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Subsidiary Company |
Branch Office |
Representative Office |
| Name of entity |
Not compulsory to be the same as the parent company’s. |
Have to be the same as the parent company’s. |
Have to be the same as the parent company’s. |
| Activities allowed to carry out |
Any type of business activities. |
Have to be the same as the parent company’s. |
Promotional and liaison activities on behalf of the parent company. |
| Benefits |
- Treated as tax resident in Singapore, hence eligible for local tax incentives.
- Separate legal entity from the parent company, hence liability is limited.
- It has perpetual succession unless de-registered.
|
- Opportunity for the parent company to explore market and communicate with the local distributors / agents in Singapore.
- It is perpetual succession unless de-registered.
|
- Temporary vehicle to test business prospect before fully investing in Singapore.
- No statutory obligations to file audited accounts, annual returns or tax returns.
|
| Disadvantages |
- Fully compliance with the statutory requirements, such as:
- Filing of audited accounts;
- Filing of tax returns;
- Holding Annual General Meeting (AGM);
- Filing of annual return, etc.
|
- Treated as non-tax resident in Singapore, hence not eligible for local tax incentives.
- Not separate legal entity, hence the parent company is fully liable for the branch’s liabilities.
- Statutory obligations to file audited accounts and annual returns.
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- Not allowed to carry out business activities.
|
| Officers to appoint |
At least:
- 1 Director; and
- 1 Secretary
who are ordinarily residents in Singapore. |
2 agents who are ordinarily residents in Singapore. |
1 Chief Representative staff member relocated from the parent company. |
| Timing required for registration |
1 day |
1 day |
7 days |
For more details, please see Subsidiary Company, Branch Office and Representative Office.
Back to business registration for foreign company.
