Limited Partnership (LP) in Singapore — SaaS Startup Formation Guide
For SaaS startups, prioritize jurisdictions with strong intellectual property (IP) protection, access to global payment gateways like Stripe or PayPal, and favorable tax treaties to avoid double taxation on software subscriptions.
Last verified: June 13, 2026
Corporate Tax
0.0%
State Tax
0.0%
Formation Cost
$85
Annual Fee
$22
Forming a Limited Partnership (LP) in Singapore as a SaaS Startup means a total tax burden of 0.0% and an official formation cost of $85. There is no minimum capital requirement. Standard formation takes 3-5 business days, or 1-2 business days expedited. No local director is required; the process can be managed remotely. This guide covers the steps, tax breakdown, banking options, and compliance requirements — all from verified data.
First-year total cost
≈ $3,057
Ongoing (per year)
≈ $2,622
Why Limited Partnership (LP) for SaaS Startup?
A Software as a Service (SaaS) startup delivers applications over the internet on a subscription basis. Because SaaS companies operate globally from day one, choosing the right jurisdiction is critical for accepting international payments, protecting intellectual property, and attracting venture capital.
Ideal for
- Tech entrepreneurs
- Software developers
- Venture-backed founders
- Global digital businesses
Challenges to watch
- Navigating international VAT/Sales Tax on digital services
- Protecting intellectual property across borders
- Opening reliable merchant accounts for recurring billing
- Complying with global data privacy laws (e.g., GDPR, CCPA)
Key decision criteria
- Access to global payment processors (Stripe, Braintree)
- Venture capital familiarity (e.g., Delaware C-Corp)
- Corporate tax rates and R&D tax incentives
- Ease of issuing employee stock options (ESOP)
Limited Partnership (LP) formation requirements
Minimum capital
None
Standard timeline
3-5 business days
Expedited timeline
1-2 business days
Local director
Not required
Registered office
Virtual office allowed
Notarization
Not required
A local manager (ordinarily resident in Singapore) must be appointed only if all General Partners are non-resident.
Estimated breakdown (based on avg. $150,000 revenue)
Simulate with your own revenue →
VAT / Sales Tax
Standard rate 9%. Registration threshold: 1,000,000 SGD. Foreign suppliers of digital services 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 SaaS Startup
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, Wise, and Airwallex offer fully remote onboarding and are highly recommended for foreign-owned LPs.
Supported payment gateways
Remote-friendly accounts
Aspire
Top choice for Singapore startups. Offers multi-currency accounts, corporate cards, and fully remote onboarding.
Wise Business
Excellent for multi-currency transactions and international payments with low conversion fees.
Airwallex
Great alternative for cross-border businesses needing global accounts and payment gateway integration.
Singapore incentives & advantages
Section 13OA Tax Exemption
Tax exemption on specified income from designated investments.
Section 13H Venture Capital Fund Tax Incentive
Zero tax on capital gains and dividend income from qualifying investments.
Limited Partnership (LP) formation steps
Choose an approved business name and reserve it via ACRA's BizFile+ portal.
Appoint at least one General Partner and one Limited Partner.
Engage a Corporate Service Provider (CSP) if all partners are foreigners without Singpass.
Appoint a local manager (ordinarily resident in Singapore) if all General Partners are non-residents.
Draft and sign the Limited Partnership Agreement (LPA) outlining profit distribution and liabilities.
Register the LP via BizFile+ and pay the ACRA registration fees.
Obtain the Unique Entity Number (UEN) and Business Profile from ACRA.
Open a corporate bank account (e.g., Aspire, Wise) using the UEN and Business Profile.
SaaS Startup FAQ
Where is the best place to incorporate a SaaS startup?
Delaware (USA) is the gold standard if you plan to raise venture capital. For bootstrapped founders, Estonia (OÜ) or the UK (LTD) offer great digital infrastructure and tax efficiency.
Do I need to charge VAT/Sales Tax to global customers?
Yes, most jurisdictions require you to collect VAT or Sales Tax based on the customer's location, even if your company is based elsewhere. Using a Merchant of Record (MoR) can simplify this.
How do I accept recurring payments?
You need a business bank account and a payment gateway like Stripe, or a Merchant of Record like Paddle or Lemon Squeezy. These services require your company to be incorporated in a supported country.
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Limited Partnership (LP) cost calculator
One-time and annual cost breakdown
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