How to Create a Company in the Dominican Republic?

How to establish a company in the Dominican Republic? This is a structured and accessible process designed to foster entrepreneurship and economic growth. The fundamental steps include: first, defining the legal structure and the name of your company, ensuring it is unique and representative. Then, you must complete the registration procedures at the Chamber of Commerce and Production, including drafting the bylaws and registering the constitutive documents.

Subsequently, it is necessary to obtain the National Taxpayer Registry (RNC) from the General Directorate of Internal Taxes (DGII) and comply with the relevant tax regulations. Finally, the company must be registered with the Treasury of Social Security and the Ministry of Labor to ensure compliance with labor laws.

There are certain requirements for creating a company in the Dominican Republic for which you may need professional assistance. At Contadores Dominicanos, we can help you create your company or corporation.

How to register a company in the Dominican Republic?

It is important to note that the costs will depend significantly on the type of company or corporation being formed, as well as the company’s capital. Below, we present the requirements for constitution and the estimated time for each procedure:

Steps to establish a company in the Dominican Republic

Here’s what you need to do to register a company in the Dominican Republic:

Register the trade name at the National Office of Industrial Property (ONAPI):

Time: Approximately 5 business days.
Cost of the company incorporation tax payment in the Dominican Republic: Based on authorized share capital.

Requirements:

Complete the application form.
Name of the trade name to be registered.
Copy of the applicant’s ID.
Physical address and email.
Make the corresponding payment.
Payment of company incorporation taxes to the General Directorate of Internal Taxes (DGII).

Register the legal documents with the corresponding Chamber of Commerce and Production:

Time: Approximately 5 business days.

Requirements:

With the approved trade name certificate, the bylaws or partnership contract must be drafted as appropriate.
Submit the original legal documents and three copies.
Fill out the application form for the Mercantile Registry Certificate.
Copies of the identification documents of all partners and shareholders. If the partners are other commercial companies, the identification documents of those companies must be presented.
Copy of the trade name registration.
Copy of the tax payment receipt for the company incorporation.

Apply for the National Taxpayer Registry (RNC) at the General Directorate of Internal Taxes:

Time: Approximately 7 business days.

Requirements:

National Taxpayer Registry (RNC) form.
Copy of the trade name registration.
Copy of the Mercantile Registry.
With these documents, submit the application to the General Directorate of Internal Taxes (DGII), a free service.

Register the company with the Social Security Treasury:

Time: Approximately 5 business days.

Requirements:

Employer Registration Form (DAE-FO-007).
Copy of the latest assembly. Not required for EIRL.*
Copy of bylaws stamped by the Chamber of Commerce and Production.
Certification of registration issued by DGII specifying the tax regime and the date since it’s registered.*
Copy of the Act of Assignment in the National Taxpayer Registry, issued by DGII.*
Copy of the valid Mercantile Registry.*
Letter requesting registration specifying the authorized representative, company seal, and signed by the Manager or President.*
Copy of the ID of the manager or president and the authorized representative.

Company registration with the Ministry of Labor

Time: Approximately 1 day.

Requirements:

Employers must register the National Taxpayer Registry (RNC), ID card or passport number, and create a password to proceed to complete the company, establishment, and employee registration.
Purchase the form in the Treasury Division at any of the Local Offices of the Ministry of Labor or through Electronic Recharge with your credit or debit card.
To validate the registration, the employer must input the form’s data, which includes a PIN with a receipt number and approval code.

If you are creating a company that will carry out industrial processes, in addition to the above requirements, you must have the following documents:

Industrial Registration granted by Pro-Industria.
Sanitary Registration granted by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance.
Environmental Permit granted by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

To register as a supplier for the Dominican State:

Time: Approximately 8 business days.

Requirements:

Original simple declaration, which does not need to be notarized. It must have a minimum validity period of thirty (30) calendar days from the date of signature.
Simple Declaration for Individuals.
Simple Declaration for Legal Entities.
Complete the application form (if the application is in person).
Form for registration/update in the Supplier Registry and bank account for payment purposes.
Copy of the Mercantile Registry from the corresponding Chamber of Commerce and Production. (If the social purpose is not complete in the Mercantile Registry, a copy of the bylaws must be presented).
Copy of the bylaws (for newly created companies) or of the latest assembly held where the shareholding composition is verified, registered, and stamped by the corresponding Chamber of Commerce and Production.
When a company is a shareholder or partner of another company requesting or holding a State Supplier Registry, it must present a copy of the bylaws or the latest assembly held where the shareholder composition of the partner company is verified.

Frequently Asked Questions about Creating a Company in the Dominican Republic

What are the first steps to register a company in the Dominican Republic?

The first steps to formalize a company in the Dominican Republic include defining your company’s legal structure, choosing and registering a unique trade name at the National Office of Industrial Property (ONAPI), and completing the registration procedures at the Chamber of Commerce and Production.

What should be known to establish a company?

You must be clear on the type of company or corporation it will be.
The sector of the economy to which it will belong.
The size of the company.
The number of partners.
Know the name you want for the company.

What legal structures are available to establish a company?

You can choose from several legal forms, such as the Individual Limited Liability Company (EIRL), Public Limited Company (SA), Limited Liability Company (SRL), among others.

What is the National Taxpayer Registry (RNC), and why is it important?

The RNC is a unique number that identifies your company to the General Directorate of Internal Taxes (DGII) for tax purposes. It is essential for conducting commercial operations, issuing invoices, and fulfilling tax obligations.

How long does it take to establish a company in the Dominican Republic?

The time may vary, but the entire process generally takes around 15 to 20 business days, considering all procedures from trade name registration to registration with the Social Security Treasury and the Ministry of Labor.

Is it necessary to have an accountant or lawyer to establish a company?

While not strictly necessary, it is advisable to have professional assistance to navigate the legal and tax aspects of the process, especially if you are not familiar with the Dominican system.

What are the costs associated with company formation?

The cost of establishing a company in the Dominican Republic can vary depending on the type of company, share capital, and other factors. It includes fees for trade name registration, payment of incorporation taxes, and registration fees with various institutions.

What are the tax obligations of a company in the Dominican Republic?

Companies must comply with several tax obligations, including filing tax returns, paying Income Tax (ISR), ITBIS (Tax on the Transfer of Industrialized Goods and Services), among others.