Q: I am currently registered under the Business Registration Act. Do I need to take any action to become registered under the Business Names Registration Act?
A: A person registered under the Business Registration Act will be treated as registered under the Business Names Registration Act with effect from 3 Jan 2016. No action is required to continue registration under the Business Names Registration Act.
Q: Individuals (sole proprietors or partners) carrying on business under only their full names as per NRIC need not register under the Business Names Registration Act. Can the public still obtain such details from ACRA?
A: No, such information will no longer be available from ACRA.
Q: I am registered under the Business Registration Act with a business name that is not my full name as per NRIC. Individuals (sole proprietors or partners) carrying on business under only their full names as per NRIC need not register under the Business Names Registration Act. How can I enjoy this exemption?
A: You should cease your business registration under s 22 of the Business Names Registration Act. To enjoy this exemption under the Business Names Registration Act, you must carry on business under only your full name as per NRIC.
Q: Individuals (sole proprietors or partners) carrying on business under only their full names as per NRIC need not register under the Business Names Registration Act. I am already registered under the Business Registration Act with a business name that is my full name as per NRIC. How can I enjoy the new exemption under the Business Names Registration Act?
A: You should cease your business registration under s 22 of the Business Names Registration Act.
Q: Does the Business Names Registration Act apply to online businesses?
A: Yes, the Business Names Registration Act applies to online businesses. However, there are exemptions under s 4 of the Business Names Registration Act which may be applicable.
Q: I have been carrying on a businesses listed under the First Schedule of the Business Registration Act since 2015. Am I exempted under the Business Names Registration Act?
A: Yes, there is a specific exemption under s 4(1)(q) of the Business Names Registration Act for “individual proprietor who carried on any business specified in the First Schedule to the Business Registration Act (Cap. 32) immediately before the date of commencement of this Act and who is alive and continues to carry on the same business on and after that date.” Please note that the First Schedule to the Business Registration Act is not reproduced in the Business Names Registration Act.