What Documents Are Required for Annual Audit of a Singapore Company? A Comprehensive Guide!

Annual Filing Requirements for Singapore Companies

Annual filing is a statutory obligation for every company registered in Singapore. It ensures ongoing compliance with legal requirements and provides regulators with essential information. The process is not only crucial for a company’s legal existence but also significantly impacts its credibility and business development. Understanding the necessary documents and procedures is vital for business owners.

According to the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority ACRA, all registered companies must complete annual filings within the stipulated timeframe. Failure to do so may result in penalties or even removal from the company register. The annual filing process typically includes the submission of financial statements, holding of shareholders’ meetings, and updating of company information.

Below is a detailed overview of the documents required for the annual filing of a Singapore company, to help streamline the process.

1. Financial Statements

Financial statements are a core component of the annual filing. These typically include the balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement, and accompanying notes. The statements must be signed by the company directors and audited by an ACRA-registered auditor, unless the company qualifies for audit exemption.

Under ACRA guidelines, a company may be exempt from an audit if it meets at least two of the following three criteria

Annual revenue not exceeding SGD 10 million

Total assets not exceeding SGD 10 million

Number of employees not exceeding 50

2. Annual General Meeting AGM Documents

Singapore law requires companies to hold an Annual General Meeting AGM each year to report on business performance, financial status, and future plans to shareholders. Supporting documents should include the meeting agenda, voting results, and directors’ reports.

Additionally, a director’s declaration must be prepared, confirming that

The company is operating normally

The financial statements are accurate

There are no undisclosed conflicts of interest involving directors

3. Updated Company Information

Any changes to the company’s registration details must be updated during the annual filing. This includes changes to

Registered address

Director and shareholder information

Company secretary details

For example, if there has been a change in directors or shareholder structure, relevant forms such as Form 45 or Form 49 must be submitted to ACRA to update the records.

4. Tax Filing Documents

Companies must also prepare tax filing documents, particularly those related to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore IRAS. While tax filing is a separate process from annual filing, both typically occur within the same timeframe, so many companies prepare both sets of documents concurrently.

Form C-S is available to eligible small companies, while Form C must be submitted by all other companies, accompanied by audited financial statements and tax computation notes.

5. Digital Compliance and Filing Platforms

According to recent news reports, Singapore has further advanced corporate compliance digitalization in 2025, encouraging companies to complete annual filing procedures online via the BizFile+ platform. This has improved efficiency and reduced errors and delays.

For instance, in Q1 2025, ACRA introduced a new feature allowing businesses to submit summaries of financial statements online, simplifying the filing process. As a result, companies should focus more on digitizing and standardizing their documentation to align with the evolving digital regulatory environment.

6. Filing Deadlines

Private limited companies must file their annual returns within 7 months after the financial year-end, while public companies have a 6-month deadline. Companies that fail to meet these deadlines may face fines or legal action by ACRA.

It is advisable to plan ahead and allow sufficient time for document preparation to ensure timely compliance.

Conclusion

The main documents required for Singapore company annual filing include audited financial statements, AGM records, director declarations, updated company information, and tax filing materials. As regulatory frameworks continue to evolve, companies must also strengthen their compliance awareness and document management capabilities to ensure smooth annual filings.