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IRAS Extends Tax Filing Deadlines

As part of its support for taxpayers in light of the latest measures to manage the COVID-19 situation, the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) is providing an automatic extension of deadlines for tax filing for individuals and businesses:

Tax Type Original Filing Deadline Extended Filing Deadline
Income Tax for Individuals (including sole proprietors and partnerships)18 Apr 202031 May 2020
Income Tax for Trusts, Clubs and Associations15 Apr 202031 May 2020
Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI) for companies with Financial Year ending Jan 202030 Apr 202031 May 2020
GST Returns for accounting period ending Mar 202030 Apr 202011 May 2020
S45 Withholding Tax Forms due in Apr 202015 Apr 202015 May 2020
Tax Clearances for foreign employee in Apr 2020 -1 additional month
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Resilience Budget 2020

Jobs Support Scheme ("JSS")

Current Treatment

Employers will receive an 8% cash grant on the gross monthly wages of each local employee (applicable to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents only) for the months of October 2019 to December 2019, subject to a monthly wage cap of $3,600 per employee.   

Employers do not need to apply for the JSS. The grant will be computed based on CPF contribution data.   

Employers can expect to receive the JSS payment from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) by 31 July 2020.

Wages paid to business owners will not be eligible for the grant. 

New Treatment

The cash grant will be increased to 50% for food and service industry, 75% for the aviation and tourism sectors, and 25% for rest of the industry.

The monthly qualifying wage ceiling is increased from S$3,600 to S$4,600.

The Jobs Support Scheme is extended for another two quarters, till the end of 2020.

Employers will receive a total of three tranches of payouts, in May, July, and October this year.

The gated attraction must have more than 30% visitorship from tourists, and be classified under one of the following SSIC codes:

  •  SSIC 91021: Museums;
  •  SSIC 91022: Art galleries (excluding retail);
  •  SSIC 91029: Preservation of historical sites, buildings, artefacts and paintings, cultural villages and other related activities n.e.c.;
  • SSIC 91030: Botanical and zoological gardens and nature reserve activities;
  •  SSIC 93201: Amusement theme parks;
  •  SSIC 93209: Other amusement and  recreation activities n.e.c. (including recreation parks/beaches and recreational fishing).
The food shops and food stalls must be classified under one of the following SSIC Codes:
 
  •  SSIC 56: Food and Beverage Service Activities;
  •  SSIC 68104: Letting and operating of self-owned or leased food courts, coffee shops and eating houses (with mainly rental income).
Licensees registered as individuals will also be included if they make mandatory CPF contributions for their employees.

Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme ("SIRS")

Current Treatment

Not applicable.

New Treatment

Eligible self-employed persons will receive S$1,000 a month for nine months.

*Will be updated when MOM release details.

Self-Employed Person Training Support Scheme

Current Treatment

Announced on 3 March 2020, it gives all freelancers a training allowance of S$7.50 an hour when they attend courses under the SkillsFuture Series, as well as selected sector-specific training programmes.

New Treatment

The training allowance is increased to S$10.00 an hour with effect from 1 May 2020.

Workfare Income Supplement Scheme ("WIS")

Current Treatment

You will qualify for WIS if you:

  • are a Singapore Citizen;
  • are 35 years old or above on 31 December of the work year (all persons with disabilities would qualify for WIS); and
  • earn a gross monthly income of not more than S$2,300 for the month worked.

You will receive additional 20% of total annual WIS payments received for work done in 2019, with a minimum payment of $100. The highest WSP payout would have been S$720.

New Treatment

The Workfare Special Payment is increased to S$3,000, which will be paid over two equal payments of S$1,500 each, in July and October 2020.

COVID-19 Support Grant

Current Treatment

Not applicable.

New Treatment

The scheme eligibility criteria are as follows:

  • Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents, aged 16 years and above,
  • who are presently unemployed due to retrenchment or contract termination as a result of the economic impact of the COVID-19 situation, and meet all of the following:
  • Had a monthly household income of not more than $10,000, or per capita household income not more than $3,100 per month prior to unemployment;
  • Lives in a property with an annual value of not more than $21,000; and
  • Not currently receiving ComCare Short-to-Medium Term Assistance(SMTA) or ComCare Interim Assistance.
  • The applicant must have been employed as a full-time, or part-time permanent, or contract staff prior to unemployment.

Successful applicants will receive a monthly cash grant of S$800, for three months.

The scheme will be open for application from May 2020 to September 2020.

Individuals who are eligible may submit their application at their nearest Social Service Office,

Care and Support Package

Current Treatment

All Singaporeans aged 21 years and above in 2020 will receive a one-off Care and Support – Cash payout of S$300, S$200 or S$100, depending on their income.

Those who own more than one property will receive S$100, regardless of their income.

Parents, with one or more Singaporean children aged 20 years and below in 2020, will each receive an additional $100 in cash.

New Treatment

The one-off Care and Support – Cash payout that was announced at Budget 2020 will be tripled for all Singaporeans aged 21 and above in 2020.

Each eligible citizen will receive S$900, S$600, or S$300, depending on their income.

Those who own more than one property will receive S$300, regardless of their income.

Parents, with at least one Singaporean child aged 20 and below in 2020, will each receive an additional S$300 in cash.

Deferment of Income Tax Payments for Companies

Current Treatment

Tax payable on first ECI e-Filed within

  • 1 months from year end: 12 months
  • 2 months from year end: 10 months
  • 3 months from year end:  8 months
  • After 3 months from year end: No installments allowed

New Treatment

All companies with CIT payments due in the months of April, May, and June 2020 will be granted an automatic three-month deferment of these payments. 

The CIT payments deferred from April, May, and June 2020 will instead be collected in July, August, and September 2020 respectively.

No application is required.

Deferment of Personal Income Tax (PIT) Payments for Self-Employed Persons (SEPs)

Current Treatment

Not applicable.

New Treatment

All SEPs are to file their personal income tax (PIT) returns for YA2020 by 18 April 2020. SEPs will be granted an automatic three-month deferment of their PIT payments due in the months of May, June, and July 2020. The PIT payments deferred from May, June, and July 2020 will instead be collected in August, September, and October 2020 respectively.

Rental Waivers for Tenants in Government-Owned / Managed Non-Residential Facilities

Current Treatment

Stallholders at hawker centres and markets managed by the National Environment Agency (NEA) will be given one month’s worth of rental waiver, with a minimum waiver of $200.

Commercial tenants in other government-owned or managed facilities will be provided with half a month’s worth of rental waiver. 

These include facilities owned or managed by agencies such as the Housing Board, People’s Association, National Parks Board, JTC, Urban Redevelopment Authority, Singapore Tourism Board and Sentosa Development Corporation.

New Treatment

Stallholders at hawker centres and markets managed by the National Environment Agency (NEA) will be given three months’ worth of rental waiver, with a minimum waiver of $200.

Commercial tenants in other government-owned or managed facilities will be provided with two months’ worth of rental waivers. 

Other Non-Residential Tenants. Government agencies such as JTC, SLA, HDB, URA, BCA, NParks, and PA will provide half a month’s worth of rental waiver to eligible tenants of other non-residential premises who do not pay Property Tax. Eligible tenants/lessees may include those in premises used for
industrial or agricultural purpose, or as an office, a business or science park, or a petrol station.

Enhanced Property Tax Rebate for Non-Residential Properties

Current Treatment

For the tourism sector:

  • Property Tax Rebate of 30% for the year 2020, for the accommodation and function room components of licensed hotels and serviced apartments, and prescribed Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) venues.
  • International cruise and regional ferry terminals will receive a 15% Property Tax Rebate, and
  • the Integrated Resorts will receive a 10% Property Tax Rebate.

For the aviation sector:

  • 15% Property Tax Rebate for Changi Airport

 

New Treatment

For the tourism sector:

  • Property Tax Rebate of 100% for the year 2020, for the accommodation and function room components of licensed hotels and serviced apartments, and prescribed Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) venues.
  • International cruise and regional ferry terminals will receive a 100% Property Tax Rebate, and
  • the Integrated Resorts will receive a 60% Property Tax Rebate.

For the aviation sector:

  • 100% Property Tax Rebate for Changi Airport

For other non-residential properties:

  • 30% Property Tax Rebate

Enterprise Development Grant (EDG)

The Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) provides supports projects under 3 categories:

Core Capabilities

Projects under Core Capabilities help businesses prepare for growth and transformation by strengthening their business foundations.

Productivity

Projects under Innovation and Productivity support companies that explore new areas of growth, or look for ways to enhance efficiency.

Market Access

Projects under Market Access support Singapore companies that are willing and ready to venture overseas.

Current Treatment

Currently, the maximum support level is 70%, until 31 March 2023.

New Treatment

From 1 April 2020 to 31 December 2020, the support level will be raised from up to 70% to up to 80%. For enterprises that are most severely impacted by COVID19, the maximum support level will be further raised to 90% on a case-by-case basis.

Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG)

The PSG provides support to enterprises in their transformation journey through funding support for the adoption of off-the-shelf productivity solutions and equipment that have been pre-approved by the Government.

Current Treatment

Currently, the maximum support level is 70%, until 31 March 2023.

New Treatment

From 1 April 2020 to 31 December 2020, the maximum support level will be raised from 70% to 80%.

SMEs Go Digital

The SMEs Go Digital programme aims to help SMEs use digital technologies and build stronger digital capabilities to seize growth opportunities in the digital economy. 

Current Treatment

Not applicable.

New Treatment

From 1 April 2020 to 31 December 2020, the scope of pre-approved digital solutions will be expanded to cover:

  1. Online collaboration tools;
  2. Virtual meeting and telephony tools;
  3. Queue management systems; and
  4. Temperature screening solutions.

The list of digital solutions fro PSG can be found on the Tech Depot

(www.smeportal.sg/content/tech-depot/en/home.html).

SMEs that are looking for visitor registration and contact tracing tools can access free trials provided by the tech industry 

(https://www.imda.gov.sg/bizgodigital).

Stabilisation and Support Package (SSP) - Course fee subsidy

Current Treatment

SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) provides course fee subsidies (70% to 90%) and absentee payroll for a wide range of approved courses to support employers in sending their employees for training.

New Treatment

Under the Stabilisation and Support Package (SSP), SSG is providing 90% course fee subsidies and absentee payroll (AP) rates for employers in sectors directly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak (i.e. air transport, tourism, retail, and food services), when they sponsor their workers for eligible courses. 

These enhancements will last for three months.

SG Together Enhancing Enterprise Resilience (STEER)

STEER supports funds set up by the Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs) or industry groupings, with the aim of helping businesses tide over the challenges arising from COVID-19, and to push on with transformation efforts in preparation for economic recovery. 

Current Treatmement

Under the programme, Enterprise Singapore matches S$1 for every S$4 raised by such industry-led funds, up to S$1 million per fund.

New Treatment

From 1 April 2020, Enterprise Singapore will match S$1 for every S$2 raised by such industry-led funds, up to S$1 million per fund.

E-invoicing Registration Grant

Current Treatment

Not applicable.

New Treatment

Businesses registered on the nationwide e-invoicing network on or before 31 December 2020 will receive a one-time grant of S$200. Businesses can register through more than 50 Peppol-ready accounting and ERP solutions. Once registered on the nationwide e-invoicing network, businesses will be able to send and receive e-invoices through the network.

Businesses incorporated on or before 25 March 2020 and registered on the network on or before 31 December 2020 will automatically receive their grant via PayNow Corporate.

There is no need to apply for the grant.

Advanced Digital Solutions

IMDA and Enterprise Singapore will provide up to 80% funding support for enterprises to adopt advanced digital solutions from 1 May 2020 to 31 December 2020.

Current Treatment

Not applicable.

New Treatment

Examples include:

  1. Advanced security and facilities management systems for buildings – cluster guarding, digital concierges, sensors and analytics for energy management and predictive maintenance, smart toilet systems, and mobile robots for security and/or cleaning. These solutions will help enterprises balance the need to minimise physical contact among staff, with the increased demand for security, cleaning and maintenance. It will also help to integrate security,
    cleaning and maintenance for more seamless facilities management.
  2. Integrated Business-to-Business (B2B) systems to facilitate end-to-end
    transactions between buyers and sellers.     These would help enterprises transit from  manual/paper transactions to electronic transactions by covering interlinked transactions such as e-procurement, e-invoicing, e-payments, and inventory management.

Enterprise Financing Scheme – SME Working Capital Loan

Current Treatment

Maximum loan quantum: S$600,000

Maximum repayment period: 5 years

Government’s risk-share: 80%.

Interest rate: Subject to assessment by Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs)

Principal Payment Deferment: Not Applicable

New Treatment

Maximum loan quantum: S$1,000,000

Maximum repayment
period: 5 years

Government’s risk-share: 80%.

Interest rate: Subject to assessment by Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs)

Principal Payment Deferment: SMEs may request for deferment of principal repayment for 1 year, subject to assessment by PFIs

Enterprise Financing Scheme – Trade Loan

The Enterprise Financing Scheme – Trade Loan supports Singapore-based enterprises’ trade financing needs, which include the financing of short-term import, export, and guarantee needs.

Current Treatment

Maximum loan quantum: S$5,000,000 per borrower group,

Maximum repayment
period: 1 year

Government’s risk-share: 70%.

Interest rate: Subject to assessment by Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs)

New Treatment

Maximum loan quantum: $10,000,000 per borrower group,

Maximum repayment
period: 1 year

Government’s risk-share: 80%.

Interest rate: Subject to assessment by Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs)

Loan Insurance Scheme (LIS)

The Loan Insurance Scheme helps SMEs secure short-term trade loans by having commercial insurers co-share loan default with Participating Financial Institutions. A portion of the insurance premium paid by SMEs to insurers is supported by the Government.

Current Treatment

Maximum loan quantum insured: Subject to assessment by Commercial Insurers and Participating Financial Institutions

Maximum insured period: 1 year

Government’s subsidy on
insurance premium: 70%

New Treatment

Maximum loan quantum insured: Subject to assessment by Commercial Insurers and Participating Financial Institutions

Maximum insured period: 1 year

Government’s subsidy on
insurance premium: 80%

Temporary Bridging Loan Programme (TBLP)

The Loan Insurance Scheme helps SMEs secure short-term trade loans by having commercial insurers co-share loan default with Participating Financial Institutions. A portion of the insurance premium paid by SMEs to insurers is supported by the Government.

Current Treatment

Sector Coverage: Tourism enterprises

Maximum loan quantum: S$1,000,000 previously

Maximum repayment
period: 5 years

Government’s risk-share: 80%

Interest rate: Capped at 5% per annum

Principal Payment Deferment: Not applicable

New Treatment

Sector Coverage: All sectors

Maximum loan quantum: S$5,000,000 per borrower group

Maximum repayment
period: 5 years

Government’s risk-share: 80%

Interest rate: Capped at 5% per annum

Principal Payment Deferment: Enterprises may request for deferment of principal repayment for 1 year, subject to assessment by PFIs

Government fees and charges

Current Treatment

Not applicable.

New Treatment

All government fees and charges are freeze. i.e. No incremental of fees and charges.

All agencies will continue to collect fees and charges.

Temporary Relief Fund

Current Treatment

Not applicable.

New Treatment

Some families may require help urgently may apply for Temporary Relief Fund in the month of April, to provide them with immediate financial assistance.

This will be available at Social Service Offices and Community Centres.

SGUnited Traineeships programme

Current Treatment

Not applicable.

New Treatment

Workforce Singapore (WSG) will co-share manpower costs with enterprises that offer traineeships targeted at local first-time jobseekers this year.

*Will be updated when MOM release details.

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Singapore Budget 2020 affecting companies

Jobs Support Scheme ("JSS")

Current Treatment

Not applicable

New Treatment

Employers will receive an 8% cash grant on the gross monthly wages of each local employee (applicable to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents only) for the months of October 2019 to December 2019, subject to a monthly wage cap of $3,600 per employee.   

Employers do not need to apply for the JSS. The grant will be computed based on CPF contribution data.   

Employers can expect to receive the JSS payment from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) by 31 July 2020.

Wages paid to business owners will not be eligible for the grant. 

Enhancement to Wage Credit Scheme ("WCS")

Current Treatment

Under WCS, the Government will co-fund a part of wage increases given to Singaporean employees earning a gross monthly wage of up to $4,000.

  • 2013 to 2015: 40% cap at $4,000
  • 2016 to 2018: 20% cap at $4,000
  • 2019: 15% cap at $4,000
  • 2020: 10% cap at $4,000

Employers do not need to apply for the WCS. The grant will be computed based on CPF contribution data. 

Payouts will be given to employers by 31 Mar of the payout year.

New Treatment

The monthly wage ceiling will be raised from $4,000 to $5,000 for qualifying wage increases given in 2019 and 2020.

  • 2013 to 2015: 40% cap at $4,000
  • 2016 to 2018: 20% cap at $4,000
  • 2019: 20% cap at $5,000
  • 2020: 15% cap at $5,000

Government co-funding levels will also be raised for 2019 and 2020 qualifying wage increases by five percentage points, to 20% and 15% respectively. 

Corporate Income Tax ("CIT") Rebate 

Current treatment

YA2019: 20% of tax payable, capped at $10,000

New treatment

YA2020: 25% of tax payable, capped at $15,000

Automatic extension of interest-free instalments of 2 months for payment of CIT on Estimated Chargeable Income (“ECI”) filed within 3 months from the companies’ financial year-end (“FYE”)

Current Treatment

Tax payable on first ECI e-Filed within

  • 1 months from year end: 10 months
  • 2 months from year end: 8 months
  • 3 months from year end:  6 months
  • After 3 months from year end: No instalments allowed

New Treatment

Tax payable on first ECI e-Filed within

  • 1 months from year end: 12 months
  • 2 months from year end: 10 months
  • 3 months from year end:  8 months
  • After 3 months from year end: No instalments allowed

Increase the number of YAs for which the current year unabsorbed capital allowances (“CA”) and trade losses for a YA (collectively referred to as “qualifying deductions”) may be carried back 

Current Treatment

“Qualifying Deductions” (“QD”) can be carried back for one YA immediately preceding that YA in which the CAs are granted or the trade losses incurred capped at $100,000.

New Treatment

“Qualifying Deductions” (“QD”) for YA2020 can be carried back for three YA  (i.e YA2017) capped at $100,000.

Provide an option to accelerate the write-off of the cost of acquiring plant and machinery (“P&M”)

Current Treatment

A taxpayer who incurs capital expenditure on the acquisition of P&M in the basis period can claim Capital Allowances (CA) over

Section 19A

  • 100% Write-Off in One Year
  • Write-Off Over Three Years

Section 19

  • Write-Off Over the Prescribed Working Life of the Asset

New Treatment

A taxpayer who incurs capital expenditure on the acquisition of P&M in the basis period for YA2021 (i.e. financial year (“FY”) 2020) will have an option to accelerate the write-off of the cost of acquiring such P&M over 2 years.

The rates of accelerated CA allowed are as follows:

a) 75% of the cost incurred to be written off in the first year (i.e. YA2021); and,
b) 25% of the cost incurred to be written off in the second year (i.e. YA2022).

Provide an option to accelerate the deduction of expenses incurred on renovation and refurbishment (“R&R”)

Current Treatment

A taxpayer which incurs qualifying expenditure on R&R during the basis period for the purposes of its trade, profession or business can claim Section 14Q deduction  over three consecutive YAs starting from the year in which the R&R expenditure is incurred, i.e. 1/3 of the R&R expenditure can be claimed in each of the three YAs.

The amount of R&R costs that qualify for tax deduction as a business expense is capped at $300,000 for every relevant three-year period, starting from the year in which the R&R costs are incurred.

 

New Treatment

A taxpayer which incurs qualifying expenditure on R&R during the basis period for YA2021 (i.e. FY2020) for the purposes of its trade, profession or business will have an option to claim R&R deduction in 1 YA (i.e. accelerated R&R deduction).

The amount of R&R costs that qualify for tax deduction as a business expense is capped at $300,000 for every relevant three-year period, starting from the year in which the R&R costs are incurred.

Extend the Mergers & Acquisitions (“M&A”) scheme

Current Treatment

Under the M&A scheme, an M&A allowance will be granted to a company that acquires another company during the period 1 Apr 2010 to 31 Dec 2020 (both dates inclusive). The M&A allowance will be allowed on a straight line basis over five years and the allowance cannot be deferred. Companies must meet certain conditions to remain eligible for M&A allowance for each Year of Assessment (YA) during the five-year write-down period.

  • 1 Apr 2016 to 31 Dec 2020:  The M&A allowance is 25% of the value of acquisition, , subject to a maximum amount of $10 million for all qualifying share acquisitions in the basis period for each YA. Maximum M&A allowance for each YA will be reached with an acquisition of $20 million in that YA.
  • 1 Apr 2015 to 31 Mar 2016: The M&A allowance is 25% of the value of acquisition, , subject to a maximum amount of $5 million for all qualifying share acquisitions in the basis period for each YA. Maximum M&A allowance for each YA will be reached with an acquisition of $20 million in that YA.
  • 1 Apr 2010 to 31 Mar 2015: The M&A allowance is at 5% of the value of acquisition, subject to a maximum amount of $5 million for all qualifying share acquisitions in the basis period for each YA. Maximum M&A allowance for each YA will be reached with an acquisition of $100 million in that YA.

New Treatment

The M&A scheme will be extended to cover qualifying acquisitions made on or before 31 December 2025.

The scheme will remain unchanged for acquisitions made on or after 1 April 2020, except for the following:

  1. Stamp duty relief will lapse for instruments executed on or after 1 April 2020; and
  2. No waiver will be granted for the condition that the acquiring company must be held by an ultimate holding company that is incorporated in and is a tax resident of Singapore. This will apply for acquisitions made on or after 1 April 2020.
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Singapore corporate tax exemptions caa 18 Feb 2020

Partial tax exemption for companies (from YA 2020)

Chargeable income% exempted from TaxAmount exempted from Tax
First $10,000@75%=$7,500
Next $190,000@50%=$95,000
Total $200,000 =$102,500

Tax exemption scheme for new start-up companies (where any of the first 3 YAs falls in or after YA 2020)

Chargeable income% exempted from TaxAmount exempted from Tax
First $100,000@75%=$75,000
Next $100,000@50%=$50,000
Total $200,000 =$125,000

Partial tax exemption for companies (YA 2010 to YA 2019)

Chargeable income% exempted from TaxAmount exempted from Tax
First $10,000@75%=$7,500
Next $290,000@50%=$145,000
Total $300,000 =$152,500

Tax exemption scheme for new start-up companies (where any of the first 3 YAs falls in YA 2010 to YA 2019)

Chargeable income% exempted from TaxAmount exempted from Tax
First $100,000@100%=$100,000
Next $200,000@50%=$100,000
Total $300,000 =$200,000

YA 2020
Companies will be granted a 25% Corporate Income Tax Rebate capped at $15,000.

YA 2019
Companies will be granted a 20% Corporate Income Tax Rebate capped at $10,000.

YA 2018
Companies will be granted a 40% Corporate Income Tax Rebate capped at $15,000

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Government Grants – SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme

The SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme offers Employers a grant of up to S$15,000 per individual employed under the programe.

Background

The SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme is a work-learn programme that gives fresh graduates (within three years of graduation or Operationally Ready Date for National Servicemen) from polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) a head-start in careers related to their discipline of study. It provides them with more opportunities, after graduation, to build on the skills and knowledge they acquired in school, and better supports their transition into the workforce.

Participating employers can recruit local fresh talent, within three years of graduation or the Operationally Ready Date for National Servicemen and prepare them to take up suitable job roles. Participants in the programme can look forward to a structured career progression pathway within the organisation.

Benefits for the Employers

You will be able to groom and retain suitable talent with the relevant skills and aptitude to meet the needs of your company.

You will also receive a grant of up to $15,000 per individual placed in the SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme to defray the costs of developing and providing structured on-job-training and to encourage them to set out career progression pathways.

* Terms and Conditions apply

To sign up, please visit ELP portal.

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Changes on statutory requirements for AGM and filing of AR

To provide greater clarity for companies and reduce the compliance burden, the timelines for holding Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and the filing of annual returns will be aligned with the company’s FYE.

Timeline for holding AGMs and filing of annual returns​

Holding of AGMs

Current

For Companies with FYE ending on or after 31 Aug 2018 

(a) Timeline 1: Hold first AGM within 18 months of incorporation, and subsequent AGMs yearly at intervals of not more than 15 months

(b) Timeline 2: Financial statements tabled at AGM must be made up to a date within 4 months (for listed company) or 6 months (for any other company) before the AGM date.

For listed companies: Hold AGM within 4 months after FYE For any other company: Hold AGM within 6 months after FYE

Filing of Annual Returns

Current

For Companies with FYE ending on or after 31 Aug 2018 ​

For companies having a share capital and keeping a branch register outside Singapore
• File annual returns within 60 days after AGM

For other companies
• File annual returns within 30 days after AGM

For companies having a share capital and keeping a branch register outside Singapore:
• File annual returns within 6 months (if listed) or 8 months (if not listed) after FYE

For other companies:
• File annual returns within 5 months (if listed) or 7 months (if not listed) after FYE

Annual return can be filed only:
• after an AGM has been held;
• after financial statements is sent if company need not hold AGM; or
• after FYE for private dormant relevant company that is exempted from preparing financial statements.

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Changing of Company’s Financial Year End (FYE)

With effect from 31 August 2018,

1. companies must notify the Registrar of their FYE upon incorporation and of any subsequent change;

Company A is incorporated on 1 Jan 2019. The company must notify the Registrar of its FYE upon incorporation.

Company B was incorporated on 1 Jan 2018 and has not yet lodged any AR with ACRA.
After new law comes into effect, the company’s first FYE will be deemed by the new law to be 1 Jan 2019.

Company C’s FYE deemed by the new law is 31 Mar 2019 

On 31 Jan 2019, company A wants to change its FYE to 30 Apr 2019  
• Not required to seek Registrar’s approval

• FYE changed to 30 Apr 2019.  

2. companies must apply to the Registrar for approval to change their FYE:

  • if the change in FYE will result in a financial year longer than 18 months; or
  • if the FYE was changed within the last 5 years; and

3. unless approved by the Registrar, the duration of a company’s financial year must not be more than 18 months in the year of incorporation.

Continuing from previous example

On 31 Dec 2020, company C wants to change its FYE to 1 Feb 2021  

Company C must seek Registrar’s approval for the FYE change because this is the second change within the last 5 years of the last changed FYE (30 Apr 2019).  

Company D indicated in its AR filed in 2019 that its previous FY ended on 31 Mar 2019. Its next FYE should be 31 Mar 2020. 

On 31 Jan 2020, company Dwants to change its FYE to 31 Dec 2020. 

Company D must seek Registrar’s approval for the FYE change because this will result in a financial year which is longer than 18 months (from 1 Apr 2019 to 31 Dec 2020). 

4. only FYE of the current and immediate previous financial year may be changed (provided that statutory deadlines for the holding of AGM, filing of annual return and sending of financial statements have not passed).

Company E’s FYE notified in AR last filed with ACRA is 31 Mar 2021. Its next FYE should be 31 Mar 2022. 

On 10 Nov 2025, company E wants to change its FYE for 2022 from 31 Mar 2022 to 31 Dec 2022.  

Company E is not allowed to do so, because it can only change its previous or current financial year.

Company F indicated in its AR filed in 2019 that its previous FY ended on 31 Mar 2019. Its next FYE should be 31 Mar 2020.

On 1 Dec 2020, company F wants to change its FYE from 31 Mar 2019 to 31 Dec 2020.

Company F is not allowed to do so, because the deadline for the holding of AGM, filing of AR or sending of financial statements for the current financial year have passed. 

A company’s financial periods starting on or after 31 Aug 2018 by default will be taken to be a period 12 months for each financial period.

Important information for newly Incorporated companies that have yet to file Annual Returns

Companies incorporated before 31 August 2018 will have their FYE deemed by law to be the anniversary of the date previously notified to the Registrar as their FYE date.

Company G has indicated in its AR previously filed with ACRA that its FYE is 31 Mar 2018.
After new law comes into effect, the company G’s next FYE will be deemed by the new law to be 31 Mar 2019.

In the absence of such notification before 31 August 2018, the anniversary of the date of incorporation will be deemed by law to be their FYE.

Company H was incorporated on 1 Jan 2018 and has not yet lodged any AR with ACRA.
After new law comes into effect, the company H’s first FYE will be deemed by the new law to be 1 Jan 2019.

Companies can change their FYE by notifying ACRA before or after 31 August 2018 .

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Disqualification of directors

Amendment to disqualification of directors

The Companies (Amendment) Bill 2014 was passed by Parliament in October 2014.
One of the amendment is pertains to the disqualification of directors.

Reasons for disqualification

Reasons which will disqualify a individual from being a director includes the following:

  • Section 148 of the Companies Act: Bankruptcy
  • Section 149 and Section 154(2) of the Companies Act: By an Order of the Court
  • Section 149A of the Companies Act: Company being wound up for reasons of national security or interest
  • Section 154(1) of the Companies Act: Convicted of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty that is punishable with an imprisonment term for 3 months or more
  • Section 155 of the Companies Act:
    • Has been convicted for 3 or more filing related offences under the Companies Act within a period of 5 years or
    • Has 3 or more High Court Orders made against him compelling compliance with the relevant requirements of the Act, within a period of 5 years
    • Has 3 or more of his companies struck off the register by ACRA under section 344 within a period of 5 years. The 5 year period will commence from after the date on which the third company is struck off.

Disqualification period

The disqualification period depends on whether the director has been sentenced to imprisonment.

Sentenced with imprisonment

If the director is imprisoned, his disqualification will begin when he is convicted, and will continue for another five years or shorter as ordered if disqualified by the Courts after he is released from prison.

Sentenced without imprisonment

If the director was not sentenced to imprisonment, he will be disqualified for 5 years or shorter as ordered if disqualified by the court, from the date of his conviction.

What happens after disqualification

The individual will be listed on the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority’s (Acra’s) public register. A disqualified individual will not be allowed to be a director or take part in the management of any local or foreign company. He may continue to incorporate a new company or be appointed as a director of his previous company after the end of his disqualification period.

An news article about an director being disqualified under Section 155 of the Companies Act:
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/acra-to-name-disqualified-directors-in-public-register

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Government Grants – SME Talent Programme (STP)

The SME Talent Programme (STP) offers up to 70% funding support to help you defray the cost of the monthly stipend when you engage students through internships.

Funding
SMEs are eligible for up to 70% funding support to defray the cost of the internship stipend. Here is the minimum amount you should pay interns:

At least S$800 a month for ITE and polytechnic students
At least S$1,000 a month for university students.

Eligibility
SMEs should meet the following criteria:

  • At least 30% local shareholding
  • Group annual turnover of up to S$100 million OR group employment size of up to 200 workers
  • Offer potential career opportunities with a clear job description and career progression path
  • Possess sound Human Resource processes
  • Willing to participate in Enterprise Singapore’s Human Resource Maturity Diagnostics (HRMD) to facilitate future capability upgrading

Apply

Apply Approach the following Approved-in-Principle (AIP) partners to apply for this programme. The STP AIP partners will assess and qualify SMEs, and will play an active role in matching suitable student interns to the participating SMEs. The STP AIP Partners may be contacted for more information about the programme, eligibility and application process.

STP AIP Partner

Email address

Action Community for Entrepreneurship

stp@ace.org.sg

Association for Small and Medium Enterprises

smetalent@asme.org.sg

Restaurant Association of Singapore

adelyn.choo@ras.org.sg

Singapore Food Manufacturers’ Association

maxhu@sfma.org.sg

Singapore Manufacturing Federation

enquiry.stp@smfederation.org.sg

Singapore Retailers Association

sean@sra.org.sg

SGTech

sheemin@sgtech.org.sg