Business Registration – Partnership

Overview

A partnership is a type of business entity registered under the Business Registration Act.

Features of a Partnership

Easy to register and easy to close.
Not a separate legal entity (i.e. it cannot sue or be sued in its own name and it cannot own property).
Owners are personally liable for all debts and obligations.
Minimum 2 owners to maximum 20 owners
Owners can be natural persons, companies or natural persons and companies
Profits form part of each partner’s personal income and are taxed at personal income tax rates.
Registration with ACRA must be renewed annually

Advantages

Disadvantages

Unlimited liability. Partners are personally liable for all debts and obligations. Personal assets are at risks. You may want to avoid setting up as a partnership if your business involves high risks such as offering term payments to clients.
As each partner has the implied power to act on behalf of the partnership, a partner can be made accountable for the loss caused by another partner.

Partnership Registration

Requirements for Registration of Partnership

Minimum 2 owners to maximum 20 owners (if there are more than 20 owners, the business entity must be registered as a company under the Companies Act, Cap.50)
Can be natural persons or companies or natural persons and companies
Must be 18 years old and above (with effect from 1 March 2009)
Owner who is NOT a Singapore Citizen, Singapore Permanent Resident (PR), Employment Pass (EP) holder or Entrepass holder can appoint a local authorised representative (see below for local authorised representative eligibility)
Medisave (Singaporean or PR only) must be paid up with CPF Board
Cannot be an undischarged bankrupt or convicted of any offence involving fraud or dishonesty whether in Singapore or elsewhere
You must have a business address, Principle Place of Business (Registered Address). P.O. Box address is not allowed. For usage or home office scheme, you will need to apply for prior approval through HDB or URA depending on your residence type (we can provide you the address; which is in Singapore`s Central Business District)

The local authorised representative must be above 18 years old and be one of the following: