What you need to do first before ORUS Registration for Self-Employed Freelancers

When I heard that tax filing and even business registration can all be done online, I took the leap of faith to update my tax type and information. Even if I know that systems here in the Philippines are not as smooth, I am also looking forward to at least the email for contact support being beneficial. Last year, I thought registration with ORUS was as easy as it may seem, but unfortunately, I need to update my records from the last work I've done. I've searched lots of tutorials online and even read the BIR guideline, but I have a headache moving forward. You really need to read between the lines. 

First of all, this is for those individuals with existing TINs who wanted to update their registration as self-employed since they are now working as freelancers. In order for you to register online via ORUS, you need to update your email; it should be the same as the first email you used when you got your TIN application. But before you proceed, you also need to validate your TIN if you really have a working TIN, which you may have applied for before your very first work, or the TIN issued by your company. 

1. Validate or verify your TIN via ORUS (https://orus.bir.gov.ph/home). 

a. Simply click Verify TIN/Search BIR-Registered Business. 

b. Click the PROCEED button.

c. Select Individual and fill out the necessary information for TIN verification.

d. Click the VERIFY button. 

Now that you have a working TIN number, your next step is to update your email to be able to register your business via ORUS.

First go to https://www.bir.gov.ph/eServices, select Other Services, and find the TRRA or The Taxpayer Registration-Related Application (TRRA). It is the easiest application portal for you, so you don't have to visit the RDO branch upon updating of records. You need to choose letter D and get ready with the requirements, especially the filled-out form S1905. 

After gathering the documentary requirements, proceed to Step 2 and select Updating of Email Address Application Sheet Form S1905. Proceed to Step 3. Usually, it will not divert you to email it directly using the website if you do not have a mailer installed on your PC. What I did was just fill out the buttons and manually email it through Gmail using the information here (RDO email and subject I need to input) and attach the necessary documents for the application. 

I also include the body of the email specifically in a format like this: 

Hi,

I'd like to update my personal information, including but not limited to my email address, contact number, RDO Branch, and permanent address, in order to register online through ORUS and further register for tax purposes as a freelancer.

Thank you.

After 4 working days I received an email stating that my application was successfully updated. Right there, I was able to register for the ORUS website and was able to generate my Digital TIN ID finally after years of waiting for a new and updated TIN ID from BIR. Thankful that my RDO branch, RDO58, was always quick to reply on email.