Essential Documents for Annual Review of Singapore Companies Detailed Analysis of Required Information for Each Stage

What Documents Are Required for the Annual Review of a Singapore Company? A Detailed Guide to Essential Information for Each Step

After registering a company in Singapore, the Annual Return is a mandatory legal obligation that every legally operating business must fulfill. The annual review not only ensures corporate compliance but also directly affects the company's credibility and legal standing in commercial cooperation. For many entrepreneurs who have registered or plan to register a company in Singapore, understanding the required documents and procedures for the annual review is crucial. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the essential documents and key steps for the annual review of Singapore companies, incorporating the latest developments in Singapore’s business environment.

1. Basic Concept of the Annual Review

The annual review of a Singapore company refers to the process by which a company submits annual financial statements, director and shareholder information, and other relevant materials to the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority ACRA to confirm the accuracy and compliance of company information. The legal basis mainly comes from the Companies Act. All registered companies must conduct their first annual review within 18 months after incorporation and submit the review on time every year thereafter.

According to ACRA's latest regulations, starting from 2025, all annual review documents must be submitted through its online platform BizFile+, and paper submissions will no longer be accepted. This initiative further enhances the digitization and efficiency of the annual review process.

2. Key Documents Required for the Annual Review

The annual review process consists of several key steps, each requiring specific documents

1. Annual Financial Statements

Financial statements are one of the core components of the annual review and must include the following three parts

Balance Sheet Reflects the company’s assets, liabilities, and shareholders' equity at the end of the financial year.

Profit and Loss Statement Shows the company’s income, costs, and profit during the financial year.

Cash Flow Statement Records the inflows and outflows of company funds.

It should be noted that the financial statements must be signed by the company directors and, depending on the company’s size, may require an audit by a registered public accountant. According to ACRA, small companies meeting at least two of the following three criteria can choose not to undergo an audit

Annual revenue not exceeding SGD 10 million.

Total assets not exceeding SGD 10 million.

Number of employees not exceeding 50.

2. Director and Shareholder Information Update

During the annual review, the latest information of directors and shareholders must be confirmed and updated, including

Director’s name, ID or passport number, residential address, position, and appointment date.

Shareholder’s name, shareholding percentage, contribution method, and amount.

If there are any additions or changes to directors or shareholders, the updated documents must also be submitted during the annual review. According to ACRA’s 2025 regulations, all directors must provide valid contact information to ensure regulatory authorities can communicate effectively when necessary.

3. Company Secretary Information

Every Singapore company must appoint a company secretary responsible for handling compliance matters. During the annual review, the following secretary information must be confirmed

Secretary’s name, contact information, and appointment date.

If the secretary has changed, the new appointment documents must be submitted.

4. Registered Office Address

A Singapore company must have a valid local registered address. During the annual review, confirmation of whether the address has changed is required. If a change has occurred, the registration information must be updated accordingly.

5. Annual General Meeting AGM Documents

According to the Companies Act, all companies must hold an Annual General Meeting AGM every year and submit relevant documents to ACRA after the meeting. During the annual review, the AGM date and minutes must be submitted. For private limited companies, the AGM requirement can be waived if all shareholders unanimously agree.

6. Business License and Industry Permit Information

If the company operates in a regulated industry e.g., finance, education, healthcare, it must hold the relevant licenses. During the annual review, it must be confirmed that these licenses are still valid, and updated documents must be submitted if necessary.

3. Overview of the Annual Review Process

1. Hold the Annual General Meeting AGM Approve the annual financial statements.

2. Prepare the required documents Including financial statements, director and shareholder information, and secretary information.

3. Submit documents via the BizFile+ platform Conducted by the company secretary or authorized personnel.

4. Pay the annual review fee The fee varies depending on the company type and submission time, generally ranging from SGD 300 to 1,000.

4. Common Issues and Key Points to Note

Deadline for submission Companies must submit the annual review to ACRA within 30 days after the AGM, which must be held within 6 months after the end of the financial year.

Consequences of late submission Late submission may result in fines, being placed on the regulatory blacklist, or even removal from the registry by ACRA.

Outsourcing services Many companies choose to outsource the annual review to professional corporate service providers or accounting firms to ensure compliance.

5. Recent Developments Digitalization and Higher Compliance Requirements

In recent years, Singapore has continuously promoted the digitalization of corporate compliance processes. In early 2025, ACRA announced stricter requirements for corporate transparency, especially in director identity verification and financial information disclosure. With the global enhancement of Anti-Money Laundering AML and Know Your Customer KYC standards, Singapore’s annual review process has become more rigorous.

According to a July 2025 report in Lianhe Zaobao, ACRA has fined over 2,000 companies for failing to submit annual reviews on time in the past year and has initiated de-registration procedures for some seriously non-compliant companies. This sends a clear message companies must take the annual review seriously and ensure compliance.

Conclusion

The annual review of a Singapore company is a systematic and professional process involving finance, law, and administration. Entrepreneurs should plan ahead to ensure all documents are complete and all information is accurate. In the context of increasingly strict digital regulation, timely and standardized completion of the annual review is not only a legal obligation but also a fundamental safeguard for sustainable business development.