What Is ACRA Singapore? Bizfile, Registration and Compliance

Understand ACRA Singapore, including Bizfile services, company registration, annual filings, fees, compliance duties and practical steps for businesses.

TLDR:

ACRA is Singapore's national regulator for business registration, financial reporting, public accountants and corporate service providers.

Business owners use ACRA's Bizfile portal to register entities, update records, file annual returns and obtain business information.

Singapore companies must keep their ACRA records accurate and complete required filings by the applicable deadlines.

ACRA fees, filing requirements and processing times depend on the transaction and entity type.

E&H Corporate Services can manage incorporation, corporate secretarial work, accounting, tax and related compliance for Singapore businesses.

The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, commonly known as ACRA, is Singapore's national regulator for business registration, financial reporting, public accountants and corporate service providers. ACRA in Singapore maintains the official register of business entities and provides the Bizfile portal for registrations, statutory updates, annual returns and information purchases. Business owners must register the appropriate entity, maintain accurate records and complete applicable filings on time. The official About ACRA page explains the authority's role and functions.

What is ACRA in Singapore?

ACRA is the government authority responsible for administering Singapore's business registration and corporate regulatory framework.

The ACRA meaning is Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority. ACRA maintains official information about registered companies, business names, limited liability partnerships and other entity types within its regulatory scope.

ACRA also oversees areas connected with corporate reporting, public accountants and corporate service providers. The ACRA homepage provides access to current regulatory notices, guides and digital services.

ACRA is not a trade association or a private company-registration platform. ACRA is the public authority that receives registrations and statutory filings, while corporate service providers help businesses prepare and submit those transactions.

What is ACRA called in Chinese?

ACRA in Chinese is commonly written as 新加坡会计与企业管制局, referring to Singapore's Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority.

The English acronym ACRA remains widely used in Singapore business communications, government transactions and compliance discussions. Chinese-language business owners may encounter both the Chinese name and the English acronym when dealing with incorporation, company searches or annual compliance.

What does ACRA do for Singapore businesses?

ACRA registers business entities, maintains public business records and administers key corporate filing obligations.

ACRA function	What the function means for a business
Business registration	ACRA records the formation or registration of eligible Singapore business entities.
Business-name administration	ACRA processes name applications and records approved names subject to the applicable rules.
Entity-record maintenance	ACRA receives updates to registered particulars such as addresses, officers and business activities.
Annual returns	ACRA receives annual returns containing the company's required corporate information.
Business information	ACRA makes selected registered information and products available through Bizfile.
Financial reporting regulation	ACRA administers corporate reporting requirements within its regulatory scope.
Public-accountancy regulation	ACRA regulates public accountants and public accounting entities within the governing framework.
Corporate service provider regulation	ACRA regulates corporate service providers and the individuals who perform regulated corporate services.

The exact obligations depend on the entity type, business circumstances and current legislation. Business owners should use the relevant official ACRA guide rather than assuming that every entity follows the same filing rules.

Which business structures are registered with ACRA?

ACRA registers several business structures, including companies, sole proprietorships, partnerships and limited liability partnerships.

Structure	General characteristics	Common use case
Private company limited by shares	The company is a separate legal entity with share capital and limited shareholder liability, subject to the governing law.	Founders seeking a scalable structure for trading, hiring or investment often consider a private company.
Sole proprietorship	The business and proprietor are not separate legal persons.	An individual carrying on a small business may consider this structure after assessing personal-liability exposure.
Partnership	Partners carry on business together under the applicable partnership framework.	Two or more owners may use a partnership where the structure suits their legal and commercial arrangements.
Limited partnership	The structure generally combines at least one general partner with limited partners under its governing framework.	Investment or commercial arrangements may use a limited partnership where differentiated partner roles are needed.
Limited liability partnership	The partnership has a legal identity separate from its partners under the applicable framework.	Professional practices and jointly managed businesses may consider an LLP.
Variable Capital Company	The VCC is a corporate structure designed for investment funds and may operate within the applicable VCC framework.	Fund managers may use a standalone VCC or an umbrella VCC with sub-funds.
Foreign company registration	A foreign company may register an eligible presence in Singapore under the applicable requirements.	An overseas business may consider a Singapore branch instead of forming a local subsidiary.

ACRA's Variable Capital Companies guidance covers the VCC framework, registration and compliance. Legal, tax, liability and operating considerations should determine the selected structure rather than registration cost alone.

What is Bizfile and how does it relate to ACRA?

Bizfile is ACRA's online portal for business registrations, statutory filings, entity searches and information purchases.

Business owners, company officers and authorised service providers use Bizfile to access available ACRA transactions. Users may need Singpass, Corppass or another accepted authentication method depending on the transaction and the capacity in which they act.

Bizfile is sometimes searched for as BizFile or BizFile+. Portal names, interfaces and available services may change, so users should access the official domain rather than relying on an old bookmark or third-party login page.

A successful online submission does not automatically establish that every underlying legal obligation has been met. Companies remain responsible for ensuring that submitted information is accurate, properly authorised and supported by the required corporate records.

How do you register a company with ACRA?

A founder generally registers a Singapore company by planning the structure, applying for a name, preparing the required particulars and submitting the incorporation transaction through Bizfile.

Choose the business structure. Compare a private company, sole proprietorship, partnership, LLP or another available structure based on liability, ownership, tax and funding needs.
Select the business activities. Identify the activities that accurately describe how the business will earn revenue and operate.
Find the applicable SSIC codes. Use ACRA's SSIC Code Search to identify the Singapore Standard Industrial Classification codes that best match the planned activities.
Apply for the proposed name. Submit the name through Bizfile and address any referral, restriction or request for additional information.
Prepare the registration particulars. Gather the registered office, ownership, officer, share-capital and contact information required for the chosen entity.
Prepare the constitution where applicable. A company may adopt an appropriate constitution, including an applicable model constitution, or use a customised document that meets legal requirements. ACRA publishes model constitution information.
Obtain the required consents and approvals. Proposed officers, shareholders, partners or other relevant parties must complete the consents or endorsements required for the transaction.
Submit the application and pay the displayed fees. Bizfile shows the applicable transaction and payment requirements at the point of filing.
Complete post-registration work. The business should establish statutory records, banking, accounting, tax, payroll and licensing arrangements that apply to its operations.

ACRA's Starting a Business Guide provides current official guidance on registration steps, fees and requirements. Registration with ACRA does not replace sector-specific licences or approvals required by another authority.

What information is required for ACRA company registration?

An ACRA registration requires accurate information about the proposed entity, its activities, ownership, officers and official contact points.

Information category	Typical preparation point
Proposed entity name	The applicant should prepare a preferred name and alternatives in case the preferred name is unavailable or referred for review.
Business activities	The applicant should select accurate primary and secondary activities with suitable SSIC codes.
Registered office	The company should identify an address that satisfies the applicable registered-office requirements.
Directors or other officers	The company should collect accurate identification, residential-address and appointment information required by the transaction.
Shareholders or members	The company should establish ownership details and the intended allocation of shares or interests.
Share capital	The company should determine its initial share structure and issuance terms.
Constitution	The company should select an appropriate constitution and ensure that customised provisions are legally suitable.
Controller and nominee information	The company should assess the applicable registers and disclosure obligations for controllers and nominee arrangements.
Contact information	The applicant should provide current contact details in the fields required by Bizfile.

The exact fields vary by entity and transaction. Corporate records should support every appointment, allotment, address and ownership detail submitted to ACRA.

What ACRA filings must a company make after incorporation?

A Singapore company must keep its ACRA record current and submit the statutory filings that apply throughout its life cycle.

Event or obligation	Possible ACRA action	Internal evidence to retain
Change of registered office	File the applicable address update within the required period.	Board approval, occupancy records and updated registers should support the filing where relevant.
Appointment or cessation of an officer	Submit the applicable officer update and required consent or notice.	Resolutions, consents and cessation documents should support the change.
Change in officer particulars	Update the relevant particulars when the law requires notification.	Identification and address evidence should support the revised information.
Share allotment or transfer	Complete the applicable filing and update the company's statutory records.	Resolutions, allotment documents, transfer instruments and registers should support the transaction.
Change of company name	Complete the applicable name-change process and update business documents after approval.	Member approval and supporting resolutions should support the change.
Change of business activity	Update the SSIC activity information when the registered description no longer reflects operations.	Management approval and a current business description should support the update.
Annual compliance	Prepare and submit the annual return and any required financial information by the applicable deadline.	Financial statements, registers and approved corporate information should support the return.
Company closure	Use the appropriate striking-off, winding-up or other cessation route based on the company's circumstances.	Solvency, tax, creditor and corporate records should support the selected route.

Directors should not treat the annual return as the only ACRA obligation. Event-driven changes can create separate filing duties before the next annual return is due.

What is an ACRA annual return?

An ACRA annual return is a statutory filing that updates or confirms prescribed information about a company for the relevant reporting period.

The annual return may cover corporate particulars, officers, members, share information, financial-statement information and other required declarations. The applicable content depends on the company and the exemptions or reporting rules that apply.

ACRA's Filing Annual Return Guide provides the current filing process, deadlines and requirements. Companies should verify the applicable deadline against their financial year end and entity circumstances before planning approval and filing work.

An annual return is separate from the company's income tax return filed with IRAS. ACRA and IRAS filings may use related financial information, but each filing serves a different regulatory purpose.

What are the ACRA requirements for dormant companies?

A dormant company remains registered with ACRA and may continue to have corporate, filing and record-keeping obligations unless a specific exemption applies.

Business inactivity alone does not remove the company from the register. Directors should assess dormancy under the relevant corporate and tax frameworks because ACRA and IRAS requirements can differ.

ACRA's Dormant Companies Guide explains the relevant definition, requirements and filing exemptions. A dormant company should keep evidence supporting any exemption it claims and should review its status when transactions resume.

How much do ACRA services cost?

ACRA costs depend on the entity type and transaction, and the current amount should be confirmed on the official ACRA page or in Bizfile before submission.

Transaction category	Cost consideration
Name application	ACRA may charge an application fee, while referrals or regulated words may affect processing rather than the base transaction alone.
Entity registration	The registration fee varies by business structure and transaction.
Business-name renewal	A renewal fee may apply to entity types that require periodic business-name renewal.
Annual return	The applicable filing fee is shown for the relevant Bizfile transaction.
Business information product	The price depends on the report, profile, certificate or data product selected.
Late filing	A late lodgement may attract a penalty in addition to the ordinary filing fee.
Corporate service provider support	Professional fees are separate from ACRA's government fees and depend on the work required.

ACRA's Starting a Business Guide and the relevant Bizfile transaction provide current fee information. Businesses should distinguish ACRA fees from legal, corporate secretarial, accounting, tax and licence costs when preparing an incorporation or compliance budget.

How long do ACRA applications and filings take?

ACRA processing times vary according to the transaction, completeness of the submission and whether another authority must review the application.

Scenario	Likely timing factor
Straightforward online transaction	Automated or routine processing may be faster when all information and endorsements are complete.
Referred business name	Review may take longer if the proposed name requires another authority's input.
Regulated business activity	Licensing or agency review may extend the overall setup timeline beyond ACRA registration.
Incomplete submission	Missing information, unpaid fees or outstanding endorsements may delay completion.
Complex ownership or officer structure	Additional checks or document preparation may increase the time required.
Appeal or resubmission	A rejected or queried transaction may require correction and a new review cycle.

Founders should avoid signing time-sensitive leases, employment commitments or launch contracts on the assumption that every registration will be completed immediately. A practical project plan should allow time for name review, supporting documents, endorsements, banking and sector licences.

What happens when an ACRA filing is late?

A late ACRA filing may result in late-filing penalties and can expose the company or responsible individuals to further compliance action.

The applicable consequence depends on the filing, duration of delay and governing requirements. Repeated non-compliance can also complicate due diligence, financing, account opening and transactions that rely on an accurate company record.

ACRA publishes current information in its Late Filing Penalties guide. Directors and company secretaries should check the live penalty schedule rather than relying on an old fee table.

A company should complete an overdue filing promptly and correct any inaccurate underlying records. Payment of a penalty does not replace the obligation to submit the required filing.

How can a business search ACRA records?

A user can search available Singapore business records through the official Bizfile portal and purchase an information product where required.

Open the official Bizfile portal. Use Bizfile to reduce the risk of entering information on an unofficial website.
Search using available identifiers. A company name or Unique Entity Number can help identify the correct entity.
Check the search result carefully. Similar names can belong to different entities, so the user should verify identifiers and status information.
Select the required information product. A basic search result may not contain all information needed for onboarding, credit assessment or due diligence.
Pay the displayed charge where applicable. Bizfile shows the current price before purchase.
Review the information in context. An ACRA record provides registered information but does not replace legal, financial, tax or commercial due diligence.

Finance teams should define the purpose of the search before purchasing a product. Vendor onboarding may require different information from a share acquisition, loan application or legal-entity verification exercise.

What is an ACRA business profile?

An ACRA business profile is an official information product containing selected registered particulars about a business entity.

The available particulars may include the entity's registered name, Unique Entity Number, registration information, activities, address and officers, depending on the product and current disclosure rules.

Banks, customers, landlords, payment providers and professional advisers may request a recent business profile during onboarding or due diligence. A business profile records registered information and does not certify the company's profitability, solvency or commercial reliability.

How should companies keep their ACRA information accurate?

Companies should connect every corporate change to a documented approval, an ACRA filing assessment and an update of the underlying statutory records.

Create a compliance calendar. Record annual and event-driven obligations with internal preparation dates before the statutory deadlines.
Assign responsibility. Identify the director, company secretary, finance employee or service provider responsible for each filing.
Route changes through a central process. Directors, HR, finance and shareholders should notify the company secretary before changing addresses, appointments, ownership or business activities.
Approve transactions properly. Prepare the resolutions, consents and transaction documents required for the proposed action.
Submit the ACRA filing. Use the correct Bizfile transaction and complete all required endorsements and payments.
Verify the updated record. Check that the accepted filing reflects the intended information.
Update connected systems. Align statutory registers, contracts, invoices, bank records, payroll, CPF, IRAS and licence records where the change affects them.
Retain evidence. Keep confirmations, resolutions and supporting documents according to the applicable record-retention requirements.

A documented workflow reduces discrepancies between ACRA, accounting records, tax filings and operational systems.

What common ACRA filing mistakes should businesses avoid?

Common ACRA mistakes include selecting inaccurate SSIC codes, missing event-driven deadlines and filing information that does not match the company's records.

Mistake	Business risk	Better control
Choosing an approximate SSIC code without reviewing actual activities	The registered activity may misrepresent operations or create issues during licensing and onboarding.	Management should review the SSIC Code Search against the intended revenue activities.
Treating incorporation as the end of compliance	The company may miss officer, address, share or annual-return filings.	The company should establish a compliance calendar immediately after registration.
Filing before corporate approval	The submitted change may lack proper authority or conflict with internal records.	The company secretary should confirm resolutions and consents before submission.
Confusing ACRA and IRAS obligations	The company may complete one filing while leaving another overdue.	The finance team should maintain separate ACRA and tax workstreams with reconciled data.
Using outdated forms or guidance	The submission may omit a current requirement.	The filer should retrieve forms and instructions from the official ACRA website before use.
Ignoring a dormant company	The company may miss continuing obligations despite having no active trade.	Directors should review the applicable ACRA and IRAS dormancy rules each reporting cycle.
Leaving former officers on the record	Public information may become inaccurate and due diligence may be disrupted.	The company should trigger the applicable filing as part of every appointment or exit process.

Accurate source records are as important as timely submission. A fast filing based on incorrect information can create additional correction work and regulatory exposure.

How does ACRA interact with IRAS, CPF and MOM?

ACRA, IRAS, CPF and MOM administer different parts of a Singapore business's legal, tax and employment obligations.

Authority	Primary business touchpoint	Practical distinction
ACRA	Entity registration, corporate records and applicable statutory filings	ACRA maintains the registered corporate record and administers filings within its scope.
IRAS	Corporate income tax, GST and other tax matters	IRAS administers tax registration, reporting, assessment and payment matters.
CPF	Employer contributions and related obligations	CPF requirements arise when the business has workers covered by the relevant contribution rules.
MOM	Employment regulation and work passes	MOM administers employment standards and passes such as the Employment Pass, S Pass and Work Permit.

A successful ACRA registration does not automatically complete every tax, payroll, employment or licensing requirement. Business owners should map each activity to the responsible authority and applicable deadline.

When should a business use a corporate service provider for ACRA work?

A business should consider professional support when an ACRA transaction involves complex ownership, corporate approvals, recurring deadlines or coordination with accounting, tax and payroll records.

A straightforward transaction can still create downstream issues if the supporting resolutions, registers or tax treatment are wrong. Founder availability, local officer requirements, regulated activities, share changes, foreign ownership and group restructuring can increase the amount of preparation needed.

A corporate service provider can coordinate the filing with statutory registers and supporting documents. The provider should still obtain complete instructions because directors retain responsibility for the company's compliance and the accuracy of submitted information.

How might ACRA compliance work in practice?

An anonymised founder example shows why ACRA, accounting and tax work should follow one coordinated workflow.

A Singapore trading company planned to add a new revenue line, appoint a director and issue shares to an investor. The founder initially treated the changes as a single Bizfile update.

The company secretary separated the project into distinct corporate actions, checked the appropriate SSIC description, prepared the appointment and share documents, and mapped the required updates to the company's registers. The finance team then aligned the ownership data with its accounting and tax records.

The coordinated process reduced the risk of inconsistent dates, unsupported filings and discrepancies during investor due diligence. The example is illustrative, and the required actions depend on the facts and current law.

How can E&H Corporate Services support ACRA compliance?

E&H Corporate Services can coordinate company incorporation, corporate secretarial filings, accounting, tax, GST and payroll support for Singapore businesses.

ACRA compliance support: E&H Corporate Services helps founders and finance teams prepare registrations, maintain corporate records, manage recurring deadlines and coordinate statutory changes with accounting and tax workflows. Professional review is particularly useful when a transaction affects directors, shareholders, share capital, business activities or multiple authorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ACRA stand for?

ACRA stands for the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority.

What is ACRA Singapore?

ACRA is Singapore's national regulator for business registration, financial reporting, public accountants and corporate service providers.

Is ACRA registration the same as a business licence?

ACRA registration establishes or registers the business entity, while a separate licence may be required for a regulated activity.

What is Bizfile?

Bizfile is ACRA's official online portal for registrations, statutory filings, searches and available business-information products.

What is a UEN?

A Unique Entity Number is an identifier used for an entity's interactions with Singapore government agencies and other organisations.

Can the public search for a company through ACRA?

Bizfile provides access to available entity searches and business-information products, subject to the current access and payment requirements.

Does every Singapore company need to file an annual return?

Singapore companies generally have annual filing obligations, subject to the rules and exemptions applicable to the particular company.

Does a dormant company still need to deal with ACRA?

A dormant company remains registered and may retain filing and record-keeping obligations unless an applicable exemption applies.

Are ACRA and IRAS the same authority?

ACRA administers business registration and corporate regulation within its scope, while IRAS administers Singapore tax matters.

Where can a business confirm current ACRA fees?

The relevant official ACRA guide or Bizfile transaction displays the current fee applicable to the service.

What is the ACRA address?

ACRA publishes its current address, service channels and operating information on the official [Contact ACRA](https://www.acra.gov.sg/contact-us) page; businesses should verify the live page before visiting.

Can a director file directly with ACRA?

An authorised person may complete available Bizfile transactions directly when the person has the required access, authority, information and supporting approvals.

Can E&H Corporate Services handle ACRA filings?

E&H Corporate Services can support incorporation, corporate secretarial filings and related accounting, tax, GST and payroll coordination.