Setting Up a Private Limited Company in Singapore

• Starting a Private Limited Company
• Types of Private Limited Company
• Features of a Singapore Private Limited Company
• Advantages of a Private Limited Company
• Disadvantages of a Private Limited Company
• Minimum Setup Requirements to Register a Pte. Ltd. Company
• What you need to know before Incorporation
• Opening a corporate bank Account
• Post Registration and Compliance

Starting a Private Limited Company

Most companies in Singapore are registered as Private Limited companies. Such Private Limited companies are usually required to have the suffix “Private Limited“, “Pte Ltd” or “Ltd” as part of the company name.

In some parts of the world, Private Limited companies are commonly referred to as corporations, Incorporated (“Inc.”), limited liability companies, unlimited companies as part of their name, though the latter cannot be used in Singapore.  The registration of companies in Singapore is done through the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).

Types of Private Limited Companies in Singapore

1. Private Limited Company

   A private limited company is a locally incorporated company where the maximum number of shareholders is limited to 50. A private company is one whose memorandum or articles of association restricts the right of its members to transfer their shares in the company. The restriction on the right to transfer shares in a private company usually takes the form of a requirement that the transfer is first approved by the company’s board of directors or a requirement that the shares be first offered to be transferred to existing shareholders.

2. Public Company Limited by Shares

   A Public Company Limited by Shares is a locally incorporated company in which the number of shareholders can be more than 50. Public companies may or may not be listed on a stock exchange. Where they are so listed, they are usually referred to as “listed companies”. The company may raise capital by offering shares and debentures to the public. A public company must register a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore before making any public offering of shares and debentures.

3. Public Company Limited by Guarantee

   A Public Company Limited by Guarantee carries out non-profit activities with the national or public interest, such as the promotion of art or charity. The Minister may approve the registration of the company without the addition of the word “Limited” or “Berhad” to its name.

Features of a Singapore Private Limited Company

• A Private limited company in Singapore is an independent legal entity separate from its owners – it can sue and be sued in its name, and the company’s directors and shareholders are not liable for the company’s debts.
• Company directors and shareholders have limited liability to the company. As long as the shares are paid up, then there are no other obligations of the members/shareholders to the company’s creditors, and their personal assets are protected from these creditors.
• It can own property
• A minimum of 1 and a maximum of 50 shareholders
• A Singapore Private Limited Company is considered a tax resident; it is eligible for local tax exemptions and incentives making it an attractive option for businesses looking to optimise their tax position.

Advantages of a Private Limited Company

Among the advantages of a Private Limited company is that, by incorporating a Private Limited company, the entrepreneur conveys a professional commitment, therefore, increasing the company’s chances of obtaining commercial loans from banks/ financial institutions.

A Private Limited company is also a vehicle that enjoys special tax exemptions and incentives— for instance, newly incorporated companies in Singapore can enjoy tax exemption benefits under the SUTE scheme- the first S$100,000 of taxable income is exempt from 75% of taxes and 50% tax exemption on the next S$100,000 of chargeable income for the first three consecutive years of assessment.

Qualifying conditions:

• Not more than 20 individual shareholders
• Where there are corporate shareholders, at least 1 shareholder should be an individual with a minimum 10% shareholding

The Advantages of Setting up a Private Limited Company in Singapore Include:

• Shareholders not personally liable for debts and losses of the company.
• Profits taxed at corporate tax rates. Dividends are tax-free in the hands of shareholders
• Newly incorporated companies are entitled to tax incentives and exemptions.
• The company, as a separate legal entity, does not cease to exist if one or more of its shareholders die.
• Ownership of a company can be transferred and additional shareholders can be appointed.
• Shareholders’ personal assets are protected since they are not personally liable for debts and losses of the company.
• Ownership is transferable and additional shareholders can be appointed thus enabling additional capital injection for expansion purposes.
• Conveys a professional commitment and vision hence maximises the potential of loans from banks and other financial institutions and also establishes a credible image among the business community.
• Company is perpetual and business operations are undisturbed by changes in shareholders or the holding pattern.

Disadvantages of a Private Limited Company

Among the disadvantages of incorporating a Private Limited company is that Directors must disclose to the company information about their interests in the company’s shares, contracts and debentures.

• It is governed by rules and regulations stipulated in the Singapore Companies Act. Violation of rules and regulation will result in penalties.
• Annual Returns and Directors’ Reports are required and must be filed, and thus the company must have at least one director and one company secretary.
• Greater disclosure and administration requirements, therefore operating costs are generally higher.
• Directors must disclose to the company information about their interests in the company’s shares, contracts, and debentures.
• Companies can be more expensive to set up.
• Companies must maintain on-going compliance with ACRA/IRAS

Minimum Setup Requirements to Register a Pte. Ltd. Company

• 1 Shareholder (individual or corporate entity)
• 1 Resident Director
• 1 Company Secretary
• Initial paid-up share capital of at least S$1
• A physical Singapore registered office address

Recommend from us download our Private Limited Company guide »

What Do You Need to Know Before Incorporating a Private Limited Company in Singapore?

Incorporating Singapore Companies

A Singapore Company comes into existence upon registration under the Companies Act. It can have a minimum of 1 member. The members can be individuals or corporations. Members of a company are most commonly referred to as ‘shareholders’.

The Private Limited company is governed by the Singapore Companies Act and has to also comply with the laws, rules, and regulations under ACRA and the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, among others.

Singapore Company Name

The company name must be approved by ACRA before the Singapore Company can be incorporated. ACRA will reject a proposed company name for incorporation if:

• It is identical to another existing Company Name
• It is undesirable
• Names or trademarks which are similar to established names such as Coca-Cola and Temasek

Frequently asked questions about naming your Singapore company »

Shareholders

A minimum of at least one corporate or individual shareholder is required. A director and shareholder can be the same or different person. 100% local or foreign shareholding is allowed. The Singapore Companies Act allows a minimum of one and a maximum of 50 shareholders for a Singapore Private Limited Company. Details of shareholders will appear on public records.

Resident Directors

Singapore Private Limited Company must have at least one director who must be an “ordinarily” resident in Singapore, which means a Singapore citizen, a Singapore permanent resident or a person who holds an Employment Pass/Entrepass or a Dependants’ Pass with a residential address in Singapore.

There is no limit on the number of additional local or foreign directors a Singapore Private Limited Company can appoint. The director must be at least 18 years of age, and must not be bankrupt or convicted for any criminal malpractice in the past. Information about the directors will appear in public records. Directors can also be shareholders or vice versa.

The following persons are disqualified from acting as company directors:

• Undischarged bankrupts (unless they get permission from the High Court or the Official Assignee);
• Persons who are under disqualification orders made by the Court;
• Persons convicted of specified offences or offences involving fraud or dishonesty punishable with imprisonment for three months or more. (The disqualification is for five years from the date of conviction of the relevant offence, or, where the person has been sent to prison, from the date of release).

Related content: What to know about Singapore Nominee Directors »

Company Secretary

All Singapore Companies must appoint a competent Company Secretary. The company secretary must be a natural person who is “ordinarily” resident in Singapore. The Singapore Companies Act requires companies to each appoint a company secretary within six months of incorporation.

As a company secretary, you will become an officer of the company, sharing legal responsibilities with the directors for certain tasks required by the Companies Act.

The company secretary is responsible for the efficient administration of a company, particularly concerning ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements and for ensuring that decisions of the board of directors are implemented.

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Appointment of Auditors

All Singapore incorporated companies must appoint an auditor within 3 months from the date of incorporation unless the company is exempted from audit requirements. The Singapore Companies Act allows qualifying companies to reduce regulatory costs as they have fewer audit requirements to comply with, such as:

• No requirement for its profit and loss accounts, or consolidated accounts and balance sheets to be audited by an approved auditor;
• No requirement to provide members of the company with copies of the auditors’ report;
• No requirement to present copies of the auditors’ report at its Annual General Meeting (“AGM”).

Under the regime, a company qualifies as a “small company” and is exempted from audit if it meets at least 2 out of 3 of the following criteria:

1. Total Revenue not more than S$10 million;
2. Total Assets of not more than S$10 million; or
3. Number of employees not more than 50.

Note: The audit exemption for small company criterion will apply to companies for a financial year commencing on or after the effective date of the change in law.

Share Capital/Paid-up Capital

The minimum paid-up capital for registration of a Singapore company is S$1 or its equivalent in any currency. The minimum issued capital is one share of par value. “Bearer” shares or “No par value” shares are not permitted. The Share or paid-up capital can be increased anytime after incorporation of the company.

The issued share capital of the company is the total number of shares existing in the company multiplied by the nominal value of each share. Shares in a private company are usually transferred by private agreement between the seller and the buyer, as shares in a private company may not by law be offered to the general public.

More information on Paid-up Capital »

Registered Address

Every Private Limited company must have a registered office, which does not need to be its usual business address. It is sometimes the company’s lawyers or accountants, for example. The registered address must be a physical address and cannot be a PO Box. Use of residential address is allowed for certain types of business.

All official letters and documentation from the government departments (including  ACRA & Inland Revenue) will be sent to this address, and it must be shown on all official company documentation.  If a company changes its registered office address after incorporation, the new address must be notified to ACRA.

Governance Structure

The governance structure of a company and the interrelationship between the company and its shareholders is governed by the company’s constitutional documents (the Memorandum of Association and the Articles of Association) as well as by the provisions of the Companies Act.

Note that as of 1/1/2016, the memorandum and articles of association have been merged and renamed into a single document called the “Constitution”. All existing companies incorporated before the date will not be required to merge the documents and simply can continue with their current M&A.

It is also not uncommon to find the members of companies (usually in joint venture arrangements) entering into ‘shareholder agreements’ among themselves to capture some of their key rights and obligations about how the company is to be structured and managed.

Opening a Corporate Bank Account in Singapore

Once the company has been incorporated, you may open a corporate bank account with any of the local or international banks based in Singapore.

Most banks require that the account signatories and directors be physically present in Singapore for paperwork signing when opening the company bank account. If you are unable to come to Singapore, some banks may accept the signing of documents at one of their overseas branches or a Notary Public.

Certificate of Good Standing for Singapore Companies

The Certificate of Good Standing proves the existence of a company registered in Singapore, and that it is still live on ACRA corporate register. It bears the electronic signature of the Assistant Registrar of ACRA and is available for companies only. The name of the company, its incorporation date, status, and activities will be stated on the certificate.

Post-Registration and Compliance

• Licenses and Permits:

  Some business activities in Singapore are subject to regulation by government authorities. Even if your business firm has been registered you cannot begin operation unless you have the necessary approval or license from the relevant government authorities.

  Private schools, video companies, travel agencies, liquor distributors, moneylenders, banks, Financial advisers, childcare centres and importers, wholesalers and retailers of liquor licenses are some examples of businesses that need permits to operate.

• Registered Office Hours:

  You must have a registered office address and the office must be open to the public for a minimum of three hours per day during normal business hours on weekdays.

• Registration Number:

  Business registration numbers issued by ACRA must be on all letterheads, invoices, billings, or other documents used for official business communications.

• Custom Registration:

  If your business activities involve import, export, and transhipment in and out of Singapore, you will need to register your company with the Singapore Customs and obtain a CR Number or commonly known as Custom Registration. The central registration number is mandatory for Singapore companies or organizations engaged in trading activities.

• Singapore Goods and Services Tax Registration:

  Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a tax on the supply of goods and services in Singapore and on the import of goods into Singapore. Goods exported from Singapore and international services provided from Singapore are exempt from GST. The current rate is 9% (w.e.f. 1st January 2024).

  All Singapore businesses must register for GST if their annual taxable revenue is more than S$1 million, or currently making taxable supplies and the annual taxable revenue is expected to be more than S$1 million. The business is expected to register for GST within thirty days from the time it is deemed liable.

  You may also choose to register for GST voluntarily. Approval for voluntary registration is at the discretion of the Comptroller in IRAS. Once approval is given, you must remain registered for at least two years.

• Registration of Singapore Central Provident Fund (CPF):

  The Central Provident Fund or CPF is a compulsory pension fund scheme in which the employer and employee contribute a percentage of the monthly salary to the fund. CPF contribution by the employer is mandatory for all local employees who are Singapore citizens or permanent residents earning more than S$50 a month. The maximum CPF contribution rate for employer and employee is 17% and 20% respectively and can be lower depending on certain factors such as employee age, permanent resident status, etc. CPF contribution for foreign employees is not required.

• Trademark Registration:

  While registering your business with ACRA is crucial, it doesn’t automatically protect your brand identity. To legally safeguard your brand name, logo, or slogan, you need to register it as a trademark with the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS). This exclusive right allows you to prevent others from using similar or identical marks that might mislead consumers.