One of the most important responsibilities of every Singapore company is staying compliant with annual filing requirements mandated by ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority) and IRAS (Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore). Whether you’re running a startup, SME, or established firm, these obligations must be fulfilled accurately and on time to avoid penalties, enforcement actions, or reputational damage.
A professional corporate secretary plays a vital role in navigating these regulatory duties. This guide breaks down the key annual filing requirements in Singapore, why they matter, and how a corporate secretarial services firm can help you meet them with confidence.
1. Annual General Meeting (AGM)
What Is It?
An Annual General Meeting (AGM) is a mandatory yearly meeting between a company’s shareholders and directors. It provides an opportunity to present the financial performance of the company, approve the financial statements, and discuss strategic matters.
Who Must Hold It?
- Private companies: Exempt from holding AGMs if they send financial statements to shareholders within 5 months after the financial year end (FYE).
- Public companies: Must hold AGMs within 4 months after FYE.
What Happens If You Don’t Comply?
Failure to hold AGMs (when required) or circulate financial statements on time may lead to:
- ACRA penalties
- Summons issued to company officers
- Late filing fees
How a Corporate Secretary Helps
A corporate secretary ensures that:
- Resolutions to dispense with AGM (if applicable) are properly passed and filed
- AGM dates are tracked and documents are prepared
- Shareholders receive timely notice
- Minutes of meeting are recorded and filed
2. Annual Return (AR) Filing with ACRA
What Is It?
The Annual Return is an electronic filing to ACRA that updates the company’s particulars, including:
- Company type and status
- Registered office address
- Details of directors, shareholders, and secretary
- Financial statements (for applicable companies)
When Must It Be Filed?
- Within 7 months after FYE for private companies
- Within 5 months after FYE for public companies
Companies with audited financials must file financial statements in XBRL format along with the AR.
What Happens If You Don’t Comply?
- Late filing penalties (up to S$600 or more)
- Potential enforcement actions
- Company may be struck off
How a Corporate Secretary Helps
The corporate secretary:
- Prepares the Annual Return using ACRA’s BizFile+ system
- Converts financials to XBRL (if required)
- Ensures accurate reporting of officer/shareholder changes
- Files on time and maintains documentation
3. Corporate Income Tax Filing with IRAS
What Is It?
Singapore companies must file their Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI) and Form C-S or Form C to IRAS annually for income tax purposes.
Key Deadlines:
- ECI: Within 3 months after FYE (unless waived)
- Form C-S / Form C: By 30 November of the year following FYE
ECI Waiver Criteria (for YA 2024 onwards):
Companies are exempt from ECI filing if:
- Annual revenue ≤ S$5 million
- ECI is NIL for the year
What Happens If You Don’t Comply?
- Penalties for late or non-filing
- Estimated assessments issued by IRAS (may be higher than actual liability)
- Loss of tax exemptions or schemes
How a Corporate Secretary Helps
While tax filings are typically handled by accountants, many secretarial firms offer coordinated services. A good secretary:
- Reminds directors of upcoming tax deadlines
- Coordinates with tax agents or accountants
- Assists in preparing board resolutions to approve filings
4. Updating Statutory Registers and Company Records
Why It Matters
Singapore companies are required to maintain and regularly update statutory registers, including:
- Register of Members (shareholders)
- Register of Directors and Secretaries
- Register of Share Transfers
- Register of Allotments
- Register of Charges
These records must reflect the actual status of the company and be made available for inspection upon request.
Common Mistakes
- Failing to update registers after a director/shareholder change
- Losing track of share transfers
- Not recording board/shareholder resolutions
How a Corporate Secretary Helps
A professional corporate secretarial firm maintains:
- Cloud-based or physical statutory registers
- All board and shareholder resolutions
- Share certificates and related documents
- Proper version control and access
This ensures full compliance and simplifies due diligence processes during audits or fundraising.
5. Financial Statement Preparation and Audit (If Applicable)
Who Needs to Prepare Financial Statements?
All companies (except small dormant ones) must prepare financial statements at the end of each financial year. These are either:
- Unaudited (for exempt private companies that qualify)
- Audited (for non-exempt companies or those with revenue over S$10 million)
Audit Exemption Criteria:
Private companies are exempt from audit if they are:
- Exempt private companies
- Revenue ≤ S$10 million
- Total assets ≤ S$10 million
- Employees ≤ 50
If the company exceeds two of these thresholds, an audit is required.
How a Corporate Secretary Helps
The secretary works with auditors and accountants to:
- Schedule audit timelines
- Prepare directors’ statements and declarations
- File audited financials with ACRA
- Ensure proper documentation for shareholders and regulators
6. Renewal of Business Licences or Permits (If Applicable)
Certain businesses—such as F&B, childcare, import/export, or regulated industries—require licences and permits from relevant authorities. These often have annual renewals and may be tied to your corporate compliance status.
A corporate secretary can:
- Help track renewal deadlines
- Assist in preparing supporting documents
- Liaise with regulatory authorities on your behalf
7. Directors’ Resolutions and Disclosures
Each year, a company’s board must approve several items, including:
- Financial statements
- Dividends (if declared)
- Directors’ fees
- Approval of AGM/AR
- Appointment or resignation of officers
These require proper board resolutions, which your corporate secretary must draft, circulate, and file.
Conclusion
Staying compliant with annual filing requirements in Singapore is a fundamental part of running a successful company. From AGMs and annual returns to tax filings and statutory registers, each obligation serves a critical governance function.
Many business owners—especially startups and SMEs—struggle with these compliance tasks due to a lack of time or knowledge. This is where a professional corporate secretarial services firm in Singapore becomes invaluable. They ensure that your company meets all filing obligations, keeps accurate records, and avoids unnecessary penalties or legal issues.