Annual Filing Obligations for Singapore Companies
Every Singapore private limited company has a set of annual obligations to meet with ACRA, IRAS, and potentially other regulatory bodies. Missing these deadlines can result in fines, penalties, and in serious cases, the striking off of the company.
This guide covers the key obligations, their deadlines, and what you need to prepare. The specific deadlines for your company depend on your financial year end (FYE), so we have framed them in relation to that date.
1. ACRA: Annual Return
Every Singapore company must file an Annual Return (AR) with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) each year. The AR contains key company information, including the registered office address, share capital, and details of directors and shareholders, and confirms that the company's records on file with ACRA are current.
Deadlines
- Private companies (not listed): within 7 months after the financial year end
- Listed companies: within 5 months after the financial year end
The AR must be filed electronically via ACRA's Bizfile portal. Failure to file on time attracts a late filing penalty. Directors are personally responsible for ensuring the AR is filed.
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Private companies in Singapore are exempt from the requirement to hold an AGM, provided the company sends its financial statements to all members within 5 months of the financial year end. Any shareholder may, however, request that an AGM be held.
Regardless of whether an AGM is held, financial statements must be prepared and circulated to all members annually.
2. IRAS: Tax Filings
Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI)
Companies are required to file an Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI) with IRAS within 3 months after the financial year end. This is an estimate of the company's taxable income for the year, even if the company has no taxable income; filing is still generally required.
ECI waiver: Companies with annual revenue of S$5 million or less and no chargeable income may qualify for an automatic ECI waiver and are not required to file. Check with IRAS or your tax advisor to confirm eligibility.
Corporate Income Tax Return
Companies must file their corporate income tax return with IRAS by 30 November of each Year of Assessment (YA). The applicable form depends on the company's revenue and circumstances:
| Form | Who it applies to |
|---|---|
| Form C-S Lite | Companies with annual revenue ≤ S$5M and simple tax affairs |
| Form C-S | Companies with annual revenue ≤ S$5M (more declarations than C-S Lite) |
| Form C | All other companies, including those with revenue above S$5M |
The Year of Assessment (YA) is the year in which income is assessed. Income earned in the financial year ending in 2024, for example, is assessed in YA 2025.
3. Audit Requirements
Singapore companies are generally required to have their financial statements audited each year. However, private companies that meet the criteria to be classified as a small company are exempt from this requirement.
A company qualifies as a small company if it is a private company and meets at least 2 of the following 3 criteria for the current and immediately preceding financial year:
- 1Annual revenue does not exceed S$10 million
- 2Total assets do not exceed S$10 million
- 3Number of employees does not exceed 50
Companies that do not qualify for the small company exemption must appoint an auditor within 3 months of incorporation and maintain an auditor at all times. Even if exempt from audit, companies should still prepare proper financial statements in accordance with Singapore Financial Reporting Standards.
4. GST Returns (if GST-registered)
If your company is registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST), you must file GST returns (Form F5) with IRAS either monthly or quarterly, depending on the accounting period assigned to your company. GST returns and payment are due within one month after the end of each accounting period.
GST-registered companies must also maintain proper records and tax invoices to support their input tax claims. See our separate guide on GST for a full overview.
Key Deadlines at a Glance
| Obligation | Filed with | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Return | ACRA | 7 months after FYE (private) |
| Financial Statements to members | Internal | 5 months after FYE |
| Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI) | IRAS | 3 months after FYE |
| Corporate Tax Return (Form C / C-S) | IRAS | 30 November of YA |
| GST Return (Form F5) | IRAS | 1 month after accounting period |
Need help managing your annual compliance?
Adpeco Integrated Services handles Annual Return filing, tax returns, financial statement preparation, and ongoing corporate secretarial compliance for private limited companies in Singapore.