FINTHRAQuick answers
- Incorporate
- Register through ACRA BizFile+. A private limited company needs at least 1 director ordinarily resident in Singapore, 1 shareholder, a local registered address and a company secretary within 6 months.
- ACRA annual return
- Private companies hold the AGM within 6 months and file the annual return within 7 months after the financial year-end.
- Corporate tax
- File ECI within 3 months of year-end (waived if revenue is S$5M or less and ECI is nil), then Form C-S or C by 30 November. Tax rate: 17%.
- GST
- Register when taxable turnover goes above S$1 million. GST is 9%, with quarterly returns due one month after each period ends.
Key Singapore company deadlines at a glance
| Obligation | Who | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| ECI (Estimated Chargeable Income) | Companies not waived (revenue above S$5M, or ECI not nil) | Within 3 months after financial year-end |
| AGM | Private companies that hold an AGM | Within 6 months after financial year-end |
| ACRA annual return | Private companies | Within 7 months after financial year-end |
| Form C-S (Lite) / C-S / C | All companies | 30 November of the Year of Assessment |
| GST return (Form F5) | GST-registered businesses (quarterly filers) | Within 1 month after each accounting period ends |
Deadlines are measured from your company’s financial year-end. Example: for a 31 December year-end, the AGM is due by 30 June and the annual return by 31 July.
How do you incorporate a company in Singapore?
A Singapore private limited company is incorporated online through ACRA’s BizFile+ portal. After your company name is approved, you submit the director, shareholder and address details, and the company exists once ACRA registers it.
The key requirements are: at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore (a Singapore citizen, Permanent Resident or EntrePass holder); at least one shareholder, who can be an individual or a company and can be a foreigner; a local registered office address; a company secretary appointed within 6 months of incorporation; and a minimum paid-up capital of S$1.
Many owners incorporate first and only later discover the filing calendar that starts on day one. Setting up bookkeeping and the financial year-end correctly at the beginning avoids costly clean-ups later.
What must you file with ACRA every year?
Every company must hold an AGM (unless it is dispensed with) and file an annual return with ACRA. For private companies, the AGM is due within 6 months after the financial year-end and the annual return within 7 months after the financial year-end.
The annual return can only be filed after the AGM has been held, or, where no AGM is required, after the financial statements have been sent to members. Because the annual return depends on finished financial statements, late bookkeeping is the most common cause of late ACRA filings.
How does corporate income tax filing work in Singapore?
Singapore companies pay tax on chargeable income at a flat rate of 17%. Each year you file two things with IRAS: the Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI) and the corporate income tax return.
ECI is due within 3 months after the financial year-end. It is waived if the company’s annual revenue is S$5 million or less and the ECI is nil. The tax return is due by 30 November of the Year of Assessment. Form C-S (Lite) is for companies with annual revenue of S$200,000 or less, Form C-S for revenue up to S$5 million, and Form C for everyone else. Forms C-S and C-S (Lite) are available only to companies with income taxed at the standard rate that do not claim certain items such as group relief, carry-back relief or foreign tax credits.
When must a business register for GST in Singapore?
A business must register for GST if its taxable turnover is more than S$1 million at the end of a calendar year, or if it is reasonably certain that taxable turnover will exceed S$1 million in the next 12 months. Businesses below the threshold can also register voluntarily.
The GST rate is 9% on most domestic supplies. Most registered businesses file a GST return (Form F5) every quarter, and both the return and any net GST payable are due within one month after the accounting period ends.
Do you need audited financial statements and XBRL?
Not every company needs an audit. A private company that qualifies as a “small company” is exempt from audit. In general this means meeting at least two of three tests: annual revenue of S$10 million or less, total assets of S$10 million or less, and 50 employees or fewer.
Financial statements filed with ACRA are generally prepared in XBRL, a structured digital format. Some small companies are exempt or can use a simplified format, so eligibility should be checked each year. Even when an audit is not required, unaudited financial statements are still needed for the AGM, the annual return and tax filing.
Why does bookkeeping decide how smoothly everything else goes?
Every deadline above depends on accurate books. Accounting records should be kept for at least 5 years. Monthly bookkeeping, categorised transactions and reconciled bank accounts make the financial statements, ECI, tax return and GST return a short exercise instead of a year-end scramble.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to incorporate a company in Singapore?
Once the company name is approved and the details are submitted on ACRA BizFile+, registration is generally quick, often within a day or so for straightforward applications. Timing depends on how complete the information is and whether ACRA needs to review anything.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Singapore company?
Yes. A private limited company needs at least one shareholder, and shareholders can be foreign individuals or companies. The company does need at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore, such as a citizen, Permanent Resident or EntrePass holder.
What is the deadline for the ACRA annual return?
For private companies, the annual return is due within 7 months after the financial year-end, and the AGM within 6 months after the financial year-end.
What is ECI and do I always have to file it?
ECI is your Estimated Chargeable Income, filed with IRAS within 3 months after the financial year-end. It is waived if annual revenue is S$5 million or less and the ECI is nil, otherwise it must be filed.
Which tax form does my company file, Form C-S or Form C?
Form C-S (Lite) is for companies with annual revenue of S$200,000 or less, Form C-S is for revenue up to S$5 million, and Form C is for all other companies. All are due by 30 November of the Year of Assessment. C-S and C-S (Lite) are available only if the company meets IRAS’s other conditions.
What is the corporate tax rate in Singapore?
The headline corporate income tax rate is a flat 17% of chargeable income. Tax exemptions and rebates may reduce the amount actually payable.
When do I need to register for GST?
When taxable turnover is more than S$1 million at the end of a calendar year, or you are reasonably certain it will exceed S$1 million in the next 12 months. You can also register voluntarily below that level.
How often do I file GST returns and what is the GST rate?
Most GST-registered businesses file quarterly. The return and payment are due within one month after each accounting period ends. The GST rate is 9%.
Is my company exempt from audit?
A private company that qualifies as a small company is exempt. In general, it must meet at least two of these three tests: revenue of S$10 million or less, total assets of S$10 million or less, and 50 or fewer employees.
What happens if I miss a filing deadline?
Late filing can lead to penalties, composition fines or enforcement action from ACRA and IRAS, and it can affect the company’s standing. If you have missed a deadline, it is best to file as soon as possible and get help with the catch-up.
This guide is general information for Singapore companies, last reviewed October 2026. Thresholds, rates and deadlines can change, and your situation may differ. It is not legal or tax advice. Please confirm current rules with ACRA and IRAS or speak to a qualified professional before acting.