Patent and VAT registration with the General Department of Taxation in Cambodia

Today, I would like to share 10 things a business owner needs to know for patent and VAT registration with the General Department of Taxation (GDT). The following are the required supporting documents: ​

1. Company legal documents:
Company certificate, articles of incorporation, and  extract issued by the Ministry of Commerce (MOC).  Every newly registered company needs to apply for a patent and VAT registration no later than 15 days after the company registration is authorized by the MOC. The company owner/representative will be fined if the registration is later than the expected date. 

2. Bank reference:
One bank reference using the corporate bank account (company bank account) is needed. The company owner/representative needs to open a cooperate bank account using the registered company’s name at a preferred bank in Cambodia. Company certificate, articles of incorporation, extract, letter of registration confirmation, and seal issued by MOC are needed in order to process the opening of the account. For most banks in Cambodia, you can choose either a savings or current corporate bank account. The deposit of a certain amount of money into your corporate bank account will vary based on which type of account and which bank you choose.

3. ID Card/Passport:
A copy ID Card or passport of the company owner/representative and each shareholder is required. The ID card/passport shall be signed by the chairman/representative and stamped using the company’s seal.    

4. Photograph:
Two photos of the company owner/representative and each shareholder are required. The photos shall be 45x35 cm sized, no glasses, both airs are appealing, and with the white background. Each photo needs to be signed and confirmed at the back by the chairman/representative.

5. Office rental contract:
Either the contract for renting a house/building for your company; or a house ownership certificate; or a letter of authorization if using someone else's house from which to operate the business. All contract types need to be authorized by the local authority (Sangkhat office) in which the house is located. The landlord shall facilitate the processing of this kind of document.    

6. Property tax receipt:
Latest receipt of property tax payment for the house you rent or use for your business. You cannot rent the house for business purposes if the landlord cannot provide this kind of receipt for you. Important note: your business address needs to be exactly the same as the address stated on the receipt.    

7. Residency permit:
A residency permit is required if the company owner/representative is a foreigner. The residency permit needs to be authorized by the local authority (Sangkhat office) in which the house is located. The landlord might be able to assist you with this. Residency rental contract and property tax receipt shall be enclosed if the residency address is different from the business address. 

8. Expertise:
The chairman/representative shall enclose any relevant document/certificate/degree/equivalent documents to prove that he/she has relevant skills and expertise in the field of company’s reach. These kinds of documents apply for consultancy company, taxation and auditing, etc.  

9. Telephone and email addresses of the shareholders:
Each shareholder needs to provide a validated local telephone number and email address.

10. Application:
The application for patent and VAT registration is available at the GDT's office. Make sure that you fill it out correctly and attach all the required supporting documents.

Should you have any questions concerning the registrations above, please feel free to contact Kimsophat KONG, founder and CEO of Making It Easy by [email protected] | +855-12-914-201. He will get back to you within 24 hours on working days. To have complete business registration services through Making It Easy, please kindly respond to our Business Startup and Registrations Assessment here.