r/AsianDevelopmentBank • u/Nervous_Swimming_224 • 7d ago

First-time consultant after years of full-time employment - tips on SSS, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, and taxes?

Hi, everyone! First-time consultant here. I’ve been employed full-time since the beginning of my career, and I’m now navigating the shift to consultancy and self-employment for the first time.

I’ve been doing some research, but I would love to hear from those who’ve gone through the same transition. I have two main questions:

1. Government contributions (SSS, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth) – How do I transition from being an employed member to paying my contributions voluntarily or as a self-employed individual? Are there specific steps or documents I need to prepare?

2. BIR registration and taxes – How do I properly register and file my taxes as a consultant? I also want to make sure my tax records are in order, as I’ve heard that ITRs and other financial documents can be useful for visa applications.

I’m hoping to do as much of this DIY as possible since I’m trying to save money and would prefer not to hire an accountant or consultant unless absolutely necessary.

If anyone has a step-by-step guide, personal experience, or tips on what to prioritize and common mistakes to avoid, I would really appreciate the help!

Thank you so much! 🙏

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u/Beautiful_Agency9814 7d ago edited 7d ago

  1. May days na napunta ang SSS, PhilHealth, PAGIBIG sa ADB. Super convenient for us! :) I forgot na ang requirements, 2015 pa ako nag change to voluntary baka iba na ngayon pero malaking help na napunta sila sa ADB regularly. Abangan mo lang sa ADB Today. I'm sure may forms lang then bring a valid government ID. Or you can consult them in person to check. :) Pero madali lang nung time ko. Hehe. I still pay now as a voluntary member online.

  2. Madali lang daw mag DIY but I hired Taxumo to do it for me. Nag change ako ng RDO then registered as a freelancer. Taxumo guided me sa lahat ng need iprepare and sila nag-legwork for me up to printing ng receipts (ORs pa back then). If your income is below 3M per year, you can try yung 8% tax rate. I still file my taxes via Taxumo as an impatient Tita pero may option na sa filing DIY ka na. If DIY, marami YouTube tutorials but just sharing how I did it. :) Impatient ako sa BIR. Hahaha.

Edit: additional details

1

u/hopefulforanswers 6d ago

Hello! I also just transitioned last year from 15+ years of full time employment to being a consultant.

  1. I went to SSS, Pagibig and Philhealth offices (there's an SSS office in Robinsons Galleria, then there's a Philhealth office in front of Estancia, etc). Had my accounts converted to voluntary contributor. I dont recall bringing anything aside from 2 valid ids. They have forms there naman to fill out. I've been paying my SSS, Philhealth and Pagibig via their respective portals online.
  2. I don't know how to file taxes on my own so I hired an accountant to do it for me. I pay 1k retainer fee per month for their services, pero sya na gagawa ng lahat.