Singapore Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) Registration Guide

A Singapore limited liability partnership (LLP) is a type of business structure where two or more partners incorporate a partnership entity that shields co-partners from liabilities due to the willful misconduct or gross negligence of one partner or a group of partners. For a LLP to exist, there must always be two or more partners. Although Singapore's Limited Liability Partnership Act of 2005 does not restrict the benefit of LLP structure to certain classes of professionals only, in practice, LLP structure makes the most sense for chartered professions only (such as lawyers, accountants, etc.) when two or more such professionals decide to work together. For a typical entrepreneur however, incorporating a private limited company is the best option.

LLP - Quick Facts

Liability

• A LLP is rendered a separate legal identity (ie separate from its owners) in Singapore. Thus a LLP can own property, sue or be sued.
• A partner of the LLP cannot be held personally liable for the wrongful commission or omission of any other partners. 
• In the course of business of an LLP, if a partner becomes liable to any person or company through his acts of commission or omission, the LLP is liable to the same extent as the partner. Therefore claims can be made against an LLP to the full extent of its assets.
• A partner during the course of the business is personally responsible for liabilities that arise due to his act of commission, omission, or negligence. Claims for liabilities can be made against him and his personal assets. However other innocent partners and their personal assets will remain insulated from such liabilities and their liabilities will be limited only to the capital contributed by them to the LLP.
• The mutual rights and duties of the Singapore LLP and its partners are governed by the limited liability partnership agreement. In the absence of agreement as to any matter, the First Schedule of the Limited Liability Partnership Act 2005 shall apply.

Taxation

• From a tax perspective, Singapore LLPs are not taxed at the entity level and profits are treated as part of each partners’ personal income and are taxed at personal income tax rates. Where the partner is an individual, his share of income from the LLP will be taxed based on his personal income tax rate. Where a partner is a company, its share of income from the LLP will be taxed on the tax rate for companies.

Members & Management

• There must be a minimum of 2 partners. However there is no cap on the maximum number of partners in a LLP. 
• The partners can be natural persons or companies
• A partner may cease to be a partner upon his death or dissolution or in accordance with the limited liability partnership agreement (if any) or, in the absence of such agreement, by giving 30 days' notice to the other partners.
• A proposed new partner requires the consent of all existing partners. Other matters are decided by majority vote, with each partner having one vote.
• Unlike private limited companies, an LLP in Singapore does not have directors, shareholder or secretary, instead the partners own and run the business.
• Every limited liability partnership must appoint at least one manager who is a natural person of at least 18 years of age and who is ordinarily resident in Singapore, a Singapore Citizen, Permanent Resident, Dependent Pass holder, Entrepass or Employment Pass holder.

Name & Address

• A Singapore LLP’s name must include the words "limited liability partnership" or the acronym "LLP".
• Every limited liability partnership shall have a registered office within Singapore to which all communications and notices may be addressed.

Compliance

• LLP is required to keep its books up-to-date so as to substantiate all the transactions and financial position of the LLP, failure to do so may lead to prosecution and penalties.
• An LLP in Singapore is not required to file its accounts or have them audited. Nor does it need to disclose its capital.
• The manager of an LLP must submit to the Registrar an annual declaration of solvency or insolvency; such declaration must be lodged within the first 15 months from the date of the registration of the LLP. Subsequently a declaration once in every calendar year must be submitted at intervals of not more than 15 months.
• Every limited liability partnership must ensure that its invoices and official correspondence bear the statement that it is registered as an LLP, and the name and registration number of the limited liability partnership must be visibly printed on all its bills, invoices and official correspondence.
• Any changes to the particulars of the LLP must be lodged with the Registrar within 14 days from the date of change.

LLP - Documents Required

In order to register an LLP in Singapore, the following information/documents are needed:

• Proposed LLP name
• Particulars of the LLP partners/managers as per the foreign passport or Singapore identity card
• Residential address of the LLP partners/managers
• Declaration of compliance
• Details of the registered address for the LLP
• Consent to Act as Manager and Statement of Non Disqualification to Act as Manager
• In case the partner is a company: Registration details of the company such as registration number, jurisdiction, registered address, etc.

LLP - Registration Procedure

A limited liability partnership is registered with Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) of Singapore. Foreign individuals must appoint a professional services firm to handle the registration process. Even for locals, it is suggested to engage a professional services firm for LLP registration as well as drafting the partnership agreement which establishes the internal structure and profit sharing arrangement among the partners.

The LLP registration process consists of two steps: a) name reservation; and b) registration of the entity. Under normal circumstances, an LLP registration can be completed in a single day.

LLP - Corporate Documents Issued

ACRA will send an email notification confirming the Singapore LLP registration. A business profile containing the registration details can be obtained from ACRA upon successful registration of the LLP. Both of these documents are provided in a softcopy format via email which is sufficient to all purposes in Singapore. If required, certified hard copies can always be requested from ACRA office by filing an application accordingly.

LLP - Bank Account Opening

After registering the LLP, a bank account can be opened in any of the several international, foreign and local banks in Singapore. LLP may open a multiple account of various currencies or can also open a single multi currency account. Typically, the banks will require the following documents:

• Account Application Form(s)
• Partners’ Resolution of bank account and authorized signatories
• Certified True Copies of photocopies of NRIC/Passport of all Partners and Authorized Signatories
• Partnership Agreement
• A latest print out of the LLP's business profile

For more details on bank account opening, see Singapore bank account guide.

LLP - Annual Filing Requirements

A Singapore LLP is required to keep an uptodate books of accounts so as to substantiate all the transactions and financial position of the LLP. Accounting and other financial records need to be maintained for 7 consecutive years. Failure to do so may lead to prosecution, fine or imprisonment.

The manager of an LLP must submit to the Registrar an annual declaration of solvency or insolvency; such declaration must be lodged within the first 15 months from the date of the registration of the LLP. Subsequently a declaration once in every calendar year must be submitted at intervals of not more than 15 months.

On a final note

In tune with the changing business needs and to be in tandem with the international developments, the government of Singapore after extensive public consultation and based on the recommendations of the Company Legislative and Regulatory Framework Committee (CLRFC) gave the green signal for Limited Liability Partnerships in 2005.

Next read: Singapore LLP vs Private Limited Company vs Sole Proprietorship

Other Related Topics

Singapore Company Incorporation | Singapore Taxation | Singapore Immigration