Singapore remains one of the most attractive destinations for entrepreneurs, supported by pro-business regulations, competitive tax policies, and a wide range of government incentives. In November 2025 alone, more than 4,900 new Singapore companies were incorporated. For founders, keeping up with regulatory developments is essential for operating effectively and planning future growth in such a fast-moving environment.
In this November 2025 Regulatory Update, we outline the key changes across company law, accounting standards, immigration rules, government incentives, business law, and the startup funding landscape. This roundup is tailored for founders and business owners and highlights the updates that may influence your current operations or your plans to establish a company in Singapore.
Company Law
Corporate and Accounting Laws (Amendment) Bill Passed by Parliament
On 5 November 2025, Parliament passed the Corporate and Accounting Laws (Amendment) Bill 2025, introducing wide-ranging reforms to strengthen safeguards against misuse of companies, enhance shareholder protection, and streamline regulatory obligations for companies, LLPs and public accountants. The amendments expand transparency requirements, reinforce the responsibilities of directors and corporate service providers, and modernise several aspects of Singapore’s corporate regulatory framework. The changes will require many businesses to review their governance and compliance practices as the updated provisions take effect.
Source: https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Bills-Supp/13-2025/Published/20251014?DocDate=20251014
Tougher Penalties Introduced for Directors Under Revised Companies Act
In November 2025, changes to the Companies Act clarified that directors who fail to act in the best interests of their company now face significantly heavier penalties. The maximum fine for such breaches has been raised to S$20,000, up from S$5,000, and serious violations may result in imprisonment of up to 12 months. The enhanced penalty framework underscores Singapore’s continued emphasis on strong corporate governance, personal accountability of directors and proactive oversight of business operations.
ACRA Prosecuted Company Director for Failure to Hold AGMs and File Annual Returns
On 18 November 2025, ACRA announced the conviction of a company director for failing to hold Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and file annual returns for multiple financial years. The director was sentenced in court, reflecting ACRA’s continued enforcement of statutory obligations under the Companies Act. The case underscores the importance of timely AGMs and accurate annual return filings, which form the core of a company’s annual compliance duties.
This enforcement action serves as a reminder to directors including those of dormant or small companies that they remain personally accountable for meeting corporate governance and statutory filing requirements. Failure to comply may result in fines, disqualifications, or other enforcement actions by ACRA.
Tax & Accounting Law (General Version – Without SME Targeting)
ACRA Issues Financial Reporting Practice Guidance
On 12 November 2025, ACRA issued Financial Reporting Practice Guidance, outlining the key areas of review focus for FY2025 financial statements. The guidance highlights heightened risks arising from global economic uncertainties, supply-chain disruptions, and climate-related financial impacts. It calls on directors and preparers to exercise close scrutiny over going-concern assessments, asset impairment indicators, expected credit loss estimations, fair-value measurements, and the treatment of subsequent events.
The publication reinforces that directors are responsible for ensuring financial statements present a true and fair view, while also signalling ACRA’s growing focus on audit quality and the strength of companies’ internal financial reporting processes in the year ahead.
Source: https://www.acra.gov.sg/news-events/news-details/id/901
Finance (Income Taxes) Bill 2025 Passed by Parliament
On 6 November 2025, Parliament passed the Finance (Income Taxes) Bill 2025, giving legislative effect to the income tax changes announced in Budget 2025. The Bill introduces updates across various areas of the Income Tax Act 1947, including amendments affecting corporate tax exemptions, capital gains treatment under section 13W, and refinements to the administration of tax incentive schemes. The legislation also contains technical adjustments intended to improve tax administration and alignment with international tax standards.
Source:
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=0b5767c7-df1f-4ec6-9caf-5ee904c948ac
ASC Releases Amendments to SFRS(I) and Related Standards
On 10 November 2025, the Accounting Standards Committee (ASC) issued updates to the Singapore Financial Reporting Standards (International), including amendments to SFRS(I) 19 Subsidiaries without Public Accountability: Disclosures and other related standards. These revisions incorporate clarifications, updated definitions, and modified disclosure requirements, supporting the consistent application of financial reporting standards in Singapore. The changes apply to annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2025.
Source: https://www.acra.gov.sg/accountancy/accounting-standards
Immigration Law
Changes to Permanent Resident Re-Entry Permit Procedures Effective 1 December 2025
Changes to the Re-Entry Permit (REP) process for Singapore Permanent Residents came into effect on 1 December 2025 as part of the phased implementation of the Immigration (Amendment) Act 2023. PRs who are overseas without a valid REP now have 180 days to submit a new application before losing their PR status, replacing the previous one-month grace period. The revision provides greater clarity and flexibility for PRs who travel or work abroad, while reinforcing the need to maintain a valid REP. Employers with PR employees should review travel and mobility processes and ensure REP validity is tracked to avoid unintended loss of status and disruptions to work arrangements.
Source: https://kpmg.com/xx/en/our-insights/gms-flash-alert/flash-alert-2025-249.html
Licensing & Regulatory Compliance
MAS Issues Consultation Paper on Guidelines for AI Risk Management
In November 2025, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) released a consultation paper proposing new Guidelines on AI Risk Management to strengthen oversight of artificial intelligence used in the financial sector. The proposed framework outlines supervisory expectations for financial institutions, including establishing clear governance structures, implementing robust AI risk-management controls throughout the AI system lifecycle, and ensuring adequate technical capabilities to manage model integrity, data quality, and ethical considerations. While aimed at financial institutions, the consultation reflects MAS’s broader focus on responsible AI adoption across Singapore’s digital economy and may influence practices among fintechs and technology vendors working with regulated entities.
Government Grants, Incentives & Support Schemes
Singapore to Introduce New Government Grants to Support Listed Companies in November
Singapore will roll out a new set of government grants to support listed companies in enhancing shareholder value and improving investor engagement. Speaking at a DBS event on 22 October 2025, MAS Deputy Chairman Chee Hong Tat said the measures form part of broader efforts to strengthen the liquidity and competitiveness of Singapore’s equities market and expand the S$5 billion Equity Market Development Programme. The upcoming grants are part of the government’s “value unlock” strategy and follow recent global trends where markets such as Japan, Korea and Thailand introduce reforms to drive better corporate governance and market performance.
Source:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-22/singapore-to-announce-more-stock-market-incentives-in-november
Launch of Government Initiatives and New Grant to Support High-Integrity Carbon Markets
The National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS), MTI, Enterprise Singapore and MAS has jointly announced new initiatives to strengthen the development of high-integrity carbon markets, including the publication of voluntary carbon market (VCM) guidance and discussions to form an industry-led buyers’ coalition. As part of this effort, MAS introduced a Financial Sector Carbon Market Development Grant, with applications opening on 1 November 2025, offering S$15 million over three years to support financial institutions in developing carbon-market capabilities and innovative financing solutions. The initiatives aim to accelerate credible decarbonisation efforts and build Singapore’s position as a leading hub for high-quality carbon markets.
Funding & Startup Ecosystem
WIZ.AI Secures Series B Funding to Expand Enterprise AI Solutions
Singapore-based conversational AI startup WIZ.AI announced the completion of its Series B funding round in November 2025, strengthening its position in the rapidly growing enterprise automation and customer-engagement space. The new capital will support R&D, product expansion, and regional scaling efforts across Southeast Asia, where demand for voice-AI and workflow automation technologies continues to accelerate. The round reflects ongoing investor interest in AI-driven enterprise solutions and reinforces Singapore’s role as a leading hub for applied AI innovation.
Source: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/wiz-ai-secures-series-b-funding
GreenFi Raises US$2 Million Seed Round to Advance ESG Data Automation Tools
GreenFi, a Singapore ESG-tech startup, raised US$2 million in seed funding in November 2025 to expand its AI-powered sustainability reporting and carbon-management platform. The funding will deepen product development and support enterprise adoption amid increasing regulatory pressure for transparent ESG disclosures. With businesses facing higher reporting requirements, GreenFi’s tools aim to help SMEs and corporates streamline data tracking, improve accuracy and reduce compliance burdens.
Source: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/greenfi-raises-2-million-in-seed-funding
Angelini Ventures Opens First Asia Office in Singapore to Support Biotech Growth
Angelini Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Italy’s Angelini Industries, opened its first Asian office in Singapore on 13 November 2025 to accelerate investments in biotech and life-science innovations across the region. The firm plans to deploy capital into early-stage therapeutics, diagnostics and health-platform startups, strengthening the pipeline of biomedical innovation in Singapore. The expansion demonstrates continued investor confidence in the city-state’s deep-tech and healthcare ecosystems and is expected to bring new collaboration and funding opportunities for local founders.
Tech & Digital Law
Key Cybersecurity (Amendment) Act Provisions Came Into Force
Major provisions of the Cybersecurity (Amendment) Act came into force on 31 October 2025, expanding regulatory oversight of Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) and extending obligations to virtual systems, outsourced environments, and overseas infrastructure supporting essential services. The amendments also introduce mandatory reporting for a wider range of cyber incidents and allow the regulator to designate “Systems of Temporary Cybersecurity Concern” during heightened threat periods. These updates significantly raise compliance expectations for companies operating digital systems and relying on cloud or third-party providers.
Source: https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=1bce5f1c-df5f-4db9-a330-a53fb4f04383
How We Can Help
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If you are ready to incorporate your Singapore company or need expert guidance on local requirements, reach out to us today.