Singapore

01 · What we can do here

What we can do here

• Paid business-account opening help: account selection, draft application answers and a document checklist. You submit, complete your own ID and selfie checks, and sign.
• We never ask for or use your Singpass or any other government login.

Handled by licensed partners

• Incorporation, ACRA filings, company secretary, registered office and nominee resident directors: an ACRA-registered corporate service provider (CSP). We only refer.
• Tax: a Singapore tax adviser.

02 · Incorporation basics

Incorporation basics

• Filing is through ACRA's Bizfile with a Singpass or Corppass login. ACRA's guidance says foreigners must engage a registered corporate service provider to register.
• Fees: S$15 name application and S$300 registration. Typically same-day if the name is not referred to another agency.
• At least one director must be ordinarily resident in Singapore. Directors must be natural persons aged 18 or over.
• A company secretary who lives in Singapore is required (cannot be the sole director). ACRA guidance allows 6 months from incorporation to appoint one.
• Registered office: a Singapore address open at least 3 hours each business day.
• No statutory minimum capital (S$1 is common).
• Register of registrable controllers: set up on the day of incorporation; changes updated within 7 days and filed with the central register within 2 business days.

03 · Foreign ownership

Foreign ownership

• No cap on foreign shareholding and no investment-approval regime for ordinary businesses.
• Sector rules apply in areas such as newspapers, broadcasting, banking, insurance and payments (MAS), legal services and residential property.
• Foreign owners still need a resident director and a resident secretary. A foreigner relocating to run the company needs a work pass.

04 · Banking and fintech

Banking and fintech

• No general exchange controls on current or capital transfers.
• Banks verify the company, directors and 25%+ beneficial owners under MAS Notice 626. Expect to provide the ACRA business profile, constitution, board resolution, IDs and proof of address, and an explanation of the business and source of funds.
• Many banks require directors or signatories to meet in person or by video and may decline companies with no Singapore operations. Account opening is the bank's decision.
• MAS-licensed payment institutions offer online business accounts that onboard using the company's UEN and ACRA profile.

05 · Annual filings

Annual filings

• AGM within 6 months after year-end (private companies may dispense with it).
• Annual return on Bizfile within 7 months after year-end (S$60), with financial statements (XBRL for most companies).
• Audit exemption for a small company: a private company meeting 2 of 3 criteria (revenue up to S$10m, assets up to S$10m, up to 50 employees) for 2 consecutive years.
• Estimated Chargeable Income within 3 months after year-end (waivers for some small companies). Corporate income tax return by November 30.
• GST returns, if registered, generally quarterly.

06 · Tax basics

Tax basics

Published rates only. Not tax advice.

• Corporate income tax: flat 17%.
• Partial exemption: 75% of the first S$10,000 and 50% of the next S$190,000 of chargeable income. Start-up exemption for the first 3 years of assessment if conditions are met.
• Year of assessment 2026 rebate: 50% of tax payable, capped at S$40,000.
• GST: 9%. Registration is compulsory above S$1 million taxable turnover.
• Withholding on payments to non-residents: 15% interest, 10% royalties; treaty rates may reduce these. No withholding tax on dividends.

07 · Disclosure rules

Disclosure rules

• Companies Act s.144: the company name must appear on business letters, invoices, statements of account, receipts, official notices and publications, and the UEN on letters, invoices, statements, notices and publications. A website is arguably a publication (our reading).
• Trading under a name other than the company name requires business-name registration.

08 · Sources

Sources

1. 1.Companies Act 1967 (Singapore Statutes Online)
2. 2.Corporate Service Providers Act 2024
3. 3.ACRA: checking if you must register as a CSP
4. 4.ACRA: service and transaction fees
5. 5.ACRA: register of registrable controllers
6. 6.IRAS: corporate income tax rates, rebates and exemptions
7. 7.IRAS: do I need to register for GST
8. 8.IRAS: payments subject to withholding tax
9. 9.Payment Services Act 2019