Essential Documents Required for Singapore Company Incorporation Procedures

Establishing a company in Singapore remains one of the most popular choices for international entrepreneurs due to its favorable tax regime, strong legal framework, and access to global markets. To ensure smooth incorporation, it is essential to understand the required documents, compliance obligations, and updated regulatory requirements.

Company Name Approval

Before incorporation, you must apply to ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority) via BizFile+ for company name approval.

• Names must be unique, not offensive, and not identical to existing entities.

• Certain regulated words (e.g., “bank,” “finance,” “education”) require prior approval from relevant authorities.

• Private companies must end with “Pte. Ltd.”

• Once approved, the name is reserved for 120 days.

Official Reference – ACRA: Choosing a Company Name

Shareholders and Share Capital

• Minimum one shareholder (can be individual or corporate).

• Minimum issued capital is S$1. There is no ACRA rule requiring full payment “within 1 year” or submission of a deposit slip.

• Paid-up capital can be increased at any time.

Official References – ACRA: Share CapitalShares and Shareholders

Directors and Company Secretary

• At least one director must be ordinarily resident in Singapore (citizen, Permanent Resident, or eligible pass holder such as EntrePass or EP).

• A company secretary must be appointed within 6 months; they must be a natural person ordinarily resident in Singapore.

• The same person cannot be both sole director and secretary.

Official Reference – ACRA: Appointing Directors, Company Secretary and Other Key Personnel

Registered Office Address

• A Singapore registered office address is required.

• P.O. Boxes are not allowed.

• The office must be accessible to the public and operational during normal office hours (minimum 3 hours daily).

Official Reference – ACRA: Registered Office Address

Company Constitution

A company must adopt a Constitution (formerly Memorandum & Articles of Association). You may:

• Use ACRA’s Model Constitution (commonly adopted), or

• Submit a customized Constitution.

Official Reference – ACRA: Constitution

Endorsements on BizFile+

After the incorporation application is filed, all officers and shareholders must endorse their consent in BizFile+ within 60 days. (For most other filings, endorsements must be completed within 14 days.) If endorsements are not completed, the application will lapse.

Official Reference – ACRA: BizFile+ Endorsement Guide (PDF)

Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Annual Return

• Companies must hold an AGM within 6 months of their financial year end (FYE) unless exempted.

• Annual Return must be filed within 7 months of FYE.

Official Reference – ACRA: Timeline for Holding AGMs

Auditor Appointment

• All companies must appoint an auditor within 3 months of incorporation, unless exempted.

• A company qualifies for audit exemption if it is a “small company” (meets at least 2 of 3 criteria: revenue ≤ S$10m, assets ≤ S$10m, ≤ 50 employees).

Official Reference – ACRA: Small Company Concept for Audit Exemption

Corporate Tax Filing

• Singapore’s corporate tax rate is a flat 17%, but Start-Up Tax Exemption (SUTE) and Partial Tax Exemption (PTE) apply:

  • SUTE (first 3 YAs): 75% exemption on first S$100k and 50% exemption on next S$100k of chargeable income.

  • PTE (all other companies): 75% exemption on first S$10k and 50% on next S$190k.

• Singapore maintains a DTA network with ~100 jurisdictions.

• Tax filing deadlines:

  • Paper filing: 30 November

  • e-Filing: 30 November (General due date; companies filing Form C-S using approved accounting software get an auto-extension to 15 December for YA 2023–2025 only).

Official References – IRAS: Corporate Income Tax Filing Season 2025Corporate Tax Rate, Rebates and Exemption Schemes

Business Activities

• At incorporation, you must select a primary SSIC code and may add one secondary SSIC code (so up to two activities).

Official Reference – SingStat: Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC)

Bank Account Opening

• After incorporation, companies typically need a corporate bank account.

• Non-face-to-face (NFTF) account opening is possible, but depends entirely on the bank’s risk policies and MAS guidelines. Some banks require in-person visits, while others permit remote onboarding with enhanced due diligence.

Official Reference – MAS: Anti-Money Laundering / Countering the Financing of Terrorism

Documents Required for Incorporation

For ACRA filing:

• Proposed company name and reservation.

• Registered office address.

• Particulars of shareholders, directors, and secretary.

• Share capital details.

• Company Constitution.

• Endorsements by officers and shareholders (within 60 days of lodgement).

For Mirr Asia KYC (additional compliance checks):

• Passport copy and proof of address (≤3 months) of directors and shareholders.

• Corporate shareholder documents (certificate of incorporation, register of directors/shareholders, board resolution).

• Source of funds/source of wealth where required.

(Important: ACRA does not require notarized proof-of-address or bank deposit slips — these are compliance measures by service providers such as Mirr Asia.)

Conclusion

With the right preparation and understanding of Singapore’s updated requirements, entrepreneurs can incorporate quickly and efficiently. Working with a professional service provider ensures both ACRA compliance and proper due diligence for international banking and business operations.