The US Securities and Exchange Commission has indicted 11 individuals for their role in creating and promoting Forsage, an alleged fraudulent cryptocurrency pyramid scheme and Ponzi scheme that raised over $300m from private investors worldwide.

The following article will answer some commonly asked questions regarding Singapore small company auditing requirements and exemptions from ACRA.

This year’s budget did not emphasise on significant tax changes. The government wants to restructure the Singapore economy to achieve quality growth. Businesses that make investments in productivity to save manpower or achieve innovative breakthroughs will be actively supported by the government.

All Cyprus resident companies must return their income tax accounts in accordance with the Income Tax Law (Law No. 118(I) of 2002).

Income, earned by a Cyprus tax resident individual, arising from the rental of immovable property which is situated in Cyprus is taxable both under the Cyprus Income Tax and the Special Contribution Tax legislation.

Whilst remaining fully compliant with the OECD recommendations and EU regulations, Cyprus has addressed challenges to its tax structure through strong legislative updates

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act well known as FATCA is becoming increasingly important and has as its main initiative the monitoring of the financial accounts of the persons who live outside the United States or whether US citizens, currently residing in the US or not, have earnings they do not report to the Inland Revenue Department.

An analysis of the implications regarding some of the corporate structure elements in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) business companies and Cyprus companies, by explaining their key characteristics and evaluating how each jurisdiction is adhering to the increasingly strict compliance standards.

Whether a payment is considered “interest” depends on the substance of the transaction. The intrinsic nature of said interest is compensation for not being able to use or the delayed payment of money by another. The interest must be charged against a primary sum of money which must be owed to the person entitled to the interest.

Hong Kong Articles of Association 2025 guide: essential for company setup and compliance. Covers purpose, mandatory content, and how to amend under new laws.

The scheme was originally designed to make it possible to protect a trademark across a number of jurisdictions by obtaining an international registration that has effect in every participating country. The Madrid system provides a way to grant protection for a trademark in a simple, effective yet relatively inexpensive manner.

Learn how to check Singapore company registration via ACRA BizFile+. Get Business Profile, verify UEN number & conduct due diligence on business partners.

The transformation of the sector inevitably requires appropriate funding, and ship financing has become critical for the shipbuilding sector and shipping companies worldwide. The financing aspect of shipping includes the corporate financial management of shipping companies to refinance existing debts and the financing of new shipbuilding.

The introduction of the VCC is a significant positive for the Singapore funds industry. Its aim is to retain Singapore as an attractive business destination and to keep investors wishing to domicile locally.

As per new legislation, every company incorporated in Hong Kong will be required to keep and maintain a register of all persons who have significant control of the company. The record must be updated as required and kept at the registered company address, even if there are no persons of significant control.

ACRA announced that they will be making legislative changes to the Singapore Companies Act which will be taking effect in two phases; the first phase is effective from the first of July, with the second phase to be implemented in the first Quarter of 2016.

The Accounting and Corporate Regulation Authority (ACRA) of the Republic of Singapore defines the Charge as “a form of security interest usually taken by a lender or creditor (“chargee”) to secure the repayment of a loan”.

Cyprus Company Law provides for a member led voluntary winding up of a company. In order for this to occur the company must be solvent. The voluntary winding up of a Cyprus company is formalised in Article 261 – 292 of the Cyprus Companies Law.

AGENDA: Criteria for choosing your bank, Corporate Bank Account Opening, What you need to know for each jurisdiction, Corporate Bank Account Maintenance & Bank Transfer Fees, Costs, Why Banks are closing Corporate Bank Accounts, Voluntary closing of a Corporate Bank Account

The new MAS platform will strengthen the regulator's ability to exchange information in the field of AML/CTF, preserve the existing achievements, enhance protection against illegal activities such as money laundering or terrorist financing, and ensure economic stability.

The Electronic Money Directive is the UKs answer to controlling and standardising Electronic Money Regulations and electronic money institutions. The regulations have now created a separate authorisation for issuers of electronic money in the UK that are not full credit institutions, unions, or publicly funded banks.

AGENDA: Scheme, Benefits & Criteria, The Process, Next Steps

The UAE recently released their own version of CFC legislation: The Cabinet of Ministers Resolution n.31/2019 which came into effect in April earlier this year, in order to better regulate Economic Substance (ES) in the United Arab Emirates.

Rapid advances in technology and the higher demands and increasingly complex international clients are forcing Singapore-based Lawyers to transform the way they work. An example of this is the huge of growth of Wi-Fi on airplanes, with many cities now providing coverage free of charge including on metros and trains.

AGENDA: Shareholders: appointment & requirements, Officers’ duties, roles & responsibilities within a company, Company Directors their duty within the company, Distribution of profit, capital & duties within a company, Ultra vires: common law, modern legislation, Company Officers: Secretary & Registered Agent, Company Secretary: powers & potential liability.

There are various conditions a company must fulfil in order to be struck-off legitimately. One of the conditions is that the company must have filed all the tax returns until the date of the strike off. The Directors and Shareholders must ensure that any outstanding income, tax returns, accounts and tax computation have been submitted up to the date of cessation.

The provision of Payment Services in Cyprus is regulated by The Payment Services and Access to Payment Systems Laws of 2018 and 2019, which transposed into national law regarding the provisions of the Payment Services Directive in the Cyprus market. With the license, an EMI in Cyprus may offer its services freely within the entire EU market.

Pursuant to Part III of Chapter 113 of Cyprus legislation, Mortgage Registration with the Cyprus Registrar emerges as compulsory by law. Certain formalities need to be followed regarding the filing of such registration as well as any amendment, concession and any other alteration which takes place following the formation of a Company in the Republic of Cyprus.

Cyprus Minister of Finance Mr Harris Georgiades released a statement condemning critics of the Cyprus passport by investment programme that has seen raise over €4 billion since the launch of the scheme in 2013 which was implemented to attract foreign investment to mitigate damage in light of the banking crisis.

AGENDA: What is the purpose of compliance?, The different types & reasons behind briberies, International legislation on anti-bribery compliance, The impact of UKBA & the FCPA, ISO 37001 and its main objectives, How to build anti-bribery compliance, Governing body’s duties in anti-bribery compliance, Top management’s duties in anti-bribery compliance, Anti-bribery compliance functions, Suspicious reporting, who & in what circumstances, Tipping off procedure.

AGENDA: Main criteria for choosing of a bank, Corporate Bank account Opening, What you need to know for Singapore as jurisdiction, Main requirements for a bank account opening in Singapore, Corporate Bank Account Maintenance, Automatic exchange of Information, Closing of Corporate Bank Accounts in Singapore

AGENDA: Different types of interviews & situations for different jobs, What does a competency based interview usually involve, The pros & cons of a competency based interview, How to use this method in practice & preparation tips, How to stand out from other candidates.

Selection of an MIS can help increase understanding and control in an organisation and can be scaled to suit the complexity of most modern businesses. If the right MIS is selected and it is implemented correctly it can provide a competitive advantage for the organisations utilising it.

Cyprus has successfully undergone a positive assessment and will officially become a part of the Schengen information system. This development signifies that Cyprus will now have the capability to exchange valuable information with other Schengen member states.

This article contains updated answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding the requirements for Cayman companies to be registered for FATCA.

According to the Singapore regulations the digital tokens can be classified as “securities” or as “utilities”. The real nature of the digital token identifies the rights attached to it and the terms of its regulation.

Representatives from the troika of Cyprus’ international lenders recently visited Cyprus for conducting their 4th post-scheme investigation following the islands recent withdrawal from the economic adjustment programme as agreed with the terms of the bailout.

Navigate the Hong Kong MSO license application. Our expert guide covers requirements for Money Service Operators, AML/CFT rules, and how to obtain your money changing or remittance license.

AGENDA: The most common methods of Double Tax Treaty (‘DTT’) abuse, The current practical problems associated with the application of DTTs, The OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Project: proposed amendments to DTTs, The OECD’s 01/07/18 Multilateral BEPS Convention: global changes to be made to DTTs, Potential Implications of the latest amendments to DTTs.

Some companies conducting a particular type of activity need to fill out notices of economic substance and submit reports. The Economic Substance Report/Notice must be submitted through the UAE Ministry of Finance Portal by the due date.

Startups are growing and changing the Singapore ecosystem for the better with their innovative ideas and new technologies. Like small and young companies, startups may need funding and guidance to start their business. If you are a startup founder looking for investors for your business and want to know how to attract them, this article is for you.

The so-called golden visa scheme has been a major reason behind the economy's return to growth, economists say. At first, the investment scheme required an overall investment in Cyprus of €5m, some of which had to be in property.

As per the ACRA requirements for companies in Singapore, an Annual General Meeting (AGM) must be held once every calendar year. However, under Section 175, an application is available to apply for an extension.

HM Treasury has approved the final Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB) on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) guidance 2022 for the accounting sector.

The audit exemption is applicable if it is a private company with an annual revenue of SGD $5 million or less. This approach is being replaced by a new small company concept which will also determine exemption from statutory audit.

Learn how to become a certified company secretary in Hong Kong. Explore qualifications, licensing (TCSP), registration steps, and professional skills for compliance success.

An individual is considered to be tax resident in Cyprus by spending a total (consecutive or otherwise) of 183 days or more in any one calendar year in Cyprus. Anyone earning an income in Cyprus falls into two categories.

Since 1 November 2007, companies in Singapore are required to file financial statements with ACRA, and filing financial statements in XBRL. With effect from 3 March 2014, the revised XBRL filing requirements under the BizFinx system apply.

Under Section 12(7) (d), rent or other payments under any agreement or arrangement for the use of any movable property shall be deemed derived from Singapore.

Financial analysts and organisations are beginning to welcome the idea that in specific cases, tax efficiency isn’t enough when structuring a business vehicle that will be automatically placed under investigation by certain countries that are becoming increasingly wary of any tax avoidance patterns or practices.

Category F immigration permit offers permanent staying in Cyprus without need to obtain any visas, residence permit renewals or re-entry permits. Category F immigration permit can be granted to a person who can secure an annual income of an adequate amount from abroad (not earned in Cyprus).

The European Commission has published proposals to tighten its rules on emergency freezing, return and confiscation of assets, including confiscating the wealth of unknown origin without a conviction.

As per a recent STEP seminar in London, the UK government has released an outline of amendments to be imposed relating to both entrepreneurs’ relief and dividend tax relief that will be in effect from the 6th April 2016.

The Income Tax Act does not give a definition for royalties. However, royalties can be defined as a payment for the right to use a patent, copyright and other intellectual property. E.g. payment for every book sold or an artist album sold on VCD.

The Minister of Finance of the Republic of Cyprus held a press conference dedicated to launching the Action Plan to attract companies to conduct activities and expand in Cyprus. The above Action plan is a significant improvement in promoting Cyprus as an international business centre.

Section 2(1) of the SITA defines a PE to mean a fixed place where a business is wholly or partly carried out including a place of management, a branch, an office, a factory, a warehouse, a workshop, a farm or plantation, a mine, oil well, quarry or other place of extraction of natural resources, a building or work site or a construction, installation or assembly project.

Gibraltar is working to implement all EU legislation relating to the 4th Anti Money Laundering Directive into national law, in addition to the current EU legislation on financial supervision and direct taxation, and to this affect, the Government of Gibraltar have established a Central Register of Beneficial Ownership that will be effective from June 26th 2017.

Overseas companies may register a branch in Cyprus, according to the Companies Law, Chapter 113, regulated by section 347. A branch will not essentially consider as being a new legal entity in Cyprus.

The Cyprus Assessment and Collection Law, as amended in 2002, introduced a regime with a provisional income tax system. Corporate tax in Cyprus is levied at a rate of 12.5% and can be paid through the JCC Smart platform. Based on the current period's results, companies that do not expect taxable profits do not submit a tax calculation.

AGENDA: Definition of the term brand and HR brand, The purpose of HR Branding for various organizations, Components of the HR Brand, Work Environment, Compensation and benefits, Achieving appropriate work – life balance, Company culture and environment.

After registering the company, the owner receives a standard document, including a company seal and rubber stamp. This article will review the differences between seals and stamps and learn the nuances of their use.

Agenda: Requirements for the Registration Certificate Application, Where to apply: the immigration buildings & office contacts, The full application procedure, What documentation and information do you need to bring?, When do you need to apply for your yellow slip?, Rights for family members and other dependents, When your family are citizens in a EU or EEA member state, Employed and self-employed applicants, Retired and non-working applicants, Validity Period of Registration Certificates, Using an agent.

Cyprus is likely to have repercussions as a result of Jean-Claude Juncker ’s favouring of a relaxation in EU regulation formation and monitoring schemes, reinforced by qualified majorities on matters including the additional synchronisation of blanket taxation rates across Europe.

By failing to report any incorrectly filed records, is breaking the law, with the service provider or intermediary also potentially becoming liable for the assistance and enabling of tax evasion accordingly.

The Finance Committee in Cyprus discussed the long-awaited and somewhat revolutionary new competition law that allows foreign individuals to have the possibility of obtaining Cyprus tax resident status while on the island only for 60 days in any calendar year.

Significant changes to the commercial and company law in Singapore have come into effect. The changes to the Singapore Companies Act will hopefully make business entities more transparent as well as mitigating the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing.

The shareholders’ continuity test holds that the same shareholders must hold at least 50% of the company’s total shares as at both the relevant dates. If the test was not fulfilled, the losses would be dismissed permanently unless a waiver to fulfil the test is obtained from IRAS.

ICOs create wide-ranging implications for Bookkeepers and Accountants, opening up opportunities for a range of new services however also raising attention towards moral issues, ethic and other potential security risks.

AGENDA: Forms of Business Entities, Incorporation Procedure, Company documents, Director and Secretary of the Company, Shareholders and types of shares, Know Your Client (KYC), Filing Requirements for Companies, Liquidation & Strike Off

The Ministry of Manpower requires foreign highly skilled professionals, Managers, Executives, specialists or entrepreneurs who wish to work in Singapore need an Employment Pass to commence employment. The Entrepreneur Pass is a type of employment pass for foreign entrepreneurs who would like to start and run a company in Singapore.

AGENDA: Advantages & Disadvantages of UK life, Advantages & Disadvantages of Cyprus life, The Cyprus Island Divide: Reunification prospects & what it means in 2018, Cost of living comparison: basics, What constitutes quality family life?, Why do so many UK expats relocate to Cyprus?, Buying a holiday or second home in Cyprus? Main considerations, Considering retirement in Cyprus?

Singapore’s Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat unveiled the 2016 budget. This year the notable points for discussion focused on innovation and enterprise. A large section of the budget has been allocated towards the need for growth in Singapore businesses to an international level, as well as keeping up with developing modern technology.

Singapore has a government who recognises the potentials of what SMEs can do for the economy and likes to support them accordingly. Since June 2014, Singapore has been chairing the ASEAN SME Working Group. Singapore hopes to lead fellow ASEAN members into the realisation of the ASEAN Economic Community for SMEs in 2015.

The amendments of the Assessment and Collection of Taxes Law 78/2014, made on the 20th of June, 2014 with regards to the Law 4/1978, is a clear demonstration of the Cyprus Government’s commitment to the reforms proposed by the Troika.

Family offices are essentially private wealth management advisory firms that serve high-net-worth (HNW) investors. They are different from traditional wealth management advisories in that they offer a total outsourced solution to managing the financial and investment side of affluent individuals or families.

Cyprus is an ideal place for holding company location. The following factors described in the article are important when deciding the location of a holding company.

The authorities are imposing an additional 35 per cent buyer's stamp duty on houses settled into trust with no identifiable beneficial owner. The recently enacted tax is intended to close a loophole used by individuals who purchase multiple properties under a trust where it is not clear who the beneficial owner is and therefore avoid additional taxes.

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a document created by a person who appoints another person to act on his behalf. The creator of the POA is called the donor, and the person appointed to act on behalf of the donor is called the donee. There are several types of POA, each with different functions. Powers of Attorney are used in a wide variety of transactions.

The requirement to file and maintain a list of Directors and Beneficial Owners for all Seychelles companies or “IBCs” registered under the International Business Companies Act 2016 has been introduced to as a way to increase the transparency of all Seychelles international businesses for tax and money laundering purposes.

Recently, the Cyprus economy has seen relatively steady growth rates and booming tourism levels over the last few years. The relatively high increase of GDP can be attributed to a number of factors: declining official unemployment rates; surplus government funds and the raising of large financial deals in international markets.

When expanding your business overseas, not only do you have to comply with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and accounting standards, thought must also be given to the specific jurisdictions own rules and regulations.

The doctrine of the corporate veil was developed in the UK, where it finds its most frequent usage in case law. In practice, there are three occasions when the court has lifted the veil: application of the terms of a contract or statute, or as a matter of common law.

Applying for a residence permit (also known as the yellow slip) is a process which is to be completed by every EU citizen living and working in Cyprus. And once you have managed to obtain it, the permit does not expire and is valid indefinitely.

UCITS is a pan-European Fund product which when established in one EU country can be sold cross boarder within the EU under a harmonised legislative framework without any requirement for additional authorisation. UCITS is the result of the evolution of mutual fund legislation to ensure better investor protection.

Singapore is gaining more attraction as a trust jurisdiction internationally. A range of factors have contributed to achieving a reputable offshore trust status, including but not limited to the several reasons.

In May, when the UK government voted to force transparency on its colonies and former colonies, it was just the latest blow to the offshore havens. This concerted campaign has threatened the stereotypical tax haven business model.

The UAE recently released their own version of CFC legislation: The Cabinet of Ministers Resolution n.31/2019 which came into effect in April earlier this year, in order to better regulate Economic Substance (ES) in the United Arab Emirates.