SEC gives MSMEs up to 50% time-bound filing fee discount

MANILA, Philippines — The Securities and Exchange Commission has agreed to provide as much as 50 percent time-bound discount on filing fees of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), citing its commitment to support small businesses.

“MSMEs are the backbone of our business sector, accounting for more than 99 percent of all businesses in the country and generating millions of jobs for our fellow Filipinos,” SEC chair Francis Lim said.

“This policy represents our strong resolve to help bring down the barriers to entry of small businesses to ensure they can grow, thrive, and continuously contribute to economic growth,” he added.

Under the July 16 Memorandum Circular No. 8, Series of 2025, MSMEs that seek to register as a corporation will be given a 20-percent discount on registration fees.

MSMEs wanting to increase their capital stock through an amendment of their articles of incorporation will also be given a 25 percent discount on filing fees.

The discounted rates will be effective until the end of the year, or on December 31, 2025.

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Incentive to go public

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Meanwhile, consistent with its commitment to further reduce friction costs associated with going public, the SEC is also providing a 50 percent discount for the registration of securities for MSMEs who will tap the capital market. This discount will be effective until June 30, 2026.

The memorandum circular adopts the classification of MSMEs based on asset size provided under Republic Act No. 9501, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

Under the law, micro-sized businesses have assets of up to P3 million; up to P15 million for small businesses; and up to P100 million for medium-sized enterprises. /dda

READ: SEC slashes fees for corporate data by 50%

 

(2025/07/17-10:33)

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