Singapore Sole Proprietorship Registration & Business Guide 2026

Complete guide to registering a Sole Proprietorship with ACRA in Singapore. Explains S$115 (1-yr) / S$175 (3-yr) registration fee, Medisave rules, & unlimited liability.

Statutory Overview & Legal Framework

A Sole Proprietorship is the simplest business structure in Singapore, registered under the Business Names Registration Act (Cap. 32) with ACRA. It is an unincorporated business owned by a single individual or business entity, where the owner bears unlimited personal liability for all business debts and obligations. Citizens, Permanent Residents (PRs), and eligible FIN pass holders living in Singapore can register directly. Overseas non-resident foreigners must appoint an Authorised Representative ordinarily resident in Singapore and engage an ACRA-registered Corporate Service Provider (CSP). Sole-proprietors must ensure CPF Medisave contributions are up to date (paid in full or active GIRO plan). Initial registration fees are S$115 (1-year) or S$175 (3-year), with renewals at S$30 (1-year) or S$90 (3-year). Use this guide to register a Singapore Sole Proprietorship.

Core Statutory Criteria & Regulations

Unlimited Personal Liability StructureUnlimited Liability

The sole proprietor is personally responsible for all business debts; personal assets can be seized to pay business liabilities.

CPF Medisave Pre-Registration Compliance RuleMedisave Mandate

Self-employed persons must be up to date with CPF Medisave contributions (paid in full or active GIRO arrangement) before ACRA registration.

Authorised Representative Mandate for Overseas OwnersAuthorised Rep

If all owners are not ordinarily resident in Singapore, an authorised representative who is ordinarily resident in Singapore must be appointed.

Personal Income Tax Tariff ApplicationIRAS Personal Tax

Business profits are treated as personal income of the owner and taxed under IRAS progressive individual income tax rates (up to 24%).

Qualification & Compliance Requirements

Applies to Singapore Citizens, PRs, eligible FIN holders, and foreigners who meet the applicable residency, work-pass, CSP, and authorised-representative requirements.

Owner must be at least 18 years of age and not an undischarged bankrupt.

Initial registration costs S$115 for 1 year or S$175 for 3 years. Ongoing registration must be renewed prior to expiry (renewal fee is S$30 for 1 year or S$90 for 3 years) on Bizfile.

Foreigners without Singpass must engage an ACRA-registered Corporate Service Provider (CSP) to file business registration.

Small-scale home businesses may use a residential address under the applicable HDB Home Office Scheme or URA guidelines, subject to scheme approval.

Statutory Document & Application Checklist

Business Names Registration Act (Cap. 32)

Singpass MyInfo / Passport & Proof of Address

Authorised Representative Appointment Confirmation (for non-resident owners)

HDB Home Office Approval / URA Written Permission (if operating from home)

ACRA Business Profile & UEN Issuance Confirmation

Step-by-Step Filing & Compliance Process

Check CPF Medisave Status with CPF Board

Check applicable CPF Medisave requirements before reserving the business name. Self-employed persons who are subject to Medisave obligations must be up to date with CPF, either by paying in full or maintaining an active GIRO arrangement.

ACRA Business Name Search & Application

Submit proposed sole proprietorship name on Bizfile portal (Fee: S$15).

File Sole Proprietorship Registration Form

Submit owner details, business activity SSIC code, appoint local Authorised Representative (if overseas owner), and pay registration fee (S$100 for 1 year or S$160 for 3 years).

Receive ACRA Business Profile & UEN

Upon successful registration, ACRA issues the business's Unique Entity Number (UEN) and provides access to its Business Profile through Bizfile.

Open Business Bank Account & Licensing

Present Business Profile to open sole proprietorship bank account and apply for any required GoBusiness sector permits.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

A Sole Proprietorship has unlimited personal liability and profits are taxed at individual income tax rates. A Pte Ltd is a separate legal entity with limited liability, and its chargeable income is generally taxed at the 17% corporate income tax rate, subject to applicable tax exemptions.

The official initial ACRA registration fee is S$115 for 1 year (S$15 name reservation + S$100 registration) or S$175 for 3 years (S$15 name reservation + S$160 registration), subject to ACRA eligibility requirements. Ongoing renewals cost S$30 for 1 year or S$90 for 3 years.

Yes. Foreigners can register a sole proprietorship subject to ACRA eligibility requirements. Foreigners without Singpass must engage an ACRA-registered Corporate Service Provider (CSP), and if all owners are not ordinarily resident in Singapore, an authorised representative who is ordinarily resident in Singapore must be appointed.

Self-employed Singapore Citizens, PRs, and eligible FIN holders must have their CPF Medisave contributions up to date (paid in full or under an active GIRO arrangement) before reserving a business name or becoming an owner.

Yes. Under the HDB Home Office Scheme, flat owners can register a business at their HDB residential address for small-scale administrative operations, subject to HDB guidelines.

Profits are not taxed at the corporate rate; they are treated as personal business income of the sole proprietor and taxed under IRAS progressive individual income tax rates (0% up to 24%).