If your company prepares statutory financial statements in Singapore, XBRL filing through BizFinx almost certainly applies -here's the breakdown.
Must file annual returns and financial statements in XBRL via BizFinx.
Still required to file -failure can lead to penalties or striking off.
Foreign companies registered as a branch in Singapore must also file via BizFinx.
Each entity files separately; the holding company also files consolidated statements.
"XBRL exemption" is one of the most searched -and most misunderstood -terms in this space. There is no blanket exemption from XBRL filing itself. Three separate, narrower concepts are often confused with one another:
Qualifying small companies may file Simplified XBRL instead of a full XBRL statement -a reduced field set, not an exemption from filing.
Certain entities may apply to ACRA via an EA2 application for a specific filing exemption -this must be actively applied for and approved, it is not automatic.
This is the most common confusion. Under the phased 2025-2027 audit exemption criteria (by revenue/assets/employee thresholds), a company may be exempt from having its accounts audited -but an audit-exempt company still must file its unaudited financial statements via BizFinx in XBRL format. Audit exemption does not remove the XBRL filing obligation.
Filing under the wrong category -Simplified XBRL instead of full statements, or missing an exemption you don't actually qualify for -causes rejections. Our reviewers confirm your correct filing category against ACRA rules before tagging begins, not after.
Correct taxonomy applied for your entity type and filing category.
Your statement's structure preserved regardless of company size or category.
Disclosures tagged individually, even under simplified Simplified XBRL filings.
Filing category confirmed against ACRA criteria before tagging starts.
A complete reference table of XBRL obligations by company type under ACRA's current requirements for Singapore-incorporated entities.
| Company Type | XBRL Required? | Filing Type | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore Pte Ltd -Small Company | Yes -annually | Simplified XBRL | Meets 2 of 3 size criteria. FSH only. Most common type. |
| Singapore Pte Ltd -Non-Small Company | Yes -annually | Full XBRL Standalone | Complete tagged financial statements required. |
| Singapore Holding / Group Company | Yes -annually | Full XBRL Consolidated | Consolidated group accounts. Subsidiaries file separately. |
| Dormant Company (nil activity) | Yes in most cases | Simplified XBRL | Filing obligation remains regardless of activity level. |
| Solvent Exempt Private Company | Possibly exempt | Verify Status | All 4 EPC criteria must be met. Confirm before assuming. |
| Foreign Company -Singapore Branch | Different rules | Confirm | Foreign company provisions. Depends on registration type. |
| MAS-Regulated Financial Institution | Varies | Confirm | Specific MAS regulatory framework may modify obligation. |
| Struck-Off / Wound-Up Company | No | Not Required | Outstanding filings must be resolved before strike-off proceeds. |
Not sure whether Simplified or Full XBRL applies? A company qualifies for Simplified XBRL if it meets at least 2 of these 3 criteria:
Your company's total revenue from all sources in the most recent completed financial year. ≤ S$10M = criterion met.
Total value of all assets on your balance sheet at the close of the financial year. ≤ S$10M = criterion met.
Number of full-time and part-time employees at financial year-end. ≤ 50 employees = criterion met.
Filing obligation remains regardless of activity level -most dormant companies must still file Simplified XBRL every year.
Zero or minimal revenue doesn't eliminate the requirement -the obligation is based on incorporation status, not performance.
Newly incorporated companies have their first XBRL filing due at the close of their first financial year, within 5 months.
Short-period accounts from a FYE change still require XBRL filing under ACRA's 5-month window for the new year-end.
Each incorporated entity has its own independent XBRL obligation -we can manage all entities under a single arrangement.
All outstanding XBRL filings must be resolved before ACRA processes a strike-off application.
The team helped us determine exactly which XBRL filing applied to our holding structure. Consolidated XBRL was handled flawlessly -first-time acceptance.
We assumed our dormant company didn't need to file -Xberra Tagger corrected us and handled 3 years of back filings in under a week. Saved us from serious penalties.
As a foreign branch, we were confused about our obligations. They confirmed the exact requirements and filed our returns smoothly. Highly professional.
Yes -SMEs that prepare financial statements also need to convert them into XBRL format where required by ACRA's BizFinx platform.
Yes -many firms outsource tagging to specialists like Xberra Tagger for accuracy and compliance with the latest taxonomy.
Yes -dormant companies must still file, or risk penalties or being struck off.
Yes -each entity files its own XBRL statements, and the holding company files consolidated statements for the group.
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