Forms of Doing Business in Singapore

Business in Singapore may be conducted through a range of business entities. The choice of business entity has ongoing implications for the tax treatment of income derived by the entity, the costs of compliance with regulatory requirements, and the opportunities to expand, restructure, sell the business or sell the entity.

The following are some of the common entity types in Singapore:

• company

• trust

• unit trust

• registered business trust

• sole proprietorship

• partnership

• limited liability partnership

• limited partnership, and

• branch of a foreign entity.

Other taxable entities include Hindu Joint Families, clubs, charities, trade associations, cooperatives and unincorporated bodies of persons.

The most common business structures used in Singapore are companies limited by shares, sole proprietorships and partnerships.

Further information can be found at the Singapore Government's business resource website at www.acra.gov.sg