Sole proprietorship VS a private limited company in Singapore
4 minute read
When starting a business in Singapore, you want to be 100% sure that you choose the correct type of legal structure. Your decision will affect variety of things including the amount of tax you pay, liability and more. Here’s a quick guide to explain the 2 main business structures for small business owners in Singapore – A private limited company and sole proprietorship.
Overview:
What is a private limited company?
A private limited company is the most scalable, advanced and flexible business structure in Singapore. It is the most common type of business structure in Singapore compared to a sole proprietorship. The shareholders of a private limited company can either be individuals or corporate entities or both.
When you create a private limited company, you are creating a separate legal entity from yourself. It limits your liabilities as an individual – meaning that if your company has a huge downfall (eg. debts or losses) in your business, it will not impact any personal assets that you own.
A private limited company can be 100% foreign or locally owned. There are no foreign shareholding restrictions. A private limited company has to appoint at least one resident director. He/she can either be a Singapore citizen, a Singaporean permanent resident or an EntrePass holder – with a residential address in Singapore. They have to be at least 18 years of age. If you do not qualify to be a local director and do not have anyone else you can use, we can provide you with nominee services. Click here to find out more.
Advantages
Owning a private limited company can be worthwhile for one, in terms of tax benefits. Here are a few advantages:
- Not personally liable for any debts or losses
- Profits taxed at corporate tax rates (17%)
- New companies are entitled to tax incentives and tax exemptions
- The company is a separate legal entity from its shareholders and directors
- Ownership can be transferred
- Ease of raising capital
- Attractive to outside investors
Disadvantages
For some, a private limited company might not be the best option. Below we have listed a few disadvantages:
- More compliance requirements set out by the Companies Act and enforced by ACRA and IRAS (read more about your filing requirements for a company in Singapore)
- Operating costs are higher (administration requirements etc)
- Directors must disclose their company’s information (interest in company shares, contracts etc)
What is a sole proprietorship?
Thinking about starting a business in Singapore? If you’re a local, setting up a sole proprietorship could be your simplest option. Now, if you’re a foreigner, there’s a bit of a catch. Unless you hold an ONE Pass, Tech Pass, or a Dependant’s Pass with a Letter of Consent, sole proprietorships aren’t an option for you.
Also, something you’ve got to know about sole proprietorships – they aren’t considered a separate legal entity. What does that mean for you? Well, it means you, the business owner, are on the hook for any liabilities that pop up in the course of your business. So, while it’s a simple route to take, it’s worth keeping this in mind.
Advantages
Depending on your circumstances, a sole proprietorship could be a solid option when you’re starting out, but could also be a stepping stone you can skip over in order to start a company instead. Here are some advantages of choosing the path of sole proprietorship:
- It is the easiest to set up
- Cheapest business structure
- Minimal compliance requirements: eg you do not have to audit your accounts or file annual returns
- There is no profit sharing (you have no shareholders)
- You can easily terminate your sole proprietorship
Disadvantages
Even where you do qualify for a sole proprietorship, sometimes choosing a sole prop isn’t the right option for you. Here are the disadvantages of running a sole proprietorship instead of a company:
- No separate legal entity
- Unlimited liability
- Do not qualify for corporate tax benefits
- Limited capital
- Low public perception
- Any profits made in the business is treated as the owner’s income, thus subjected to personal tax rate (22%)
Next steps
If you need any more help on choosing a business structure that works for you, or you’re interested in making the leap to incorporating a company, contact us to learn more.
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