Singapore Annual Return Filing via Bizfile: A Complete Guide for Companies
Filing an annual return is an important compliance responsibility for companies registered in Singapore. Every local company must keep its corporate information up to date and submit its annual return to the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) within the applicable deadline.
Today, companies can complete the process electronically through Bizfile, ACRA’s online business filing portal. The current Bizfile system allows company officers and corporate service providers to review pre-filled information, update company particulars, submit required financial information and complete the annual return filing online.
For business owners who are unfamiliar with the process, however, questions often arise about filing deadlines, financial statements, XBRL requirements, AGM information, late filing penalties and what documents need to be prepared.
This guide explains how to file a Singapore annual return through Bizfile, what to prepare beforehand and when engaging an accounting or corporate secretarial professional may be helpful.
What Is an Annual Return in Singapore?
A Singapore annual return is a statutory filing submitted to ACRA that provides an updated snapshot of a company’s corporate information.
Depending on the company and its circumstances, the filing may contain information relating to:
- Company name and registration details
- Registered office address
- Business activities
- Directors and company officers
- Shareholders and shareholding information
- Financial year-end
- Annual General Meeting (AGM) information
- Financial statements or applicable financial information
The annual return should not be confused with a company’s corporate income tax return. Annual return filing is an ACRA compliance requirement, while corporate income tax filing is handled separately with IRAS.
Who Needs to File an Annual Return?
Singapore-incorporated companies are generally required to file an annual return with ACRA, including companies that may be dormant.
The responsibility does not disappear simply because a company has little or no business activity during the year.
Company officers, such as directors or the company secretary, may submit the annual return. Companies can also appoint a corporate service provider (CSP) to handle the filing on their behalf.
This is particularly useful for SMEs and foreign-owned companies that do not have an internal accounting or corporate secretarial team.
When Is the Singapore Annual Return Due?
The annual return deadline depends on the type of company and its financial year-end.
Companies should therefore identify their financial year-end and applicable statutory deadline well before the filing period.
ACRA states that companies should file annual returns on time to avoid penalties and possible enforcement action. Late compliance can result in financial penalties and, in more serious circumstances, additional consequences for the company and its directors.
A practical approach is to maintain an annual compliance calendar that includes:
- Financial year-end
- AGM date or applicable AGM status
- Annual return deadline
- Corporate tax deadlines
- GST filing deadlines, where applicable
- Other statutory compliance dates
What Should You Prepare Before Filing?
Before accessing Bizfile, it is useful to check that your company’s corporate records and accounting information are ready.
- Review Your Company Particulars
Check whether the following information is current:
- Registered office address
- Business activities
- Directors
- Company secretary
- Shareholders
- Share capital
- Shareholding details
- Financial year-end
If information has changed, make sure the relevant ACRA records are updated through the appropriate Bizfile transaction before completing the annual return.
- Prepare the Financial Statements
Some companies are required to submit financial statements as part of their annual return.
Where applicable, financial statements may need to be prepared and submitted in XBRL format. ACRA’s current filing guidance also provides for situations where a PDF copy of the complete financial statements must accompany the filing. ACRA
This is one reason accurate bookkeeping and year-end accounting should ideally be completed before the annual return deadline.
- Check AGM Information
The annual return requires companies to provide information relating to their AGM.
Depending on the company’s circumstances, you may need to indicate whether an AGM was held, whether the company was exempt, or whether the requirement to hold an AGM was dispensed with.
If an AGM was held, the relevant date should be provided during the filing process. ACRA
- Check Directors’ Statements and Supporting Information
Where applicable, ensure the relevant directors’ statements and supporting financial information have been properly prepared.
ACRA’s current guidance specifies signing requirements for directors’ statements depending on the number of directors in the company. ACRA
How to File an Annual Return Through Bizfile
The current Bizfile process is largely digital, with information from previous filings used to pre-populate parts of the annual return.
Step 1: Log in to Bizfile
Go to ACRA’s Bizfile portal and log in as a business user using the applicable Singpass/Corppass authentication process.
Bizfile is ACRA’s central online platform for business registration, information services and statutory filings.
Step 2: Select the Annual Return Filing Service
Navigate to the annual filing section and select the option to file an annual return.
ACRA’s current filing process provides pre-filled information based on previous filings, reducing the amount of information that needs to be entered manually.
Step 3: Review Your Company Information
Carefully compare the pre-filled information against your company’s latest records.
Do not assume that pre-filled information is automatically correct.
Check details such as:
- Company particulars
- Financial year-end
- Directors
- Shareholders
- Share information
- Company status
- AGM information
Any outdated information should be addressed before submitting the annual return.
Step 4: Complete the Financial Information
Depending on your company’s filing requirements, you may need to provide or attach financial statements.
If XBRL filing is required, the financial statements should be properly prepared and validated before submission.
For businesses without an internal finance team, this stage can be one of the more technically demanding parts of the annual compliance process.
Step 5: Review the Declaration
Before submitting, carefully review the completed annual return.
The person filing must make the required declarations and confirm that the information submitted is accurate.
A final review is important because incorrect corporate information can create additional administrative work after filing.
Step 6: Pay the Filing Fee
ACRA currently lists the annual return filing fee for companies as S$60.
Once the filing is successfully submitted, the company’s records are updated immediately according to ACRA’s current guidance.
Step 7: Keep Your Filing Records
After a successful filing, ACRA provides a free electronic Business Profile that can be downloaded within the applicable period.
Businesses should retain their annual return, financial statements and supporting corporate records as part of their compliance documentation.
What Happens If You File the Annual Return Late?
Late filing should be avoided whenever possible.
ACRA states that companies may face penalties of up to S$600 for annual return filing offences. Depending on the circumstances and extent of non-compliance, further enforcement measures may also apply.
If a company has missed more than one annual return, outstanding returns generally need to be addressed rather than simply filing the latest return.
ACRA also provides an application for an Extension of Time (EOT) in eligible circumstances. The current EOT process provides up to 60 additional days, with an application fee of S$200. An EOT application must be made before the applicable deadline.
Can an Accountant or Corporate Secretary File the Annual Return?
Yes.
ACRA allows companies to engage a corporate service provider to submit the annual return on their behalf. ACRA
For business owners, outsourcing the process can be useful when the company also requires:
- Bookkeeping
- Preparation of financial statements
- XBRL conversion
- Corporate secretarial support
- ACRA compliance checks
- Tax compliance
- Year-end accounting
Instead of treating annual return filing as a standalone administrative task, businesses can coordinate their accounting and corporate compliance work around the same financial year-end.
How WLP Can Assist With Annual Return Compliance
For Singapore businesses that prefer professional assistance, WLP provides accounting and corporate compliance services that can support the annual filing process.
WLP’s published services include bookkeeping, preparation of annual financial statements, XBRL conversion, accounting support and corporate secretarial services, including annual return filing.
This can be particularly useful where a company needs help preparing the financial information before the ACRA filing rather than simply submitting an already completed form.
WLP states that it has been operating since 2013 and provides accounting, tax and corporate services to Singapore businesses. Its office is located at Woods Square in Woodlands, Singapore.
Businesses looking for assistance can explore WLP’s accounting and corporate services through its official website.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Filing an Annual Return
Using outdated company information
A company may have changed directors, shareholders, business activities or its registered address during the year. Always compare the Bizfile information against your latest corporate records.
Treating the annual return as a tax filing
The ACRA annual return and IRAS corporate income tax filing are different obligations. Completing one does not automatically satisfy the other. ACRA
Waiting until the deadline to prepare financial statements
If financial statements or XBRL information are required, last-minute preparation can make the filing process unnecessarily stressful.
Assuming a dormant company does not need to file
Dormancy does not automatically remove a company’s annual return obligations.
Forgetting AGM information
AGM-related information forms part of the annual return process. Make sure the company’s AGM status and relevant dates have been properly documented.
Ignoring previous years’ outstanding filings
If annual returns are overdue for multiple financial years, the compliance position should be reviewed and the outstanding filings addressed.
Annual Return Filing Checklist for Singapore Companies
Before submitting your annual return, use this quick checklist:
- Confirm your company’s financial year-end
- Check the annual return deadline
- Review directors and company secretary details
- Check shareholder and share capital information
- Confirm the registered office address
- Review business activities
- Prepare financial statements where required
- Check whether XBRL filing is required
- Verify AGM information
- Review all information pre-filled in Bizfile
- Complete the required declarations
- Pay the applicable filing fee
- Download and retain your filing records
- Check whether separate IRAS tax filing obligations apply
Frequently Asked Questions
Is annual return filing compulsory in Singapore?
Yes. Singapore companies are generally required to file annual returns with ACRA according to their applicable statutory deadlines. ACRA
How much does it cost to file an annual return with ACRA?
The current ACRA filing fee for a company annual return is S$60. Professional service fees will be additional if you engage an accountant or corporate service provider. ACRA
Can I file my own annual return?
Yes. A company officer such as a director or company secretary can file the annual return through Bizfile. A company can also appoint a corporate service provider to handle the filing. ACRA
Do dormant companies need to file annual returns?
Generally, yes. A company being dormant does not by itself eliminate its annual return filing obligation.
Do I need an accountant to file my annual return?
Not necessarily. Companies can file directly through Bizfile. However, professional assistance may be worthwhile when financial statements, XBRL reporting, accounting adjustments or other compliance matters are involved.
What if my annual return is overdue?
Outstanding annual returns should be addressed as soon as possible. ACRA provides procedures for overdue filings, and companies may face penalties or enforcement action for non-compliance.
Final Thoughts
Annual return filing is a routine but important part of maintaining a compliant Singapore company.
The Bizfile process has become more streamlined, with much of the company’s existing information pre-filled. Nevertheless, directors and business owners remain responsible for ensuring that the information submitted to ACRA is accurate, complete and up to date.
For straightforward companies with well-maintained records, the filing can be completed directly through Bizfile. For companies that also need bookkeeping, financial statement preparation, XBRL conversion or corporate secretarial support, engaging an experienced accounting firm can simplify the overall compliance process.
Need help with your Singapore annual return, accounting or XBRL filing? WLP provides accounting and corporate secretarial support for businesses in Singapore.