In short
Singapore taxes company profit at 17%, with exemptions that cut the rate on the first S$200,000. Foreign income is generally taxed only when received in Singapore.
Facts checked November 2026
Singapore company formation
A Singapore private limited company, filed with ACRA, with the resident director, company secretary and registered office the law requires.
Pte. Ltd.from $2,490 one-time
- 1–3 days after KYC
- 17% flat corporate tax
- Resident director included
At a glance
- Company types
- Private limited company from $2,490
- People
- At least one shareholder and one director. One director must live in Singapore. Ours, arranged through a registered provider, is included for year one.
- Company secretary
- Mandatory within 6 months, and must live in Singapore. Included for year one.
- Registered office
- A Singapore address open to the public at least 3 hours each business day. Ours is included for year one.
- Shares
- From one share. Shareholders can be 100% foreign.
- Government fees
- S$315 to reserve the name and register, included for year one.
- Controllers
- Your company keeps a register of controllers and lodges it with ACRA, within 7 days of any change.
- Every year
- Annual return to ACRA, ECI and Form C-S to IRAS, and nominee and secretary renewal.
- Timeline
- 1–3 days after KYC
Taxes, explained simply
Your company pays
-
17%
Corporate income tax
A flat rate, reduced by partial exemption or the start-up exemption for the first 3 years.
-
9%
GST
Registration is required once taxable sales pass S$1 million in 12 months.
You personally
-
0%
Tax withheld on dividends
Singapore withholds nothing on dividends. Interest and royalties paid abroad can be.
-
Remittance
Foreign income
Taxed when received in Singapore, with exemptions for income already taxed at 15% or more.
The start-up exemption needs the company to be managed and controlled from Singapore. Your home country may also tax the profit under its own rules. Foreign disposal gains received in Singapore are taxed if the company lacks real activity there.
How it works
-
Register with ACRA
We reserve your name and file your Pte. Ltd. on BizFile+.
You get: ACRA business profile
-
Appoint local officers
A resident director and a company secretary, as the law requires.
You get: Officer appointments
-
Get a registered office
A Singapore address, open to the public 3 hours each business day.
You get: Singapore address
-
Open bank or EMI
We introduce you to a bank or EMI and prepare your file.
You get: Bank-ready file
-
Stay compliant
Annual return to ACRA, then ECI and Form C-S to IRAS each year.
You get: Deadline reminders
What’s included
Fixed one-time prices. Government fees are shown before you pay.
Explorer
$2,490one-time
Singapore Pte. Ltd., gov. fees included
- Constitution and ACRA filing
- Year-one resident nominee director
- Year-one company secretary and registered office
- Compliance reminders
- Email support
Go
$2,990one-time
Singapore Pte. Ltd., gov. fees included
Everything in Explorer, plus:
- Bank or EMI introduction
- First annual return and ECI filing
- WhatsApp support
Pro
$3,890one-time
Singapore Pte. Ltd., gov. fees included
Everything in Go, plus:
- Multi-bank support until an account opens
- Year-one bookkeeping and Form C-S
- Apostilled document set
- Priority support, same-day replies
What you’ll need
- Passport of every shareholder and director
- Proof of residential address for each of them
- Source of funds, such as a statement or bank reference
- Two company name choices. We add Pte. Ltd.
- What the company will do, in plain words
Banking
- Go includes a bank or EMI introduction. Pro adds multi-bank support until an account opens.
- Fintech accounts onboard remotely. A local bank may ask directors to visit in person.
- On Explorer, add bank account help for $199.
Approval is always the bank’s or provider’s decision.
After formation: what’s due
| When | What |
|---|---|
| 3 months after year end | Estimated Chargeable Income to IRAS, unless waived |
| 7 months after year end | Annual return and financial statements to ACRA |
| 30 November | Form C-S or Form C corporate tax return to IRAS |
| Within 7 days of a change | Controller and nominee register updates to ACRA |
| Every year | Nominee director, secretary and address, in our $2,290 annual plan from month 13 |
Singapore company formation FAQs
How long does it take to form a Singapore company?
Usually 1–3 days after your identity checks are approved. ACRA approves most filings soon after payment.
Do I need a local director?
Yes. One director must live in Singapore. Ours is included for year one, arranged through a registered corporate service provider.
How much tax does a Singapore company pay?
17% on profit, with exemptions on the first S$200,000. New companies can get a larger start-up exemption for 3 years.
Is foreign income taxed?
Generally only when received in Singapore, and often exempt if already taxed at 15% or more abroad.
Does my company need an audit?
Not if it is a small company: two of revenue up to S$10 million, assets up to S$10 million or 50 staff.
What do I file every year?
An annual return to ACRA within 7 months of year end, plus ECI and Form C-S to IRAS. We send reminders.
Can you help me open a bank account?
Yes. Go includes a bank or EMI introduction, and Pro adds multi-bank support. Approval is always the bank’s decision.
Can I move my existing Singapore company to you?
Yes, for $290 plus the annual plan. Your current secretary hands over the statutory registers first.
Sources (8)
Rates and fees from official and Big Four sources, with the date each was last reviewed.
- ACRA: Registering a local company 2026
- IRAS: Corporate income tax rate, rebates and exemptions 2026
- IRAS: Companies receiving foreign income 2026
- PwC Tax Summaries: Singapore corporate 2 Jul 2026
- PwC Tax Summaries: Singapore withholding taxes 2 Jul 2026
- ACRA: Corporate Service Providers Act 2024 9 Jun 2025
- ACRA: Registers of nominee directors and shareholders 16 Jun 2025
- ACRA: Review of the audit exemption framework Mar 2026
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rates and fees change, and your own situation decides what applies. We are not a law firm; where a lawyer or licensed agent is needed, a local partner handles it.
