Slaying the WFH life as your own boss? Hats off to you! You’re living the life that many young professionals could only dream of having. But while freelance life does offer a lot of perks—from mad flexibility to not having to worry about your office lewks—it also comes with its fair share of challenges, from finding client to managing your own taxes, healthcare, and government benefits. 

Fret not, though: We’ve come up with a no-fuss guide to help you sort out all the essentials you need—and you can get most of these at SM Supermalls, too, via the Government Service Express. Read on below:

Valid Government IDs

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If you’re a fresh grad with no government ID yet, make it a priority to apply for one—you’ll need for all your official transactions. But don’t you need an ID to apply for an ID? This is where your secondary IDs come in, which include your school ID (valid within the school year and the year you graduated). The catch: Most gov’t offices require at least two secondary IDs.

Need another one fast? One of the easiest to apply for is the PSA Birth Certificate, which you can get at the SM Business Center or PSA offices in select malls. Know more here.

Here’s a list of some of the IDs you can apply for via SM’s Government Service Express:

Primary IDs

Secondary IDs

BIR Registration 

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As a freelancer, you’re required to register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) so you can legally operate and pay your taxes. The process may be daunting as it entails a lot of paperwork, but it’s worth it as it makes your business official (and you get your own official receipts, which is super cool!).

To get started, you need to compile the requirements, including two valid IDs and your TIN (Tax Identification Number). If you were previously employed, then you already have a TIN from your employer. But in case you don’t, here’s how to apply for one..

Once you have your requirements, you may register your business at the Revenue District Office (RDO) having jurisdiction over your place of business or residence. Check out this official guide from the BIR. After that, you can conveniently pay your taxes online or via Authorized Agent Banks—including ones you can find at SM malls. 

Philhealth, SSS, and Pag-IBIG

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ICYDK: Companies are mandated by law to provide their employees with coverage from Social Security System [SSS], the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation [PhilHealth], and the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG. If you’re self-employed, however, the only way to get the benefits from these gov’t agencies is to be a member and make voluntary payments. 

  • PhilHealth is a health insurance program that serves to help Filipino citizens in times of sickness and disability. You can apply for membership and pay your monthly contribution at PhilHealth offices at SM Malls. As of 2021, the rate for self-employed individuals is 4% of their monthly income not exceeding ₱80,000. For those earning below ₱10,000, a fixed monthly contribution of ₱400 applies.
  • SSS provides social security protection for workers in the private sector, including freelancers. When you contribute to SSS, your payments serve as income in case of sickness, pregnancy, emergencies, and retirement. You can apply for membership, make payments, apply for loans, and more via the SM Government Service Express.

 

Whether you’re a freelancer, a fresh grad looking for your first job, or a longtime professional, you can be sure to find adulting rather easy—fun, even—at SM, thanks to convenient access points to government services (inside the mall, too!).

For more updates and life hacks, follow SM Supermalls on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can check the updated entry guidelines and mall hours for 2023 here.