How to Register a Company in Singapore 2026 — Step-by-Step Guide

Why Singapore for Company Registration

Singapore consistently ranks as the easiest place in the world to do business (World Bank, 2024). The country offers a clear legal framework, low corporate tax (17%, with effective rates as low as 4.25% for the first $200,000), strong intellectual property protection, and access to Southeast Asian markets.

TL;DR: Registering a Pte Ltd company in Singapore costs $315 (ACRA fee) and takes 1-3 days. You need at least 1 shareholder, 1 local director, 1 company secretary, and a local registered address. Do it yourself through BizFile+ or use a corporate secretary firm ($300-$800). Most first-time founders should use a firm — the annual compliance requirements (AGM, annual returns, tax filing) require a corporate secretary anyway, so start the relationship at incorporation.

This guide walks through every step with current 2026 requirements, costs, and practical advice.

Step 1: Choose Your Business Structure

Before registering, decide on the right structure:

Sole Proprietorship

• ACRA fee: $100
• Setup time: Same day
• Annual compliance: Minimal (annual renewal $30)
• Liability: Unlimited personal liability
• Tax: Personal income tax rates (0-22%)
• Best for: Freelancers, solo consultants, very small operations

Partnership / LLP

• ACRA fee: $100-$165
• Setup time: Same day to 1 week
• Annual compliance: Low to moderate
• Liability: Unlimited (partnership) or limited (LLP)
• Tax: Personal income tax rates for partners
• Best for: Professional firms (lawyers, accountants), small partnerships

Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd)

• ACRA fee: $315
• Setup time: 1-3 days
• Annual compliance: Moderate (AGM, annual return, tax filing, audit for some)
• Liability: Limited to share capital
• Tax: Corporate tax at 17% (effective 4.25-8.5% on first $300K)
• Best for: Most businesses — startups, SMEs, any business seeking investment or government grants

For most businesses, a Pte Ltd is the right choice. The rest of this guide focuses on Pte Ltd registration.

Step 2: Reserve Your Company Name

Requirements

• Must be unique (not identical or too similar to existing registered names)
• Cannot contain obscene or offensive words
• Cannot imply government affiliation without approval
• Certain words require approval: "bank," "finance," "insurance," "law," "medical," "school," "university"

How to Reserve

1. Go to BizFile+ (bizfile.gov.sg) — ACRA's online portal
2. Log in with SingPass (required)
3. Navigate to "Reserve a Name"
4. Enter your desired company name
5. Pay $15 reservation fee
6. Name is reserved for 120 days

Tips for Name Selection

• Check availability first using ACRA's name search (free)
• Avoid names too similar to established companies (ACRA may reject)
• Consider your domain name — check if the .com and .sg are available
• Keep it professional and easy to spell
• Avoid names that limit your business scope ("ABC Cake Shop Pte Ltd" makes it harder to pivot)

Step 3: Prepare Required Information

Before incorporation, you need:

Directors

• Minimum 1 local director (Singapore citizen, PR, or EntrePass/EP holder)
• Directors must be at least 18 years old
• Directors must not be disqualified or bankrupt
• A sole shareholder can also be the sole director

If you are a foreigner without a local director:

• Engage a nominee director service ($2,000-$5,000/year)
• The nominee acts as a local director on paper but does not manage the business
• You maintain control through shareholder agreements

Shareholders

• Minimum 1 shareholder (individual or corporate)
• Maximum 50 shareholders for a Pte Ltd
• 100% foreign ownership is allowed
• Shareholders can be the same person as directors
• Paid-up capital: Minimum $1 (most start with $1-$10,000)

Company Secretary

• Must appoint within 6 months of incorporation
• Must be a natural person (not a company) residing in Singapore
• Cannot be the sole director if the company has only one director
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with the Companies Act
• Typical cost: $300-$1,200/year for a professional corporate secretary

Registered Address

• Must be a physical address in Singapore (not a P.O. box)
• Can be a residential address (for home-based businesses approved by HDB/URA)
• Virtual office addresses are accepted by ACRA
• Typical cost for virtual office: $200-$600/year

Constitution (formerly Memorandum and Articles of Association)

• Defines the company's rules and regulations
• Can adopt ACRA's model constitution (simplest option)
• Custom constitutions are recommended for companies with multiple shareholders or complex structures
• Cost if custom: $500-$2,000 (legal fees)

Step 4: Incorporate Through BizFile+

DIY Registration

1. Log in to BizFile+ with SingPass
2. Select "Register a New Business Entity" then "Local Company"
3. Enter the reserved company name
4. Fill in company details:
   • Principal business activities (SSIC codes)
   • Registered address
   • Share capital details
   • Director information
   • Shareholder information
   • Company secretary (can be appointed within 6 months)
   • Constitution (adopt model or upload custom)
5. Review and confirm all details
6. Pay $300 incorporation fee
7. Receive the Certificate of Incorporation (usually within hours)

Using a Corporate Secretary Firm

Most firms handle the entire process:

1. You provide personal details, desired company name, and business description
2. They reserve the name, prepare all documents, and file with ACRA
3. You receive the Certificate of Incorporation, business profile, and all incorporation documents
4. Total cost: $600-$1,500 (including ACRA fees and first-year secretarial services)

Recommended for:

• First-time founders (avoid mistakes that cause delays)
• Foreigners (navigation of local requirements)
• Companies with multiple shareholders (need proper shareholder agreements)

Popular Corporate Secretary Firms in Singapore

• Sleek: From $599/year (incorporation + secretary). Strong online platform.
• Osome: From $700/year. AI-powered, good for tech startups.
• BoardRoom: From $1,200/year. Established, suitable for larger SMEs.
• Healy Consultants: From $2,000. Specialises in foreign-owned companies.
• Rikvin: From $800/year. Long-established, comprehensive services.

Step 5: Post-Incorporation Setup

After receiving your Certificate of Incorporation:

Immediate (Within 1 Week)

1. Open a corporate bank account

   • Major banks: DBS, OCBC, UOB (local) or HSBC, Standard Chartered (international)
   • Typical time: 1-3 weeks (schedule an appointment early)
   • Documents needed: Certificate of Incorporation, board resolution, director/shareholder IDs, business plan
   • Some banks (Aspire, ANEXT) offer faster online account opening

2. Register for GST (if applicable)

   • Mandatory if annual taxable turnover exceeds $1 million
   • Voluntary registration is possible (beneficial if you supply to GST-registered businesses)
   • Register through myTax Portal (IRAS)

3. Set up accounting system

   • Xero, QuickBooks, or Wave for basic bookkeeping
   • Engage a bookkeeper or accountant ($100-$500/month for an SME)

Within 6 Months

1. Appoint a company secretary (if not done at incorporation)
2. Apply for necessary licences and permits (industry-specific)
3. Register for CPF as an employer (if hiring employees)
4. Purchase mandatory insurance (WIC, foreign worker medical) — see our Business Insurance Guide

Annual Compliance Calendar

Every Singapore Pte Ltd must comply with these annually:

• Annual General Meeting (AGM): Within 6 months of financial year-end (first AGM within 18 months of incorporation)
• Annual Return (AR): File with ACRA within 30 days of AGM ($60 filing fee)
• Corporate Tax Filing: File Form C-S or Form C with IRAS by November 30
• Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI): File within 3 months of financial year-end
• GST Returns: Quarterly (if GST-registered)

Read our Singapore Compliance Calendar 2026 for all filing deadlines.

Costs Summary: First Year

Here is a realistic first-year cost breakdown for a standard Pte Ltd:

Mandatory costs:

• ACRA name reservation: $15
• ACRA incorporation fee: $300
• Annual Return filing: $60
• Subtotal: $375

Practically essential costs:

• Corporate secretary (annual): $300-$1,200
• Registered address (if no office): $200-$600
• Accounting/bookkeeping: $1,200-$6,000
• Tax filing (Form C-S preparation): $300-$800
• Subtotal: $2,000-$8,600

Optional but recommended:

• Business insurance package: $500-$2,000
• Legal review of shareholder agreement: $500-$2,000
• Corporate bank account opening (some banks charge): $0-$500
• Subtotal: $1,000-$4,500

Total first-year cost: $3,375-$13,475

For a basic setup with minimal costs: ~$3,000-$4,000. For a comprehensive setup with insurance and legal: ~$8,000-$13,000.

Tax Benefits for New Companies

Singapore offers significant tax benefits for new companies:

Start-Up Tax Exemption (SUTE)

For the first 3 years of assessment (YAs):

• 75% exemption on first $100,000 of chargeable income
• 50% exemption on next $100,000 of chargeable income

Effective tax rate on first $200,000 profit:

• Year 1-3: ~4.25% (vs headline 17%)
• A company earning $200,000 profit pays only ~$8,500 in tax

Partial Tax Exemption (After Year 3)

• 75% exemption on first $10,000 of chargeable income
• 50% exemption on next $190,000 of chargeable income

Government Grants for New SMEs

• Enterprise Development Grant (EDG): Up to 50% funding for business growth projects
• Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG): Up to 50% support for adopting IT solutions
• Market Readiness Assistance (MRA): Up to 50% funding for overseas market expansion
• Start-up SG Founder: Up to $50,000 start-up capital grant

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not appointing a company secretary. Failure to appoint within 6 months is a compliance breach. ACRA can impose penalties.

2. Using a residential address without approval. HDB flats require Home Office Scheme approval. Private properties must comply with URA home business guidelines.

3. Mixing personal and business finances. Open a corporate bank account immediately. Never use personal accounts for business transactions — it complicates accounting and weakens your limited liability protection.

4. Ignoring annual filing deadlines. Late filing of annual returns incurs penalties ($300 late filing fee) and can lead to striking off by ACRA.

5. Not keeping proper accounting records. The Companies Act requires companies to keep accounting records for at least 5 years. Poor records make tax filing difficult and can attract IRAS scrutiny.

6. Choosing the wrong SSIC code. Your Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) code determines which licences you need and which government grants you qualify for. Choose carefully.

7. Over-capitalising at incorporation. Starting with $1 paid-up capital is fine for most businesses. You can increase it later. High initial capital is only needed if required by industry regulations or to demonstrate financial strength to clients.

Sources and References

• Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) — BizFile+ registration requirements and fees
• Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) — Corporate tax rates, SUTE scheme, GST registration
• Enterprise Singapore — Government grants and support schemes for SMEs
• Companies Act (Cap. 50) — Legal requirements for Singapore companies
• Ministry of Manpower — Employer obligations for CPF and work passes

Stay compliant after registration: Singapore SME Compliance Requirements | PDPA Compliance Checklist | GST Registration Guide

Need help with data protection compliance? ComplyHQ helps Singapore SMEs achieve PDPA compliance with AI-powered guidance.