Sole Proprietorship Business Registration

Features of a Sole Proprietorship

• It does not have a separate legal entity
• The owner has unlimited liability
• It cannot own property

Advantages of being a Sole Proprietor

• Quick, easy and least expensive to set up.
• Easy to administer and manage because of undivided authority and control.
• Less administrative duties, on going compliance requirements.
• All the profits generated by the business will be taxed at personal income tax level.
• Easy to close.

Disadvantages of being a Sole Proprietor

• The owner’s assets are at risk since owner is responsible for all debts and losses.
• Earnings are charged at personal income tax rates and is deprived of incentives offered to companies.
• Lack of continuity; the business is identified with the owner therefore not perpetual and it ceases with the death of owner and is not transferable by part.
• Raising capital through loans from institutions or investors is difficult due to inferior image and dependency on sole owner.
• Must renew business registration annually and top up CPF account.
• Sole proprietors do not enjoy tax exemptions and rebates available to corporations.

Summary of Setup Requirements for a Sole Proprietorship

• Minimum one owner
• A Singapore registered office address
• For foreign individuals and companies only: minimum one manager who must be a Singapore resident

Taxation of Singapore Sole Proprietorship

Singapore Sole Proprietorship, though a tax resident, is not considered as a company entity; therefore its profit is taxed at personal income rate.

Notes

If you are a Singapore resident and you want to set up a Sole Proprietorship, you will need to do the following:

• Visit our office with your identification papers. Sole Proprietorship business registration can be done within 10 minutes.

The following documents are needed for registration of a Sole Proprietorship:

• Proposed Sole Proprietorship name
• Copies of NRIC and/or Passport information of the business owner
• Brief description of business activities
• Registered office address for the Sole Proprietorship

To proceed with your Sole Proprietor registration, please come to our office personally with your identification papers.
We will:

• Check your proposed Business name availability
• Follow-up with you to clarify queries (if any) and advise accordingly
• Issue you an invoice for our services.

Upon receiving the payment for our services, we will prepare and file the business registration on your behalf. Once the business has been registered, you may proceed to open a corporate bank account.

Registration of a Sole Proprietorship

Our service for registering a Sole Proprietorship includes:

• Name check and reservation
• Preparation of registration forms
• Our Professional fees inclusive of Govt. fees
• E-Certificate of registration
• Resolution to open a bank account

Registered Office Address

The companies Act requires all Singapore incorporated entity to have a Singapore-based registered address.

• All Singapore Companies require a local registered address for official communication.
• Rikvin can provide a prestigious address if you don’t have one.
• If this option is terminated prematurely, any unused amount is refunded on a pro-rated basis.