How to Strike Off a Company in Singapore (2026 Guide)

What does striking off a company in Singapore mean?

Striking off a company in Singapore is the official administrative process to deregister and dissolve a dormant or closed company through the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). Once approved, the company is removed from ACRA’s register and ceases to exist as a legal entity. This is distinct from winding up, which is the formal liquidation process for companies with outstanding debts.

The key eligibility conditions for an ACRA strike off are:

• Has never started trading since incorporation, or has ceased all business operations
• Carries no unpaid debts, outstanding loans, or charges in the charge register
• Has no assets, contingent assets, liabilities, or contingent liabilities
• Is not party to any legal proceedings in Singapore or overseas
• Is not subject to any ongoing regulatory or disciplinary action
• All directors, or a majority of directors, have agreed to proceed

The application is free of charge and is filed through ACRA’s BizFile eService. The full process takes a significant period after ACRA approval, depending on whether any objections are raised.

How to apply to strike off your company via BizFile

The application is filed entirely online through BizFile. Follow these steps precisely to avoid delays or a lapsed application.

1. Log in to BizFile and navigate to the “Apply to strike off business entity” eService.
2. Verify the company details. Confirm you are filing for the correct entity using the company’s Unique Entity Number (UEN).
3. Enter cessation information. Provide the date the company ceased operations, if applicable.
4. Confirm eligibility criteria. Declare that the company meets all striking off conditions. Filing a false declaration can trigger an investigation.
5. Submit the application. Once submitted, ACRA will review it immediately if no endorsement is required.
6. Obtain director endorsements within 14 days. If the company has other position holders, all or a majority of directors must endorse the application within 14 days. An application not endorsed within this window lapses automatically, requiring a full resubmission.
7. Monitor the BizFile inbox. ACRA will send official striking off letters to the company’s registered office address and officers’ residential addresses. Track these notices throughout the process.
8. Withdraw if needed. You can withdraw the application anytime through BizFile before the final gazette notification is published.

Note: If a corporate service provider (CSP) files the application on the company’s behalf, director endorsements are not required from the CSP itself, though directors must still have consented.

Pro Tip: Keep the company’s registered office address and email address updated in ACRA’s records before applying. If striking off letters are sent to an incorrect address and go unacknowledged, the strike off can fail and the company reverts to “Live” status, restarting the entire process.

Eligibility criteria and legal considerations you must address first

Striking off is strictly an administrative measure, not a substitute for liquidation. Companies with assets, creditors, or unresolved obligations must pursue formal winding up instead. Attempting to strike off a company that does not qualify constitutes a false declaration to ACRA.

Key legal prerequisites and risks:

• Tax clearance is mandatory. IRAS requires all outstanding tax liabilities to be fully settled before the application is filed. If unresolved, IRAS will object to the ACRA application. If that objection is not resolved within 2 months, the application lapses and must be resubmitted from scratch.
• Bank accounts must be closed. All corporate bank accounts should be closed and final tax filings accepted before submission. Premature applications frequently lead to reinstatement complications.
• No court summons outstanding. Any active court summons must be resolved before filing. Directors can check the BizFile inbox for notices from ACRA.
• Director disqualification risk. Under the Companies (Striking Off) Regulations 2015, a director involved in two or more companies struck off within a recent period faces a multi-year disqualification from managing any Singapore company.
• Split director approvals cause lapses. Companies with multiple directors frequently experience delays when endorsements are not coordinated promptly. All relevant directors must act within the 14-day window or the application expires.

Statistic callout: The 60-day public notification period after ACRA’s first gazette notification allows any interested party to lodge an objection. If an objection is accepted and not resolved within 2 months, the strike off application lapses entirely.

What happens after a successful strike off, and can it be reversed?

Once ACRA publishes the Final Gazette Notification, the company is officially dissolved and removed from the register. It no longer legally exists. The consequences and restoration options are as follows:

• Removal from ACRA’s register. The company’s name is struck off and it ceases to be a legal entity from the date stated in the Final Gazette Notification.
• Director liability persists. Dissolution does not extinguish unresolved obligations. Directors and officers remain liable for any debts or claims that existed at the time of striking off.
• Tax credits are transferred. Any outstanding tax credits held by the dissolved company are transferred to the Insolvency and Public Trustee’s Office (IPTO). Former shareholders may claim these credits through the Insolvency Office, though processing fees may apply.
• Objections during the 60-day window. If a third party lodges an objection after the First Gazette Notification, ACRA notifies the company with the objector’s name and reason. The company has 2 months to resolve the matter directly with the objector. Failure to resolve within that period causes the application to lapse.
• Administrative restoration is possible. A company struck off under section 344 of the Companies Act can be restored to the register. Conditions for administrative restoration include demonstrating the company was carrying on business at the time of striking off, lodging all outstanding documents, and settling any fees or penalties due. Court-ordered restoration is also available where unresolved liabilities or creditor interests require it.
• Post-restoration complexity. Restoring a struck-off company is procedurally demanding. All compliance records must be brought up to date, and any outstanding fees under the Companies Act must be paid or formally committed to before ACRA will restore the name.

Common questions on timelines, fees, and procedural rules

How long does it take to strike off a company in Singapore?
The process takes at least 3 months after ACRA approves the application. Objections from IRAS or third parties can extend this significantly, particularly if the 2-month resolution window is triggered.

How much does it cost to strike off a company in Singapore?
ACRA does not charge a fee for the striking off application. The process is free of charge.

What are the rules on director approvals?
All or a majority of directors must endorse the application within 14 days of submission. If endorsements are not completed within this period, the application lapses and must be resubmitted. Director consensus must be secured before filing to avoid this outcome.

What happens if IRAS objects to the strike off?
IRAS will object if the company has outstanding tax matters. The company must resolve those matters within 2 months of the objection date. If unresolved, the strike off application lapses and a new application must be submitted after IRAS clears the objection.

Can a company with outstanding annual returns still apply?
Yes. A company may apply for striking off even if it has outstanding annual returns, provided it meets all other eligibility criteria and has no active court summons.

What if the strike off process fails?
If the process is unsuccessful and the company remains “Live” on ACRA’s register, it must continue to meet all compliance obligations, including annual return filings and tax submissions, until the matter is resolved.

How Vivos supports company strike off in Singapore

Navigating the company deregistration process in Singapore involves coordinating tax clearance, director endorsements, document filings, and ACRA compliance within strict deadlines. Vivos provides end-to-end corporate secretarial and advisory support to manage this process correctly.

Vivos’ services for company closure include:

• Pre-application compliance review: Confirming all eligibility criteria are met, including tax settlement with IRAS and closure of bank accounts
• Document preparation and filing: Preparing and submitting the BizFile application with accurate cessation details and supporting records
• Director endorsement coordination: Managing the 14-day endorsement window across multiple directors to prevent application lapses
• Registered address and record updates: Updating company information with ACRA to prevent failed notices and process interruptions
• Tax and regulatory clearance support: Liaising with IRAS and relevant agencies to resolve outstanding obligations before filing
• Post-strike off advisory: Advising on director liabilities, tax credit claims, and restoration procedures if required

Vivos offers corporate secretarial services covering the full scope of company closure requirements in Singapore, from pre-application checks through to final gazette confirmation. For directors managing dormant company obligations before closure, Vivos also provides dormant company accounting support to keep records compliant ahead of the strike off application.

Key Takeaways

Striking off a company in Singapore requires zero fees, full tax clearance with IRAS, director endorsement within 14 days, and a minimum 3-month process after ACRA approval.

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