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Singapore Company Incorporation Costs 2026: Complete Fee Breakdown & Hidden Charges

Incorporation

Singapore incorporation costs range from S$315 (ACRA government fee only) to S$2,000+ for full-service packages with corporate secretary and registered address. The mandatory ACRA registration fee is S$315, while professional incorporation services like SOAS start from S$350 (including government fees). Annual ongoing costs include corporate secretary (S$300-900/year) and registered address (S$300/year).

Table of Contents

  1. Official ACRA Registration Fees
  2. Mandatory Ongoing Costs
  3. Optional Service Costs
  4. DIY vs Professional Service Comparison
  5. Hidden Costs to Avoid
  6. SOAS Package Pricing
  7. Frequently Asked Questions

Planning to register a company in Singapore? Understanding the full cost picture is essential for budgeting your business launch. This guide breaks down every fee you’ll encounter – from mandatory ACRA registration costs to optional services and potential hidden charges that catch many entrepreneurs off guard.

Whether you’re a local entrepreneur or a foreign investor, we’ll help you understand exactly what you’ll pay and where you can save money without compromising on compliance.

Get the Best Value for Your Incorporation

SOAS offers incorporation from S$350 including all government fees. WhatsApp us at +65 9758 4188 for a personalised quote.

Official ACRA Registration Fees

The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) charges a fixed government fee for company registration. These fees are non-negotiable and apply whether you register yourself or use a corporate service provider.

ACRA Government Fees (As of 2026)

Fee Type Cost (SGD)
Company Name Application S$15
Company Registration Fee S$300
Total ACRA Fees S$315

Important: These ACRA fees are the absolute minimum you’ll pay to register a company in Singapore. They are included in most professional incorporation packages, so you won’t pay them separately when using a service provider like SOAS.

What the ACRA Fee Includes

  • Company name reservation (valid for 120 days)
  • Registration of company with ACRA
  • Issuance of Unique Entity Number (UEN)
  • Access to BizFile+ portal for future filings

What the ACRA Fee Does NOT Include

  • Company secretary appointment
  • Registered office address
  • Company constitution drafting
  • ACRA Business Profile printout
  • Bank account opening
  • Annual filing fees

Mandatory Ongoing Costs

Beyond the initial registration, every Singapore company has mandatory annual expenses to maintain compliance. Budget for these costs when planning your business finances.

Corporate Secretary (Mandatory)

Every Singapore company must appoint a company secretary within 6 months of incorporation. The company secretary handles statutory compliance, annual filings, and maintains company registers.

Service Level Annual Cost
Basic Corporate Secretary S$300 – S$500
Full-Service Corporate Secretary S$600 – S$900
Premium (Complex Companies) S$1,000+

Registered Office Address (Mandatory)

Every Singapore company must have a local physical address (not a P.O. Box). This is where official government correspondence will be sent.

Option Annual Cost
Own Office Space S$0 (part of rent)
Virtual Office / Service Provider S$200 – S$500/year
Home Address (HDB – needs approval) S$0

Annual Filing Fees (ACRA)

Filing Type Government Fee
Annual Return Filing S$60
Late Filing Penalty S$300 – S$600

Summary: Minimum Annual Costs

Expense Minimum Cost
Corporate Secretary S$300
Registered Address (if using service) S$200 – S$300
Annual Return ACRA Fee S$60
Total Minimum Annual Cost S$560 – S$660

Optional Service Costs

Depending on your business structure and situation, you may need additional services. These are particularly relevant for foreign entrepreneurs and more complex company setups.

Nominee Director Service

Required for companies where no shareholders or directors are Singapore residents. A nominee director fulfills the legal requirement for at least one locally resident director.

Item Cost
Nominee Director Annual Fee from S$3,500/year
Refundable Security Deposit S$3,500

Note: SOAS requires a subscription to Automa8e accounting software for nominee director services for financial monitoring and AML/CFT compliance.

Accounting & Bookkeeping

Service Annual Cost
Basic Bookkeeping (low transactions) S$500 – S$1,200
Full Accounting Services S$1,500 – S$3,000
Financial Statements Preparation S$500 – S$1,500
Corporate Tax Filing S$300 – S$800

Audit Services (If Required)

Most small companies are exempt from audit if they meet at least 2 of these 3 criteria for the past 2 years: revenue ≤ S$10M, assets ≤ S$10M, employees ≤ 50.

Company Size Audit Cost
Small (Simple Operations) S$1,500 – S$3,000
Medium (Multiple Revenue Streams) S$3,000 – S$8,000
Large (Complex Structure) S$8,000+

Other Common Optional Costs

Service Cost
CorpPass Registration S$60
RORC Filing (Beneficial Owners) S$60
Share Allotment/Transfer S$120 + stamp duty
Business Coaching 1-2-1 from S$300/hour
GST Registration (if >S$1M revenue) S$0 (free)

DIY vs Professional Service Comparison

Should you incorporate your Singapore company yourself or use a professional service? Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide.

Cost Comparison: First Year

Item DIY Professional (SOAS)
ACRA Government Fees S$315 Included
Incorporation Service Fee S$0 from S$350
Company Constitution DIY or S$200+ Included
ACRA Business Profile S$5.50 Included
Company Secretary (Year 1) S$300 – S$500 from S$300
Registered Address (Year 1) S$200 – S$500 S$300
Your Time Investment 4-8 hours 30 minutes
TOTAL FIRST YEAR S$820 – S$1,520 from S$950

When DIY Makes Sense

  • You’re a Singapore citizen or PR with SingPass access
  • Simple company structure (1-2 local shareholders)
  • You have time to learn the BizFile+ system
  • Standard business activities (no special licenses needed)

When Professional Service is Better

  • You’re a foreigner without local presence
  • Multiple shareholders (especially non-residents or corporates)
  • You need a nominee director
  • You want expert guidance on company structure
  • Your time is worth more than the service fee difference
  • You need ongoing corporate secretary and accounting support

Hidden Costs to Avoid

Many entrepreneurs are surprised by unexpected costs after incorporation. Here are the most common hidden charges and how to avoid them.

⚠️ Warning: Always ask for a full fee breakdown before signing up with any service provider.

1. Low Initial Price, High Renewal Fees

Some providers offer cheap first-year packages but charge significantly more for renewal. Always ask: “What will I pay in Year 2 and beyond?”

2. À La Carte Fees for Basic Services

Watch out for providers who charge extra for every small action:

  • Change of address: S$50-100
  • Change of director particulars: S$50-100
  • Change of company name: S$50-100
  • Extra document copies: S$10-50

SOAS Advantage: Our CoSec Plus and Premium packages include most corporate actions at no extra charge.

3. Penalty Fees

Missing compliance deadlines results in penalties:

  1. Late Annual Return: S$300 penalty (within 3 months), S$600 (beyond 3 months)
  2. Late AGM: S$300 penalty per officer
  3. Late ECI Filing: S$100 – S$1,000
  4. Late Tax Filing: 5% surcharge + interest

4. Bank Account Opening Charges

Some service providers charge S$200-500 for “bank account opening assistance.” While banks don’t charge to open an account, the process can be complex for foreigners. SOAS assists with bank account opening as part of our service.

5. Exit Fees

If you want to switch service providers, some charge “handover fees” or “exit fees” of S$100-500. Check the terms before signing up.

SOAS Package Pricing

SOAS offers transparent, competitive pricing with no hidden fees. Here’s our complete pricing structure:

Singapore Company Incorporation – S$350

Our incorporation package includes:

  • Incorporation application
  • Purchase of company name
  • ACRA Business Profile
  • Company constitution
  • S$315 government fees INCLUDED

*Price is for up to 2 local shareholders

Additional Shareholder Fees

Shareholder Type Additional Fee
Each additional local shareholder +S$60
Each non-resident shareholder +S$100
Each corporate shareholder +S$300

Corporate Secretary Packages

Feature CoSec Basic CoSec Plus CoSec Premium
Annual Price S$300 S$600 S$900
Annual Return Filing
S$60 ACRA Fee Included
AGM Preparation
CorpPass Registration +S$60
RORC Filing +S$60
Corporate Actions* Extra
Share Allotment/Transfer +S$120 +S$120

*Corporate Actions: Change of company name, financial year end, officers, address, business activity, distribution of dividends.

Other Add-On Services

Service Price
Registered Office Address (with mail scanning) S$300/year
Nominee Director from S$3,500/year
Business Coaching 1-2-1 from S$300/hour

Note: All prices are subject to 9% GST.

Get Your Personalised Quote

Every business is different. WhatsApp us at +65 9758 4188 to get a customised quote based on your specific requirements.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is the minimum cost to incorporate a company in Singapore?

The absolute minimum is S$315 (ACRA government fees only), which includes S$15 for name application and S$300 for registration. However, realistically, you’ll also need a company secretary (from S$300/year) and registered address, bringing the practical minimum to around S$600-800 for the first year.

Q. How much does SOAS charge for company incorporation?

SOAS charges S$350 for company incorporation (including S$315 government fees) for up to 2 local shareholders. Additional fees apply for extra shareholders: +S$60 per additional local shareholder, +S$100 per non-resident, and +S$300 per corporate shareholder.

 

Q. What are the ongoing annual costs after incorporation?

Mandatory annual costs include: Corporate Secretary (S$300-900/year), Annual Return filing fee (S$60 ACRA fee), and Registered Address if using a service provider (S$300/year). Total minimum ongoing cost is approximately S$660/year.

 

Q. Is it cheaper to incorporate myself or use a service?

DIY incorporation costs around S$820-1,520 for the first year, while professional services like SOAS cost from S$950 (incorporation + basic secretary + address). The difference is minimal, but professional services save you 4-8 hours of time and reduce the risk of errors. For foreigners or complex setups, professional service is strongly recommended.

 

 

Q. How much does a nominee director cost?

Nominee director services at SOAS start from S$3,500/year plus a refundable security deposit of S$3,500. A subscription to Automa8e accounting software is required for financial monitoring and AML/CFT compliance.

 

Q. What hidden costs should I watch out for?

Common hidden costs include: Year 2+ renewal fees (often higher than Year 1), à la carte fees for basic changes (address, director details), bank account opening assistance fees, and exit/handover fees if switching providers. SOAS provides transparent pricing with no hidden charges.

 

Q. Are incorporation costs tax-deductible?

Yes. Company incorporation costs and ongoing compliance expenses (secretary, registered address, accounting) are generally tax-deductible business expenses in Singapore. Keep all invoices for your tax records.

Ready to Incorporate Your Singapore Company?

Contact SOAS today for transparent pricing and expert guidance. Our team will help you understand exactly what you’ll pay with no surprises.

  • Phone: +65 6684 9199
  • WhatsApp: +65 9758 4188
  • Website: www.soas.com.sg