What is ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority)?
Singapore's national regulator for companies, public accountants, and corporate service providers. ACRA maintains the BizFile+ portal for company registration, annual returns, and filings. Every Singapore company receives a UEN on incorporation.
Current Rate (Year of Assessment (preceding-year basis))
S$315 incorporation fee; S$60 annual return fee
Example
Incorporating a Singapore Pte Ltd through ACRA's BizFile+ portal takes approximately 15 minutes if all documentation is ready, with the UEN issued instantly and the company legally in existence from the date of incorporation.
How ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority) works in Singapore
**Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) Overview**
ACRA is the statutory body responsible for registering businesses and companies, regulating public accountants and corporate service providers, and developing Singapore's corporate governance framework.
**Company Incorporation via BizFile+**
The BizFile+ portal (bizfile.acra.gov.sg) handles all ACRA filings. Incorporating a Pte Ltd costs S$315 and takes under 15 minutes online. Requirements: at least one director ordinarily resident in Singapore (Singapore Citizen, PR, or holder of EntrePass/Employment Pass), at least one shareholder (can be the same person as the director), a Singapore registered address, and a company secretary appointed within 6 months of incorporation.
**Unique Entity Number (UEN)**
ACRA allocates a UEN immediately on incorporation. The UEN serves as the company's permanent identifier across all government agencies and must appear on business correspondence, invoices, and official documents.
**Annual Return Filing**
Private companies must file an Annual Return within 7 months of financial year-end, confirming directors, shareholders, share capital, and registered address via BizFile+. The fee is S$60. Private companies are not required to hold an AGM if financial statements are sent to all members within 5 months of FYE (section 175C exemption).
**Audit Requirements**
Private companies qualify for audit exemption if they satisfy at least 2 of 3 criteria: (1) annual revenue not exceeding S$10 million, (2) total assets not exceeding S$10 million, and (3) not more than 50 employees. Qualifying companies file unaudited statements. Others must use a Singapore-registered public accountant. All companies prepare financial statements under Singapore Financial Reporting Standards (SFRS).
**Dormant Companies**
Dormant companies (no significant accounting transactions in the financial year) have simplified filing requirements. They must still file Annual Returns with ACRA but may be exempt from preparing full financial statements.
**Corporate Secretary Requirement**
Every Singapore company must appoint a company secretary within 6 months of incorporation. The secretary must be a natural person ordinarily resident in Singapore. The secretary handles ACRA filings, maintains statutory registers, and tracks compliance deadlines.
Related terms
The most common business structure in Singapore. A private company limited by shares, requiring at least one director ordinarily resident in Singapore, at least one shareholder, and minimum S$1 share capital. Incorporated via ACRA's BizFile+ portal.
Singapore's annual corporate tax return. Form C is the full return; C-S for companies with revenue up to S$5 million; C-S Lite for revenue up to S$200,000. All due 30 November each Year of Assessment.
An estimate of a company's taxable income for a financial year, filed with IRAS within 3 months of the company's financial year-end. A waiver applies if revenue is S$5 million or less AND ECI is zero.
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