Singapore company formation.

A regional headquarters for Asia.

Singapore is consistently chosen by international groups for its stability, transparent regulation and connections across Southeast Asia.

Companies are registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, ACRA, under the Companies Act 1967, through its online Bizfile service. Corporate income tax is administered by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, IRAS. A Singapore company is an onshore entity with real compliance obligations, and it is valued precisely because counterparties, banks and regulators regard it highly.

AT Express is headquartered in Cyprus, with offices in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam and Singapore. Our Singapore office coordinates incorporation, corporate secretarial support and banking introductions with licensed local providers.

The private company limited by shares.

The private limited company, identified by “Pte. Ltd.” in its name, is the standard choice for owners who intend to trade, invoice or hold regional investments from Singapore. It may have up to fifty shareholders. Foreign companies can alternatively register a branch, but a subsidiary is usually more practical for banking, tax and liability purposes.

What sets Singapore apart.

• One shareholder, individual or corporate, of any nationality.
• At least one director ordinarily resident in Singapore, such as a citizen, permanent resident or qualifying pass holder.
• A company secretary appointed within six months of incorporation, who cannot be the sole director.
• A Singapore registered office open to the public during prescribed hours.
• An extensive tax treaty network and a respected regulatory regime.

Competitive and transparent.

IRAS applies a flat corporate income tax rate of 17% to chargeable income, for local and foreign companies alike. Under the partial tax exemption scheme, 75% of the first S$10,000 and 50% of the next S$190,000 of normal chargeable income are exempt, and qualifying new start-up companies may claim a separate exemption instead. Singapore does not tax dividends paid by companies to shareholders under its one-tier system.

Foreign-sourced income received in Singapore can be taxable, subject to specific exemptions. Owners remain taxable in their own countries, where controlled foreign company rules may apply.

A balanced view.

What you will need.

• At least one shareholder and at least one director ordinarily resident in Singapore.
• A company secretary within six months of incorporation.
• A registered office address in Singapore.
• An approved company name and a constitution.
• Identification and address documents for officers, shareholders and registrable controllers.

From first call to registration.

Registration is quick once the name is approved and the officers are in place. Arranging a resident director and completing bank due diligence usually take longer; we confirm a realistic timetable in writing.

Keeping the company in good standing.

• Annual general meeting, unless dispensed with, and an annual return filed with ACRA.
• Financial statements prepared each year, and audited unless the company qualifies as a small company exempt from audit.
• Corporate income tax returns, including the estimated chargeable income where required, filed with IRAS.
• Registers of members, directors and registrable controllers maintained and kept up to date.
• Changes of officers notified to ACRA within the statutory period.

Banking for a Singapore company.

Singapore companies can bank with local and international banks or licensed digital banks and payment institutions. Banks look for a credible business plan, substance in Singapore or the region and full information on the owners. Approval is at the bank’s discretion. See international bank account opening and our comparison of Hong Kong and Singapore companies.

Frequently asked questions.

Official sources.

1. Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, Choosing company directors and other key officers — resident director and secretary requirements.
2. Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, Post-registration guide: local company.
3. Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, Corporate income tax rate, rebates and tax exemption schemes.
4. Council of the European Union, EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes.
5. OECD, International standards on tax transparency, including the Common Reporting Standard.
6. Internal Revenue Service, Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).

Hero image: “Singapore (SG), Gardens by the Bay, Supertree Grove — 2019 — 4752” by Dietmar Rabich, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.