Resources

What does Jenga do?

Jenga is an integrated corporate services and advisory platform headquartered in Singapore. We support clients across company incorporation, corporate secretarial governance, accounting and tax, work passes, HR, payroll, family office setup, fund structuring, regulatory advisory, trademark registration, and cross-border business structuring. Our clients include founders, SMEs, family offices, investment platforms, fund managers, FinTech businesses, Web3 projects, trading companies, and international groups expanding through Singapore and other jurisdictions.

How is Jenga different from a traditional corporate secretary?

Jenga is not only a filing service provider. We combine corporate secretarial support with accounting, tax, HR, payroll, work pass, banking coordination, regulatory advisory, and cross-border structuring execution. Our approach is compliance-first, execution-focused, and technology-enabled, designed for clients who need more than basic company maintenance.

Does Jenga only serve Singapore companies?

No. Singapore is our core execution hub, but we support clients across multiple jurisdictions, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Cayman Islands, BVI, Dubai, the United States, Switzerland, Malaysia, Panama, and other key business and investment jurisdictions.

What type of clients does Jenga usually work with?

We work with foreign founders, local businesses, family offices, fund managers, investment platforms, FinTech companies, Web3 projects, professional service businesses, trading companies, cross-border groups, and high-net-worth families.

Can Jenga support both setup and ongoing operations?

Yes. Our advantage is ongoing execution. We support clients from initial planning and setup to corporate governance, accounting, tax, payroll, HR, work passes, bank coordination, regulatory compliance, fund or family office administration, and lifecycle management.

What are the basic requirements to incorporate a Singapore company?

A Singapore private limited company generally requires at least one shareholder, at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore, a registered office address, a constitution, and a company secretary appointed within the required timeline.

Can a foreigner own 100% of a Singapore company?

Yes. A foreign individual or foreign company can own 100% of a Singapore company. However, the company still needs to meet Singapore statutory requirements, including having at least one ordinarily resident director.

Does every Singapore company need a resident director?

Yes. A Singapore company must have at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore. Where foreign founders do not have a suitable resident director, they may consider a nominee director or other compliant arrangement.

What does a corporate secretary do?

A corporate secretary helps maintain statutory records, prepare board and shareholder resolutions, manage annual return filings, support AGM-related matters, update company changes with ACRA, and ensure the company remains properly maintained from a governance perspective.

Is company incorporation enough to start operating?

Not always. Incorporation creates the legal entity, but practical operations may also require bank account opening, accounting setup, tax review, payroll setup, employment contracts, work pass applications, business licences, trademark protection, contracts, and internal governance processes.

How long does Singapore company incorporation usually take?

For a standard Singapore private limited company, incorporation can often be completed within a few working days after all KYC documents, structure details, director and shareholder information, and signing documents are ready. More complex structures, regulated businesses, or cases requiring additional approvals may take longer.

Can Jenga help choose the right Singapore entity type?

Yes. We help clients assess whether a Private Limited Company, Company Limited by Guarantee, LLP, branch, representative office, VCC, or other structure is more suitable based on business purpose, ownership, tax, banking, regulatory, and expansion needs.

Can Jenga help with corporate bank account opening?

Yes. We assist with bank account coordination, document preparation, business profile explanation, ownership structure clarification, and communication with banks where appropriate. Final approval remains subject to the bank's due diligence, risk appetite, and onboarding requirements.

How long does bank account opening take?

The timeline varies by bank, client profile, ownership structure, nationality, business activity, source of funds, and document completeness. Straightforward cases may move faster, while complex cross-border, investment, FinTech, crypto-related, or high-risk activities may require longer review.

What should clients prepare for bank onboarding?

Common documents include company incorporation records, business profile, ownership chart, director and shareholder identification documents, source of funds or wealth information, expected transaction flows, business plan, contracts, invoices, or supporting commercial documents where applicable.

Can Jenga help if my business is in a higher-risk sector?

Yes. We regularly support clients in sectors that require more careful explanation, such as FinTech, payment services, digital assets, investment platforms, trading, fund structures, family offices, and cross-border businesses. We help clients prepare clearer business explanations and supporting documents, but bank approval remains at the bank's discretion.

Does every Singapore company need to file tax returns?

Yes. Singapore companies generally need to report income to IRAS annually, even if they are dormant, loss-making, or have no taxable income, subject to the applicable filing route.

What is Singapore's corporate tax rate?

Singapore's corporate income tax rate is 17% on chargeable income, and this applies to both local and foreign companies. Companies may also qualify for tax exemption schemes or rebates depending on their circumstances.

What is bookkeeping and why is it important?

Bookkeeping is the regular recording and classification of business transactions. Proper bookkeeping supports corporate tax filing, financial statements, GST review, audit readiness, bank reviews, investor due diligence, cash flow visibility, and management decision-making.

What is a compilation financial statement?

A compilation financial statement is a structured financial report prepared based on the company's accounting records and management information. It is commonly used for year-end reporting, tax filing, shareholder visibility, banking discussions, and internal governance.

Can Jenga help with CFO-level reporting?

Yes. Our CFO services can support management reporting, cash flow review, budgeting, KPI tracking, profitability analysis, investor reporting preparation, financial controls, fundraising support, and transaction-readiness coordination.

Can Jenga help with corporate tax filing?

Yes. We support corporate income tax filing coordination, including tax computation, financial information alignment, supporting schedules, ECI review where applicable, and Form C-S / Form C-S Lite / Form C preparation support.

Can Jenga help with personal income tax?

Yes. We assist business owners, executives, expatriates, work pass holders, high-income individuals, and globally mobile families with Singapore personal income tax filing coordination and related documentation support.

Can Jenga help with tax planning?

Yes. We support tax-sensitive planning for business expansion, holding structures, family offices, funds, shareholder arrangements, investment platforms, cross-border payments, IP ownership, and mobility planning. Where formal tax opinions or jurisdiction-specific advice is required, we coordinate with qualified tax professionals.

Can Jenga help foreign founders apply for an Employment Pass?

Yes. We assist with EP eligibility review, COMPASS assessment, job scope positioning, employer profile preparation, application coordination, family pass planning, and post-approval onboarding support.

Can an entrepreneur apply for EP through their own Singapore company?

Potentially, yes. Founder-operators may apply through a Singapore company if the employment arrangement, salary, job scope, company profile, business plan, and supporting documents are properly positioned and meet MOM's assessment requirements.

What is the difference between EP, EntrePass, ONE Pass and Tech.Pass?

EP is generally for foreign professionals, managers, executives and specialists employed by a Singapore company. EntrePass is for eligible entrepreneurs starting innovative or venture-backed businesses. ONE Pass is for top global talent with high income or outstanding achievements. Tech.Pass is designed for established technology leaders and entrepreneurs, subject to the relevant criteria.

Can family members relocate with the main pass holder?

Eligible EP, S Pass, PEP, ONE Pass or EntrePass holders may be able to apply for Dependant's Pass or Long-Term Visit Pass for qualifying family members, subject to MOM's salary, sponsorship and pass-specific requirements.

Does holding a work pass automatically make someone a Singapore tax resident?

No. Tax residency depends on the individual's actual stay, work pattern, and applicable IRAS rules. A Singapore work pass may support residence planning, but it does not automatically determine tax residency.

Does Jenga support post-approval onboarding?

Yes. We assist with practical onboarding steps such as MOM card registration, Singpass setup guidance, local phone arrangement, salary bank account coordination, payroll setup, family pass coordination, and renewal tracking.

Can Jenga help with PR or Singapore Citizenship applications?

Yes. We support PR and citizenship readiness assessment, document checklist planning, application narrative preparation, family application structuring, supporting document organisation, and submission coordination.

What is Jenga's Global Passport Project?

The Global Passport Project is our strategic mobility advisory service for clients exploring residence planning, second citizenship, family relocation, tax residency alignment, global mobility, and cross-border lifestyle planning. It is designed for founders, executives, investors, family offices, and globally mobile families.