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  • Form of entity

    Limited liability company 

    Separate and distinct legal entity with limited liability for its members. The business of a company shall be managed by, or under the direction or supervision of, a board of directors, which is responsible for making major business decisions and overseeing the general affairs of the company. Appointment of directors is generally left to the company's constitution as the Companies Act 1967 of Singapore (CA) does not prescribe the manner in which directors are to be appointed and they are typically nominated by the shareholders of the company. The favorable 1-tier corporate taxation regime proves to be advantageous to shareholders.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Entity set up

    Limited liability company

    • Separate legal entity
    • A company with a share capital may be incorporated as a private company if its constitution contains a limitation on the number of shareholders to not more than 50 members and provides for restrictions on the right to transfer its shares whereas a public company (ie, a company which is not a private company) can have more than 50 members and its Constitution need not provide for similar share transfer restrictions
    • Limited liability for the shareholders, although in exceptional circumstances a court may lift the corporate veil and look up to the members of the company which may result in personal liability
    • 1 tier tax system; taxed on its profits at a corporate level and dividends are distributed to shareholders tax free
    • Typical charter document is company's constitution
    • The business of the company is managed by and under the board of directors who may exercise all powers of the company except any powers reserved for the members in general meeting by the CA or its constitution. Ownership and management of a private company can be separated although we note that in some cases, a member of a private company may also be a director in the same company
    • Shareholders subscribe and/or purchase shares in the company. Shares can come in the form of different classes such as ordinary or preference shares

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Minimum capital requirement

    Limited liability company 

    The minimum paid-up capital requirement is 1 dollar in the currency of the shareholder's choice unless a higher capital requirement is prescribed in a required license.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Legal liability

    Limited liability company 

    The liability of the members to contribute to the debts of the company is limited to the amount that they contributed to the company's capital. However, in certain special circumstances, Singapore courts may lift the corporate veil to find personal liability on the part of the member.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Tax presence

    Limited liability company

    A company is resident for Singapore tax purposes if it is managed and controlled in Singapore. In practice, the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) considers a company managed and controlled in Singapore if the board of directors meetings where strategic decisions are made are held in Singapore.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Incorporation process

    Limited liability company 

    Incorporating a company involves:

    • First obtaining approval for the name of the company (and reserving the name) by way of online application to the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) via BizFile where the details of the director(s), shareholder(s) and the SSIC code for the scope of business activities are required. Once the name application/reservation has been approved, an online application must be submitted via Bizfile setting out details of inter alia, the registered address, share capital, shareholders, directors and company secretary (if applicable) of the company alongside a copy of the company's constitution, and together with the payment of prescribed fees. Each director and company secretary is required to execute a Form 45 and a Form 45B, respectively, prior to being appointed
    • Applying for approvals and licenses from other governmental agencies, if necessary

    It is highlighted that there are stringent "know your client" requirements that must be complied with prior to incorporation.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Business recognition

    Limited liability company 

    Well regarded and widely used.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Shareholder meeting requirements

    Limited liability company 

    A public listed company can hold its annual general meeting within 4 months after its financial year end and file the annual return within 5 months after its financial year end.

    A private listed company can hold its annual general meeting within 6 months after its financial year end and file the annual return within 7 months after its financial year end.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Board of director meeting requirements

    Limited liability company 

    No requirements unless stated under the company's constitution, but generally a minimum of once a year.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Annual company tax returns

    Limited liability company

     

    All companies need to submit corporate income tax forms to Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) every year:

    • Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI) within 3 months from the company's financial year end except for companies that qualify for the administrative concession and entities that are specifically not required to file ECI.
    • Corporate Income Tax Returns, commonly known as Form C-S or Form C, by November 30 (for paper filing) and December 15 (for e-filing) of each year. A dormant company must still submit its income tax return unless it has been granted a waiver by the IRAS.

    For filing of Form C, a company must also submit a complete set of audited accounts (unless the corporation is exempt from the audit requirement) which are accompanied by the directors' report and statement by directors, a tax computation with supporting schedules and relevant claim forms, if applicable, and any other documents to be retained and submitted to IRAS upon request.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Business registration filing requirements

    Limited liability company

    Required to submit an annual return and their annual accounts to the ACRA and annual corporate tax return to the IRAS.  

    However, if a company is an exempt private company that is solvent or a dormant company, they can make the appropriate declarations online instead of submitting their annual accounts. In addition, a dormant company may be exempted by IRAS from the need to submit its Income Tax Return (Form C) if it has been granted such a waiver.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Business expansion

    Limited liability company 

    No need to change as business expands, although we recommend that the company updates the Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) code of the company with the ACRA if there is a change in the company's business activities. This will ensure that the business activities of the company are updated accordingly with the ACRA.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Exit strategy

    Limited liability company 

    A Singapore company may be dissolved by striking off, winding up compulsorily by the courts or voluntarily by its members or creditors.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Annual corporate maintenance requirements

    Limited liability company 

    Appointment of auditor and auditing of financial statements (if no exemption is available); maintaining accounting records and accounts, holding annual general meetings; filing annual returns with ACRA and tax returns with IRAS. Maintenance of statutory registers as required under the CA.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Director / officer requirements

    Limited liability company 

    At least 1 director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore, which means that the director's usual place of residence is in Singapore and a local residential address is required. Persons who may fulfill such criteria may include a Singapore citizen, Singapore permanent resident, an EntrePass holder or an Employment Pass holder. An Employment Pass holder is however typically required to obtain approval to act as a director of a Singapore company that does not sponsor their employment pass. Any person above the age of 18 years old can be a director of a company. There is no maximum age limit for a director. However, certain individuals (e.g., bankrupts and/or persons convicted of offences involving fraud or dishonesty) are disqualified from holding director positions.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Local corporate secretary requirement

    Limited liability company

    Every company must appoint a company secretary within 6 months from its incorporation. The company secretary must be residing locally in Singapore, and they must not be the sole director of the company. For public companies, the secretary will need to fulfill certain eligibility criteria under the CA. The office of company secretary may not be left vacant for more than 6 months at any time.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Local legal or admin representative requirement

    Limited liability company

    None required for incorporation.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Local office lease requirement

    Limited liability company

    A company incorporated in Singapore must have a registered office in Singapore. DLA Piper Singapore can arrange for a local registered address of a corporate secretarial agent that communications may be sent to for an annual fee.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Other physical presence requirements

    Limited liability company

    Foreigners who do not have a SingPass or CorpPass must engage a registered filing agent (eg, law firm, accounting firm or corporate secretarial firm) to submit the online application on his or her behalf. Local residents can choose to self-register the company.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Sufficiency of virtual office

    Limited liability company

    Sufficient for incorporation so long as the company has a registered office as set out in Local office lease requirement.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Provision of local registered address by law firm or third-party service provider

    Limited liability company 

    May be obtained from law firms or third-party service providers subject to certain criteria.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Provision of local director or corporate secretary by law firm or third-party service provider

    Limited liability company 

    May be obtained from law firms or third-party service providers subject to certain criteria.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Nationality or residency requirements for shareholders, directors and officers

    Limited liability company

    Shareholders: none.

    Directors: minimum requirement of 1 director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Restrictions regarding appointment of nominee shareholders or directors

    Limited liability company

    Please see Director requirements.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Summary of director's, officer's and shareholder's authority and limitations thereof

    Limited liability company 

    Directors are typically nominated by the shareholders and are the highest authority in the management of the Corporation. They govern the organization by establishing broad policies and objectives unless otherwise required by the CA or the constitution of the company.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Public disclosure of identity of directors, officers and shareholders

    Limited liability company 

    Identity of directors, shareholders and company secretary are publicly disclosed.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Minimum and maximum number of directors and shareholders

    Limited liability company

    There is a minimum number of 1 shareholder. For private companies, the number of shareholders should not be more than 50 (counting joint holders of shares as 1 person and not counting any person in the employment of the company or of its subsidiary or any person who while previously in the employment of the company or of its subsidiary was and thereafter has continued to be a member of the company).

    For directors, the minimum number of directors required is 1 person, who is locally resident and there is no maximum unless otherwise stated in the constitution.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Minimum number of shareholders required

    Limited liability company

    1 shareholder is sufficient.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Removal of directors or officers

    Limited liability company

    Depends on the company's constitution. Typically for private companies and subject to the company's constitution, directors can be removed by the passing of an ordinary resolution of the shareholders at a general meeting. For public companies, the CA provides that shareholders may by ordinary resolution remove a director before the expiration of his or her period of office, notwithstanding anything in its constitution or in any agreement between it and the director but, where any director so removed was appointed to represent the interests of any particular class of shareholders or debenture holders, the resolution to remove them shall not take effect until their successor has been appointed.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Required and optional officers

    Limited liability company

    Required: 1 local resident director or nominee director, auditor (unless exempted) and secretary.

    Optional: managing director and chief executive officer.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Board meeting requirements

    Limited liability company

    None under the CA and is typically set out under the constitution.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Quorum requirements for shareholder and board meetings

    Limited liability company

    At any general meeting, the company's constitution may specify a quorum. If the quorum is not stated, any 2 members personally present at the meeting are enough to form the quorum, unless the company has only 1 member, in which case such member is sufficient. In addition, shareholders may also pass circular resolutions if permitted under the constitution.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Must a bank account be opened prior to incorporation, and must the bank account be local?

    Limited liability company

    Not necessary for incorporation. Upon successful registration, a corporate account can be opened with any major Singapore bank.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Auditing of local financials. If so, must the auditor be located in local jurisdiction, and must the company's books be kept locally?

    Limited liability company

    Companies which are dormant or companies which are considered small companies (as defined under the CA) are exempt from appointing auditors. In all other cases, the audited accounts of the company must be presented at the company's Annual General Meeting and the auditor must be one that is approved under the Accountants Act 2004 of Singapore. The small company audit exemption is applicable if a Singapore company (which is a private company throughout the financial year in question) is able to satisfy 2 of the following 3 criteria for each of the 2 financial years immediately preceding the financial year:

    • Total revenue for each financial year is less than or equal to SGD10 million;
    • Total assets for each financial year is less than or equal to SGD10 million; and
    • Total employees as at the end of each financial year are fewer than or equal to 50

    The above criteria must be fulfilled in respect of the entire group (including the parent company) on a consolidated basis for the immediate 2 consecutive financial years if the Singapore company is part of a group.

    Usually the accounts are kept at the registered office of the company, but the directors can decide to keep them at a different place as they see fit by way of a resolution of the board of directors, and shall at all times be open to inspection by the directors.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Requirement regarding par value of stock

    Limited liability company

    In Singapore, shares of a company have no par value or nominal value.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Increasing of capitalization if needed

    Limited liability company

    Share capital can be increased any time after incorporation.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Summary of how funds can be repatriated from your jurisdiction (ie dividends or redemption)

    Limited liability company

    No restriction on the free entry and repatriation of funds, subject to any anti-money laundering laws.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Restrictions on transferability of shares

    Limited liability company

    Subject to any restrictions of share transfers in the constitution, a shareholder of the company may sell or transfer their shares to others. Such transfer is completed after a directors' resolution of the company, transferor and transferee (if applicable) is passed, the share transfer form is executed, any applicable stamp duty is paid, notice of transfer of shares/list of shareholders is filed with ACRA and the electronic register of members (for private companies) is updated.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Obtaining a name and naming requirements

    Limited liability company

    An application for approval of name change has to be obtained from ACRA and a special resolution has to be passed in favor of the name change at an Extraordinary General Meeting or by circular resolution of the shareholders. The name change is effective upon the receipt of the notice of incorporation of company under the new name evidencing the filing of this resolution with ACRA. The new name should not be identical to another, undesirable or contain restricted words.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Summary of "know your client" requirements

    Limited liability company

    Legal service providers are required to complete stringent KYC procedures which includes identifying ultimate beneficial individual owners of shares and verifying the residential addresses of directors.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Approval requirements for amending charter document

    Limited liability company

    A special resolution is required to be passed (being a resolution passed with not less than 75 percent of members present and voting and entitled to vote) for amending the constitution of the company.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Licenses required to conduct business in jurisdiction

    Limited liability company

    Licenses are required for certain specified groups, which include banking, insurance, financial services, consumer credit related services and employment and maid agencies.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Process of purchasing and utilizing a shelf company

    Limited liability company

    Shelf companies may be purchased from 3rd party service providers, though this is uncommon in Singapore.

    Last modified 28 Jun 2022

  • Key contacts
    Katherine Chew
    Katherine Chew
    Partner DLA Piper Singapore Pte. Ltd. [email protected] T +65 6512 6046 View bio
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Director / officer requirements

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Singapore

Limited liability company 

At least 1 director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore, which means that the director's usual place of residence is in Singapore and a local residential address is required. Persons who may fulfill such criteria may include a Singapore citizen, Singapore permanent resident, an EntrePass holder or an Employment Pass holder. An Employment Pass holder is however typically required to obtain approval to act as a director of a Singapore company that does not sponsor their employment pass. Any person above the age of 18 years old can be a director of a company. There is no maximum age limit for a director. However, certain individuals (e.g., bankrupts and/or persons convicted of offences involving fraud or dishonesty) are disqualified from holding director positions.

Last modified 28 Jun 2022

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