How to Strike Off a Company in Singapore: A Complete Guide

Updated: 24 Mar 2026

Closing a business is never an easy decision, but once you have made up your mind that a company has run its course, it is important to do it properly. In Singapore, the most straightforward way to close an inactive company is through a process called striking off. It is simpler, faster, and considerably cheaper than winding up a company through liquidation, making it the preferred route for most business owners who have an inactive or dormant company on their hands.

In this guide, we walk you through everything you need to know about how to strike off a company in Singapore, from eligibility requirements and the step-by-step process to timelines, costs, and common pitfalls to avoid. Whether you are a local entrepreneur or a foreign business owner winding down operations here, this guide covers what you need to know.

What Does 'Striking Off' Actually Mean?

Striking off is an administrative process managed by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) under the Singapore Companies Act. When a company is struck off, it is removed from the ACRA register and ceases to exist as a legal entity. This means the company no longer has any legal standing, rights, or obligations from that point forward.

It is worth clarifying the difference between striking off and liquidation, as the two are often confused. Striking off is a lighter-touch process suited for companies that have simply stopped operating, have no assets or liabilities, and want a clean administrative closure. Liquidation, on the other hand, involves formally winding up the affairs of a company, appointing a liquidator to settle debts, distribute assets, and deal with creditors. Liquidation is more appropriate when a company has outstanding obligations it needs to formally resolve.

In short, if your company has been dormant, has no debts, no ongoing disputes, and no remaining assets, striking off is almost certainly the right path.

When Should You Consider Striking Off a Company?

There are several common situations where striking off makes practical sense:

• Your company has ceased all business operations and has no plans to resume

• A specific project or business venture has ended and the entity is no longer needed

• A startup has failed or pivoted, and the old entity is sitting idle

• A holding company is no longer required after restructuring

• The cost of maintaining annual compliance, filing fees, and accounting obligations far exceeds any benefit of keeping the company alive

If any of the above describes your situation, it is worth checking whether you meet the eligibility criteria to proceed with an ACRA strike off.

Eligibility Criteria To Strike Off a Company in Singapore

Before submitting an application, ACRA requires that your company meets all of the following conditions. Think of these as prerequisites rather than suggestions. If any of these are not satisfied, your application will likely be rejected or delayed.

1. The Company Has Ceased Business Operations

The company must have stopped all trading and commercial activities. If the business is still active in any form, striking off is not appropriate.

2. No Outstanding Assets or Liabilities

The company must have a clean financial slate. Any remaining assets must be disposed of, and all liabilities must be settled in full before applying. This includes loans, outstanding invoices, or any other financial obligations.

3. No Ongoing Legal Proceedings

If the company is party to any legal proceedings, whether as plaintiff or defendant, it cannot be struck off. All legal matters must be fully resolved first.

4. All Taxes Filed and Cleared

The company must be up to date with all tax obligations. This means all corporate tax returns must have been submitted to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), and any outstanding taxes must be paid. Our company tax services team can assist with final tax filings if needed.

5. No Outstanding Government Liabilities

There should be no outstanding amounts owed to any government agency, including the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board or the Goods and Services Tax (GST) department. If your company is GST-registered, you will also need to cancel your GST registration before proceeding.

6. Company Bank Account Closed

All corporate bank accounts associated with the company must be closed prior to submission. Active bank accounts signal to ACRA that the company may still have financial activity.

7. Shareholders' Consent

While ACRA does not require a formal shareholder resolution in every case, you should ensure that the relevant shareholders and directors are aligned on the decision to close the company.

Key Preparations Before You Strike Off Your Company in Singapore

Getting your paperwork in order before submitting the application will save you time and prevent unnecessary back-and-forth with ACRA. Here is what we typically recommend:

• Settle all outstanding debts with creditors, suppliers, and lenders

• Distribute or dispose of any remaining company assets, including equipment or intellectual property

• File all outstanding annual returns with ACRA

• Submit the company's final tax returns to IRAS and obtain tax clearance where applicable

• Ensure all CPF contributions for employees have been fully paid

• Cancel your GST registration with IRAS if your company is registered for GST

• Close all corporate bank accounts and obtain written confirmation from the bank

Our company secretarial team regularly assists clients with this checklist to make sure nothing is overlooked before the application is filed.

Step-by-Step Guide On How to Strike Off a Company in Singapore

Here is a clear walkthrough of the ACRA strike off process from start to finish.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Go through the eligibility criteria listed above and verify that your company meets every condition. This is the most important step because any unresolved issue will either delay or reject your application.

Step 2: Settle All Compliance Obligations

Complete all outstanding filings, tax submissions, and financial obligations. If your company has a nominee director arrangement, our nominee director services team can advise on how the transition should be handled before closure.

Step 3: Submit the Application via BizFile+

Once everything is in order, the application is submitted through ACRA's BizFile+ portal. The application can be filed by the company's authorised representative, typically a director or a corporate service provider. The current application fee charged by ACRA is S$33.

Step 4: ACRA Reviews the Application

After submission, ACRA will review the application to verify that all conditions are met. They may contact relevant government agencies to check for any outstanding obligations. This review typically takes a few weeks.

Step 5: First Gazette Notification

If ACRA is satisfied with the application, they will publish a notice in the Government Gazette indicating the company's intention to be struck off. This marks the start of a 60-day objection period, during which any interested party (creditors, shareholders, or government agencies) can raise objections.

Step 6: Objection Period

During the 60-day window, if no valid objections are received, the process moves forward automatically. If an objection is raised, ACRA will notify the applicant and the application may be put on hold until the matter is resolved.

Step 7: Final Gazette Notice and Removal

After the objection period closes without incident, ACRA publishes a final notice in the Gazette. The company is then officially removed from the register and ceases to exist as a legal entity.

How Long Does the Strike Off Process Take?

Realistically, you should plan for the entire process to take anywhere from 4 to 6 months from the time you submit the application to the final removal. Here is a rough breakdown of the timeline:

• Preparation and compliance clean-up: 1 to 4 weeks (varies depending on how much is outstanding)

• ACRA review stage: 2 to 4 weeks

• First gazette notification and 60-day objection period: approximately 2 months

• Final gazette and removal: a few weeks after the objection period ends

Delays typically arise from outstanding tax filings, active bank accounts, or unresolved CPF contributions. Getting everything sorted before submitting will significantly speed up the process.

Strike Off vs Liquidation: Which Is Right for Your Singaporean Company?

One of the most common questions we receive is about the difference between strike off and liquidation, and which option is appropriate.

As a general rule, striking off is suitable for companies that have simply stopped operating and have no financial complexity. Liquidation is necessary when a company has outstanding debts it cannot fully pay, ongoing creditor obligations, or assets that need to be formally distributed.

Here is a quick comparison to help you decide:

• Striking off is faster (4 to 6 months) and cheaper (mainly ACRA's S$33 fee plus professional service costs if applicable)

• Liquidation is more time-consuming and involves appointing a licensed liquidator, which can cost significantly more

• Striking off is not available to companies with active liabilities or creditor disputes; those companies must go through liquidation

• For companies with outstanding tax or CPF obligations, those must be resolved first regardless of which route you take

If you are unsure which option applies to your situation, we recommend speaking with a corporate service provider before proceeding.

Common Reasons ACRA Rejects Strike Off Applications

It is not uncommon for applications to be rejected or delayed. Here are the most frequent reasons we see:

• Outstanding corporate tax filings or unpaid tax assessed by IRAS

• Active corporate bank accounts that have not been closed

• Unresolved CPF arrears for employees

• Ongoing legal proceedings that have not been disclosed or resolved

• Pending objections from government agencies such as MOM, CPF Board, or IRAS

• Incomplete annual returns or outstanding filing obligations with ACRA

Most of these issues are preventable with proper preparation. Going through the eligibility checklist carefully before submission is the best way to avoid a rejection.

What Happens After a Company Is Struck Off?

Once the company is officially removed from the ACRA register, the following applies:

• The company ceases to exist as a legal entity

• Directors and shareholders are released from their obligations under the company

• The company name becomes available again for registration by others

• Despite the company no longer existing, directors and officers should retain financial records and documents for at least 5 years from the date of closure, as these may still be required for tax or regulatory purposes

Note that if any assets are discovered after the company is struck off, those assets will vest in the Singapore government under the principle of bona vacantia.

Can a Struck-Off Company Be Restored in Singapore?

Yes, a struck-off company can be restored to the register, but it requires a court order. Restoration may be necessary if, for example, a creditor discovers they were not notified before the company was struck off, or if assets belonging to the company are identified after the fact.

The application for restoration must generally be made within 15 years of the date of striking off. If the court is satisfied that it is just and equitable to restore the company, it will order the company to be reinstated on the register. Directors and shareholders will then resume their previous obligations.

Restoration is relatively uncommon, but it does happen. The best way to avoid it is to ensure all obligations are properly settled and all interested parties are informed before the striking off takes effect.

Cost of Striking Off a Company in Singapore

The direct cost of striking off is relatively modest:

• ACRA application fee: S$33

• Professional corporate service provider fees (if engaged): typically varies based on scope of work and how much clean-up is required

• Accounting and tax clearance costs: depends on how many years of returns need to be filed and the complexity of the company's finances

If your company is fairly straightforward and all filings are up to date, the total out-of-pocket cost outside of professional fees is minimal. If there is a backlog of outstanding filings or unresolved tax matters, you should factor in additional costs to get everything in order. Even so, striking off is almost always significantly more affordable than a formal liquidation process.

Why Many Business Owners Engage a Corporate Service Provider

While it is technically possible to handle the strike off process yourself, many business owners choose to work with a corporate service provider to avoid the risk of delays or rejections. Here is why it often makes sense:

• A corporate service provider will review your company's status and flag any outstanding obligations before you apply, saving time and avoiding rejected applications

• They can coordinate with IRAS, CPF, and other agencies on your behalf

• They ensure all filings are complete and accurate before submission

• For foreign entrepreneurs who may not be familiar with Singapore's regulatory requirements, having local professional support is especially valuable

At Margin Wheeler, our team handles the full strike off process for clients, from initial eligibility checks through to final ACRA confirmation. If you also have outstanding accounting matters, our accounting team can prepare and submit your final financial statements and tax returns before closure.

Foreign business owners who set up their companies through our incorporation for foreigners service can also reach out to us to manage the wind-down process from end to end.

Closing Your Company the Right Way

Striking off a company in Singapore is the simplest and most cost-effective route to formally close a business that is no longer active. Done properly, it gives you a clean break with no lingering compliance obligations or legal risk.

The key is to make sure all your affairs are in order before you apply. That means settling debts, closing bank accounts, filing outstanding returns with IRAS, and ensuring CPF and GST obligations are fully cleared. Rushing through the checklist or skipping steps is the most common reason applications get rejected or dragged out.

If you are thinking about striking off your company and are not sure where to start, we are happy to help. Whether you need support with a final tax filing, a review of your company's compliance status, or the full strike off process managed from start to finish, reach out to the Margin Wheeler team and we will walk you through your options.

And if you are at the other end of the journey, looking to incorporate a new company in Singapore after winding down an old one, we can help with that too!