The basic requirements for registering a Private Limited Company in Singapore are as follows:

• • At least one shareholder (individual or corporate entity)
• • At least one local resident director (Singapore citizen, permanent resident, or holder of an Employment Pass/EntrePass)
• • A company secretary (who must be a resident in Singapore)
• • A physical Singapore address to serve as the registered office
• • Minimum initial paid-up share capital of SGD

The general steps to incorporate a Private Limited Company in Singapore are as follows:

• • Choose a business name and ensure its availability.
• • Have the business activities in mind and the relevant SSIC code.
• • Decide on the total amount of share capital as well as the number of shares.
• • Have a registered office address readily available.
• • Decide on the financial year end of the company.
• • Prepare the necessary documents, including the Constitution.
• • Appoint directors, shareholders, and a company secretary.
• • Register the company with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).

The responsibilities of a corporate secretary in Singapore include:

• • Ensuring compliance with the Singapore Companies Act and other relevant regulations.
• • Maintaining statutory registers and records, such as the Register of Members and Register of Directors.
• • Filing annual returns and other necessary documents with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).
• • Advising the board of directors on corporate governance matters and regulatory requirements
• • Assisting in the preparation and execution of resolutions and other corporate documents.

Yes, it is a legal requirement for every company registered in Singapore to appoint a qualified corporate secretary within six months of its incorporation. The corporate secretary must be a natural person who is ordinarily resident in Singapore and must not be the sole director of the company. The corporate secretary plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance with statutory obligations and maintaining proper corporate governance practices.

Singapore has a flat corporate tax rate of 17% on chargeable income. The various tax incentives and schemes include:

• • Partial tax exemption for qualifying companies
• • Tax exemption scheme for new start-up companies
• • Tax incentives for specific industries or activities
• • Etc.

GST is a value-added tax levied on the supply of goods and services in Singapore. Businesses are required to register for GST if their annual taxable turnover exceeds S$1 million, or if they anticipate their taxable turnover to exceed S$1 million in the next 12 months. Once registered, businesses must charge and collect GST on their taxable supplies, file GST returns, and pay the GST collected to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) on a regular basis.

A nominee director is an individual appointed to act as a director of a company on behalf of another party, such as the company's beneficial owner. The nominee director's name appears on official company documents and registers, while the beneficial owner retains control and decision-making authority. Nominee directors are commonly used in situations where the beneficial owner wishes to maintain anonymity or does not meet the statutory requirements to serve as a director, such as residency or nationality requirements

To register a trademark in Singapore, you need to follow these steps:

• • Conduct a trademark search to ensure your proposed trademark is not already registered or similar to existing trademarks.
• • Prepare and file a trademark application with the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), providing a clear representation of the trademark, and specifying the goods or services covered by the trademark
• • Pay the required filing fees.
• • The application will be examined to ensure it meets the criteria for registration.
• • If the application is accepted, the trademark will be published in the Trade Marks Journal for opposition purposes.
• • If no opposition is raised during the specified period, the trademark will be registered, and a registration certificate will be issued.

The requirements for trademark registration in Singapore include:

• • The trademark must be capable of being represented graphically.
• • The trademark must be distinctive and not descriptive of the goods or services it represents.
• • The trademark must not be deceptive or contrary to public morality.
• • The trademark must not infringe on existing trademarks or intellectual property rights.
• • The applicant must provide a list of goods or services for which the trademark will be used.