Singapore Company Incorporation: Its Benefits And Basic Classifications

By Author: Diane Paz
Total Articles: 172
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In an effort to encourage local and foreign entrepreneurs to setup a Singapore company, the government has passed several corporate laws that would provide tax incentives and exemptions. Here are just some of the examples:
In 2007, the corporate tax rate was lowered to 17 percent from 18 percent.

Newly incorporated companies can enjoy complete tax exemptions on their first S$100,000 chargeable income. In addition, they can enjoy another 50 percent tax exemption on their next S$200,000 chargeable income.

However, it is important to note that there are certain requirements before a newly startup company can enjoy these tax exemptions for three years:
It must be incorporated in Singapore.

A company should have no more than 20 shareholders with all of them directly holding their shares under their name or at least 1 shareholder holding at least 10 percent of a company's issued ordinary shares.

The management and control of a business is performed in Singapore.

In case that a company does not meet these three qualifying conditions, it would still be eligible for partial ...
... tax exemptions for three consecutive years after its incorporation.

Aside from these tax benefits, a Singapore corporation also follows a single tier tax system which means that once the taxes have been deducted from the corporate level, shareholders can receive their dividends tax free.

If this is not enough, the taxes are only deducted from the chargeable income which is derived after the revenue has been deducted with business-related expenses.

Meanwhile, a corporation can be a private limited company or public limited company.
Private company should have 50 or less shareholders who are solely responsible for raising funds and capitals for their business. Meanwhile, this business entity is prohibited to raise capital through selling of stocks or shares to the public.

A public company may have 50 or more shareholders who can invite the public to deposit money or buy shares or debentures in order to raise funds for business expansion instead of loaning from the banks. However, this business entity must be registered to the Singapore Exchange and the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Meanwhile, foreign companies can also incorporate their business in Singapore by registering a subsidiary company which is essentially a private limited company which just happens to be owned by foreigners instead of local residents.

However, foreign entrepreneurs and companies are legally required to hire a professional firm that will conduct all the processes involved in Singapore company incorporation since they are prohibited to self-register their own business.

A Singapore Subsidiary Company has no restrictions on repatriation of earnings and capital. AsiaBiz offers a quick, seamless and innovative package that begins with the registration of the business name followed by the company incorporation of your Singapore Subsidiary Company.