Startup Checklist

Your personalised, step-by-step path from idea to launch — with official links at every stage.

Select your entity type

Are you a local or foreign founder?

1. Decide

Confirm Pte. Ltd. is right for you

Review the pros and cons of a Pte. Ltd. structure. Use the entity selector if unsure. Consider liability, growth plans, and ownership needs.

Engage a corporate secretary / CSP

A licensed corporate secretary must be appointed within 6 months of incorporation. For foreign founders, a licensed CSP is essential to handle incorporation and ongoing compliance.

ACRA: Corporate Secretary Guide

2. Name

Choose and reserve your company name

Check name availability and apply for name reservation on ACRA Bizfile. Cost: S$15. Names must not be identical to existing companies, contain restricted words, or be misleading.

Bizfile: Name Reservation

3. Prepare

Prepare incorporation documents

Prepare the Company Constitution, consent to act as director, and consent to act as secretary. Your CSP will typically draft these. Decide on paid-up capital (minimum S$1), share structure, and registered address.

Arrange a registered address

Every company must have a registered address in Singapore. A P.O. box is not allowed. You can use a virtual office address service if you do not have physical premises.

4. Register

File incorporation on Bizfile

Submit the incorporation application on ACRA Bizfile. Incorporation fee: S$300. Local directors sign via Singpass; foreign directors sign via the prescribed form. Most applications are approved within 1–3 days.

Bizfile: Incorporate a Company

Receive your Certificate of Incorporation and UEN

Once approved, you will receive a Certificate of Incorporation and a Unique Entity Number (UEN). The UEN is your company's identifier for all government transactions.

5. Corppass & Registers

Set up Corppass

Register for Corppass — the corporate digital identity used to transact with government agencies online. You need your UEN and an appointed Corppass Admin.

Corppass: Registration

Maintain statutory registers

Your company secretary must maintain the register of members, register of directors, and other statutory registers. These must be updated within prescribed timeframes when changes occur.

6. Bank

Open a corporate bank account

Open a business bank account with DBS, OCBC, UOB, or a digital bank. You will need your Certificate of Incorporation, Constitution, board resolution, and directors' identification. Foreign founders may need to visit in person or use an introduction service.

7. Tax & Licences

Register for GST (if applicable)

GST registration is mandatory if your annual taxable revenue exceeds S$1 million. You can register voluntarily earlier to claim input tax. Register via IRAS myTaxPortal.

IRAS: GST Registration

Check business licence requirements

Use GoBusiness Licence Finder to identify which licences your business activity requires. Common regulated activities include F&B, education, finance, and healthcare.

GoBusiness: Licence Finder

Understand corporate tax obligations

Singapore corporate income tax is 17%, with partial exemptions and startup tax exemption for the first 3 years. File Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI) within 3 months of financial year end, and file Form C-S/C annually.

IRAS: Corporate Income Tax

8. People

Register with CPF Board (before hiring locals)

If you hire Singapore citizens or PRs, you must register as an employer with CPF Board and make monthly CPF contributions. Set this up before your first local hire.

CPF: Employer Registration

Apply for work passes (if hiring foreigners)

To hire foreign employees, apply for an Employment Pass, S Pass, or Work Permit via MOM. Each pass type has different eligibility criteria and quota requirements.

MOM: Work Passes

9. Brand & Premises

Protect your brand name and logo

Register your trademark with IPOS to protect your brand name and logo in Singapore. This prevents others from using similar marks in the same industry.

IPOS: Trademark Registration

Verify premises use approval

Before signing a lease, verify with URA that your business activity is approved for the premises. A 'change of use' permit may be required if the current use differs.

URA: Change of Use

10. Ongoing

File Annual Return with ACRA

Every company must file an Annual Return with ACRA within 7 months of its financial year end. This includes financial statements and company details. Late filing incurs penalties.

ACRA: Filing Requirements

Hold Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Unless exempted, hold an AGM to present financial statements to shareholders. Companies with revenue under S$5 million may be exempt from holding an AGM but must still file accounts.

Maintain proper accounting records

Keep proper accounting records for at least 5 years. Companies may need to appoint an auditor unless they qualify for audit exemption (small company criteria).

Review grants and tax incentives

Explore government grants and tax incentive schemes from Enterprise Singapore and EDB. Startup Tax Exemption (SUTE) provides significant tax savings in the first 3 years.

EnterpriseSG: Financial Support

This is an independent guide — not a government website and not legal or tax advice. Official registration is done on ACRA Bizfile. Always verify current requirements on the relevant .gov.sg portal.