Overview
Every business established in Vietnam must register for a tax code with the General Department of Taxation. Tax registration is governed by the Law on Tax Administration No. 38/2019/QH14 (effective 1 July 2020) and its implementing Decree No. 126/2020/ND-CP.
For enterprises registered under the Law on Enterprises No. 59/2020/QH14, the tax code is automatically issued together with the Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC) through the National Business Registration Portal — no separate tax registration filing is required.
Who Must Register?
- Limited liability companies (LLC), joint stock companies, partnerships
- Private enterprises and household businesses
- Foreign-invested enterprises (FIE)
- Representative offices and branches of foreign companies
- Cooperatives and cooperative unions
- Individuals with taxable income
Tax Code Structure
Vietnamese tax codes follow a standardized format:
- Enterprises: 10-digit code (e.g., 0312345678)
- Individuals / dependents: 13-digit code (10-digit base + 3-digit suffix)
The first one or two digits identify the province where the business is registered.
Registration Steps for New Enterprises
Step 1 — Business Registration (Days 1–3)
Submit your application to the Department of Planning and Investment (DPI) or via the National Portal at dangkykinhdoanh.gov.vn:
- Proposed company name and charter capital
- Registered business address
- Business lines (Vietnamese Standard Industrial Classification codes)
- Founding shareholders / members and their ID documents
The ERC — which includes your tax code — is typically issued within 3 business days.
Step 2 — Post-Registration Notifications (Within 30 Days of ERC)
After receiving the ERC, complete the following with your local tax authority:
- Open a bank account and notify the tax authority of your account number(s)
- Register to use e-invoices per Decree 123/2020/ND-CP
- Register for electronic tax filing via the eTax portal (thuedientu.gdt.gov.vn)
- Purchase a digital signature (token) for e-filing authentication
Step 3 — Initial Tax Declarations
File the following initial declarations within the prescribed periods:
| Declaration | Deadline | |-------------|----------| | VAT registration method selection | Within 10 days of ERC issuance | | Dependent registration (if applicable) | Within the first payroll period | | Business license tax (môn bài) | 30 January of the first operating year |
Required Documents Checklist
- Certified copy of Enterprise Registration Certificate
- Legal representative's national ID card or passport
- Lease agreement or proof of registered office address
- Bank account details (account number, bank name, branch)
- Digital certificate information
Business License Tax (Lệ phí môn bài)
All newly established businesses must pay an annual business license tax per Decree 139/2016/ND-CP (amended by Decree 22/2020/ND-CP):
| Charter Capital | Annual Fee | |-----------------|------------| | Over VND 10 billion | VND 3,000,000 | | VND 10 billion or under | VND 2,000,000 | | Branches, representative offices, business locations | VND 1,000,000 |
Businesses established in the second half of the year pay 50% of the annual fee in their first year.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Missing the 30-day window for e-invoice registration triggers administrative penalties
- Failing to notify tax authority of bank accounts can block VAT refund processing
- Using incorrect business line codes can affect eligibility for tax incentives
Conclusion
Proper tax registration from day one protects your business from penalties and establishes a clean compliance record. H&T Bay assists new businesses through every step of the registration and post-registration process.