Launch Your Singapore
Holding Company
A Singapore holdco that earns its place, not just its address.
Singapore is the jurisdiction United States founders ask about first. Orbit will tell you honestly whether you need it, then incorporate it, supply the resident director and company secretary, run the monthly books and Singapore tax filings, and prepare the Form 5471 package your United States tax preparer needs at year end.
Key Jurisdiction
Considerations
Setting up a corporate entity in Singapore comes with standard regulatory compliance items. Orbit ensures complete legal alignment with Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) guidelines from day one.
100% Fully Managed Support
From resident nominee directors to local corporate secretary requirements, we cover every compliance checkpoint seamlessly.
Tax on what holdcos do
No dividend withholding under the one-tier system, and capital gains on shares are generally untaxed. Profits flow up and exits happen without a Singapore tax leak. For a United States owner that is only half the picture: Subpart F and Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI) decide what is taxed at home.
Treaty network, no United States treaty
One of the world's widest Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) networks cuts the withholding subsidiaries deduct on dividends, interest and royalties paid upward. There is no comprehensive United States income tax treaty with Singapore, so plan United States outcomes on domestic law rather than treaty relief.
Resident director is mandatory
Every Singapore company needs at least one Singapore-resident director. Foreign owners typically use a nominee arrangement (often with a security deposit), provided and managed within Orbit's scope.
Section 10L (2024) has teeth
Since 1 January 2024, certain foreign-sourced disposal gains can be taxed if the entity lacks economic substance in Singapore. Substance is no longer optional, so we build the file alongside the books.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Asia-focused groups, global entity management, family office, venture capital | Strong banking and reputation |
| Corporate income tax | 17% headline (incentives may lower) | Baseline rate |
| Capital gains tax on shares | No (facts and circumstances) | Efficient exits |
| Withholding tax on dividends (outbound) | None | Clean distributions to owners |
| Foreign-sourced income exemption | Possible for dividends and branch profits if subject-to-tax and substance tests are met | Keeps overseas income untaxed in Singapore |
| United States income tax treaty | None in force | Plan US flows on domestic law, not treaty relief |
Asia-focused groups, global entity management, family office, venture capital
Strong banking and reputation
17% headline (incentives may lower)
Baseline rate
No (facts and circumstances)
Efficient exits
None
Clean distributions to owners
Possible for dividends and branch profits if subject-to-tax and substance tests are met
Keeps overseas income untaxed in Singapore
None in force
Plan US flows on domestic law, not treaty relief
What’s Included & Pricing
Complete transparency. Review what is covered under our standard package and how our tailored corporate pricing is structured.
Standard Package Inclusions
- Incorporation via licensed registered agent
- Registered agent and registered office
- Annual government compliance
- Economic substance and annual return filing
- Accounting and recordkeeping
Tailored Transparent Pricing
We tailor pricing based on your business profile, structure, and scope of services. Costs are discussed and confirmed after a quick review of your requirements, ensuring you only pay for what you actually need.
Why Singapore Works for Holding Companies
Dividend Relief
No withholding tax on dividends paid by Singapore-resident companies.
Capital Gains Relief
Capital gains on share disposals are generally not taxed (facts and circumstances apply).
Treaty Advantage
A broad tax treaty network helps reduce foreign withholding at source on flows from operating subsidiaries.
Trusted Framework
A stable, common-law system with a trusted regulator and strong multi-currency banking.
Speedy Launch
Fast, online incorporation once Know Your Customer (KYC) checks are complete.
Tax Regime For Holding Companies
Corporate income tax
17% headline rate. Incentive programs can reduce the effective rate for qualifying activities.
Dividends paid by a Singapore company
No withholding tax under Singapore's one-tier corporate tax system.
Capital gains on shares
Generally not taxed in Singapore. Actual treatment depends on facts and circumstances, for example investment versus trading intent.
Foreign-sourced income exemption
Dividends and branch profits from abroad can be exempt if the income has been taxed in the source country (usually at a minimum 15% rate) and the company meets substance and other conditions under the Income Tax Act.
Tax residency certificate
Available if the company's management and control are in Singapore, allowing access to double tax treaty reliefs abroad.
United States owner treatment
A Singapore company owned more than 50% by United States shareholders is generally a Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC). Income can be picked up currently under Subpart F or GILTI, and Form 5471 is filed with the United States return. Orbit prepares the underlying records and coordinates the filing with licensed United States tax partners.
Corporate Tax Calculator
Estimate tax payable under Singapore's partial tax exemptions and start-up tax schemes.
Calculations apply to standard qualifying companies. Capital gains and incoming foreign dividends are generally not taxed in Singapore. United States owners should model the Subpart F and GILTI position separately.
What You Get With Orbit
A fully managed, end-to-end statutory solution for international corporate holdings.
Pre-incorporation planning
Guidance on the optimal shareholding structure, dividend flow mapping, and treaty benefit planning.
Company setup
Includes name approval, constitution preparation, ACRA filing, and initial share issuance.
Resident nominee director
A qualified local director is appointed to satisfy the statutory resident-director requirement, with appropriate safeguards in place.
Company secretary and registered office
Provision of a licensed company secretary and compliant local business address for all statutory filings.
Substance and governance
Support for board meetings, minute-taking, and basic governance frameworks to demonstrate substance.
Banking and operations
Assistance with opening multi-currency bank or fintech accounts and integrating essential finance tools.
Accounting and tax
Comprehensive bookkeeping, management accounts, and Singapore corporate tax and Goods and Services Tax (GST) filings handled through licensed local partners.
United States reporting support
We assemble the Form 5471 package, earnings and profits (E&P) schedules, and intercompany support your United States preparer needs. Filing and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) representation are handled by licensed United States tax partners.
Audit coordination
Liaison with independent auditors if statutory thresholds are exceeded.
How The ProcessWorks
A highly structured compliance timeline tracking setup steps from day zero kickoff to annual filings.
Kickoff and KYC (Day 0)
We collect identification, proof of address, and group structure. Name reservation is done at the same time.
Incorporation (typically 1 to 3 days)
We file the company and issue the constitution and initial registers.
Go-live
Resident nominee director, company secretary, and registered office are confirmed. We set up books and basic governance.
Banking and operations
We guide you through bank/neobank onboarding. Timing varies by provider and your profile.
Ongoing compliance
Bookkeeping, annual returns, Singapore tax and GST filings, and audit if needed. Your Form 5471 package is prepared on the same cycle.
What we need from you
Shareholder and director KYC (passports or identification, proof of address).
A simple organization chart and source of funds note.
Your intended activities and expected revenue.
United States shareholder details, including taxpayer identification numbers and ownership percentages, for Form 5471 scoping.
Any specific treaty or exit goals, for example dividend routing or a future sale.
Who this is ideal for
Groups holding subsidiaries across Asia or globally.
Venture-backed companies creating a clean holding layer.
Family offices centralizing investments and banking in a trusted hub.
Tell us your use case
Ready to get started?
Trusted by high-
growth organizations
"I've been working with Orbit since the beginning of 2026 and couldn't be happier. They are professional, detail-oriented, responsive, and always timely. As the owner of a one-person corporation, I greatly appreciate having such a reliable accounting team in my corner. Highly recommended!"
Maja Djikic
Consultant
Global Entity Management Pricing
Asia-Pacific Holding Hub
Singapore Holding Company
Global Entity Management Service
Pricing
Custom Pricing
Setup fee plus annual management fee per entity. Multi-entity discounts available.
A clean, credible Asian holding base with strong banking, broad treaty access, and no tax on most dividends or share gains.
Jurisdiction Quick Facts
Why Singapore Works
- No withholding tax on dividends under the one-tier system
- Capital gains on share disposals generally not taxed
- Broad treaty network reduces foreign withholding
- Stable common-law system and strong multi-currency banking
Standard Package Inclusions
- Incorporation via licensed registered agent
- Registered agent and registered office
- Annual government compliance
- Economic substance and annual return filing
- Accounting and recordkeeping
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Frequently Asked Questions
Not usually. Most steps are handled remotely once KYC is cleared.
Yes, single-shareholder companies are allowed.
As long as your company remains in Singapore, you must have at least one resident director.
Exemption is possible if certain conditions, including subject-to-tax and substance, are met.
Only once you exceed the small-company thresholds. We will tell you if and when that happens.
No. There is no comprehensive United States income tax treaty with Singapore, so United States outcomes are planned under domestic law rather than treaty relief.
No. Orbit prepares the books, the Form 5471 package, and the supporting schedules. Filing and IRS representation are handled by licensed United States tax partners.