Omitting "Limited" or "Berhad" from Name

Omitting "Limited" or "Berhad" from Name | Bestar

Omitting "Limited" or "Berhad" from Name

Applying to omit the word "Limited" (or "Berhad") from a company’s name in Singapore is a formal process handled through the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).

Because Section 27(11) of the Companies Act generally mandates that limited companies carry "Limited" or "Berhad" to signal limited liability to the public, ACRA only grants a waiver under strict conditions—typically reserved for non-profit entities, charities, or organizations promoting community-focused objectives.

Here is a breakdown of the requirements and the application process to secure this waiver.

1. Core Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the omission of "Limited", your company must meet the following criteria:

• Entity Type: The company is usually registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG), which is the standard structure for non-profits and charities in Singapore.

  
  

• Objects of the Company: The company’s primary purpose must be to promote art, science, religion, charity, commerce, industry, or any other useful object.

  
  

• Prohibition of Dividends: The company must strictly apply its profits or other income to promoting its objects. Paying dividends, bonuses, or returning capital to its members must be explicitly prohibited.

  
  

• Disposal of Assets upon Winding Up: In the event of dissolution, any remaining assets must not be distributed to the members. Instead, they must be transferred to another institution with similar restricted objects or to a registered charity.

2. Aligning the Constitution

To reflect these strict requirements, the company’s Constitution must include specific, unalterable clauses. ACRA will review these clauses meticulously during the application.

Key Clauses Required:

Clause Type	Purpose / Restriction
Objects Clause	Clearly defines the charitable, educational, religious, or community-centric purpose of the organization.
Non-Profit / Non-Distribution Clause	Explicitly states that the income and property of the company will be applied solely to the promotion of its objects, and no portion will be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus, or profit to the members.
Dissolution / Winding-Up Clause	Mandates that if the company is wound up, any remaining property will be given to another institution with similar non-profit restrictions, or to a registered charity under the Charities Act.

3. The Application Process

The application is a two-stage process done online via the BizFile+ portal.

Stage 1: Name Application and Section 29 Waiver

1. Log into BizFile+ and file a Section 29 Application to Omit the Word 'Limited' or 'Berhad'.

   
   

2. Submit a complete draft of the company's Constitution incorporating the mandatory clauses mentioned above.

   
   

3. Submit a detailed write-up or business plan outlining the activities the company intends to carry out.

   
   

4. Pay the application fee (currently SGD $160).

5. 
   

⚠️ Note: ACRA may take several weeks to process this application as it undergoes a detailed internal legal review. If the company intends to register as a Charity or an Institution of a Public Character (IPC), ACRA may also consult the Commissioner of Charities.

Stage 2: Incorporation or Name Change

• For New Companies: Once the waiver is approved, you can proceed to incorporate the company using the approved name without "Limited."

  
  

• For Existing Companies: If you are an existing CLG removing the word, you must pass a Special Resolution to change the company name and amend the constitution, then file the "Notice of Change of Name" with ACRA.

4. Post-Approval Compliance

Securing the waiver comes with ongoing responsibilities to ensure the privilege is maintained:

• Strict Adherence: The company must never deviate from its constitutional objects.

  
  

• Prior Approval for Amendments: If the company wishes to alter its Constitution (specifically the objects or non-profit clauses) after the waiver is granted, it must seek prior approval from ACRA before passing the resolution. Failing to do so can result in the revocation of the waiver.

How Bestar Singapore Empowers Your Business: The Complete Guide to Corporate Compliance, Tax, and Scaling

Navigating the regulatory landscape in Singapore requires balancing speed, precision, and compliance. As a premier global financial hub, Singapore enforces strict statutory demands via the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) and the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).

Whether you are an international enterprise establishing a regional headquarters, a growing SME managing complex payrolls, or an entrepreneur structuring an entity, Bestar Singapore provides the comprehensive corporate support required to scale seamlessly.

Below is an analytical overview of how Bestar handles your statutory burdens while optimizing your operational costs.

1. Corporate Secretarial & Seamless Company Incorporation

In Singapore, every company must appoint a qualified Corporate Secretary within 6 months of incorporation. Bestar manages this entire lifecycle, eliminating administrative bottlenecks.

• Rapid Entity Setup: Standard ACRA company incorporation is executed swiftly, ensuring correct share structuring, constitution alignment, and local resident director requirements are met.

  
  

• ACRA & Registry Maintenance: From filing Annual Returns to managing routine corporate changes (such as director appointments, share transfers, or bank resolution drafting), Bestar keeps your corporate records audit-ready.

  
  

• Specialized ACRA Waivers: For specialized structures—such as non-profits or foundations seeking to omit "Limited" or "Berhad" from their names under Section 29 of the Companies Act—Bestar manages the complex process of aligning your constitution with strict charitable or public-interest objectives to secure regulatory approvals.

At-a-Glance: Regulatory Compliance Timeline

[Incorporation] ➔ [Appoint Corporate Secretary] ➔ [AGM Within 6 Months of FYE] ➔ [File Annual Return]
                       (Within 6 Months)

2. Comprehensive Accounting, Bookkeeping, and Financial Advisory

Maintaining absolute precision in your books does more than satisfy statutory requirements; it unlocks the financial insights necessary for strategic business decisions.

Bestar acts as your virtual CFO and back-office engine, reducing internal accounting overhead by up to 60%.

• Full-Suite Bookkeeping: Routine maintenance of general ledgers, accounts payable (A/P), accounts receivable (A/R), and monthly bank reconciliations.

  
  

• Statutory Reporting Support: Preparation of compilation reports, trial balances, and financial statements strictly aligned with Singapore Financial Reporting Standards (SFRS) and GAAP.

  
  

• Cloud-Driven Architecture: Utilizing modern, tech-savvy web platforms and cloud software to give you real-time visibility into your cash flow and organizational financial health.

3. Strategic Tax Advisory and GST Management

Singapore’s tax ecosystem is highly competitive but strictly policed. Missing filing windows or miscalculating corporate liabilities can lead to severe penalties from IRAS.

Corporate Tax Rate: 17% (With attractive partial exemptions for startups/SMEs)
GST Registration Threshold: Compulsory when taxable turnover exceeds SGD 1 Million

Bestar optimizes your tax exposure through proactive planning:

• Corporate & Personal Income Tax: Preparation and filing of Form C-S/C, estimated chargeable income (ECI), and personal tax restructuring for expatriate executives.

  
  

• GST Compliance Solutions: Quarterly GST computation, reconciliation, and submission. Bestar also provides international GST consultancy to correctly structure cross-border transactions and avoid double taxation.

  
  

• Tax Incentives & Grants: Identifying applicable government grants and tax exemption schemes designed for eligible startups and growing enterprises.

4. M&A, Corporate Valuation, and Advanced Advisory

When your corporate strategy involves expansion, restructuring, or exit planning, Bestar provides robust financial advisory and risk management services.

• Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A): Comprehensive buy-side and sell-side advisory, identifying risk vectors and valuation mismatches to preserve long-term transactional value.

  
  

• Financial Due Diligence: Deep-dive historical financial audits and internal control reviews to verify asset quality and reveal hidden liabilities before capital deployment.

  
  

• Corporate Valuation: Objective, data-backed enterprise valuations utilizing standardized methodology for partnership disputes, investment rounds, or equity restructuring.

The Bestar Advantage: Why Growing Businesses Partner with Us

Feature / Benefit	In-House Department	Bestar Outsourced Solutions
Cost Efficiency	High fixed overhead (salaries, CPF, training, software licenses).	Scalable, transparent fee models tailored to your exact transaction volume.
Regulatory Risk	Dependent on individual staff knowledge; vulnerable to turnover.	Institutional continuity backed by a team of certified compliance specialists.
Technology Integration	Fragmented legacy systems or high capital expenditure.	Instant access to modern, secure, cloud-based accounting platforms.
Scalability	Slow adaptation to business expansion or regional pivot.	Rapid deployment of cross-border capabilities and cross-jurisdictional networks.

💡 Ready to Streamline Your Singapore Operations?

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the deadlines for filing corporate taxes and annual returns in Singapore?

For companies with a financial year ending (FYE), the Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI) must be filed within 3 months of the FYE. The final Corporate Income Tax return (Form C-S/C) must be submitted by November 30. Annual Returns must be filed with ACRA within 5 or 7 months after your FYE, depending on whether the company is listed or non-listed.

Can Bestar assist international businesses with employment passes and visas?

Yes. Bestar provides comprehensive corporate support that includes global mobility services, processing Employment Passes (EP), S Passes, and dependent visas to ensure a seamless talent onboarding workflow for overseas entities setting up in Singapore.

How does outsourcing bookkeeping reduce business costs?

By outsourcing to Bestar, you eliminate the need to hire full-time internal accountants, cover CPF contributions, provide office space, or purchase expensive enterprise accounting software. You pay only for the exact level of service your business requires, cutting overhead costs by up to 60%.