What to Do If You Miss ACRA Deadlines in Singapore (And How to Avoid Penalties Next Time)

Did you know that over 30% of small businesses in Singapore face compliance penalties every year because of missed filing deadlines? If you’re running a company, you probably already know how easy it is to overlook statutory obligations while managing day-to-day operations. The reality is this: missing an Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority(ACRA) deadline can cost you both money and credibility — but the good news is, it’s fixable.

This guide explains exactly what to do if you’ve missed an ACRA filing deadline, the penalties you may face, and most importantly, how to avoid repeating the same mistake in future.

 TL;DR – Missed an ACRA Deadline? Here’s What to Do 🚨

• Act fast – File the overdue return/document on BizFile+ immediately.
• Pay up – Clear the ACRA late filing penalty (S$300–S$600 depending on delay).
• Don’t ignore – Contact ACRA if unsure; self-disclosure is always better.
• Future-proof – Use reminders, outsource to a corporate secretary, or automate compliance.
• Best tip – With Grof, you’ll never miss an ACRA deadline again.

Common ACRA Deadlines SMEs Miss

Many entrepreneurs underestimate how many compliance requirements are tied to running a business. Some of the most commonly missed deadlines include:

• Filing Annual Return (AR) – The AR is a mandatory annual submission to the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). It contains crucial information about your company’s financials, directors, and shareholders.
• Holding the Annual General Meeting (AGM) – Most Singapore-incorporated companies must hold an AGM to present their financial statements to shareholders. This meeting has a specific due date tied to the company’s financial year-end. Unless exempted, companies must hold an AGM within 6 months after FYE.
• Updating business particulars – ACRA requires you to notify them of any changes to your company’s information within 14 days, such as a change in directors, secretary, or your registered office address.

👉 Missing any of these can trigger an ACRA late filing penalty, which grows larger the longer you wait.

What to Do Immediately If You Missed a Deadline

The most important step is not to panic — but to act fast. Here’s what you should do right away:

1. File the overdue document on BizFile+
   Submit the missing form or return immediately. The longer the delay, the higher the fine. The delay has already occurred, but a swift submission can prevent the situation from worsening.
2. Pay the ACRA late filing penalty
   ACRA will likely impose a penalty for the late submission. Pay this fee promptly to settle the matter. This prevents additional enforcement action.
3. Contact ACRA for clarification
   If you’re unsure about the next steps, self-disclosure to ACRA is better than waiting for enforcement. Voluntary correction often reflects positively on your business.

👉 Need help? ACRA’s guide on AGM & Annual Return requirements is a good starting point.

Possible Penalties and Risks

So, what happens if you don’t act quickly? The consequences can escalate depending on how late you are:

• Late filing penalties
  • S$300 if filed within 3 months of the due date.
  • S$600 if filed more than 3 months late.
  • These fees apply to both late Annual Returns and late Annual Declarations for Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs).
• More Severe Consequences

  While fines are the most common penalty, repeated or severe non-compliance can lead to more serious consequences:

  • Prosecution: In some cases, ACRA may decide to take enforcement action against the company’s directors, which can lead to court summons and even prosecution.
  • Disqualification of Directors: A director who repeatedly fails to meet statutory obligations can be disqualified from acting as a director of any company in Singapore for a period of up to 5 years.
  • Striking Off: For prolonged and persistent non-compliance, ACRA has the authority to strike the company’s name off the register. This effectively forces the company to cease all business operations and can be a costly and complicated process to reverse.

👉 See ACRA’s enforcement actions for real-world cases.

How to Avoid Missing Deadlines Again

Once you’ve resolved the issue, your next step is prevention. Here are three proven ways to avoid falling into the same trap:

1. Use ACRA Reminders

ACRA sends out email and SMS reminders to company directors. Make sure your contact details are updated so you never miss a notification.

2. Outsource to a Corporate Secretary

A professional corporate secretary ensures your company stays compliant. They track deadlines, file documents on time, and act as a safeguard against costly mistakes.

💡 With Grof as your corporate secretary, you can focus on growing your business while we handle compliance.

3. Automate Compliance Tracking

Set calendar alerts, task reminders, or use compliance software. Even a simple system of reminders can prevent lapses. For SMEs, outsourcing + automation is the most efficient solution.

Conclusion

Missing an ACRA deadline isn’t the end of the world — but ignoring it can spiral into heavy fines, legal consequences, or even company strike-off. The key is to act immediately, pay your ACRA late filing penalty, and put reliable systems in place to prevent it happening again.

👉 With Grof’s corporate secretarial services, you’ll never miss an ACRA deadline again. Our team of experts helps entrepreneurs and business owners like you stay compliant — stress-free.