Singapore Tax Identification Number (TIN): What businesses need to know

If you’re thinking of launching and running a business in Singapore, you’ll need to learn about the Singapore tax identification number for business entities, which is different from your personal tax ID. While you may be used to using your NRIC or FIN number as your personal tax identification, your registered business will have its own tax identification to allow you to sort out your corporate taxes and interact with government agencies.

This guide looks at where to find a tax identification number in Singapore as a business owner, and how the tax identification number (TIN) Singapore captures important information about your company.

We'll cover:

What is the Singapore tax identification number (TIN)?

When you need to identify yourself in an official capacity, to pay your personal income tax or to communicate with a government body, you’ll usually use your NRIC number if you’re a Singapore citizen or PR. The tax identification number in Singapore for foreigners is similar - the FIN number which is shown on your long term resident pass.

But what is the tax identification number in Singapore for a business?

The tax identification number used for Singapore businesses is called a UEN - a Unique Entity Number¹. You’ll be issued your business TIN while registering your business with ACRA, and can choose to keep the automatically issued UEN, or to pay to get a Special UEN - a SUN².

Your UEN is used when communicating on behalf of your business with government bodies, but it’s also commonly used when customers make payments through services like PayNow. For that reason, having a memorable UEN can be an attractive option, with businesses paying from 1,000 SGD to 3,000 SGD depending on the level of customisation they want within their UEN.

This guide looks at the standard UEN tax identification number used for businesses and other entities in Singapore, so you can find and decode your TIN easily.

What is the tax identification number used for in Singapore

You’ll need your business TIN in Singapore for a few common reasons, which can include:

• Filing taxes for your business and communicating with agencies like IRAS
• Making Central Provident Fund (CPF) payments to employees
• Opening bank and business accounts
• Import and export permit applications - learn more about Singapore’s import tax here
• Accepting customer payments through PayNow and similar services

As soon as you’ve registered your business you’ll need to open a business account to allow you to transact securely. While you can choose a business bank account from a major bank, you may also want to take a look at non-bank alternative providers like Wise Business.

You can get all set up with Wise online or in the Wise app, with no need to visit a physical bank branch.

That can be a great time saver when you’re busy getting your company up and running - plus, with Wise you can pay and get paid in foreign currencies with the mid-market exchange rate and low fees from 0.31%, offering cost-saving opportunities too³.

Learn more about Wise Business

Types of tax identification numbers in Singapore

Let’s walk through the most common types of tax ID used in Singapore, and when you may need them:

• National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) - this is issued automatically to Singapore citizens and permanent residents and acts as your official government issued ID. The NRIC card you’re given also shows your NRIC number, which is used as your personal tax ID
• Foreign Identification Number (FIN) - this is issued to foreign residents in Singapore by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) or the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). The identity card that’s issued has your FIN number prominently displayed, so you can use your card as ID and for communicating with official government bodies. If you are a foreigner intending to start a business in Singapore, you’ll need to double check with MOM to see if you’re eligible, and can then follow the ACRA business registration processes on Bizfile.
• Unique Entity Number (UEN) - This is the tax identification and business registration number provided by ACRA when you register a business in Singapore. You can use the standard UEN which is issued by ACRA when you register, or you can pay to get a custom made UEN if you would prefer to

New to ACRA? Learn all about ACRA and how it works here.

TIN formats

There is a difference between TIN formats for individuals and businesses.

The business UEN format is designed to contain some important information about the registered entity while still being a unique identifier. Here’s how the format shapes up depending on entity type:

For an entity not classed as ROB or ROC, the TIN includes a clue to the type of entity - represented above by the letters PQ. This section of the TIN shows the organisation the entity has been registered with, and also the entity structure:

How to apply for a tax identification number in Singapore

As an individual you’ll either be issued an NRIC automatically at age 15 if you’re a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, or you’ll be provided with a FIN when your application to reside in Singapore is approved.

The process to get a business TIN is a bit different.

You’ll be issued your tax identification number for business at the time you register your business with ACRA⁴, using Bizfile - the ACRA self service portal⁵. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Go to Bizfile.gov.sg and select eServices
2. Tap Business (Sole proprietor/Partnership), then Start a new Business
3. You’ll see the option Application to Register Person(s) and Business Name - click this
4. Follow the prompts to enter your business entity information, business activity, and place of business
5. Enter the names and roles of key business staff, including directors, shareholders and officers
6. Click on Make payment - you’ll be offered the option to upgrade your registration to a special UEN instead of the standard UEN if you would like to
7. Pay for your business registration and UEN - your UEN is provided in the the Certificate of Registration or Certification of Incorporation issued by ACRA

How businesses can check their TIN

When you register your business you’ll receive a Certificate of Registration or Certification of Incorporation issued by ACRA, which will show your UEN.

You can also find your own UEN by logging into Bizfile, and use Bizfile to complete a UEN search for any registered business in Singapore if you need to.

Conclusion

Your personal tax identification number isn’t the same as the tax ID you’ll need to use for your Singapore registered business.

Instead, when you register a business with ACRA in Singapore, you'll be issued a unique entity number (UEN) which is your business tax ID. The standard UEN is generated automatically, but if you’d prefer to have something more meaningful you can also pay to get a custom made UEN which may be easier to remember.

You’ll need to use your business TIN when communicating with official government bodies, and when paying your taxes.

However, the UEN is used a lot more widely than this too - including when you open a business bank account, and when you accept PayNow payments from customers.

Just as your TIN is vital for many core business operations in Singapore, a powerful and flexible business account is the beating heart of your financial operations. Check out the Wise Business account as a cost-effective way to manage your business finances across borders, send business payments and get paid from abroad in multiple currencies. Wise Business also comes with extra features and tools that make it easier to run your business, organise your finances, cut excess costs, and get paid on time.