No one starts a business in Singapore for the thrill of paperwork. Yet if you’re running a company, the filings, the statements, the tax stuff, it all becomes your reality fast. Deadlines roll in, forms pile up, and fines start flashing if you don’t meet them. It’s like an annual storm of documents, and if you don’t have a system, it becomes chaotic.
That’s where corporate secretarial services play a big role. They help keep your head above water when you’re drowning in compliance. Whether you’re a solo founder or managing a team, this annual checklist. It matters. It’s not just red tape. It’s about staying legal, staying trusted, staying open for business.
This guide is not sugar-coated. It’s not a legal document either. It’s just what you need to know, in words that make sense, broken down from someone who’s helped enough companies survive filing season. Let’s go step by step, from financials to returns to keeping the taxman happy. This is your real checklist.
First, Why Bother?
Maybe you’re thinking, “Can I skip one year?” No. You can’t. Singapore isn’t forgiving when it comes to missed returns or unfiled tax forms. Fines stack up fast. Directors can be disqualified. And worse, your company’s reputation gets stained.
Doing the filing isn’t just rule-following. It shows you’re responsible. It proves you exist properly. It keeps your business record clean. That counts, especially when you need funding, government support, or even a basic bank loan.
1. Start with Financial Statements
Annual filings always begin with your financial story. Numbers don’t lie. You’ll need:
- Balance sheet (called Statement of Financial Position)
- Profit and loss (Statement of Comprehensive Income)
- Changes in equity
- Cash flow statement
- Notes to explain assumptions, breakdowns, and related party stuff
If your company is small and private, you might not need an audit. But if your revenue crosses SGD 10 million, or assets hit that same number, or your team grows beyond 50 people, the audit becomes a must. That adds cost, time, and approvals. But it’s part of growth.
The statements need to be done early. You can’t file without them. If your books are messy, this is where things go south.
2. Hold That AGM (Unless You’re Exempt)
AGM means Annual General Meeting. It’s where shareholders get updates, review the statements, and give a nod of approval. For private limited companies in Singapore, you have two choices every year: hold the AGM or pass a written resolution to skip it.
Private companies can be exempt from AGMs, but the exemption has to be documented and done properly. If you’re not exempt, then:
- Hold your AGM within 6 months after your financial year ends
- Circulate the financials at least 14 days before the meeting
- Keep minutes, document attendance, and record decisions
If your company secretary forgets this step or delays it, the rest of the filings fall apart. Timing is key.
3. File Your Annual Return with ACRA
Once your financials are done and AGM sorted, time to deal with ACRA.
You file the annual return using BizFile+. What needs to go in?
- Company details (name, UEN, address, business activity)
- List of directors, secretary, and auditor
- Shareholders and capital info
- AGM date (or exemption note)
- Financials in XBRL format, unless you’re allowed to skip it
You’ve got a deadline here, too. Private companies? 7 months from the financial year end. Public ones? Just 5 months.
Miss it, and the penalty kicks in an automatic fine that climbs the longer you delay.
What to Check Before Annual Return Filing
- Financials approved and final
- AGM held or exempted with a resolution
- Shareholder and officer list updated
- XBRL version prepared if needed
- BizFile+ login and document access sorted
4. Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI) That Tax Pre-Check
The tax office wants a heads-up on your income, even before full numbers are submitted. That’s what ECI is for.
Within 3 months from the end of your financial year, you need to file ECI with IRAS unless your revenue is SGD 5 million or less and your estimated income is zero. Then you can skip it.
But don’t assume you’re exempt. Check with your company secretary or filing partner. If you miss this, IRAS can just guess your tax, and that’s never a guess you want them making.
5. Annual Tax Return Filing (Form C or C-S)
This is your final tax submission for the year. It’s not optional.
You must file:
- Form C-S if you’re a smaller, simpler company with less than SGD 5m in revenue
- Form C if you’re bigger or have more complex tax structures
Form C comes with full financial statements and tax schedules. It’s more detailed. It takes time. E-filing is due by 15 December. Paper submission (if still allowed) is due by 30 November. Filing late leads to fines, enforcement, and stress. It is always better to do this well before the deadline. Last-minute tax rush is never a good time.
6. Company Secretary Duties During Filing Season
This is where your corporate secretarial services provider earns their keep. A real company secretary isn’t just someone who fills forms. They keep your company compliant. They know what’s due and when. They remind you before deadlines hit. They prepare board resolutions, ensure records are up to date, and coordinate with accountants.
For filing season, they:
- Track AGM dates
- Collect and prepare documents for ACRA and IRAS
- Submit resolutions for exemptions
- File XBRL versions
- Update officer lists if someone left or joined
- Store copies of filings, meeting minutes, and shareholder records
The moment this admin slips, the whole company gets exposed. Entrust makes sure that doesn’t happen.
Secretarial documents you should never lose:
- AGM minutes and board resolutions
- Director and shareholder registers
- Past filing confirmations
- Financials approved by the board
- Notices and exemptions
- Any correspondence with IRAS or ACRA
7. If You Can’t Meet A Deadline
You’re allowed to apply for extensions with both ACRA and IRAS, but don’t leave it till the last minute.
- ACRA requires extension requests filed early via BizFile+
- IRAS also allows deferment of ECI or tax filings in certain cases
But you need valid reasons. Saying “my accountant is late” doesn’t always work. Entrust usually files extensions when clients need them, but only when it’s reasonable and documented.
8. Penalties: What Happens If You Ignore All This
- Non-filing isn’t harmless. It’s expensive.
- ACRA issues fines from SGD 300 to 900, depending on the delay
- IRAS charges late filing penalties and starts enforcement
- You risk being flagged as non-compliant
- Directors can be disqualified
- Your business bank or partners may pull out
Even if you recover later, that flag stays on your record. And once your name’s there, trust becomes harder to earn again.
Why Entrust Makes Filing Season Easier
When you work with Entrust, the filing checklist isn’t just yours to handle alone. We take it step by step with you.
- We prep your timeline
- Track what’s due and when
- Coordinate with your accountant
- File with ACRA and IRAS on time
- Update all registers and records
- Support you if you miss a step
- Offer fixed-price secretarial packages so costs stay predictable
Whether you’re a startup or have been in business for years, Entrust helps keep you compliant without panic.
Conclusion: Staying Compliant and Stress-Free
The annual filing season in Singapore doesn’t need to be something you dread every year. But only if you plan, if you prepare, if you follow the system. If you skip steps, wait too long, or try to wing it, things spiral fast. Fines stack, documents get lost, and suddenly it’s not just late, it’s a full mess.
This checklist is not just paperwork. It’s what holds your company together legally. It’s what keeps your business in good standing with regulators. It’s what tells your partners and clients that you’re professional.
With the right company secretary or corporate secretarial services provider, like Entrust, this whole process becomes smoother. Deadlines don’t creep up. Filings don’t get missed. And instead of stressing every October or November, you already know it’s handled. So don’t guess. Don’t delay. Get your checklist done early and done right.
Ready to file stress-free? Entrust is here to keep you compliant without the chaos. Reach out when you’re ready to make filing season a breeze.
