Essential Steps When Changing Your Company’s Registered Address in Singapore
When you change your company’s registered address in Singapore, it’s crucial to ensure all related legal and operational updates are handled meticulously to comply with local regulations and maintain smooth communications.
1. Update Your Company Secretary Records
As a general rule, it is crucial to notify your company secretary of any changes to your company’s information and/or address. This is crucial as the company secretary will need to update all physical statutory registers where your details are recorded:
- Draft and pass a board resolution confirming the change of address.
- Ensure the company secretary amends all relevant records and registers.
- If you are linked to a corporate entity that’s a shareholder in other companies, provide proof of your address change to each respective company secretary.
2. Updating ACRA via BizFile+
After confirming your company’s new address, file the change with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). This ensures your compliance with local regulations and updates your company’s official records.
Note that this update must be made within 14 days from the date of the address change through the BizFile+ portal. Failure to do so can result in penalties.
Any director or company secretary can submit the application online using the company’s CorpPass account.
Changes made in the ACRA BizFile database will automatically reflect in the IRAS records on a weekly basis. For instance, changes made between 8th and 14th will be updated by 20 Jan 2023.
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3. Comprehensive Information Update
Besides the address, there are several other details that might need updating in ACRA’s records:
- Name changes (attachment of deed poll required for individuals)
- Changes in identification type and number
- Updates to contact information such as landline, mobile number, and email address
Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents do not need to update ACRA for changes to their personal name, residential address, and other specific details as this information is directly fetched from the Immigration and CheckPoints Authority (ICA).
4. Urgent Updates with IRAS
If there’s an urgent need to update your address with IRAS, perhaps for receiving important tax correspondences or refunds promptly, you can expedite this process. Send an email via myTax Mail on the IRAS portal with the following details:
- Tax reference number of the company
- Name of the company
- New address as updated with ACRA
No additional documents are required for this update.
5. Comprehensive Database Updates
Ensure that all hardcopy statutory registers maintained by your company secretary reflect the new address. Additionally, you may need to update various government databases or notify overseas agencies and foreign branches, as these might not be automatically updated through ACRA.
Similarly, review and update any licences or permits that may be affected by the address change.
6. Notify Relevant Stakeholders About Your Address Change
Beyond updating ACRA and IRAS:
- Inform other government bodies like the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and CPF Board.
- Update your address with banks, suppliers, and clients to ensure all correspondences reach the correct address.
- Adjust any public-facing materials such as business cards, websites, and social media profiles to reflect the new location.
Summary
Changing your company’s registered address involves more than just updating ACRA and IRAS; it requires a thorough update across all business and legal documentation, ensuring compliance with Singapore’s rigorous corporate regulations.
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