If your business is incorporated in Singapore, one regulatory compliance you can’t ignore is filing your annual return with Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). Even if your company is dormant or hasn’t made revenue in a given year — you still need to submit the return.
In this guide (updated for 2026), we walk you through exactly what you need to know — who must file, what must be submitted, when, and how.
✅ Who Needs to File — and When
- Who: All companies incorporated in Singapore — private limited companies, public companies, even dormant ones — must file an annual return with ACRA.
- When: For most private companies: within 7 months after your Financial Year End (FYE).
- AGM requirement: If required, you must also hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) before filing — though many private companies may qualify for exemptions under certain conditions.
Important: Annual Return filing is separate from tax filing with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). Completing one doesn’t satisfy the other.
📄 What You Need to File (Key Components)
Your Annual Return typically includes:
- Company details: name, Unique Entity Number (UEN), registered address, company type, etc.
- Details of directors, shareholders, company officers, share capital, share issuance / transfers (if any) during the year.
- Financial statements for the financial year (or a simplified declaration / exemption, if eligible).
- The date of your most recent AGM (if held), or indicate if AGM was dispensed with under applicable exemption rules.
If your company meets certain small-company criteria or is a qualifying exempt private company (EPC), simplified filing or exemptions may apply — but you’ll still need to submit an Annual Return.
🖥️ Step-by-Step: How to File via ACRA’s Portal
Here’s a practical walk-through of the filing process, step by step:
- Log in to ACRA’s portal (BizFile+) using your approved credentials (CorpPass / Singpass as relevant).
- Select your company, then navigate to the “Annual Filing” section → choose “File Annual Returns.”
- Review pre-filled information (company name, UEN, registered address, etc.) and update if anything has changed.
- Provide or confirm Financial Year End (FYE) and company type/status (private, public, dormant, etc.) — this determines what kind of financial statements / declarations are needed.
- Upload required documents:
- If required: financial statements in approved format (often XBRL, with PDF copy) or simplified statements / declarations for eligible companies.
- AGM date (if AGM held), or indicate exemption/dispensation if you’re qualified and AGM is not required.
- Verify details of officers, shareholders, share capital, and any share transfers/allotments during the year.
- Confirm & submit the filing, pay the filing fee (standard fee applies).
- Download confirmation / business profile receipt — this serves as proof of filing.
⚠️ What Happens If You Miss the Deadline
Failing to file on time can lead to significant consequences:
- Late-filing penalties.
- Company status may be flagged, or risk of being struck off if non-compliance persists.
- Directors / officers may face enforcement action under the relevant laws.
To avoid risks, many companies find it helpful to maintain an internal compliance calendar or engage a professional corporate-secretarial service to track deadlines and manage filings on time.
💡 Practical Tips for SMEs
- Start early: As soon as your financial year ends, start preparing financial statements (or simplified declarations, if eligible). Don’t wait until the last minute.
- Keep records up to date: Maintain up-to-date shareholder, director and share capital records throughout the year — so you’re not scrambling at filing time.
- Check eligibility for exemptions: If you’re a small or exempt private company, you may avoid full financial statement submission — but you still must file the AR.
- Use a calendar or compliance tool: Mark your FYE, AGM deadline (if any), and AR filing deadline clearly. Consider reminders or professional help.
- Treat AR filing separately from tax filing: Don’t confuse your company’s tax return with the AR — both must be done independently.
🧩 How ccMonet Can Help SMEs Stay Compliance-Ready
For SMEs using financial management tools like ccMonet, many of the pre-requisites for Annual Return filing become easier: consistent, accurate bookkeeping; up-to-date financial statements; audit-ready records; clear expense and revenue breakdowns.
By keeping your accounting records organized year-round, ccMonet reduces last-minute scramble and helps ensure your financial statements are ready when it’s time to file — which in turn helps your company stay compliant with ACRA.
If you’re curious to see how automation and structured financial data can simplify regulatory compliance for SMEs, consider starting with ccMonet.
Final Thoughts
Filing your annual return with ACRA is an unavoidable compliance requirement — but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Armed with the right documents, clear timelines, and good record-keeping, most SMEs can complete the process smoothly within minutes.
Staying on top of this each year keeps your company in good standing, transparent for stakeholders, and legally compliant.
And if you combine disciplined bookkeeping (or automation tools) with proper planning — you turn what feels like a chore into just another routine business task.
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