What does your annual return confirm from 20 October 2026?

The return becomes a confirmation. Companies filing annual returns will need to confirm that the latest particulars provided to ACRA are accurate for their directors, chief executive officers, secretaries and relevant members, among other officers. This is part of the next phase of the Corporate and Accounting Laws (Amendment) Act 2025, which commences that day.

A form records what the company reports. A confirmation vouches for what the register already holds. Particulars that have drifted out of date are confirmed with every filing unless they are corrected first.

Two other filing requirements also go: the statement in lieu of prospectus under prescribed circumstances, and, for public limited companies with a share capital, statutory meetings and statutory reports.

From 20 October 2026, the particulars ACRA holds on each officer and relevant member. ACRA's examples are names, identification details, nationality, contact address, appointment dates, registered office address and shareholding details, where applicable. One wrong date or an old address on any person is enough to make the confirmation inaccurate.

From 20 October 2026, the annual return eform carries an additional question. The filer indicates whether there are any individuals performing the role of Chief Executive Officer in the company. Settle who that is before filing, and check that the CEO particulars in Bizfile match the answer the return will give.

The total number of members. For a company limited by guarantee, the filer will need to confirm that the total number of members last provided to ACRA through Bizfile is accurate. A company whose membership has changed since that last update brings the number up to date before it files.

Its records in Bizfile. ACRA asks companies and authorised filers to review their records in Bizfile and update any particulars before submitting the annual return. The update goes in first, so that the confirmation in the return matches the register on the day it is filed.

One action: open Bizfile this month and check every name, identification detail, address, appointment date and shareholding before the next annual return.

The minimum opening hours go. From 20 October 2026, a registered office no longer has to be open and accessible to the public for specified minimum hours during ordinary business hours on each business day, and each company decides its office's opening hours. Company records still have to be available for inspection in accordance with the law.

From 20 October 2026, a person who wishes to inspect company records gives the company reasonable notice. Once given that notice, the company makes the records available for at least two hours during each of the relevant business days.

A change of registered office address is still filed within 14 days after the change.

From 20 October 2026, where the Registrar starts a striking off, ACRA states that the Gazette notice can be published as early as 15 days after the letter is sent. Section 344 of the Companies Act 1967, in the version current on 9 October 2026, gives 30 days after the date of the letter for an answer showing cause.

From 20 October 2026, for a voluntary striking off, the Gazette notice can be published as early as the same day the notice is sent. The streamlined processes cover companies, LLPs, VCCs and sub-funds.

From 20 October 2026, a letter from the Registrar that waits unopened at the registered office leaves less time before a Gazette notice can follow.

At a fixed moment. From 20 October 2026, an entity is legally dissolved or restored on the date and at the time when the Registrar strikes off or restores its name on the register. The Registrar publishes in the Government Gazette the name, date and time that the entity has been struck off or restored.

From 20 October 2026, an application to restore a struck-off entity, made to the Court or to the Registrar, must be refused where the restored entity is likely to be used for an unlawful purpose or for purposes prejudicial to public peace, welfare or good order in Singapore, or where restoring it would be contrary to the national security or interest.