What every Singapore company must do each year

Short answer

There are four core obligations each year: file the annual return with ACRA, hold or dispense with the AGM, prepare financial statements, and file corporate tax with IRAS. These apply even with zero transactions. Late filing brings penalties and affects the directors' records — and from 2026 ACRA removed the grace period, so penalties apply from the day after the deadline.

The four obligations and deadlines

Obligation	Authority	Deadline	Fee / penalty
Annual Return	ACRA	Private co: within 7 months of FYE (5 months if AGM dispensed)	Filing fee S$60
AGM	ACRA	First AGM within 18 months of incorporation; then within 6 months of FYE (can be dispensed)	—
Financial statements	ACRA / ASC	Prepared before AGM, must comply with SFRS(I)	—
Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI)	IRAS	Within 3 months of FYE	—
Corporate income tax return	IRAS	30 November each year	—
Late annual return penalty	ACRA	—	S$300 within 3 months; S$600 beyond

ACRA annual return: confirming company info, not filing tax

The annual return is a yearly "snapshot" filed with ACRA, confirming that directors, shareholders, registered address and financial statements are accurate. A private company files within 7 months of financial year end (FYE), or 5 months if it has dispensed with the AGM. The fee is S$60.

The most common mistake is treating the annual return as tax filing. The annual return goes to ACRA and tax goes to IRAS — two entirely separate obligations with different deadlines. Doing one does not mean you have done the other.

AGM: can be dispensed, but must be declared

A qualifying private company can be exempt from holding an AGM, or dispense with it by resolution. But even when dispensed, the AGM position must be declared when filing the annual return. The first AGM (if held) must be within 18 months of incorporation, subsequent ones within 6 months of FYE. Financial statements presented at an AGM must be no more than 4 months old at the meeting.

IRAS corporate tax: ECI and annual return

Two actions on the tax side: file the Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI) within 3 months of FYE, and file the corporate income tax return by 30 November each year.

For YA 2026 there is a tax incentive: qualifying companies get a 50% corporate income tax rebate (capped at S$40,000), plus a S$2,000 cash grant if they had at least one local employee in 2025. Eligibility follows IRAS announcements.

Zero transactions still means filing

Many assume a non-operating company can be left alone — a dangerous misconception. A dormant company must still file the annual return and tax return, only with lighter financial statement requirements. An IRAS tax waiver does not remove the ACRA annual return duty. A company that will not continue should be struck off properly, not left unattended.

Two 2026 changes to note

1. ACRA removed the late-filing grace period. Previously there was a buffer; from 2026 the penalty applies from the day after the deadline. S$300 within 3 months late, S$600 beyond.

2. Director penalties increased. Under Companies Act s.157, directors face personal liability for compliance failures, with the penalty ceiling raised to S$20,000 and up to 12 months' imprisonment in serious cases. These attach to the directors' records.

Common misconceptions

"Filing tax covers the annual return"

They are separate. Annual return to ACRA, tax to IRAS, each with its own deadline. Doing one is not doing the other.

"No revenue means no filing"

A dormant company still files the annual return and tax return, only lighter. An IRAS waiver does not remove the ACRA duty.

"A few days late is fine"

From 2026 ACRA removed the grace period — penalties apply from day one, and they attach to the directors' records.

How we handle it

We maintain a compliance calendar for each company we manage, with advance reminders before every deadline, sequencing secretary, financial statements, annual return and tax. Foreign directors do not need to fly in — documents are signed electronically. See company registration and compliance.

Frequently asked

The company is not operating — do I still do these?

Yes. A dormant company still files the ACRA annual return and IRAS tax return, only with lighter financial statements. Late filing is still penalised.

Are the annual return and tax filing the same thing?

No. The annual return goes to ACRA (confirming company info), tax goes to IRAS (income tax) — separate, each with its own deadline.

When is a private company's annual return due?

Within 7 months of financial year end, or 5 months if the AGM is dispensed. The fee is S$60.

What is the late-filing penalty?

ACRA annual return: S$300 within 3 months late, S$600 beyond. From 2026 the grace period is removed, counting from the day after the deadline.

Do foreign directors need to fly to Singapore?

No. Financial statements, resolutions and the annual return can be signed electronically and handled remotely; we liaise with ACRA and IRAS on your behalf.

Sources: ACRA (annual return and AGM requirements, late penalties, 2026 removal of grace period), IRAS (ECI, corporate tax filing, YA 2026 incentives), Companies Act s.157. This is general information, not legal or tax advice; specific incentives and thresholds follow the latest official announcements.

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