwide; certified accountant capital verification required.
- Incorporated Company (Corporation): Formal structure, suitable for fundraising. Requires 1+ corporate shareholder or 2+ natural person shareholders.
Confirm Address Legality: Must be judged based on the “Use License” and “Land Use Zone”. Failure to comply incurs fines ranging from NT$60,000 to NT$300,000 pursuant to the Building Act and related management regulations, with continuous penalties applicable. Taipei City mandates address review, requiring a second-type building ownership transcript valid within 3 months.
Stage 2: Bank Account Opening & Capital Verification (Preparation Office Stage)
The focus of this stage lies in the transparency and authenticity of capital sources. Funds must be remitted from each shareholder’s “personal account”, and remittance slips must show the “shareholder’s name”; in accordance with the Anti-Money Laundering Act, cash deposits are not accepted. On the 3rd day after funds are fully collected, an additional NT$100 must be deposited for accountant verification, and the deposited amount must not be withdrawn within 4 days.
Stages 3 and 4: Government Registration, House Tax, Labor & Health Insurance
House Tax & Land Value Tax Adjustments: After company establishment, the house tax will increase from residential rate (1.2%) to commercial rate (3%), and land value tax from self-use rate (0.2%) to commercial rate (1%). If only part of the property is used for business, proportional taxation can be applied (commercial use area must not be less than 1/6).
Labor/Health Insurance & Pension: The founder’s health insurance must be enrolled under their own company; if there are employees, employers must additionally contribute 6% labor retirement pensions for employees.
⚖️ Important Related Legal Provisions
Article 9 of the Company Act (Capital Authenticity Provisions):
Where the stock capital which a company should collect has not been actually paid up, but the applicant has represented in the application documents that it has been fully paid up, or where the stock capital has been paid up, but after registration, the stock capital is returned to the shareholders, or allowed to be withdrawn by the shareholders, the responsible person of the company shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 5 years, detention, or a fine of not less than NT$500,000 and not more than NT$2,500,000. The responsible person shall be jointly and severally liable with such shareholders to compensate the company or any third party for any damages sustained.
Where the stock capital which a company should collect has not been actually paid up, but the applicant has represented in the application documents that it has been fully paid up, or where the stock capital has been paid up, but after registration, the stock capital is returned to the shareholders, or allowed to be withdrawn by the shareholders, the responsible person of the company shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 5 years, detention, or a fine of not less than NT$500,000 and not more than NT$2,500,000. The responsible person shall be jointly and severally liable with such shareholders to compensate the company or any third party for any damages sustained.
Article 22-1 of the Company Act (Reporting Obligations):
A company shall regularly transmit annually information regarding its directors, supervisors, managers, and shareholders holding more than 10% of the shares or capital contribution to the information platform designated by the central competent authority electronically, and report within 15 days after establishment or modification.
A company shall regularly transmit annually information regarding its directors, supervisors, managers, and shareholders holding more than 10% of the shares or capital contribution to the information platform designated by the central competent authority electronically, and report within 15 days after establishment or modification.
Value-Added and Non-Value-Added Business Tax Act Key Summary:
* Article 35: A business entity shall, bi-monthly as a period, file a return with the competent tax collection authority on its sales amount and the tax payable or overpaid within 15 days commencing from the beginning of the next period.
* Article 48, Article 51 & Article 52: Those who operate business without applying for tax registration in accordance with regulations, under-report or omit sales figures, fail to issue invoices, or issue invoices with inaccurate records shall, aside from tax collection, be subject to heavy fines and possible suspension of business operations.
* Article 35: A business entity shall, bi-monthly as a period, file a return with the competent tax collection authority on its sales amount and the tax payable or overpaid within 15 days commencing from the beginning of the next period.
* Article 48, Article 51 & Article 52: Those who operate business without applying for tax registration in accordance with regulations, under-report or omit sales figures, fail to issue invoices, or issue invoices with inaccurate records shall, aside from tax collection, be subject to heavy fines and possible suspension of business operations.