Business
(Sole proprietor/ Partnership)

A sole-proprietorship is a business owned by one person or one company. There are no partners. The sole-proprietor has absolute say in the running of the business.

A partnership is a business firm formed by two to twenty partners. Once there are more than twenty partners, the partnership must be registered as a company under the Companies Act.

The first step is to choose a name for the business and then register the business. This can be done in two stages or all at one go.

There is now the option of purchasing a Special UEN (Unique Entity Number) for your Business (sole-proprietorship or partnership) where you choose the numbers. A UEN is your business' unique identification number that will be used in all interactions with government agencies

Business
(Sole proprietor/ Partnership)

A sole-proprietorship is a business owned by one person or one company. There are no partners. The sole-proprietor has absolute say in the running of the business.

A partnership is a business firm formed by two to twenty partners. Once there are more than twenty partners, the partnership must be registered as a company under the Companies Act.

The first step is to choose a name for the business and then register the business. This can be done in two stages or all at one go.

There is now the option of purchasing a Special UEN (Unique Entity Number) for your Business (sole-proprietorship or partnership) where you choose the numbers. A UEN is your business' unique identification number that will be used in all interactions with government agencies.

Start a new Local Company

A local company is a business entity incorporated in Singapore. A company has the right to own property, has perpetual succession and can sue or be sued in its own name. Companies have different setups and are distinguished by the company type e.g. private company limited by shares, exempt private company, public company limited by shares and public company limited by guarantee.

The first step is to choose a name for the company and then register the company. This can be done in two stages or all at one go.

There is now the option of purchasing a Special UEN (Unique Entity Number) for your company where you choose the numbers. A UEN is your company's unique identification number that will be used in all interactions with government agencies.

Start a new Foreign Company

A foreign company is a company, corporation, association or any other body incorporated outside Singapore. A foreign company may carry on business in Singapore by incorporating a local company or registering as a foreign branch under the Companies Act. The foreign company is required to have a registered name, at least 1 local authorised representative and a registered office in Singapore.

The first step is to apply for approval of the company name first. Once it is approved by the Registrar, you may proceed to incorporate the company.

Start a new Limited Partnership

A Limited Partnership (LP) is a partnership consisting of a minimum of two partners, with at least one general partner and one limited partner. A LP does not have a separate legal entity from the partners, i.e. it cannot sue or be sued or own property in its own name. A general partner is responsible for the actions of a LP and is liable for all debts and obligations of the LP. A limited partner is not liable for debts and obligations of the LP beyond his agreed contribution, provided he does not take part in the management of the LP.

The first step is to choose a name for the LP and then register the LP. This can be done in two stages or all at one go.

There is now the option of purchasing a Special UEN (Unique Entity Number) for your LP where you choose the numbers. A UEN is your LP's unique identification number that will be used in all interactions with government agencies.

Start a new Limited Liability Partnership

A Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) is a business vehicle that gives owners the flexibility of operating as a partnership while having a separate legal identity like a company. A LLP has the right to own property, has perpetual succession and can sue or be sued in its own name. The partners of the LLP will not be held personally liable for any business debts incurred by the LLP. A partner may, however, be held personally liable for claims from losses resulting from his own wrongful act or omission, but will not be held personally liable for such wrongful acts or omissions of any other partner of the LLP.

The step is to choose a name for the LLP and then register the LLP. This can be done in two stages or all at one go.

There is now have the option of purchasing a Special UEN (Unique Entity Number) for your LLP where you choose the numbers. A UEN is your LLP's unique identification number that will be used in all interactions with government agencies.

Start a new Public Accounting Firm

A public accounting firm (PAF) is set up by a public accountant for the purpose of providing public accountancy services (audit and reporting on financial statements and performing acts that are required by law to be performed by a public accountant). The other types of entities that public accountants can set up to provide public accountancy services are public accounting corporation and accounting limited liability partnership.

The first step is to choose a name for the PAF and then register the PAF. This can be done in two stages or all at one go.

There is now the option of purchasing a Special UEN (Unique Entity Number) for your PAF where you choose the numbers. A UEN is your PAF's unique identification number that will be used in all interactions with government agencies.

Register as a Public Accountant

Under the Accountants Act, anyone who wishes to practise as a Public Accountant must register with ACRA. The applicant must meet the prescribed requirements for registration as set out in the Accountants Act and its subsidiary legislation. A public accountant (PA) can provide public accountancy services such as audit and reporting on financial statements, and such other activities which the law requires to be done by a PA e.g. a judicial manager. Persons who intend to provide only book-keeping, accounting, taxation or consultancy services i.e. non-audit services need not be registered as PAs.

Register as an Approved Liquidator

A liquidator is an officer appointed when a company goes into winding up or liquidation. He is responsible for collecting all of the company’s assets and settling all claims against the company before putting the company into dissolution. A person will need to be an approved liquidator in order to be appointed as a liquidator for compulsory winding up (by the Court or creditors). There is no need to register to be an approved liquidator if the person is only performing voluntary winding up (by members or creditors).

Register as a Filing Agent/ Qualified Individual

Companies performing corporate secretarial services are also known as corporate service providers (CSPs). Persons wishing to provide CSP services and carry out filing transactions using using BizFile+ must first be registered as a Filing Agent (FA). A registered FA may carry out a transaction with ACRA only if he acts by or through a registered Qualified Individual (QI). A Filing Agent may include a law firm, accounting firm or corporate secretarial firm that provides statutory filing services for its clients. A Qualified Individual may include advocates and solicitors, public accountants, chartered accountants and corporate secretarial agents.

Register as Group of Companies

A holding company together with its subsidiary (or subsidiaries) are collectively known as group of companies (GC) in BizFile+. The holding company can register for filing access in Bizfile for authorised person(s) to carry out transactions with ACRA on behalf of the GC. The authorised person can be a secretary, an employee or qualified individual appointed, employed or engaged by the GC and who is not a registered filing agent. At least one secretary from the holding company must also be appointed as the group secretary (GS).

General

This refers to filing eServices such as Notice of Error, Order of Court, Notification of Cessation of officer, General Lodgement, etc.

Make Changes

The Registrar must be notified whenever there are changes to the business name, business address, business activities or if there are changes to the particulars of the sole-proprietor or partner. The notification of change must be lodged with the Registrar online within 14 days from the date of change. There is no fee payable when filing these changes. However a penalty may be imposed for late filing.

There are certain changes which require the endorsement (consent) of all the partners. Such changes include the addition or withdrawal of the partners. The endorsement must be done within 14 days from the initial submission date. Some changes do not require any endorsement e.g. change of business address, change of business name and change of business activity.

Renew a Business

There is an option to renew the business registration for 1 year or 3 years.

Close a Business

A sole-proprietor / partner may notify ACRA that the business is no longer in operation by filing the "Notice of Cessation of Business".

Start a new Local Company

A local company is a business entity incorporated in Singapore. A company has the right to own property, has perpetual succession and can sue or be sued in its own name. Companies have different setups and are distinguished by the company type e.g. private company limited by shares, exempt private company, public company limited by shares and public company limited by guarantee.

The first step is to choose a name for the company and then register the company. This can be done in two stages or all at one go.

There is now the option of purchasing a Special UEN (Unique Entity Number) for your company where you choose the numbers. A UEN is your company's unique identification number that will be used in all interactions with government agencies.

Make Changes

The Registrar must be notified whenever there are changes in the company name, registered office address, business activities or if there are changes to the particulars of the officers. The notification of change must be lodged with the Registrar online within 14 days from the date of change. There is no fee payable when filing these changes. However a penalty may be imposed for late filing.

Charge Registration

This is to submit charge related application such as registration of new charge, satisfaction of charge, etc. A charge is a form of security interest usually taken by a lender or creditor (“chargee”) to secure repayment of a loan.

Update Share Information

This is to update share information such allotment of new shares, transfer of shares, conversion of share, reduction of share capital and many more.

Annual Filing

All locally incorporated companies are required to hold their Annual General Meeting (AGM) and file their Annual Returns under S175, S197 and S201 of the Companies Act.

Close a Local Company

There are two ways to close a company. A local company may apply to ACRA to strike off its name from ACRA's Register. ACRA may approve the application if there is reasonable cause to believe that the company is not carrying on business, and the company is able to satisfy the criteria for striking off. The other way is to wind up the company. There are a few types of winding up.

• ​​​​​​​a) Members’ Voluntary Winding up
• b) Creditors’ Voluntary Winding up
• c) Compulsory Winding up

Start a new Foreign Company

A foreign company is a company, corporation, association or any other body incorporated outside Singapore. A foreign company may carry on business in Singapore by incorporating a local company or registering as a foreign branch under the Companies Act. The foreign company is required to have a registered name, at least 1 local authorised representative and a registered office in Singapore.

The first step is to apply for approval of the company name first. Once it is approved by the Registrar, you may proceed to incorporate the company.

Make Changes

The Registrar must be notified whenever there are changes in the company name, registered office address, business activities or if there are changes to the particulars of the officers or authorised representative. The notification of change must be lodged with the Registrar online within 14 days from the date of change. There is no fee payable when filing these changes. However a penalty may be imposed for late filing.

Charge Registration

This is to submit charge related application such as registration of new charge, satisfaction of charge, etc. A charge is a form of security interest usually taken by a lender or creditor (“chargee”) to secure repayment of a loan.

Annual Filing

All foreign companies, during their annual filing, are required to lodge their financial statements as well as those of their Singapore Branches with the Registrar.

Close a Foreign Company

A foreign branch has to cease its operations in Singapore if its Head Office has been dissolved or is in liquidation. The authorised representative of the foreign branch is required to lodge a “Notice by Authorised Representative of Foreign Company of Liquidation or Dissolution of Company”.

The foreign company may also apply to ACRA for striking off if it is able to satisfy the following criteria:

• a) The sole authorized representative is unable to resign because the company has not appointed a replacement within 12 months after the lodgement of a notice under section 370(3);
• b) The authorized representative has received no instructions from the company within 12 months after a the date the written request has been made as to whether the company intends to continue its operations in Singapore.
• c) The foreign company has no authorized representative (note: this can be filed only by the registered filing agent).

Start a new Limited Partnership

A Limited Partnership (LP) is a partnership consisting of a minimum of two partners, with at least one general partner and one limited partner. A LP does not have a separate legal entity from the partners, i.e. it cannot sue or be sued or own property in its own name. A general partner is responsible for the actions of a LP and is liable for all debts and obligations of the LP. A limited partner is not liable for debts and obligations of the LP beyond his agreed contribution, provided he does not take part in the management of the LP.

The first step is to choose a name for the LP and then register the LP. This can be done in two stages or all at one go.

There is now the option of purchasing a Special UEN (Unique Entity Number) for your LP where you choose the numbers. A UEN is your LP's unique identification number that will be used in all interactions with government agencies.

Make Changes

The Registrar must be notified whenever there are changes in the LP name, address, business activities or if there are changes to the particulars of the LP partners. The notification of change must be lodged with the Registrar online within 14 days from the date of change. There is no fee payable when filing these changes. However a penalty may be imposed for late filing.

Renew a Limited Partnership

There is the option to renew the LP registration for 1 year or 3 years.

Close a Limited Partnership

A general partner may notify ACRA that the LP has ceased/has been dissolved by filing one of the following transactions :

• a) Cessation of Limited Partnership
• b) Dissolution of Limited Partnership

Start a new Limited Liability Partnership

A Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) is a business vehicle that gives owners the flexibility of operating as a partnership while having a separate legal identity like a company. A LLP has the right to own property, has perpetual succession and can sue or be sued in its own name. The partners of the LLP will not be held personally liable for any business debts incurred by the LLP. A partner may, however, be held personally liable for claims from losses resulting from his own wrongful act or omission, but will not be held personally liable for such wrongful acts or omissions of any other partner of the LLP.

The step is to choose a name for the LLP and then register the LLP. This can be done in two stages or all at one go.

There is now have the option of purchasing a Special UEN (Unique Entity Number) for your LLP where you choose the numbers. A UEN is your LLP's unique identification number that will be used in all interactions with government agencies.

Make Changes

The Registrar must be notified whenever there are changes in the LLP name, address, business activities or if there are changes to the particulars of the LLP partners or manager. The notification of change must be lodged with the Registrar online within 14 days from the date of change. There is no fee payable when filing these changes. However a penalty may be imposed for late filing.

Annual Filing

The manager of every LLP is required to lodge a declaration stating whether the LLP is solvent or insolvent (i.e. able to pay off its debts or not).

Close a Limited Liability Partnership

There are two ways to close a LLP. A LLP may apply to ACRA to strike its name off ACRA's register. ACRA may approve the application if there is reasonable cause to believe that the LLP is not carrying on business and the LLP is able to satisfy the criteria for striking off. The other way is to wind up the LLP. There are a few types of winding up.

• ​​​​​​​a) Members’ Voluntary Winding up
• b) Creditors’ Voluntary Winding up
• c) Compulsory Winding up

Start a new Public Accounting Firm

A public accounting firm (PAF) is set up by a public accountant for the purpose of providing public accountancy services (audit and reporting on financial statements and performing acts that are required by law to be performed by a public accountant). The other types of entities that public accountants can set up to provide public accountancy services are public accounting corporation and accounting limited liability partnership.

The first step is to choose a name for the PAF and then register the PAF. This can be done in two stages or all at one go.

There is now the option of purchasing a Special UEN (Unique Entity Number) for your PAF where you choose the numbers. A UEN is your PAF's unique identification number that will be used in all interactions with government agencies.

Make Changes

The Registrar of Public Accountants must be notified when there are changes such as to your business activity, registered place of business, partners, etc. Changes relating to the addition or withdrawal of the partners require the endorsement (consent) of all the partners if the transaction is lodged by the public accountant i.e. without the help of a registered filing agent. The notification of the change must be made within 30 days from the date of the change. A penalty may be imposed if the change is notified after 30 days.

Close a Public Accounting Firm

A public accountant can apply to cease (revoke) his public accounting firm if he does not wish to continue providing public accountancy services (audit and reporting on financial statements and performing acts that are required by law to be performed by a public accountant) under the entity.

Register as a Public Accountant

Under the Accountants Act, anyone who wishes to practise as a Public Accountant must register with ACRA. The applicant must meet the prescribed requirements for registration as set out in the Accountants Act and its subsidiary legislation. A public accountant (PA) can provide public accountancy services such as audit and reporting on financial statements, and such other activities which the law requires to be done by a PA e.g. a judicial manager. Persons who intend to provide only book-keeping, accounting, taxation or consultancy services i.e. non-audit services need not be registered as PAs.

Make Changes

This is to change the personal particulars of a public accountant. The notification of the change must be made within 30 days from the date of the change. A penalty may be imposed if the change is notified after 30 days.

Renew as a Public Accountant

This is to renew your registration as a public accountant. Public Accountants must meet certain renewal requirements.

De-register as a Public Accountant

This is to cancel your registration as a public accountant if you do not wish to continue to practise as a public accountant.

Register as an Approved Liquidator

A liquidator is an officer appointed when a company goes into winding up or liquidation. He is responsible for collecting all of the company’s assets and settling all claims against the company before putting the company into dissolution. A person will need to be an approved liquidator in order to be appointed as a liquidator for compulsory winding up (by the Court or creditors). There is no need to register to be an approved liquidator if the person is only performing voluntary winding up (by members or creditors).

Make Changes

This is to change the personal particulars of an approved liquidator.

Renew as an Approved Liquidator

This is to renew the approval as an approved liquidator under the Companies Act.

De-register as an Approved Liquidator

This is to cancel the liquidator's approval.

Register as a Filing Agent/ Qualified Individual

Companies performing corporate secretarial services are also known as corporate service providers (CSPs). Persons wishing to provide CSP services and carry out filing transactions using using BizFile+ must first be registered as a Filing Agent (FA). A registered FA may carry out a transaction with ACRA only if he acts by or through a registered Qualified Individual (QI). A Filing Agent may include a law firm, accounting firm or corporate secretarial firm that provides statutory filing services for its clients. A Qualified Individual may include advocates and solicitors, public accountants, chartered accountants and corporate secretarial agents.

Make Changes

A Registered Filing Agent (RFA) must notify ACRA if there are changes to the particulars of the RFA such as its nature of business or a change in filing rights. This application can only be filed by authorised officer(s) of the RFA.

A Registered Qualified Individual (RQI) must notify ACRA when there are changes to the personal particulars of the RQI. This application can only be filed by the RQI himself.

Renew as a Filing Agent/ Qualified Individual

An application for the renewal of registration of a Registered Filing Agent (RFA)/ Registered Qualified Individual (RQI) to renew its firm's/ his registration as a RFA/RQI must be made within 60 days before the registration expiry date. A RFA/ RQI may choose to renew its/ his registration for a period of 1 year or 2 years.

De-register as Filing Agent/ Qualified Individual

This is to de-register your firm/ yourself as a Registered Filing Agent/ Registered Qualified Individual.

Register as Group of Companies

A holding company together with its subsidiary (or subsidiaries) are collectively known as group of companies (GC) in BizFile+. The holding company can register for filing access in Bizfile for authorised person(s) to carry out transactions with ACRA on behalf of the GC. The authorised person can be a secretary, an employee or qualified individual appointed, employed or engaged by the GC and who is not a registered filing agent. At least one secretary from the holding company must also be appointed as the group secretary (GS).

Make Changes

This is to update the particulars of Group Secretary, appoint or withdraw Group Secretary(s) within the entities ; add or remove subsidiaries and employees with rights to file transactions for subsidiaries on behalf of the parent company.

De-register as Group of Companies

This is to de-register the filing access for your Group of Companies.

General

This refers to filing eServices such as Notice of Error, Order of Court, Notification of Cessation of officer, General Lodgement, etc.

Business Related Services

Business owners can sign up for a whole suite of value added business related services via One Stop Shop @ACRA.

Deposit Service Account

DSA is a payment mode designed for business entities and filing agents whereby money is placed in the DSA from which fees for Bizfile and i-Shop transactions can be subsequently deducted. Initial deposit of $300 is needed to open the DSA.

Users can generate a DSA statement for reference. A DSA can be terminated at any time.