Accounting Solutions Singapore Editorial Team · Last reviewed 15 October 2026
If you earn money from a business in Singapore on a regular basis, you will probably need to register it with ACRA, the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority. There is one clear exemption, and the structure you choose decides your fees and your personal liability. Below: the rule, the exemption, who is eligible, the structures, and what it costs.
At a glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Who must register? | Anyone who carries out an activity for profit on a regular basis, unless exempt. Anyone who uses a name other than their own full name must also register |
| Who is exempt? | Businesses that use only the owner’s full NRIC name, or the full NRIC names of all partners |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Local resident needed? | Every business must have at least one local resident: a Singapore Citizen, a Permanent Resident, or a valid holder of an Employment Pass, Personalised Employment Pass or Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass |
| Penalty for not registering | A fine of up to S$10,000 or imprisonment of up to two years |
| Fees | Name application S$15; registering a sole proprietorship or partnership S$100; registering a company S$300 |
Who must register
ACRA’s rule has two limbs. You register if you:
- carry out any activity for profit on a regular basis, unless you are exempt, or
- use any name other than your own full name for the business.
That covers a café, a consultancy, an online shop or a freelancer who trades under a brand name. The rule is about regular activity for profit, not about the size of the business, so a small side business can fall inside it.
Who is exempt
You do not need to register if the business uses only your full NRIC name, or, in a partnership, the full NRIC names of all the partners including yours. ACRA points to section 4 of the Business Names Registration Act 2014 for the full list of exemptions.
This is why the two limbs fit together. A freelancer who trades simply as “Tan Wei Ming” can fall under the exemption. The same person trading as “Wei Design Studio” has to register, because the business now uses a name other than their own.
Who can register
- Age. You must be at least 18.
- Local resident. Every business needs at least one local resident, as listed in the table above.
- Foreigners. ACRA says foreigners must engage a Corporate Service Provider to reserve a name and register a business structure, and a foreigner who wants to move to Singapore to run a business needs a work pass. Employment Pass holders need a Letter of Consent from MOM first. Dependant’s Pass holders apply for a Letter of Consent after registering. EntrePass holders apply before incorporation or within six months of setting up.
Choosing a structure
ACRA describes five structures. The main difference is who is personally liable if the business owes money.
| Structure | Liability |
|---|---|
| Sole proprietorship | Unlimited. The owner is personally responsible for all debts and losses |
| Partnership | Unlimited for all owners. Not a separate legal entity |
| Limited partnership (LP) | General partners have unlimited liability; limited partners are capped at what they agreed to contribute |
| Limited liability partnership (LLP) | Partners have limited liability and are not responsible for debts caused by other partners |
| Company (for example, a Pte Ltd) | Shareholders have limited liability. A separate legal entity, with the most compliance obligations, such as annual returns and AGMs |
If you are weighing a company, our company incorporation page and company secretarial page explain what a company involves.
Choosing and reserving a name
The name comes first.
- Fee: S$15 to apply. It is non-refundable if the name is unavailable or you withdraw the application.
- Time: ACRA’s review of a proposed name takes up to three working days. If the name is sent to a referral authority, allow up to 15 working days.
- Reservation: an approved name is held for up to 120 days. You must register the business within that time or the name is released for others to use.
- If your name is unavailable, you can submit a name review request if you have a good reason to use it.
What it costs
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Apply for a new business entity name | S$15 |
| Register a sole proprietorship or partnership | S$100 |
| Renew a sole proprietorship or partnership registration | S$30 |
| Register a company | S$300 |
These are the fees listed on ACRA’s fee pages, which were last updated in early 2026. Check them before you pay.
After you register
Registering is the start of your obligations, not the end. A company has to keep up its annual filings with ACRA. Tax is separate again: a company pays corporate income tax at 17% before any exemptions or rebates, and a sole proprietor’s or partner’s business profit is taxed in their own hands. Registering for GST is a separate decision with its own rules, covered by IRAS and on our GST registration page.
Questions we get asked
I freelance under my own name. Do I register? If the business uses only your full NRIC name, you fall under the exemption. If you use a brand or trading name, you register.
Is registering the same as incorporating a company? No. Registering a business covers sole proprietorships and partnerships. Setting up a company is incorporation, a separate application at a higher fee.
How long does it take? ACRA says most registrations are approved soon after payment. The name review is the part that can take longer, up to three working days and up to 15 working days if a referral authority is involved.
What happens if I don’t register when I should? ACRA states a fine of up to S$10,000 or imprisonment of up to two years.
Sources
- ACRA, Step 1: Understanding requirements and eligibility
- ACRA, Step 2: Choosing a business structure
- ACRA, Step 3.2: Reserving a business name via Bizfile
- ACRA, service and transaction fees for sole proprietorships and partnerships and for companies
- Business Names Registration Act 2014, section 4
This is general information, not professional advice for your specific situation. Rules and fees can change, so confirm them on ACRA’s website before relying on them.