What is XBRL filing in Singapore?

XBRL filing is the submission of financial statements to ACRA in a structured, machine-readable format called eXtensible Business Reporting Language. It allows ACRA to process, analyse, and compare financial data more efficiently, improving regulatory oversight and data quality.

Which company needs to file XBRL?

Most Singapore-incorporated companies must file in XBRL format. This includes private companies, public companies, and insolvent Exempt Private Companies. Depending on their size and public accountability, some companies must file in Full XBRL, while others file in Simplified XBRL using the relevant ACRA templates.

Who is exempt from filing in XBRL format?

Solvent Exempt Private Companies, companies limited by guarantee, Singapore-incorporated companies using non-SFRS or non-IFRS accounting standards, and branches of foreign companies are exempt from filing in XBRL format. These entities usually file only a PDF copy of their financial statements with ACRA instead of an XBRL file.

What is the difference between Full XBRL and Simplified XBRL?

Full XBRL captures a comprehensive set of data points from the financial statements and accompanying notes, providing a detailed breakdown of the company’s financial position and performance. Simplified XBRL captures fewer data points and is designed for small and non-publicly accountable companies, reducing preparation time while still meeting ACRA’s minimum reporting requirements.

What are the documents required for XBRL filing?

For XBRL filing in Singapore, the required documents typically include the Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement, Directors' Report, Statement of Changes in Equity, and all notes to the financial statements. You must also have the Auditor's Report for audited companies so that the relevant disclosures can be captured accurately in the XBRL file.

What is the BizFinx preparation tool?

BizFinx is ACRA’s official software for preparing XBRL files. It includes all required XBRL templates and the latest ACRA taxonomy. Companies use BizFinx to tag and validate financial data before filing, ensuring that the submitted XBRL file meets ACRA’s technical and content requirements.

Do I still need to submit a PDF copy of my financial statements?

Most companies must submit a PDF copy of their financial statements together with the XBRL file. The exact requirement depends on the company’s filing category and ACRA’s prevailing rules. In many cases, the XBRL file is used for data analysis, while the PDF serves as the human-readable reference version of the financial statements.

What happens if I submit an incorrect XBRL file?

If you submit an incorrect XBRL file, ACRA may reject the filing or require you to resubmit corrected information. Filing inaccurate or incomplete data may lead to penalties, late lodgment fees, or delays in updating the company’s records. Companies should carefully review and validate their XBRL files before submission to avoid compliance issues.

Can small companies avoid filing in XBRL format?

Small companies cannot avoid XBRL filing solely on the basis of size. They may only be exempt if they qualify as solvent Exempt Private Companies, which are exempt from filing financial statements with ACRA. If a small company chooses to file voluntarily, it may submit either a PDF copy or an XBRL file in accordance with ACRA’s requirements.

When is the XBRL filing deadline?

Companies in Singapore must prepare their financial statements, including the XBRL version, after the financial year ends and file them together with the Annual Return. The XBRL filing due date for listed companies is within five months of the end of the financial year, and within seven months for non-listed companies. ACRA can impose penalties if a company fails to file XBRL financial statements on time or if the financial information submitted is outdated.

XBRL Filing Requirement for Singapore Companies: 2025 Guide

Last Updated: Dec 2025

XBRL, or eXtensible Business Reporting Language, is a structured digital format used to standardise the submission of financial statements by Singapore companies. This format allows regulators to analyse financial data more quickly and accurately than traditional PDF submissions. Certain Singapore-incorporated companies are required to file their financial statements in XBRL.

In this guide, we explain what XBRL filing is, which companies must use it, who is exempt, the different XBRL formats, and how to convert your PDF financial statements into XBRL format.

To learn more about financial statements in general, including who must file them, what they include, and how they are prepared, refer to our comprehensive guide on Annual Financial Statements for Singapore Companies.

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Key Takeaways

Companies that are required to file financial statements with ACRA must generally submit them in XBRL format, unless they qualify for the exemption.

XBRL filing involves converting your financial statements into a structured digital format using ACRA’s BizFinx tool or professional software.

Using the wrong template or submitting incomplete data can lead to rejections and delays, so many companies rely on their chartered accountant or corporate service provider to prepare the XBRL file.

What Is XBRL Filing?

XBRL filing refers to the submission of a company’s financial statements to ACRA in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL). XBRL is a structured, machine-readable format that standardises how financial information is reported in Singapore. It makes financial reporting faster, more consistent, and easier for regulators to analyse.

XBRL uses a predefined set of data fields, known as the ACRA Taxonomy, to tag each item in the financial statements. These tags help ensure accuracy and improve comparability across companies.

In practice, XBRL filing means converting a company’s financial statements into a structured file using ACRA’s BizFinx preparation tool and submitting that file through BizFile+, usually together with the Annual Return. Companies still prepare their statements under SFRS or SFRS for Small Entities; XBRL is simply the electronic filing format.

XBRL Filing Requirements in Singapore

To ease the compliance burden on smaller and simpler businesses, Singapore’s XBRL filing requirements are tailored to the size and complexity of each company.

The format you must submit depends on the type of company you operate, its ownership structure, and whether it meets the conditions for any exemptions. The table below summarises the XBRL filing requirements for each major company type in Singapore.

Company Type	XBRL Filing Requirement	Notes / Definition
Solvent Exempt Private Company (EPC)	PDF FS only. XBRL not required.	≤ 20 individual shareholders and no corporate shareholders. Must declare solvency.
Insolvent EPC	XBRL required.	EPC that cannot meet its debts. Insolvency cancels PDF-only filing.
Private Company (Non-EPC)	XBRL required.	Private company with >20 shareholders or with at least one corporate shareholder.
Subsidiary Company	XBRL required (typically Full or Simplified XBRL).	A company where another company owns >50 percent of shares. Cannot be an EPC.
Public Company (Listed or Unlisted)	XBRL required (usually Full XBRL).	Entities that can offer shares to the public.
Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG)	PDF FS only or XBRL FSH, depending on size.	Non-profit entity with no share capital.
Foreign Company with a Singapore Branch	PDF FS only.	Foreign-incorporated company registered to operate a branch in Singapore. No XBRL required.
Dormant Company	PDF FS only if dormant and EPC. Others may require XBRL.	No accounting transactions during the financial year.
Small Company (Audit Exempt)	XBRL required (Simplified XBRL).	Qualifies for audit exemption based on size thresholds. Does not exempt from XBRL unless also a Solvent EPC.

Describing XBRL filing requirement in Singapore

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Types of XBRL Filing Formats

Different groups of companies must use different XBRL filing formats depending on their type, size, and regulatory status. Each format captures a different level of detail. Below are the four main XBRL formats:

Full XBRL

Full XBRL is the most detailed filing format. It provides ACRA with a comprehensive, tagged version of the company’s financial statements and includes about 210 data points.

This format captures data from:

All primary financial statements; and
A wide range of notes and disclosures.

Simplified XBRL

Simplified XBRL is a reduced disclosure format. It focuses on key line items in:

The statement of financial position; and
The statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.

Additional notes and disclosures are captured in less detail than in Full XBRL. This reduces filing effort while still meeting ACRA’s data requirements.

XBRL FSH (Banks)

The XBRL FSH (Banks) template is used by banks and other MAS-regulated entities in the banking and finance sector, where applicable. It captures Financial Statements Highlights rather than a full set of tagged financial statements. These highlights focus on key balance sheet, income, and capital information that regulators monitor.

XBRL FSH (Insurance)

The XBRL FSH (Insurance) template is used by:

Licensed insurers; and
Other MAS-regulated insurance entities that fall within ACRA’s FSH scope.

Like the banking template, it captures Financial Statements Highlights relevant to insurers, such as:

Premiums and claims;
Technical provisions;
Capital and reserves.

How to File Financial Statements in XBRL Format?

The main tool for converting your financial statements into XBRL format is BizFinx, ACRA’s official preparation tool. Below are the key steps.

Step 1

Prepare Your Financial Statements in PDF

Ensure that your financial statements are approved by directors, consistent with SFRS or SFRS for Small Entities, and saved in PDF format.

Step 2

Download and Install the BizFinx Preparation Tool

Download and install the BizFinx preparation tool. It is free to download from ACRA’s website.

Step 3

Select the Correct XBRL Template

Choose the template that applies to your company:

Full XBRL
Simplified XBRL
XBRL FSH (Banks)
XBRL FSH (Insurance)

Selecting the correct template is important; the wrong choice may cause validation errors or rejection of the filing.

Step 4

Map and Tag the Financial Data

Enter or import financial information into the BizFinx template and tag each line item to the correct ACRA taxonomy field. The accuracy of tagging is essential, as errors may delay filing.

Step 5

Validate the XBRL File

Run BizFinx validation to check for missing data, inconsistent totals, or incorrect tags. All errors must be corrected before submission.

Step 6

Generate and Save the XBRL File

Once the file passes validation, BizFinx will generate an XBRL file in the required format. This file remains valid for a limited time (typically 14 days) if uploaded through BizFinx directly.

Step 7

Upload the XBRL File When Filing the Annual Return

The final step is to upload the XBRL file when filing your Annual Return via the BizFile+ portal. Once submitted, the system will confirm that your XBRL file has been successfully received.

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How Can We Help With XBRL Filing?

At CorporateServices.com, we make the process of preparing financial statements and converting them into XBRL format simple and hassle-free. Through our CSP platform, you will work with dedicated professionals who handle the entire workflow for you, from selecting the correct XBRL template to preparing the tagged file, validating it, and submitting it together with your Annual Return.

Whether you plan to register a company in Singapore or wish to switch to a more reliable provider, we can seamlessly take over your compliance tasks and ensure all your filings are accurate and fully compliant.

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Author

Eddy Putra

Eddy has been in the corporate services industry for over 20 years. An experienced Chartered Accountant and alumnus of Deloitte Singapore, he has extensive expertise in corporate finance, tax, structuring, and regulatory compliance. Eddy specializes in advising global clients on business expansion and corporate migration to Singapore.

XBRL Filing Requirement for Singapore Companies: 2025 Guide

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

What Is XBRL Filing?

XBRL Filing Requirements in Singapore

Have Questions About
XBRL filing in Singapore?