Starting a Company
Foreign Ownership Rules for Singapore Companies: What Overseas Shareholders Must Know
Understand Singapore’s foreign ownership rules for companies, resident director requirements, sector approvals (MAS, IMDA) and IRAS tax residency — what overseas shareholders must know.
Setting Up a Singapore Company for Property Investment: Tax and Structuring Guide
A practical Singapore guide to structuring a company for property investment, tax considerations (IRAS, GST), corporate compliance (ACRA) and common pitfalls.
Incorporating a Tech Startup in Singapore: Cap Tables, ESOP and Investor Expectations
Guide to incorporating a tech startup in Singapore: cap tables, ESOP design, investor expectations, ACRA filings, tax and employment considerations. Practical steps.
Incorporating an E‑commerce Business in Singapore: Licences, Tax and Logistics Basics
Learn how to incorporate an e‑commerce business in Singapore, including licences, GST, tax, payroll and logistics essentials to stay compliant with ACRA, IRAS and MOM.
Incorporating a Professional Services Firm (Law, Accounting, Consultancy) in Singapore: Special Issues
Practical guidance on incorporating law, accounting or consultancy firms in Singapore, covering ACRA, licences, resident directors, GST, CPF, PDPA and compliance.
How to Choose the Right Constitution for Your Singapore Company
Learn how to choose and amend a company constitution in Singapore under the Companies Act, including ACRA filing, special resolutions and practical examples.
Name Reservation Rules in Singapore: How to Increase Your Chances of ACRA Approval
Learn Singapore name reservation rules under the Companies Act and BizFile+ to improve ACRA approval chances. Practical steps, common mistakes and examples.
Incorporating a Non‑Profit or Company Limited by Guarantee in Singapore: Key Steps
Learn the key steps to incorporate a non-profit or Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) in Singapore under the Companies Act, with ACRA filing and compliance guidance.
Setting Up an Offshore Company in Singapore: What Is Allowed and What to Watch For
Learn what is allowed when setting up an offshore company in Singapore, key compliance rules (ACRA, IRAS, Companies Act), common pitfalls and practical steps to stay compliant.
Redomiciling a Foreign Company to Singapore: Process, Requirements and Considerations
Learn the process, key requirements and practical considerations for redomiciling a foreign company to Singapore under the Companies Act, ACRA and MOM guidance.
Running a Company
Sole Proprietorship vs Partnership vs Private Limited: Which Business Structure Should You Choose in Singapore?
Starting a business in Singapore is an exciting venture, but one of the most critical decisions you will make happens before you even issue your first invoice: choosing the right business structure. In Singapore, the three most common entities are Sole...
The Raffles Corporate Services unique advantage
Typically, our blog posts would be about how to run a company, accounting and tax matters or employment related topics. This article is going to be very different. This is an article to explain the unique proposition Raffles Corporate Services offers to corporate...
Navigating the New Annual Return Field: Which Financial Reporting Standard Applies to Your Company?
If you filed an Annual Return (AR) with ACRA recently, you likely noticed a specific requirement demanding high precision. You must now select the exact Financial Reporting Standard your company used to prepare its financial statements. While companies always had to...
Removing a Partner in Singapore: Legal Framework, Practical Risks, and Key Case Law Considerations
Removing a partner is rarely straightforward under Singapore law. Unlike companies, where shareholders may remove directors through statutory resolutions, partnerships are built on mutual trust and contractual consensus. As a result, the law provides strong...
Ordinary vs. Special Resolutions: A Strategic Guide for Singapore Company Directors
Directors and shareholders drive a Singapore company’s growth by making formal, legally binding decisions. The Companies Act governs these decisions through specific mechanisms called resolutions. As we navigate the 2026 regulatory environment, the Accounting and...
Employee Stock Option Plans (ESOP) in Singapore: Legal & Tax Implications
Employee Stock Option Plans (ESOPs) have become a cornerstone of modern talent retention strategies in Singapore. As companies—both private and listed—compete globally for skilled professionals, equity-based remuneration schemes provide employees with a vested...
A Business Owner’s Guide to Grant Eligibility in Singapore
A Business Owner's Guide to Unlocking Grant Eligibility in Singapore Navigating the landscape of government grants can be a game-changer for businesses in Singapore, offering a vital injection of funds to spur growth, innovation, and expansion. However, the first and...
A Guide to Digital Signatures & Electronic Transactions Act in Business Operations
In the rapidly evolving landscape of Singapore's digital economy, businesses execute transactions, form contracts, and manage regulatory filings with unprecedented speed. This digital shift demands a robust legal framework that ensures security, authenticity, and...
Singapore Compliance Penalties: How to Deal with Late Filing and Payment Fines
Singapore proudly champions a pro-business environment, but this ease of doing business comes with stringent regulatory expectations. Business owners, whether local or international, must understand that missing a compliance deadline is never a minor administrative...
Don’t Get Caught Out: Corporate Secretarial Mistakes That Can Cost You Fines
In today’s fast‑moving business environment, compliance is not an optional extra — it’s a strategic imperative. For business owners in Singapore (and beyond), a seemingly minor secretarial oversight today can spiral into fines, legal disputes, or reputational damage...
Growing a Company
Demystifying Source of Wealth: What Singapore Businesses Need to Know
Embarking on your entrepreneurial journey or expanding your business operations often involves interactions with financial institutions. Whether opening a corporate bank account, securing investment, or engaging in significant transactions, you will likely encounter...
Unlocking Growth Opportunities: A Guide to the Financial Sector Development Fund for Singapore Businesses
Singapore's financial sector is a dynamic hub of innovation and growth, and at its heart is the Financial Sector Development Fund (FSDF). This government initiative is a goldmine of opportunities for businesses looking to expand, innovate, and thrive in this exciting...
How can companies benefit from the Global Ready Talent Programme
Unlock the Potential of Young Talent with the Global Ready Talent Programme As a small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) business owner in Singapore, you understand the importance of nurturing young talent to drive innovation and growth. The Global Ready Talent...
Protect Your Brand: A Guide to Trademark Registration in Singapore
In today's competitive business landscape, protecting your brand identity is more important than ever. One of the most effective ways to safeguard your brand is through trademark registration. This article will guide you through the process of trademark registration...
What are the essential duties of a Data Protection Officer?
In an era where data is often referred to as the new oil, protecting personal information has become a paramount concern for businesses worldwide. Singapore, as a global hub for technology and innovation, has taken significant steps to ensure data protection through...
Pivot Your Career Today with the Career Conversion Programmes
In today's rapidly evolving job market, adaptability is key. Singapore's Career Conversion Programmes (CCPs) offer a powerful solution for mid-career individuals looking to pivot their professional paths. Let's dive into how these programmes are revolutionising career...
Why proper financial reporting is important for your business
Financial reporting stands as a fundamental pillar for ensuring transparent and accountable financial management across organizations. This in-depth exploration aims to uncover the essence of financial reporting, its significance, various forms of financial reports,...
Budgeting for your business
Budgeting serves as a pivotal element in a company’s financial strategy, setting financial objectives and monitoring progress towards these goals. It plays a crucial role in managing finances by guiding resource distribution, pinpointing potential risks and...
Forecasting for your business
Forecasting leverages historical data and analytical assumptions to project future financial outcomes, serving as a pivotal tool for strategic decision-making. Through the extrapolation of past financial trends, forecasting offers a comprehensive view of anticipated...
Taxes and GST
What New Startup Founders Should Know About Singapore’s GST Registration
Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a broad‑based consumption tax levied on most goods and services supplied in Singapore. As a startup founder, understanding when you must register for GST and how to comply with the rules is essential for avoiding penalties and...
Approved Refiner and Consolidator Scheme (ARCS) in Singapore
The Approved Refiner and Consolidator Scheme (ARCS) is a special GST scheme in Singapore. It supports the precious metals refining and trading industry. Singapore introduced ARCS to complement the 2012 GST exemption for investment-grade precious metals (IPM). The...
Get Ready for GST InvoiceNow: A Guide to Digital Tax Compliance
The landscape of tax administration in Singapore is undergoing a significant digital transformation. The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) is introducing the GST InvoiceNow Requirement, a move set to streamline GST reporting and align the nation with global...
Importing Precious Metals into Singapore: A Comprehensive Guide
Singapore is a global hub for trade and finance, and its favorable tax policies make it an attractive destination for importing investment precious metals (IPMs). Whether you are a business or an individual investor, understanding the import procedures and regulations...
Budget 2024 Update: Corporate Income Tax (CIT) Rebate and Cash Grant for Cost Management
As outlined in Budget 2024, the government has introduced measures to help businesses manage rising expenses. For the Year of Assessment (YA) 2024, all companies, whether tax-resident or not, will receive a 50% CIT Rebate on their corporate tax payable. Additionally,...
Introducing the Latest GST InvoiceNow Requirement
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has introduced a new mandate for GST-registered businesses: the GST InvoiceNow Requirement. This initiative is part of Singapore’s broader push towards digital transformation and aims to streamline tax administration...
Basics of share transfer and its stamp duty treatment
Dutiable documents for share transfers encompass both physical and electronic formats: Share Transfer Contracts and Instruments These documents, executed upon share acquisition, incur a Stamp Duty based on the higher of the actual price or net asset value....
A Close Look at Singapore’s Corporate Tax Rates and Exemptions
Whether you're a new entrepreneur or an experienced business owner, grasping Singapore's corporate tax landscape is vital. At only 17%, Singapore's corporate income tax rate is among the lowest worldwide, making it an attractive destination for businesses globally....
GST Rules for Advertising Sector
We have recently shared with our client the GST treatment for advertising services provided by their Singapore entity. They are unclear as some of their services are provided locally as well as overseas to customers at various locations. To understand the various...
What you need to know about IRAS-approved Allowable Business Expenses
Understanding the business expenses recognised by IRAS can significantly enhance your financial efficiency when launching a business in Singapore. This guide aims to help you maximise these benefits and support sustainable business growth. The objective is to ensure...
Bookkeeping
All about XBRL Filing in Singapore
Mastering the intricacies of financial reporting, particularly eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) filing in Singapore, presents a formidable challenge. This blog aims to demystify XBRL filing, offering a comprehensive overview encompassing its significance,...
News
Understanding Singapore’s Central Registers of Nominee Directors and Nominee Shareholders
For companies operating in Singapore, understanding and complying with the regulations surrounding the Central Registers of Nominee Directors and Nominee Shareholders is crucial. These registers, maintained by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA),...
Singapore’s Robust Crypto Licensing: What Businesses Need to Know
Singapore has rapidly solidified its position as a global financial hub, and consequently, the digital asset space is no exception. With the rise of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has taken a proactive and robust...
MAS Compliance Toolkit: Guide for Singapore’s Trust Industry
Singapore has firmly established itself as a leading global hub for trust and wealth management services. To support this standing and ensure market integrity, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has implemented a comprehensive and robust regulatory framework....
Navigating the New Wave of US Tariffs: Implications for Singaporean and International Businesses
Introduction: A Shifting Global Trade Landscape In recent months, the United States has implemented new tariffs on various imported goods. Consequently, these actions are sending significant ripples across the global economy. Such measures often aim to address trade...
What the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone Means for Business Owners
Singapore and Malaysia have recently inked an agreement to establish the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), to strengthen economic ties and foster regional growth. This landmark initiative promises to unlock a wealth of opportunities for businesses...
How Should Incentive Payments Be Accounted For?
Incentive payments play a crucial role in motivating employees, driving performance, and achieving business goals. For small business owners in Singapore, understanding how to properly account for these payments is essential to ensure compliance with local regulations...
Tightened UK Tax Rules May Benefit Financial Hubs Worldwide
Financial hubs in Asia and other regions are expected to see a rise in wealthy newcomers as recent UK tax rule changes prompt significant outflows of high-net-worth individuals. On October 30, the UK government announced tighter tax policies on non-domiciled wealth,...
Budget 2024 Update: Corporate Income Tax (CIT) Rebate and Cash Grant for Cost Management
As outlined in Budget 2024, the government has introduced measures to help businesses manage rising expenses. For the Year of Assessment (YA) 2024, all companies, whether tax-resident or not, will receive a 50% CIT Rebate on their corporate tax payable. Additionally,...
Navigating the Cookieless Future: A Guide for Marketers
Marketers love data. Without it, they can’t answer critical questions like whether the right audience is seeing their ads if campaigns are delivering returns, or which audience segments respond best to specific messages. Historically, marketers have relied heavily on...
Commercial Credit Bureau Survey: Singapore Business Confidence Reaches Two-Year Peak in Q4 2024
Singapore business sentiment has continued its upward trajectory for the fifth consecutive quarter, reaching a two-year high in Q4 2024. According to data released by the Singapore Commercial Credit Bureau (SCCB) on September 9, the Business Optimism Index...