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Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority

Essentials of Starting a Business (ESB)

Start your business right. ACRA's free online course covers registration, taxes and compliance essentials for Singapore entrepreneurs.

Start the first module
Last updated 29 January 2026

On this page

About the course
Who should take the course
How to take the course
Course partners

About the course

This course helps you understand how to start and run a business in Singapore. It covers business registration, taxes and compliance requirements in Singapore.

Course details

What you need to know

Details

Duration

About 2 hours for all modules

Format

Online, self-paced

Cost

Free

Who should take the course

This course is for:

  • Aspiring entrepreneurs thinking of setting up a business

  • Business owners who have recently set up a business

How to take the course

You can start any module immediately without creating an account:

  1. Starting a Business

  2. What you Need to get the Business Going

  3. Filing Tax Returns for Sole-Proprietors and Partners

  4. Filing Corporate Income Tax Returns

  5. Goods and Services Tax (GST)

  6. Contributing to CPF for Employees

  7. Contributing MediSave for Self-Employed Individuals

  8. Personal Data Protection Act

Tip: You can take the course on your desktop, tablet or mobile. You only need an email address to get started. The ESB tracks your learning progress and lets you continue from where you left off.

Course partners

ACRA developed this course with support from:

  • Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore

  • Central Provident Fund Board

  • Personal Data Protection Commission of Singapore

  • SME Centre

  • Association of Small & Medium Enterprises