Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) in Singapore — Holding Company Formation Guide
Choose jurisdictions with extensive double taxation treaty networks, participation exemptions for dividends, and zero or low capital gains tax on the sale of shares.
Last verified: June 13, 2026
Corporate Tax
0.0%
State Tax
0.0%
Formation Cost
$90
Annual Fee
$23
Forming a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) in Singapore as a Holding Company means a total tax burden of 0.0% and an official formation cost of $90. There is no minimum capital requirement. Standard formation takes 1-3 business days, or 1 day expedited. This guide covers the steps, tax breakdown, banking options, and compliance requirements — all from verified data.
First-year total cost
≈ $2,267
Ongoing (per year)
≈ $1,672
Why Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) for Holding Company?
A holding company is a parent entity that owns enough voting stock in another company to control its policies and management. It exists primarily to hold assets, intellectual property, or investments rather than producing goods or services itself.
Ideal for
- Serial entrepreneurs
- Families managing generational wealth
- Corporate groups with multiple subsidiaries
- Investors holding diverse asset portfolios (real estate, IP, stocks)
Challenges to watch
- Complex regulatory compliance
- Strict economic substance requirements
- Transfer pricing rules and documentation
- Higher setup and annual maintenance costs
Key decision criteria
- Participation exemption rules for tax-free dividends
- Withholding tax rates on dividends and royalties
- Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) rules
- Local economic substance regulations
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) formation requirements
Minimum capital
None
Standard timeline
1-3 business days
Expedited timeline
1 day
Local director
Required
Registered office
Virtual office allowed
Notarization
Not required
An LLP must appoint at least one manager who is ordinarily resident in Singapore (Citizen, Permanent Resident, or eligible Employment Pass holder).
Estimated breakdown (based on avg. $1,000,000 revenue)
Simulate with your own revenue →
VAT / Sales Tax
Standard rate 9%. Registration threshold: 1,000,000 SGD. Foreign digital service providers must register for GST under the Overseas Vendor Registration (OVR) regime if their global turnover exceeds SGD 1 million and B2C digital services to Singapore exceed SGD 100,000.
Banking & payments for Holding Company
Opening a traditional bank account in Singapore can be challenging for non-resident founders due to strict KYC and AML regulations, often requiring an in-person visit. However, digital platforms like Aspire and Wise offer fully remote account opening with much higher approval rates for LLPs.
Supported payment gateways
Remote-friendly accounts
Aspire
A leading all-in-one finance operating system for businesses in Southeast Asia, offering fully remote account opening.
Wise
Excellent for multi-currency accounts and international transfers with low fees.
Revolut Business
Provides corporate cards, multi-currency accounts, and expense management tools for modern startups.
Singapore incentives & advantages
Enterprise Development Grant (EDG)
Funds up to 50% of qualifying project costs, including third-party consultancy fees, software, and internal manpower.
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) formation steps
Choose and reserve an approved business name with ACRA via the BizFile+ portal (reservation is valid for 120 days).
Appoint a minimum of two partners (individuals or corporations) and at least one local resident manager.
Secure a local registered office address in Singapore (P.O. Boxes are strictly prohibited).
Draft a formal Partnership Agreement to clearly define profit sharing, management responsibilities, and partner exit strategies.
Submit the registration application and pay the S$115 registration fee and S$15 name fee to ACRA.
Set up the Register of Registrable Controllers (RORC) within 7 days of successful registration.
Open a corporate bank account in Singapore using the newly issued Unique Entity Number (UEN) and business profile.
Holding Company FAQ
What is the main benefit of a holding company?
Asset protection and tax efficiency. It isolates financial risk so that if a subsidiary fails, the holding company's other assets remain protected.
Where are the best jurisdictions for holding companies?
Popular jurisdictions include the UK, Singapore, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the UAE, due to their favorable tax exemptions on dividends and capital gains.
Do holding companies need physical offices?
Yes, increasingly so. Many jurisdictions now enforce 'economic substance' laws requiring holding companies to have local directors, physical office space, and adequate local expenditure.
Ready to form your Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)?
Trusted formation partners are coming soon.
Related terms
Key concepts you'll encounter when forming a Holding Company
Related guides
Complete Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) guide
Taxes, requirements, banking, compliance
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) cost calculator
One-time and annual cost breakdown
🇧🇬 Holding Company — Single-Member Limited Liability Company (EOOD)
Tax 10.0% · formation $30
🇨🇾 Holding Company — Variable Capital Investment Company (VCIC)
Tax 15.0% · formation $180
🇨🇾 Holding Company — Company Limited by Guarantee
Tax 15.0% · formation $265
🇨🇾 Holding Company — Sole Proprietorship
Tax 0.0% · formation $100
🚀 SaaS Startup — Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
Same entity, different business model guide
📦 Amazon FBA & E-Commerce — Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
Same entity, different business model guide