What to Do After Lodging
Please note that ACRA may contact you for further information after you have lodged your complaint.
Should you have any queries regarding your complaint, you may wish to send an email to ED_Investigation@acra.gov.sg and the officer in charge will respond to you.
ACRA handles complaints against entities that may have breached the following Acts:
Types of Common Offences
Common Offences under the Business Names Registration Act, Cap. 32
- Section 20(1) - Failing to make notify to company particulars (e.g. company name, office address, change of particulars of directors, secretaries, managers and auditors) within 14 days after the change
- Section 34(1) - Being an undischarged bankrupt who directly or indirectly manages the business without the leave of the High Court or the written permission of the Official Assignee
- Section 35(1)(a) - Operating a business without registration or carrying on business after the expiry or cancellation of registration
- Section 35(1)(c) - Providing false information to the Registrar under the provisions of this Act
Common Offences under the Companies Act, Cap. 50
- Section 142(1) - Failure of a company to have a registered office
- Section 143(1) - Failure to notify the Registrar of any change in the situation of the registered office address and office hours within 14 days after the change
- Section 144 - Failure to publish the company’s name and registration number in business letters, invoices, receipts, publications, etc.
- Section 145(1) - Requirement to have at least one director ordinarily resident in Singapore
- Section 148(1) & 154(1) – Acting as a director or managing a company while under disqualification due to bankruptcy or conviction on certain offences
- Section 155(1) - Acting as a director or managing a company while under disqualification for persistent default in relation to delivery of documents to Registrar
- Section 173(A) - Failure to notify the Registrar of changes in the Register of directors, managers, secretaries, and auditors within one month after the change
- Section 175 - Failure to hold the Annual General Meeting within the stipulated timeframe—Listed companies are to hold the AGM within 4 months after their Financial Year End (FYE), while any other company is to hold their AGM within 6 months after FYE..
- Section 197 - Failure to lodge the Annual Return of the company within within the stipulated timeframe. A listed company is required to file Annual Returns (AR) within 5 months after FYE, and for all other companies, within 7 months after FYE. For companies having a share capital and keeping a branch register outside Singapore, Annual Returns must be filed within 6 months after FYE in the case of a listed company or within 8 months after FYE in the case of a company that is not listed.
- Section 401 – Making a false or misleading statement or lodging information known to be false or misleading
- Section 405 – Penalty for carrying business without registering a corporation and for improper use of words, “Limited” and “Berhad” (unregistered entity)
Common Offences under the Limited Liability Partnerships Act, Cap. 163A
- Section 22 & 23- Requirement of having a minimum of 2 partners and a manager
- Section 26 - Requirement of having a registered office
- Section 28 - Requirement for registration of changes in particulars for LLP within 14 days after the change
- Section 24 - Requirement to file annual declaration of solvency or insolvency not later than a) 15 months after registration of LLP and b) once in every calendar year at intervals of not more than 15 months
- Section 33 – Restriction on undischarged bankrupt being manager of LLP without the leave of the High Court or the written permission of the Official Assignee
Common Offences under the Limited Partnerships Act 2008
- Section 18 - Requirement to register changes in particulars for LP within 14 days after the change
- Section 19 - Notification to the Registrar for the cessation of business
- Section 29 - Restriction on undischarged bankrupt being manager without leave of the High Court or the written permission of the Official Assignee
When to Lodge a Complaint
Commonly, complaints are lodged when there is reason to believe that an entity has committed one of the common offences listed in the previous section.
How to Lodge a Complaint
To lodge a complaint with ACRA’s investigation department for possible offences, please complete this e-form.
Please ensure that your contact details are accurate and all relevant supporting documents are attached. ACRA may need to contact you to verify or authenticate information about the complaint, and all information provided will be kept strictly confidential.
Please note that ACRA will only take action on complaints that are complete, substantiated and related to an offence that falls under ACRA's purview.
Important: Giving False Information
Please also note that the giving of false information in the complaint is a criminal offence and the person who gave the false information may be subject to prosecution and sentenced to a fine and/or imprisonment if convicted.