Can a Singapore branch also get the start-up tax exemption?

No, a Singapore branch of a foreign company generally cannot get the start-up tax exemption. Whether other tax schemes or the partial exemption apply to a branch must be checked separately based on the branch's circumstances.

IRAS states that a foreign company or its Singapore branch cannot claim the start-up tax exemption. The start-up tax exemption and the partial exemption are different schemes, so their requirements should be reviewed separately.

• If a Korean head office is choosing how to enter Singapore: a branch and a local subsidiary (private limited company) may be eligible for different tax benefits, so please compare them together with how the Korean head office is taxed.

Tax treatment can differ depending on the company's revenue, shareholder structure and transactions, so please consult an accounting professional before applying it.

The Lee Kim Alliance accounting team provides accounting and tax consultations.

As of November 2026, source: IRAS