Overview of share transactions

Understand share allotments, ways to manage your shares and share capital, and when you must notify ACRA about changes.

Last updated 6 February 2026

Issuing a prospectus

Public companies must:

Issue a prospectus when they offer shares to the public. This provides details about your shares to help investors make informed decisions.
File a notice of compliance after issuing their prospectus.

Allotting new shares

You can allot new shares to increase your company's total share capital. For example, your company can allot 10,000 new shares to raise $100,000 for expansion.

If your company allots new shares, you may need to file a return of allotment.

Note: For private companies, a share allotment only takes effect once ACRA's electronic register of members (EROM) is updated upon filing. You cannot backdate the allotment date to ensure accuracy and legal compliance.

Managing existing shares

You can manage your existing shares to change ownership, share types, or currency denomination. You must notify ACRA if you carry out any of these transactions.

Transactions: Existing shares

Transaction	Details
Transfer of shares: Changes who owns your company's shares.	Example: A shareholder sells 500 shares to another person, transferring ownership from the seller to the buyer. Filing requirements: Must file a transfer of shares within 14 days to notify ACRA. Note: For private companies, share transfers only take effect once ACRA's EROM is updated upon filing. You cannot backdate the transfer date.
Update paid-up share capital: Records payment for shares previously issued as partially paid	Example: A shareholder pays the remaining $5,000 owed on shares that were issued to them earlier on credit. Filing requirements: Must file a notice to update paid-up share capital [PDF, 664 KB] to notify ACRA.
Conversion of shares: Converts shares from one type of share into another.	Example: Your company converts 1,000 preference shares into ordinary shares to give those shareholders voting rights. Filing requirements: Must file a conversion of shares to notify ACRA.
Redenomination of shares: Changes the currency your shares were denominated in.	Example: Your company redenominates shares from Singapore dollars to US dollars to attract American investors. Filing requirements: Must file a notice of redenomination of shares to notify ACRA.

Managing share capital strategically

You can adjust your share capital to support your business goals or respond to changing circumstances.

Transactions: Share capital

Transaction	Details
Alteration in share capital: Changes your share capital structure for commercial reasons.	Example: Your company subdivides shares to make them more affordable for small investors (splitting one share worth $10 into 10 shares worth $1 each). Filing requirements: Must file an alteration in share capital to notify ACRA.
Share buyback: Buys your own shares from shareholders.	Example: Your company has excess cash and buys back shares to return capital to shareholders while improving earnings per share. Filing requirements: You may need to file a notice of purchase or acquisition, depending on your company type.
Cancellation or disposal of treasury shares: Manages treasury shares after a buyback.	Example: After buying back shares, your company cancels them permanently to reduce share capital and simplify your share structure. Filing requirements: May need to file a notice of cancellation or disposal to notify ACRA.
Redemption of redeemable preference shares: Buys back redeemable preference shares on specific terms. Note: Your company's constitution must allow this transaction.	Example: Your company issues redeemable preference shares to investors with an agreement to buy them back after 5 years at a fixed price. Filing requirements: Must file a notice of redemption of redeemable preference shares to notify ACRA.
Providing financial assistance for share purchases: Helps someone buy shares in your company or holding company. Note: This transaction is only allowed in specific situations.	Example: Your company lends money to an employee to purchase shares under an employee share ownership scheme. Filing requirements: Must file a notice of resolution to notify ACRA.
Reduction of share capital: Permanently decreases your company's issued capital. Note: Requires special resolutions and may need Court approval.	Example: Your company has losses from previous years and reduces share capital to clear these losses from your financial records. Filing requirements: Must update reduction of share capital.

Managing shareholders or shareholdings

Learn how to add or remove shareholders, and check your company's current shareholdings.

Transactions: Shareholders or shareholdings

If you need to	You can
Add shareholders	Either add shareholders when you: Register your company via Bizfile File a return of allotment of shares after incorporation
Remove shareholders	Either remove shareholders by: Filing a transfer of shares Filing a reduction of share capital Note: For complex situations, refer to the Companies Act 1967 or seek professional advice.
Check current shareholders and shareholdings	View your company's shareholder information by: Logging in to Bizfile and viewing your entity information Downloading a free copy of your Register of Members or Business Profile Buying your Business Profile

If you need to

You can

Add shareholders

Either add shareholders when you:

Register your company via Bizfile
File a return of allotment of shares after incorporation

Remove shareholders

Either remove shareholders by:

Note: For complex situations, refer to the Companies Act 1967 or seek professional advice.

Check current shareholders and shareholdings

View your company's shareholder information by:

Logging in to Bizfile and viewing your entity information
Downloading a free copy of your Register of Members or Business Profile
Buying your Business Profile

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