How to Renew Business Registration in Singapore: Avoid Late Fees & Fines in 2025

Your business registration with ACRA is your legal identity. If you do not renew on time, you risk:

• Losing your business registration
• Losing business privileges
• Losing contracts
• Facing regulatory penalties.

If the process is overwhelming, you don’t have to face this headache alone. This guide provides a step-by-step guide to renewing your business registration and other things to note about it.

Key Facts From Official ACRA / BizFile+ Sources

Before diving into the process, here are some important, up‑to‑date facts drawn directly from ACRA:

1. You can begin renewing your sole proprietorship or partnership up to 60 days before the date of expiry. If you try earlier, the renewal option won’t be available.
2. Medisave contributions via the CPF Board must be fully up to date. Or else, you must be on a valid instalment plan with a good payment history; otherwise, you cannot renew.
3. As of 1 September 2024, GIRO is no longer accepted for renewal payments. Accepted modes are Credit/Debit card (Visa/MasterCard), PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
4. Renewal fees: S$30 for one year, S$90 for three years. The 3‑year renewal is conditional upon eligibility.
5. After a successful renewal, a free Business Profile is issued. It must be downloaded within 30 days, as the free version expires after that period.
6. It is an offence to carry on business after registration has expired. 

Renew Business Registration: Should You Choose 1‑Year or 3‑Year Renewal?

hen renewing, you’ll need to decide between a one‑year or three‑year term. Which is better depends on where your business stands and how confident you are in your regulatory compliance.

1‑Year Renewal:

• It costs less upfront (S$ 30). Good if you’re testing the market, unsure of long‑term stability, or expecting changes like relocation or restructuring.
• It provides flexibility, allowing you to update information, rethink business activity, or adjust strategy at each renewal cycle.
• It has fewer risks. Suitable if you’re not fully confident about meeting eligibility for 3‑year renewal (especially Medisave or CPF obligations).

3‑Year Renewal:

• It is better for stable businesses that don’t expect big changes, such as address, business activity, or ownership.
• It saves you from repeating renewal admin twice more over the 3‑year period.
• It may offer some indirect cost savings (less time spent, fewer reminders or oversight).

Eligibility Warning (must‑knows):

You can only choose the 3‑year renewal if all of below are satisfied:

1. Your Medisave contributions are fully up to date; OR
2. You are on a regular instalment plan for Medisave and have a good contribution history; OR
3. You have never been registered with the CPF Board as self‑employed before.

If you don’t meet those, BizFile+ will only allow the 1‑year option. Missing eligibility can lead to your renewal being rejected after you select 3 years.

Renew Business Registration vs BizFile+:

What’s the Difference?

How to Renew Business Registration: Step‑by‑Step

1. Log in to BizFile+ using your CorpPass credentials.
2. Navigate to “Manage” → select your entity type (sole proprietorship, partnership, LP, etc.) → click Renew Business Registration.
3. Review all business details: name, address, contact information, SSIC/activity code. Make sure they are current.
4. Choose either 1‑year or 3‑year renewal, depending on eligibility.
5. Declare that your Medisave / CPF Board contributions are up to date. Applications with non‑compliance will be rejected.
6. Pay the renewal fee using one of the accepted methods (Credit/Debit Card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay). 
7. After payment, download the updated Business Profile from BizFile+ within 30 days.

Pro Tips:

• Start the renewal process at least 7 days before expiry to avoid last‑minute issues.
• Try to renew during off‑peak hours (early morning / late evening).
• Double check your Medisave / CPF status and business details ahead of time.

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?

If you miss the renewal deadline, there are several phases of consequence:

• Within 30 days after expiry: You can still renew your business registration. Although,  there may be late‑renewal fees or restriction in access to some services.

• After about 60 days: ACRA may cancel your registration automatically. This means loss of business name, and your business entity may need to be re‑registered from scratch.

• Operating post‑expiry: It is an offence under the Business Names Registration Act. Contracts may lose validity, you may lose eligibility for licenses or grants, and your public reputation could suffer.

Common Mistakes You May Miss

• Trying to renew before the 60-day renewal window opens. BizFile+ will not allow renewal until that time starts.

• Not checking if Medisave or CPF contributions are fully paid. Many business owners find out at renewal that unpaid amounts disqualify them from a 3-year renewal.

• Trying to use GIRO, which is no longer accepted for renewal payments.

• Forgetting to update important business information (like name, address, or SSIC codes) before submitting. Mismatches can cause renewal rejections or delays.

• Relying on partners, CSPs, or others to handle renewal without checking for confirmation or notifications. This often leads to missed deadlines.

• Continuing to operate with an expired registration, thinking short lapses are harmless. Such beliefs can lead to legal, financial, and reputational risks.

Tip: Set A Reminder To Renew Business Registration

Set reminders 60 days before expiry in your calendar. Subscribe to notifications from ACRA. If you use a corporate service provider (CSP), verify their renewal processes. Regular, simple checks are often the difference between smooth renewals and costly mistakes.

FAQs: Renew Business Registration Edition

1. Can I renew earlier than 60 days before expiry?
   No. The renewal option in BizFile+ becomes available exactly 60 days prior to expiry.
   
   
2. Can I still renew if I missed the expiry date?
   Yes, within 30 days, there is usually a grace period with possible late fees. Past 60 days, automatic cancellation may occur, and you may need to re‑register.
   
   
3. How do I check my renewal status?
   Log into BizFile+, view your business dashboard; the expiration date and renewal status should be clearly shown.

4. What happens if payment fails?
   The renewal is not processed until payment is completed. If it fails, retry using one of the accepted methods.

Final Thoughts: Your Business Deserves to Stay Legit

Renewing your business registration is a small step with large implications. Staying current protects your legal standing, access to business opportunities, credibility, and avoids unnecessary complications.

Set up your calendar reminders, verify your eligibility, update your information, and renew in good time. If this feels overwhelming, consider using a licensed CSP, like SCS to help.

👉 Get your free 2025 Compliance Calendar from SCS to stay ahead of deadlines, reminders, and all filings. Never miss a renewal again.

Resource: 

• ACRA | Renewing your registration for sole proprietorships/partnerships
• ACRA | File Your Statutory Lodgements and Renew Your Business Registration on Time 
• Bizfile | Instruction – Entity Renewal
• MediSave

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is intended for general guidance only and reflects regulations as of the publication date. Given that compliance requirements, processes, and fees may change over time, readers are advised to consult official sources such as ACRA for the most up-to-date information or seek professional guidance from our team.

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