As your business advisor, we help streamline the paperwork and company registration hassle for you. To kick start, decide the legal structure that best suits your business definitions of the various companies that we can incorporate for you. Different types of businesses necessitate different company setups.
Subsidiary Company
A subsidiary company is a locally incorporated company. Singapore subsidiary is the most preferred choice by small size to mid-size foreign companies as it allows 100% ownership by a foreign company and is considered as a separate legal entity from the parent company. The subsidiary company’s liabilities are not extended to the parent company and the assets of the parent company remain protected. A Singapore subsidiary is treated as a local resident company and therefore is entitled to Singapore tax benefits and enjoys the privileges arising out of Singapore’s tax treaties with other countries.
Branch Office
Branch office is a legal extension of the parent company. A branch office is not considered as a separate entity. All the debts and losses of the Branch Office are the liabilities of the foreign parent company. The branch office must carry the name of the foreign company and also state explicitly that it is a Branch Office. The branch office is still treated as a foreign entity because the control and management is exercised outside Singapore. Therefore, a foreign company’s Singapore branch will be deemed as non-resident company for tax purposes.
Representative Office (RO)
RO provides those foreign companies interested in establishing operation in Singapore to explore the prospects first in Singapore market. It is also a vehicle to assess business opportunities prior to making any long term or large scale commitment. Legally, it is not permitted to engage in commercial revenue-generating activities such as concluding contracts and opening of Letter of Credit.
A RO of foreign commercial entity may operate in Singapore for maximum 3 years from its commencement date. Beyond 3 years, it must transition into a subsidiary or branch office. The RO must confine its activities strictly to market research and feasibility studies on behalf of its parent company. The name of Singapore RO shall be the same as that of the parent company and the parent company must hold 100% of the RO. There must be at least 1 appointed representative either a staff from the HQ of the parent company or a Singapore employee of the parent company. The appointed representative’s main function is to represent the parent company.
