Close it properly
Striking Off & Winding Up in Singapore
A Singapore company left unfiled is struck off on ACRA’s terms, not yours, and directors can face disqualification.
GCC business setup specialists
Abandonment has consequences
Directors sometimes stop filing and assume the company quietly disappears. ACRA may strike it off, but penalties accrue first and persistent default can lead to prosecution or disqualification. Applying to strike off is the controlled route.
- Striking off or winding up assessed properly
- Tax and filing position cleared first
- Director exposure explained honestly
20+
Mainland, free zone and offshore jurisdictions we file in — so the recommendation is based on your activity, not on which authority we happen to be registered with.
7,000+
Companies successfully established.
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Know the options
Ways out of a Singapore company
Striking off is simpler but conditional.
| Option | When it fits | What it involves |
|---|---|---|
| Striking off | Dormant or ceased, solvent, no outstanding liabilities | Application to ACRA after clearing filings and tax |
| Members’ voluntary winding up | Solvent but not eligible to strike off | A liquidator and a formal process |
| Creditors’ voluntary winding up | Insolvent | A formal insolvency process |
| Share transfer | Someone wants the company | Transfer and officer changes |
| Dormancy | A genuine pause | Reduced filing, but filing continues |
| Abandonment | Never advisable | Penalties, prosecution risk and disqualification |
Striking off conditions, clearance requirements and timing are set by ACRA and IRAS and change. Your route is confirmed before anything is started.
How it works
Closing properly
Filings and tax are cleared before the application.
01
Assess the route
Whether the company meets the striking off conditions or whether winding up is required. Sometimes a transfer is the better answer.
02
Clear filings and tax
Outstanding ACRA filings brought up to date and the IRAS position settled, since neither will clear with returns outstanding.
03
Apply and complete
Striking off application submitted, objection period observed and the company struck off.
To close properly
What striking off requires
Outstanding filings must be cleared first.
- Business profile and UEN
- Constitution
- Directors’ and members’ agreement
- All outstanding annual returns filed
- All outstanding tax returns filed
- Confirmation of no outstanding liabilities
- Bank accounts closed
- GST deregistration where registered
- Employee matters concluded
- CPF obligations settled
- Any outstanding penalties paid
- Confirmation of no ongoing legal proceedings
Scope
What is included, and what is not
Stated plainly, so nothing is added once the engagement starts.
Included in the service fee
- Assessment of striking off eligibility
- Bringing outstanding filings up to date
- Co-ordination of the IRAS position
- Striking off application to ACRA
- Directors’ and members’ documentation
- GST deregistration where applicable
- Liaison through to strike off
- Honest advice where winding up is required instead
Not included, quoted separately
- ACRA and IRAS fees, paid at cost
- Outstanding penalties
- Liquidator’s fees where winding up is required
- Audit of final accounts
- Employee final payments
- Outstanding creditor settlements
- Insolvency proceedings
- Restoration of a struck-off company
Verify independently
Official Singapore authorities
We file directly with these bodies on your behalf.
Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA)Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS)Ministry of ManpowerCentral Provident Fund BoardSingapore CustomsSingapore Food Agency
Questions
Singapore closure — FAQs
What happens if I just stop filing?
Penalties accrue, and persistent default can lead to prosecution or director disqualification. ACRA may eventually strike the company off, but not before the consequences land.
Striking off or winding up?
Striking off is simpler and cheaper but requires the company to be dormant or ceased, solvent and free of outstanding liabilities. Otherwise winding up applies.
How long does striking off take?
It involves notice and objection periods, so months rather than weeks, and outstanding filings must be cleared first.
Do I need tax clearance?
The IRAS position must be settled and outstanding returns filed. An application will not succeed with them outstanding.
Can a struck-off company be restored?
There are restoration routes, but they are costly and slow compared with closing properly.
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