Company Setup

Here in Singapore, it is compulsory for all types of businesses to enlist themselves with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). Hence it is important to be familiar with the information and procedure when you proceed to register a new company in Singapore. At SgBizWorks, we offer a holistic and hassle-free process for our Singapore business setup services and our company setup services. Our Singapore company setup services are holistic, comprehensive and affordable.

Below are a few points to take into consideration:

1. Registration criteria

To setup a company with ACRA, take note that the minimum age is 18 years old. All applications are to be submitted online to BizFile+. You will need your IC number and SingPass to log into BizFile+.

2. Which business structure are you choosing?

In Singapore, there are five types of business structures, or legal entities:

  • Sole Proprietorship
    • A single person that owns a business under the sole proprietorship structure; there is no protection from legal liabilities, and their personal assets may be seized if they are held accountable.
  • Partnership
    • The partnership structure allows for two or more individuals to co-own the business. If there are more than twenty partners, the structure will change to follow a company structure.
  • Company
    • Setting up one is the most common option for most Singaporean businesses due to its flexibility. It also increases credibility, and the employees are not held responsible for any losses incurred for the company.
  • Limited Partnership
    • Similar to the partnership structure, a limited partnership has two or more persons: a general partner and a limited partner. The general partner has unlimited liability, while the limited partner, limited liability.
  • Limited Liability Partnership
    • This is a type of partnership where the partners have limited liability, and where the business is a separate legal entity from the partners.

Note that if you wish to change your existing business structure, you would have to de-register and then submit again with ACRA.

3. Your company name

When you are choosing your company’s name, (you can check via BizFile+ to see if another has already used it), you should also take note of the following:

  • It should not be something obscene
  • It should not be identical to an existing company
  • It should not be identical to a company name that is approved and reserved by ACRA
  • It should not have word(s) that have been directed by a Minister not to be used (e.g. Temasek)

4. Your address

Companies applying with a P.O. address will not be accepted. If you are going to use a home address, you need to get approval from the respective authority. For companies in office buildings, the location needs to be easy for people to access.

5. Taxes

For more information about taxes, you could refer to IRAS income tax and GST registration information.

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