Striking Off
Striking off is a way to close a company by removing its name from ACRA’s register under section 344A of the Companies Act. It is usually the simplest and lowest-cost way to close a company that has stopped trading and has no assets or liabilities, compared with a members’ voluntary liquidation, which is more formal, costs more and takes longer. Sometimes a company is incorporated but plans change, and the shareholders want a cost-efficient way to de-register it.
Who can apply
Company officers, such as a director or company secretary, can apply through Bizfile. A corporate service provider (CSP) can also apply on the company’s behalf, as long as the majority of the directors have consented. There is no ACRA fee, and no supporting documents are needed with the application.
Striking off criteria
ACRA may approve an application if it believes the company is not carrying on business and meets all of these conditions:
- The company has stopped trading, or never started business since incorporation
- It has no unpaid debts or unresolved issues with any government agency
- It has no loans (charges) registered in the charge register
- It is not involved in legal cases in Singapore or overseas, or subject to regulatory action
- It owns nothing and owes nothing, with no property, debts or potential future claims
- All, or a majority of, the directors agree to the striking off
Applying without meeting these criteria can be a false declaration and can lead to an investigation. A company should also check that it has no outstanding tax credits, because any tax credits are transferred to the Insolvency and Public Trustee’s Office when the company is dissolved.
How the process works
For applications made on or after 20 October 2026:
- Approval. ACRA approves the application, immediately or within 14 days if director endorsement is needed. The application lapses if it is not endorsed within 14 days.
- First Gazette notice. ACRA sends a notice to the company’s registered office and officers’ residential addresses, and publishes the company’s name in the First Gazette Notification. The company’s status becomes “Gazetted to be Struck Off”.
- 60-day waiting period. Officers and interested parties have 60 days from the First Gazette notice to object. If an objection is accepted, the company has two months to resolve it, or the application lapses.
- Final Gazette notice. If there are no objections, ACRA publishes the company’s name in the Final Gazette Notification, and the company is struck off on the stated date and time. It is removed from ACRA’s register and no longer legally exists.
ACRA says the process takes at least 2 months after approval for applications made on or after 20 October 2026, and at least 3 months for earlier applications, depending on whether anyone objects. Make sure the company’s registered address and email are up to date so it receives ACRA’s notices.
After the company is struck off
The company’s accounting and corporate records should be kept for the period required by law, so confirm the retention period with your adviser. A struck-off company can be restored within six years by a court order.
Voluntary vs forced striking off
Voluntary striking off is applied for by the company. A forced strike-off is initiated by ACRA, usually after persistent non-compliance such as failing to file annual returns, and can have serious consequences for directors. See our guide to forced strike-off by ACRA. For other closure options, see how to close a company in Singapore and our guide to dormant companies.
Speak to HeySara and we can evaluate whether your company can be struck off. See our company strike-off service.
