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Launch Your Singapore Holding Company
Fast, Compliant, Ready for Growth
Set up a Singapore holding company with Orbit. We handle incorporation, a resident nominee director, company secretary, registered office, bookkeeping, tax/GST filings, and governance so you can hold shares, receive dividends, and run a clean structure with confidence.
Quick facts
| Feature | Value | Why it matters | |
| Best | Asia-focused groups, global holding company, family office, venture capital | Strong banking and reputation | |
| Setup speed | ~1–3 daysfor | Fast go-live | |
| Minimum share capital | None (practical USD 1) | Low entry cost | |
| Local director needed | Yes — at least one resident director | You will need a nominee service | |
| Company secretary | Yes | Ongoing statutory work | |
| Registered office | Yes | Needed for all companies | |
| Corporate income tax | 17% headline (incentives may lower) | Baseline rate | |
| Capital gains tax on shares | No (facts and circumstances) | Efficient exits | |
| Withholding tax on dividends (outbound) | None | Clean distributions to owners | |
| Foreign-sourced income exemption | Possible for dividends and branch profits if “subject-to-tax” and substance tests are met | Keeps overseas income untaxed in Singapore | |
| Goods and Services Tax (GST) | Register if revenue > SGD 1,000,000 | Indirect tax compliance | |
| Audit | Exempt for “small companies”; required above thresholds | Drives annual cost | |
| Treaty network | ~100 tax treaties | Reduces foreign withholding at source | |
| Banking ease | Strong | Multi-currency accounts available |
Key Considerations
- You must have at least one director who is a Singapore resident. Most foreign owners appoint a nominee director service.
- You must appoint a company secretary and have a registered office in Singapore.
- GST registration is required when taxable turnover is above SGD 1,000,000 (in the last 12 months or expected in the next 12 months).
- Audits are not required for most small companies; they become mandatory once you cross certain size thresholds.
- Capital gains are usually not taxed; dividend payments from Singapore are not subject to withholding tax under the onetier system.
Cost snapshot (USD)
| Cost item | One-time setup | Annual ongoing | |
| Incorporation (via local corporate services partner) | 1,000 – 2,000 | – | |
| Nominee resident director | – | 1,200 – 3,000 | |
| Company secretary | – | 300 – 800 | |
| Registered office | – | 300 – 800 | |
| Accounting & bookkeeping | – | 800 – 2000 | |
| Corporate income tax filing (via tax agent) | – | 800 -2000 | |
| Audit (only if required) | – | 1,500 – 3,000 | |
| Estimated total | 1000 – 2000 | 4,000 – 8,000 / year |
Why Singapore works for holding companies
Tax Regime for Holding Companies
- Corporate income tax: 17% headline rate. Incentive programs can reduce the effective rate for qualifying activities.
- Dividends paid by a Singapore company: No withholding tax under Singapore’s one-tier corporate tax system.
- Capital gains on shares: Generally not taxed in Singapore. Actual treatment depends on facts and circumstances (e.g., investment versus trading intent).
- Foreign-sourced income exemption: Dividends and branch profits from abroad can be exempt if the income has been taxed in the source country (usually at a minimum 15% rate) and the company meets substance and other conditions under the Income Tax Act.
- Tax residency certificate: Available if the company’s management and control are in Singapore, allowing access to double tax treaty reliefs abroad.
What you get with Orbit
Pre-incorporation planning
Guidance on the optimal shareholding structure, dividend flow mapping, and treaty benefit planning.
Company setup
Includes name approval, constitution preparation, ACRA filing, and initial share issuance.
Resident nominee director
A qualified local director is appointed to satisfy the statutory resident-director requirement, with appropriate safeguards in place.
Company secretary & registered office
Provision of a licensed company secretary and compliant local business address for all statutory filings.
Substance & governance
Support for board meetings, minute-taking, and basic governance frameworks to demonstrate substance.
Banking & operations
Assistance with opening multi-currency bank or fintech accounts and integrating essential finance tools.
Accounting & tax
Comprehensive bookkeeping, management accounts, and corporate tax/GST filings handled through licensed local partners.
Audit coordination
Liaison with independent auditors if statutory thresholds are exceeded.
