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Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority

Post-registration guide: Sole proprietorship or partnership

Lists the key requirements and services you need to know after you register your business.

Last updated 3 February 2026

On this page

Immediate next steps
Before you start operations
Optional business services

Note: You must complete the immediate next steps to comply with ongoing requirements. This includes making Medisave payments on time and renewing your registration.

Immediate next steps

After you register your business, you have 30 days to download your free Business Profile. Complete these steps to set up your business properly.

Open a corporate bank account

You can open a corporate bank account immediately after Bizfile registration.

Available banks: ANEXT Bank, Bank of China, CIMB, DBS Bank, Maybank, OCBC Bank, State Bank of India, UOB.

(Required) Apply for Corppass

Corppass is the single login method for all government-to-business transactions.

  • When you can apply: One day after you get your unique entity number (UEN).

  • Who needs Corppass: All entities (including non-profit organisations) that deal with government agencies online. This includes Bizfile eServices.

  • How to apply: Apply for a Corppass account.

(Required) Check if you need licences and permits

You may need additional licences or permits before you start operations.

Licence and permit requirements

Requirement

Ways to check

Business licences

  1. Use the GoBusiness Licence e-Advisers to check what you need.

  2. Use the "Self-Service" feature to apply for multiple licences.

If you do not need more licences, you can start the business immediately after registering.

More details: Licensing your business.

Trading permits (for import or export businesses)

If your business moves goods across Singapore's borders, you need a Customs account to apply for trade permits.

More details: Quick guide for new traders and registration services

More details: Getting a licence for your business (video)

Download your free Business Profile

You will get a free Business Profile with your business's details after you register.

Note: Download your Business Profile within 30 days or the free copy expires.

Before you start operations

Complete these final steps before you start operations. They cover employment, data protection, and taxes.

(Employers) Apply for CPF submission number

If you plan to hire staff, you need to apply for a CPF Submission Number (CSN).

You will need this for monthly CPF payments.

(Employers) Know your duties as an employer

As an employer, you should:

Register a Data Protection Officer (DPO)

All organisations must register at least one Data Protection Officer (DPO). This is required under the Personal Data Protection Act 2012.

More details: Register your DPO

Know your tax duties

Besides personal or corporate tax, you may also need to pay a Goods and Services Tax (GST):

Tax duties

Business structure

Tax duties

Sole proprietorship

  • Profits are taxed at your personal income tax rates.

  • You must register for GST if either applies:

    • Your taxable income exceeds $1 million per calendar year.

    • You expect your taxable income to exceed $1 million in the next 12 months.

  • Taxable income is based on your sole proprietorship business and income from trade, work, and other jobs.

  • If you voluntarily register for GST, you need to comply with GST InvoiceNow Requirements from 1 April 2026 (see below).

Partnership

  • Profits are taxed at each partner's personal or corporate tax rates.

  • You must register for GST if either applies:

    • Your taxable income exceeds $1 million per calendar year.

    • You expect your taxable income to exceed $1 million in the next 12 months.

  • Taxable income is based on turnover from all partnerships with the same group of partners.

  • If you voluntarily register for GST, you need to comply with GST InvoiceNow Requirements from 1 April 2026 (see below).

GST InvoiceNow Requirements

From 1 November 2025, newly incorporated companies applying for voluntary GST registration must comply with the GST InvoiceNow Requirement.

From 1 April 2026, this requirement is extended to all new voluntary GST registrants, regardless of business constitution and incorporation date.

For more information about GST registration, please visit the IRAS website.

For a holistic digital approach that integrates your business needs with seamless tax compliance, you can consider adopting accounting and/or payroll solutions that support #SeamlessFilingFromSoftware (#SFFS). These solutions make it easy to file tax returns or submit information to IRAS directly with just a few clicks.

Optional business services

Protect your trade mark

You can register your trade mark with Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS). This protects your business name, logo, or other graphics.

Digital solutions and resources

Available resources

Resource

Details

DashBod integrated software

Cloud software that combines accounting, reporting, and HR tools.

What it does:

  • E-invoicing access

  • Payroll and leave management

  • Claims processing

Features:

  • Pan-European Public Procurement On-Line (PEPPOL) Access Point for e-invoicing

  • Payroll and leave management

  • Claims processing

  • Developed by SMECEN (Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (ASME) subsidiary)

InvoiceNow-Ready solutions

Introduced in 2019 by IMDA, InvoiceNow is the nationwide e-invoicing network that enables businesses to easily send and receive e-invoices in a standard digital format across different finance systems.

It automates invoice data transmission directly into buyers’ accounting systems, eliminating the need for manual data entry and reducing errors.

Businesses can leverage a single invoicing solution of their choice to invoice business partners and government entities while ensuring seamless tax compliance.

You can select solutions from IMDA’s accredited InvoiceNow-Ready Solution Providers (“IRSP”) list as your accounting or finance system.

Free-of-charge e-invoicing solutions are also available.

Cybersecurity resources

Protect your business from cyber attacks. These can damage your reputation, finances, and operations.

Register your SMS Sender ID

If you plan to send SMS messages with your business name, you should register your Sender ID.

  • Why: Unregistered IDs show as "Likely-SCAM" to customers.

  • Who needs this: Businesses that send SMSes with business names to Singapore mobile users.

  • How to register: Register via SMS Sender ID Registry.

  • More details: Contact the Singapore Network Information Centre (SGNIC) smsregistry@sgnic.sg or visit the SGNIC website.

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