Strategic location and attractive tax benefits make Singapore the most preferred location for the overseas companies to set up their business. Various options are - opening up a Branch Office, a Representative Office or a Subsidiary. The country also has liberal immigration policies. If the company wants to set up their regional head quarters in Singapore they are also provided with Financial Assistance.

Branch Office - Registration of the branch office is done by ACRA and it is treated as an extension of the foreign company. It is the least popular option with foreign companies because

• Head office accounts have to be submitted for taxation purposes. Many companies may not be comfortable doing this.
• Head office bears all the liabilities of the actions of branch office
• Branch office cannot claim local tax benefits

The name of the Branch Office and the foreign office must be same and should be approved by ACRA before registration. Branch office has to appoint two agents that are resident in Singapore. The Branch office can repatriate all its earnings and capital. Only that part of earnings derived from local operations are taxed at local tax rates.

Subsidiary Company - This is the most preferred option for setting up business by the foreign companies because:

• Its liabilities are not transferred to parent company. It is considered a separate company.
• It enjoys the local taxation benefits.
• It can have a local name which is different from the parent company.

One or more directors need to be appointed and at least one director has to be a local resident.

Representative Office - It is used for having a presence in the country while not conducting any business activity. It does not have any legal status and cannot enter into any contracts.

• It can undertake promotional activities for the parent company
• It can negotiate but cannot conclude on deals
• Parent company bears liability for activities of the office.
• It must be staffed by at least one representative from the head office

International Enterprise Singapore (IE Singapore) is the registration authority for Representative Offices for manufacturing, business services, commerce and other sectors. Banking, finance, insurance needs to be registered with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

Useful Resources: For more information on company registration and options for entering Singapore refer to the following guides:
Singapore Company Registration Guide
Guide for setting up Foreign Companies in Singapore
Andrew Chen.

Author: Andrew GMS Chen
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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