Singapore XBRL Filing Services

What Is XBRL Filing?

XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) is a structured digital format used by ACRA to capture financial statement information in a standardised and machine-readable form.

XBRL is not a separate set of accounting standards. The financial statements must first be prepared under the accounting framework applicable to the company. The XBRL filing then maps the relevant financial information to ACRA's current taxonomy and validation rules.

Companies should use the current version of ACRA's BizFinx tools and taxonomy applicable at the time of filing. ACRA introduced its 2026 taxonomy and updated BizFinx tools for current filings from 25 February 2026.

Who Needs to File Financial Statements in XBRL?

Not every Singapore company files financial statements in the same format. The statutory filing requirement depends on the company's status, size and whether it is publicly accountable or falls within a regulated category.

When is a company considered "smaller"?

For ACRA's Simplified XBRL framework, a smaller company is one whose revenue for the current financial year does not exceed S$500,000 and whose total assets for the current financial year do not exceed S$500,000. It must also be non-publicly accountable. Where group interests are involved, ACRA's rules on consolidated figures should be considered.

A non-publicly accountable company is broadly one that is not listed and does not fall within specified banking, payment, insurance, capital-markets or other regulated categories. The detailed ACRA criteria should be checked where a company carries on regulated activities.

Important: an exemption from filing financial statements does not necessarily exempt the company from filing its annual return. For example, a solvent EPC and a dormant company must still comply with the applicable annual return requirements while the company remains live on ACRA's register.

Foreign companies with Singapore branches: ACRA's current framework generally requires a PDF copy of the foreign company's financial statements authorised by the directors rather than XBRL financial statements.

Current XBRL Filing Formats

1. Full XBRL

   Used by most Singapore-incorporated companies that are required to file financial statements and do not qualify for another filing category. The current Full XBRL template contains approximately 210 data elements covering the primary statements and selected notes. Where a full set of financial statements is filed in Full XBRL, a separate PDF copy is generally not required.

2. Simplified XBRL

   Available to companies that meet both the smaller-company and non-publicly-accountable criteria. It contains approximately 120 data elements and must be filed together with a PDF copy of the complete financial statements authorised by the directors.

3. XBRL FSH (Banks)

   Used for qualifying banks and finance companies regulated by MAS. The template captures approximately 80 data elements and is filed together with the authorised PDF financial statements.

4. XBRL FSH (Insurance)

   Used for qualifying insurance companies regulated by MAS. The template similarly captures approximately 80 data elements and is filed together with the authorised PDF financial statements.

How XBRL Preparation and Filing Works

1. Determine the Correct Filing Category

   Confirm whether the company must file financial statements and whether Full XBRL, Simplified XBRL, XBRL FSH or PDF-only filing applies.

2. Prepare the Source Financial Statements

   The XBRL information should be prepared from the complete financial statements authorised by the directors. XBRL preparation should not be used to alter the underlying financial statements.

3. Map the Financial Information to ACRA's Taxonomy

   Financial statement line items and disclosures are mapped to the relevant ACRA taxonomy elements using the current BizFinx Preparation Tool, approved accounting software, or through a Corporate Service Provider (CSP).

4. Validate and Resolve Filing Errors

   The XBRL file is validated against ACRA's technical and business rules. Genuine validation issues that cannot be resolved may, in limited circumstances, require an application to ACRA for an exemption from a specific business rule.

5. Upload and File Through Bizfile

   The validated XBRL file is uploaded to ACRA and selected when the company's annual return is filed through Bizfile. Companies filing multiple XBRL files may use ACRA's Multi-Upload Tool.

ACRA also permits qualifying companies to prepare XBRL using approved accounting software. Engaging a CSP such as Apexia is a service option rather than a statutory requirement for every company.

Annual Return and XBRL Filing Deadlines

XBRL financial statements are filed as part of the company's annual return. The relevant statutory deadline is therefore the annual return filing deadline.

If more time is needed, a company may apply to ACRA for a 60-day extension of time to file its annual return. The current application fee is S$200. ACRA advises companies to apply at least 14 working days before the deadline; this is an administrative recommendation rather than a statutory 14-working-day cut-off. An online EOT application cannot be submitted after the filing deadline has passed.

Late Filing Penalties and Enforcement

The S$300 and S$600 late lodgement penalties commonly associated with XBRL filing are, more precisely, penalties for filing the annual return late:

• S$300 if the annual return is filed within three months after the due date; and
• S$600 if it is filed more than three months after the due date.

ACRA may also take enforcement action for persistent filing failures, including composition or prosecution. Repeated filing offences or multiple companies being struck off can lead to director disqualification under the applicable provisions of the Companies Act. It is therefore inaccurate to describe director disqualification as an automatic consequence of a single late XBRL submission.

Does XBRL Filing Replace IRAS Corporate Tax Filing?

No. Filing financial statements in XBRL with ACRA does not replace the company's corporate income tax filing obligations with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).

Companies must still file the applicable Form C-S, Form C-S (Lite) or Form C by the relevant IRAS deadline unless a filing waiver applies. Under IRAS's current rules, a company filing Form C generally does not need to submit its financial statements again to IRAS if it has already filed a full set of financial statements with ACRA in XBRL format.

Apexia's XBRL Filing Services

Depending on the agreed scope, Apexia Corporate Advisory can assist with:

• assessing the company's applicable ACRA financial statement filing category;
• preparing Full XBRL, Simplified XBRL and XBRL FSH files from the authorised financial statements;
• mapping accounts and disclosures to ACRA's current taxonomy;
• validating the XBRL file and investigating validation errors;
• preparing the required PDF financial statements where applicable; and
• coordinating XBRL upload and annual return filing where this forms part of the engagement.

The company's directors and officers remain responsible for the accuracy of the financial statements and for meeting the company's statutory obligations. XBRL preparation is not, by itself, an audit or assurance engagement.

For broader support, see our Singapore accounting services, corporate secretarial services and Singapore tax services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every Singapore company have to file XBRL financial statements?

No. The filing requirement depends on the company's status and category. Dormant relevant companies meeting section 201A and solvent EPCs may be exempt from filing financial statements, while some companies file PDF financial statements rather than XBRL.

Who can use Simplified XBRL?

A company must be both smaller and non-publicly accountable. Under ACRA's current thresholds, its revenue for the current financial year and total assets for the current financial year must each not exceed S$500,000.

Do solvent EPCs have to file financial statements with ACRA?

No. A solvent EPC is not required to file financial statements with ACRA, although it may file voluntarily. It must still file its annual return and make the required solvency declaration.

What is the XBRL filing deadline?

XBRL financial statements are filed as part of the annual return. The annual return is generally due within five months after FYE for listed companies and seven months after FYE for non-listed companies, subject to special rules for companies with an overseas branch register.

Does filing XBRL with ACRA satisfy the company's IRAS tax filing obligations?

No. Corporate income tax filing with IRAS is separate. A company must still file the applicable corporate income tax return unless IRAS has granted a waiver.

Contact Apexia Corporate Advisory if you need assistance determining your company's filing format or preparing its XBRL financial statements.

Regulatory information last reviewed: 2 September 2026. This page provides general information and does not constitute legal, tax or audit advice.