Company Formation & Corporate Services in Singapore
Singapore isn’t the cheapest jurisdiction, and it shouldn’t be sold as one. What it offers is credibility: a stable legal system, a bank that will actually open your account, and a compliance record that stands up when a partner, investor, or regulator checks it. We position Singapore as the jurisdiction you choose for trust, not for tax.
Foreign Founder Checklist
| Requirement | What it means |
|---|---|
| Local director | At least one director must be a Singapore resident (citizen, PR, or valid work-pass holder). BYB can advise on and coordinate resident-director arrangements, always with clear governance, KYC, and directors’-duties safeguards — this is not a passive nominee arrangement. |
| Company secretary | A qualified company secretary must be appointed within 6 months of incorporation. |
| Registered office | A local registered office address is required. |
| Annual return | Filed annually with ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority). |
| Corporate tax return | Filed annually with IRAS (Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore). |
| Beneficial ownership | Register of Registrable Controllers must be maintained and kept current. |
Ownership & Tax Snapshot
Singapore permits 100% foreign ownership of a private limited company; the local-director requirement above is about governance, not ownership. Corporate tax is 17%, with partial tax exemptions available on the first tranche of chargeable income for qualifying companies.
Singapore does not have a general capital gains tax, so gains of a genuinely capital nature are typically not taxed — but gains that IRAS considers revenue or trading in nature (for example, frequent share trading as a business activity) can be taxable. This distinction depends on the facts of each case, so we don’t market Singapore on a blanket “0% capital gains” promise.
The Setup Process
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Name application and structure confirmation with ACRA.
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Appointment of local director and qualified company secretary.
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Incorporation filing and constitutional documents.
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Registered office and business licence(s) as required by activity.
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Bank account introduction and IRAS tax registration.
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Employment Pass / Dependant’s Pass applications for relocating staff, where relevant.
Singapore Registrars & Regulators
| Role | |
|---|---|
| ACRA | Registrar of companies: incorporation, annual returns and the register of controllers |
| IRAS | Corporate income tax and GST registration and returns |
| Ministry of Manpower (MOM) | Employment Pass and other work passes for relocating staff |
| Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) | Licensing for regulated financial activities only |
Ongoing Compliance Calendar
Annual
- ACRA annual return
- IRAS corporate tax return (Form C-S/C)
- AGM or written resolution
As applicable
- XBRL financial statement filing for applicable companies
Ad hoc
- Register of Registrable Controllers updates within required timeframes
Singapore At A Glance
Main Industries
Why Choose This Market
- Credibility with banks and investors: A Singapore company with a clean filing record stands up when a bank, partner or investor checks it.
- A regional hub for Asia-Pacific: A base for regional headquarters, treasury and trade across Asia, backed by an extensive tax-treaty network.
- Stable legal system: A common-law legal system and a predictable regulator make long-term planning straightforward.
Questions We Are Actually Asked
Your question is not here? Put it to an advisor who works on Singapore every week.
Book a ConsultationDo I need to live in Singapore to own a company there?
No. You can own 100% of the company from anywhere. You do need at least one Singapore-resident director, which we can help arrange with proper governance safeguards.
Is it true Singapore has no capital gains tax?
Generally, gains of a capital nature aren’t taxed. But gains IRAS views as revenue or trading in nature can be taxable — this depends on your specific activity, so we assess it rather than promise a blanket exemption.
When does a Singapore company need to register for GST?
Registration becomes compulsory once taxable supplies exceed S$1 million over 12 months, or are expected to. Below that, voluntary registration is possible but brings its own obligations for at least two years, so we look at your customer mix before recommending it.
Do I need a company secretary in Singapore?
Yes. A qualified company secretary, resident in Singapore, must be appointed within six months of incorporation. We can act in this role or coordinate the appointment.
Can I move to Singapore to run my company?
Usually through an Employment Pass, which the Ministry of Manpower assesses against salary, qualifications and other criteria. It is an application, not an entitlement that comes with incorporation, so we review eligibility before you plan a move around it.
Checked against ACRA and IRAS guidance on director residency requirements and the capital-gains/trading-income distinction, 31 Aug 2026.
Regulatory and tax rules change. This page is general information about Singapore, not tax or legal advice — we confirm the current position for your activity before you commit to a structure.
Explore Other Countries We Cover
The scale opportunity, with FDI and compliance rules that reward getting the structure right first time.
Explore → UzbekistanCentral Asia’s most populous market, opening fast, with IT Park and free economic zone incentives.
Explore → Hong KongA common-law gateway to Asia with territorial profits tax, once you know where your profits are sourced.
Explore → UAEFree zone or mainland — the fastest-moving hub in the region, if you choose the right structure first.
Explore →Not Sure Which Structure Fits?
Bring us the business you actually plan to run in Singapore, and we will tell you honestly whether this is the right jurisdiction for it — and which structure inside it makes sense.