Full Guide on Starting a Business in Singapore
- Modified: 28 November 2024
- 12 min read
- Starting a Company
Melissa Yeo
Business Writer
Melissa's unique storytelling expertise makes a difference for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Her background in content and social media spans eight years in various industries, including publishing, ecommerce and marketing. At Osome, she makes everything about running a business less intimidating. From specific accounting and bookkeeping advice to insights for company growth, Melissa's articles help you to take the next step on your entrepreneurship journey.
Setting up a business in Singapore? Good idea. Singapore is one of the best places in the world to start and grow a business. To start a business in Singapore can be easy – if you are well organised.
In this guide, Osome will show you the ropes of setting up a business in Singapore. Our guide will cover all you need to know and those burning questions you need to be answered.
If you don't see your question or concerns addressed, get in touch. We'll be happy to chat with you.
Benefits of Starting Up a Business in Singapore
There are many benefits to setting up a business in Singapore. Namely, the country boasts a robust economy, low tax rates and a smooth (albeit strict) process for incorporating a company.
Singapore's infrastructure is world-class, its workforce well-trained and few rules limiting foreign ownership and operation of a business in Singapore.
Once you're set up here, you can access Singapore's well-developed capital markets to access loans and other financial services. And should you choose to move here, you will enjoy a very high quality of life.
Osome makes incorporating in Singapore effortless. Our experts handle the entire process, ensuring compliance while you focus on building your business. Let us simplify your journey to success.
Exemptions When Starting a Business in Singapore
Not all businesses are required to register with The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).
Example
If you operate under your full name, for example, you are a sole proprietor. There is no need to register with ACRA. The same is true if you are in a partnership and you trade your full names.
The same exemptions exist for:
- Institutions, authorities, persons or funds that are tax-exempt (as identified by Singapore's government).
- Societies or co-operatives registered as such with the government agencies.
- Mutual benefit organisations.
- Trade unions.
If you’re unsure about whether you're exempt from company registration, it’s worth double-checking. Singapore company registration is strictly monitored, and you could face a fine (or even jail time).
Osome can help you unpick Singapore’s registration requirements. This can take time. But by planning ahead, you can speed up the company registration process and avoid delays.
Can Foreigners Open a Business in Singapore
Yes, foreigners can start and operate a business in Singapore. There are very few restrictions on this.
The Singaporean authorities do, however, require at least one resident director. That is, someone based in Singapore. This can be a citizen or a legal resident.
Your business entity also needs a registered address in Singapore. This cannot be a PO box.
Alternatively, you can become a legal resident in Singapore. This means you can set up a business on your own with no need for another director. Or you can remain overseas and use a nominee director service. A nominee director service will help you satisfy all the legal requirements needed to start a business in Singapore.
Nominee director services for your business
Appoint a Nominee Director to meet Singapore’s regulatory requirements with ease. Count on Osome to guide you through Singapore’s complex regulatory landscape.
What Do You Need To Know Before Starting a Business
Make sure you’re ready
To set up a business is one thing. To know why is another. Be prepared for bumps and scrapes along the road as you start your business journey in Singapore.
When things get tough, knowing why you have started a business is a powerful motivator. There is complexity and risk attached to being a business owner. Do you understand the long term challenges?
Before diving into the admin of registering a business, be clear on the what and why of your business. It means you can hit the ground running.
Raise capital
The barrier to entry for business registration in Singapore is low. As in S$1 low. A Singapore company can be registered with a paid-up capital of S$1(or an equivalent in any currency).
Most Singaporean companies incorporate with this nominal value. That said, higher capital is, of course, better and will add to your company’s prestige.
Singapore’s funding infrastructure is highly developed. You can issue shares, get loans, receive investment from VCs, or you can bootstrap your business.
Not enough savings? Here are some ways to increase your capital:
1 Fundraising
A common way to raise funds is by issuing shares in your business. As a limited company, you will be able to do this. Although, it means handing over a stake in your business.
2 Government Schemes
Singapore's government encourages startup and SME growth through various schemes. Three big ones are the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG), the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) and the PACT Scheme.
3 Venture Capital and Angel Investors
Singapore is home to a well-established venture capital (VC) and angel investment network. The country boasts numerous well-established VC funds, and angel investors are common. Try pitching your big idea to one of these players.
Match funding to your needs – equity options suit scaling, while loans and P2P lending help with cash flow. Check grant eligibility and have a clear plan ready!
4 Family and Friends
You might be surprised how much capital friends and family have to invest in new ventures. Ask around. Many people will be sitting on substantial savings and be willing to invest in a new idea.
5 Loans
Debt funding is a staple of starting up. In Singapore, banks offer two kinds of loan: working capital loans and funding. A working capital loan is to help with tight cash flow, while funding is for long-term investment.
6 Peer-to-peer lending
Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending is an excellent option if you can't access bank finance. P2P platforms connect the public with businesses in need of funding. Singapore has numerous P2P marketplaces, and it's a well-established industry.
Singapore workers enjoy extensive protection by the Employment Act. Part IV of the Act outlines the rest days, hours of work, and other conditions of service. Singapore workers enjoy extensive protection by the Employment Act. Part IV of the Act outlines the rest days, hours of work, and other conditions of service.
Comprehensive company incorporation
Incorporate your company and get an Osome corporate secretary to ensure you comply with laws and regulations from the get-go.
Requirements for Starting a Business: What Do I Need?
1 Business structure
Private Limited Company
A private limited company is the most common type of business entity for serious entrepreneurs. As a separate legal entity, a private limited company limits your liability, makes it easier to raise finance and gives your business credibility.
Sole Proprietorship
Sole proprietors trade under their own name. These people do not need to register, and tax is simpler. However, liability is unlimited, as the person and the company are not separate legal entities in this business structure.
Partnership
A partnership, including a limited liability partnership, lets two or more people co-own a business. Unlike a private limited company, this type of business structure is not a separate legal entity, so there is no legal distinction between people and business. And a partner can end the partnership at any time.
2 Activity Type
The Singaporean authorities need to know what industry you’re in. It’s not enough to just tell them. There is a specific code (an SSIC or a Singapore Standard Industrial Classification Code) for different industries.
ACRA will ask you to pick and submit a SSIC code. This code will tell them what you do and what industry you operate in. Not sure what SSIC code you are? Use our SSIC code checker!
Get our free pre-incorporation checklist
A step-by-step checklist to get organised before incorporating your new business
3 Business Name
Just like your business, your company name must be unique! The first step in your Singapore business journey is to choose a company name and validate it with ACRA.
In Singapore, two companies have to be unique. ’Unique’ means the core noun (or nouns) of the name must be different from another business. In other words, changing the definite article or adding a generic word like ’corporation’ to the title won’t cut it.
Look for a unique word or word combination. And remember: your company’s legal name can actually be different from your trading name. Just ensure that your trading name doesn’t infringe on copyright or create trademark issues. Google is your friend with this one.
If you don’t want your company registration to get slowed down, avoid words like ’finance’, ’bank’, ’school’, ’media’, or ’education’.
These types of businesses are regulated by agencies other than ACRA. The relevant agency will have to approve your application. This takes several weeks (compared to one day for normal company registration).
4 Registered business address
Every Singaporean legal entity must have a registered address. This can’t be a PO box. It needs to be an actual address.
If you don’t have a permanent HQ, you can rent a registered address. Singapore has a wealth of companies offering virtual office addresses for entrepreneurs. They collect your correspondence, scan it, and then send it to you.
Any address can be used as a registered address. This includes your home office or even a co-working space.
5 Assemble the team
A business needs people, right? So let’s look at what people you need to start a business in Singapore:
Shareholders
All Singaporean business needs at least one shareholder(with a maximum of 50). There is no limitation on who can be a shareholder. Indeed, Singaporean law allows for complete foreign ownership of Singaporean companies.
Directors
It’s here where resident requirements become a bit more strict. All Singaporean businesses require at least one locally based director. That doesn’t mean ’citizen’, however. This requirement can be met by a legally resident foreigner in Singapore. If you prefer, you can appoint a Nominee Director. A nominee director has no say and is only there to meet the requirements. It’s common practice in Singapore to use the nominee director services, especially for companies with a foreign parent company, as they need to comply with local regulations regarding legal entity status.
Company secretary
Every company is obliged to have this officer. Your company secretary tracks changes in your company compiles papers, and reports to the government. The law demands that you appoint a company secretary within 6 months after the incorporation, but you may need one way earlier. Corporate secretarial services are commonplace in Singapore. If you’re unsure, that’s a good place to start.
6 Paid-up capital
Do you have one Singapore Dollar? Well then, you have enough paid-up capital to set up a business. All Singapore companies have to issue at least one share and, in most cases, S$1 per share is enough.
Paid-up capital can also be in other currencies. You can increase the sum and change the currency any time after your company is incorporated. Obviously, it’s desirable to increase the sum eventually.
But the barrier to entry for starting a company is very low. So don’t let a lack of capital be a complete block to starting your company.
7 Business bank account
Singapore offers entrepreneurs an array of banking options. As a regional finance hub, the country is home to large, legacy banks and new innovators. More established banks may wish to do their KYC checks in person. That is, you will need to come to Singapore.
There are no restrictions on foreigners opening business bank accounts in Singapore. As long as all the correct legal procedure is followed.
Not all banks require you to do KYC in person. Some banks can do that online, if you don’t wish to travel. If you have an adviser in Singapore, ask them for a referral to a bank like this.
What Taxes Will I Pay?
Singapore has double taxation agreements with many countries, so you avoid being taxed twice on the same income. Here are Singapore rates:
- Corporate tax for SME is effectively progressive: from 4.25% on the first S$100,000 to 17% after S$10,000,000
- Once turnover exceeds S$1,000,000, you must register and pay an 8% Goods and Services Tax (GST). However, if you export your goods abroad, the GST rate is 0%.
- Tax on dividends is 0%
- Personal income tax is progressive from 0% to 22%. For example, on salary of S$120,000 it’s S$7,950 (6.6%), on S$250,000 it’s S$30,700 (12.3%).
See detailed calculation below.
Corporate tax rate for SME eligible for the start-up tax exemption (SUTE) scheme
Chargeable income, S$ | Estimated tax, S$ | Effective tax rate |
|---|---|---|
| 100,000 | 4,250 | 4.25% |
| 200,000 | 12,750 | 6.38% |
| 300,000 | 29,750 | 9.92% |
| 400,000 | 46,750 | 11.69% |
| 500,000 | 63,750 | 12.75% |
| 1,000,000 | 148,750 | 14.88% |
| 3,000,000 | 488,750 | 16.29% |
| 5,000,000 | 828,750 | 16.58% |
| 10,000,000 | 1,678,750 | 16.79% |
Personal tax rate
Chargeable income, S$ | Estimated tax, S$ | Effective tax rate |
|---|---|---|
| First 20,000 | 0 | 0% |
| Next 10,000 | 200 | 2.0% |
| Next 10,000 | 350 | 3.5% |
| Next 40,000 | 2,800 | 7.0% |
| Next 40,000 | 4,600 | 11.5% |
| Next 40,000 | 6,000 | 15.0% |
| Next 40,000 | 7,200 | 18.0% |
| Next 40,000 | 7,600 | 19.0% |
| Next 40,000 | 7,800 | 19.5% |
| Next 40,000 | 8,000 | 20.0% |
| Over 320,000 | 44,550 | 22.0% |
File the Corporate Income Tax
Singapore’s corporate tax regime is regarded as one of the most business-friendly in the world. The rate is a flat 17% for all businesses.
Your corporate income tax filing is completed in December. The process is entirely done online via IRAS’s e-filing portal.
If your annual revenue is less than S$5m and you have no chargeable income for the year, there is no need to file. If you are exempt, be sure to keep a close eye on when things change. IRAS (Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore) can and will charge late payment penalties.
Business Processes That Follow Setting Up a Business
Once your Singapore business is set up, you may need to fulfil some additional requirements.
- Licenses and permits: Certain businesses must get approval from the relevant government body. For instance, private schools must receive approval from the Ministry of Education for relevant business licenses.
- Office hours: The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) needs to know your registered office address and its opening hours. These opening hours cannot be less than 3 hours per workday.
- Customs: If you export from or import into Singapore, your business must register with Singapore Customs.
- Goods and Services Tax (GST): GST is the tax levied on the supply of goods and services in Singapore. GST also applies to imported goods. All businesses with a revenue over S$1m must apply GST.
- Singapore Central Provident Fund (CPF): This is Singapore's national pension fund. All employers and employees must contribute some of their income to the fund.
Melissa's unique storytelling expertise makes a difference for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Her background in content and social media spans eight years in various industries, including publishing, ecommerce and marketing. At Osome, she makes everything about running a business less intimidating. From specific accounting and bookkeeping advice to insights for company growth, Melissa's articles help you to take the next step on your entrepreneurship journey.
Get expert tips and business insights
Advice on starting and growing your company, as told by Osome's business community
FAQ
How long does it take to start a business in Singapore?
It mostly depends on when you are comfortable with providing all the details, as well as the service hours of the authorities. Once all the documents are ready, it takes us less than an hour.
Who can set up a Singapore company?
Anyone can open a Singapore business, be it a foreigner or a local. This is according to the Singapore Companies Act. You just need a local registered address, a corporate secretary, a shareholder, and a resident director. You’ll also need a paid-up capital of at least $1. It is possible to increase the share capital after registration of your business. Foreigners would need to appoint a nominee director who is a local resident of Singapore, that is either a citizen or Permanent Resident.
As one of the world's top countries when it comes to tax benefits, favorable government policies, central location, and ease of the process of setting up your business, Singapore has continued to be a popular choice for entrepreneurs and directors to start or expand businesses.
What do I need to start a business?
Our top tip is to do some calculations. While many people wonder how to start a small business in Singapore, their main concern is economic feasibility. Small businesses not planning to scale up may find the company maintenance in Singapore quite costly, especially if they use a nominee service. Yet we still advise comparing Singapore’s tax rates to your home state’s. For certain businesses, the tax savings may cover the registration and maintenance expenses.
What is required information for the online application to register my business?
When registering your business in Singapore, ACRA will require quite a few different documents. You need the following documents to register:
- Your company name (this name must be available for use).
- A brief description of activities and your SSIC Code.
- Details of shareholders and KYC information.
- A registered business address in Singapore.
- Share capital information.
- The company’s constitution.
You cannot complete your company registration without providing these details.
How to open a corporate bank account in Singapore?
Each bank has a different process to open a corporate bank account. It also depends on the passport and the nature of your business. Usually Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents can open a bank account without any documents and signatures, but usually you’ll need certified true copies of important documents such as passport or identity card, residential address proofs, certificate of incorporation, certified copy of the company business profile from the Registrar of Companies, a Board of Directors Resolution, and a certified copy of the Company Constitution.
Bank accounts can be opened for Singapore citizens and PRs remotely. Certain banks will now let foreigners apply for business account opening and pass the bank interview remotely.
What are fees for registration of businesses in Singapore?
Registering a company in Singapore is pretty affordable. Your name application (if it is available for use) will cost you S$15. Once that’s settled, your registration fee is S$300. Both of these fees are payable to ACRA.
Every year following, you must pay S$60 to file your accounts to ACRA. And if you want to change your company type and structure, it will be S$40.
All of these payments and fees can be handled electronically. You do not need to do them in person.
Why do I need a Corporate Secretary?
The law demands that every business appoint a secretary within 6 months after the registration and ever has this position vacant. A good secretary is an indispensable part of your team, but you don’t have to hire an in-house one unless you have a big business entity.
Why do I have to report about my business activity type?
It’s the legal requirement. Every Singapore-registered company must have a local registered address – a material mailbox that is available for at least 5 hours on working days. Your registered address goes on all legal documents, i.e. on whatever letter ACRA or IRAS or other agency may send to you. Osome handles your incoming letters, scans and stores them in your account so you have easy access to all your documents.
Who can become a shareholder of a Singapore company?
To start your business in Singapore, you will need 1-50 shareholders. Shareholders can be a natural person or a company. The shareholder can be a Singapore resident or a foreigner.
The Singapore Companies Act allows 100% foreign ownership holding shares in the company. Most small private limited companies have the same shareholders and directors. The ownership of the company resides with the shareholders, so appointing a nominee Director to fulfill the requirement to set up your business will not affect your shareholding.
Can I move to Singapore if I start a business there?
Of course. There’s a special visa called Employment Pass. The family members may relocate under Dependant Passes. You can get the visas in about 6 months. However, there are some requirements to meet. For example, the salary you’ll be paying yourself should be about S$6,000 ($4,500).
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