The short answer
- You can file many things yourself: the annual return on Bizfile, Form C-S on myTax Portal, GST returns.
- You cannot do some things yourself: the company secretary must be resident, and a sole director cannot be secretary.
- Platforms are cheap and fast for standard cases. Firms earn their fee on judgment: groups, cross-border, incentives, disputes.
- Mix and match is fine. Know where the risk sits.
What you can do yourself, and what you can't
| Task | Do it yourself | Platform | Firm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name reservation and simple incorporation | Possible on Bizfile | Good fit | Worth it for groups and corporate shareholders |
| Company secretary | Only if a resident who is not the sole director takes it on | Good fit for standard companies | Groups, frequent changes, investors |
| Bookkeeping | Feasible for very small volumes with cloud software | Good fit | Multi-currency, intercompany, inventory |
| Form C-S (simple companies) | Possible on myTax Portal | Good fit | Losses, incentives, group relief |
| Form C, transfer pricing, treaty claims | Not advisable | Limited | Yes |
| POEM, substance, certificate of residence | No | No | Yes |
| Valuation | No | No | Yes |
Questions that decide it
- Is the company part of a group, or cross-border?
- Does anyone in-house know Singapore rules?
- Are there investors or lenders who will read the accounts?
- Will the company claim treaty benefits or incentives?
- What does a mistake cost compared with the fee?
A simple way to decide
Price the mistake, not just the service. A founder filing a simple Form C-S for a company with one customer and no staff risks very little. A group subsidiary with intercompany charges, a treaty claim and a nominee director risks a disallowed deduction, a refused certificate of residence or a POEM question in India. For the first, a platform or doing it yourself is sensible. For the second, the fee is small next to the downside.
A middle route works for many companies: a platform or in-house bookkeeper for day-to-day records, and a firm for the year end, tax and anything cross-border.
Questions people ask
Can I do my company's filings myself?
Many, yes: the annual return on Bizfile, Form C-S on myTax Portal and GST returns. The company secretary must still be resident in Singapore and cannot be the sole director.
When is a firm worth the fee?
For groups and cross-border structures, treaty claims, incentives, transfer pricing, POEM and substance, and valuation.
Talk it through with an adviser
Tell us your structure and deadlines. We reply with what applies to you and a fixed-fee proposal.
Sources
- ACRA: Submitting your application to set up a local company
- IRAS: Corporate income tax rates, exemptions and rebates
General information only, last reviewed 11 November 2026. It is not advice for your situation. Laws and practice change, and the official sources linked above prevail. Speak to a qualified adviser before you act.
