Registering a Solo Writing & Digital Services Firm in Kathmandu/Kirtipur. What Surprised You?
I’m currently in the process of registering my solo business, XYZ, a small writing and digital services firm based around Kathmandu/Kirtipur.
On paper, the process seems pretty straightforward:
Rent Agreement → Ward Registration → IRD/Business PAN → Bank Current Account
But I’m more interested in the real-world experience. For those who have recently registered a sole proprietorship (Niji Firm) in Nepal, what things caught you off guard that aren’t usually mentioned in guides?
1. Ward Registration & Landlord Documents
- Did your Ward ask for additional documents, such as the landlord’s land tax/Malpot receipts?
- How strict were they about the Ghar Bahal Samjhauta?
- If you put a relatively low/token rent in the agreement, did the Ward or tax officer question it?
2. IRD & Business PAN
- If your annual turnover is below NPR 10 lakh, how straightforward was the D01/presumptive tax process in practice?
- For a business offering multiple services (writing, web development, digital services, etc.), did you have any difficulty choosing the appropriate business/activity codes?
- Did the IRD officer ask for anything you weren’t expecting?
3. Bank Account & Online Payments
- Which bank was the easiest to work with for opening a business current account for a newly registered sole proprietorship?
- Did you face any issues getting merchant/payment services such as eSewa, Khalti, or ConnectIPS for your website or invoices?
- Is a basic Business PAN and firm registration generally enough, or did the bank/payment provider ask for additional documents?
4. Hindsight
What’s one mistake you made during the registration process that resulted in an unnecessary delay, extra cost, or another trip to the office?
Any practical tips, unexpected requirements, hidden/extra costs, or things you wish you had known beforehand would be really helpful.
TL;DR: I’m registering a solo writing & digital services firm (XYZ) in Kathmandu/Kirtipur. If you’ve recently gone through Ward → IRD → Bank registration, what surprised you or caused the most hassle?