Singapore Family Office Tax Exemption

This post will discuss Singapore family office tax exemption, with the following coverage:

• Family office meaning
• Family office structure
• Singapore family office requirements
• Family office Singapore minimum investment
• How are family offices taxed?
• Singapore extends and revises family office tax rules in budget 2024

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Families with high net worth can optimize their wealth management by setting up a family office.

Financial guidance is necessary for Singapore family offices to manage tax exemptions, adhere to rules, and make strategic investment plans.

What is family office in Singapore?

In Singapore, this structure is a private wealth management company that looks after the investments of wealthy families, handling things like real estate, yachts, and airplanes. They also arrange family decision-making procedures, assist family members administratively, and assist with charitable endeavors.

Family office structure

Family offices in Singapore can be set up in a variety of ways, but they generally fall into two categories.

One family’s money and affairs are managed by a Single Family Office, which provides individualized services.

Meanwhile, a Multi-Family Office provides wealth management services by combining resources from several families. Depending on their ownership structure and manner of operation, MFOs can be either privately held or commercial.

Singapore family office requirements

A family office in Singapore requires careful consideration of a few important factors.

While there are no particular legal prerequisites to create a Single Family Office that caters to just one family, the family office needs to have a fund management license if it intends to serve several clients.

It is also necessary to hire two investment professionals, at least one of whom must not be a family member, in order to be eligible for tax incentive programs like Section 13O.

Get a physical presence in Singapore by renting office space and employing qualified wealth management specialists.

Family Office Singapore Minimum Investment

The legal structure and the particular tax incentive program being pursued determine the minimum investment needed to open a family office in Singapore.

Assets under management (AUM) in designated investments of at least S$20 million at the time of application for the Onshore Fund Tax Incentive Scheme (Section 13O) is required, and this level must be maintained over the incentive period.

In order to participate in the Global Investor Program, investors must provide a minimum of S$2.5 million to a Single Family Office located in Singapore with an AUM of at least S$200 million. The investment must be maintained for a minimum of five years.

How are family offices taxed?

A complicated web of tax laws governs how family offices conduct business.

The Singapore family office tax rate is 17% of income sourced within the nation or repatriated there, which is in line with the corporate tax regime.

Nonetheless, family offices have access to a number of tax incentive programs that significantly trim their actual tax obligations. By attracting wealthy individuals and stimulating the local economy, these incentives aim to improve the family office tax Singapore.

Singapore Family Office Tax Exemption

Singapore has established itself as a top wealth management destination by providing family offices with a number of alluring tax advantages.

The Income Tax Act specifies particular programs that regulate these incentives:  

The Offshore Fund Exemption Scheme – Section 13D

This is one of the main family office tax incentives in Singapore offered by the government which exempts offshore funds managed by fund managers based in the country from taxes.

The fund must not be wholly owned by Singaporeans and cannot be a resident of Singapore in order to be eligible. Minimum assets under management or yearly business spending restrictions do not exist.

Section 13O of the Onshore Fund Tax Incentive Scheme

This program grants tax exemptions to eligible onshore funds. A minimum of S$200,000 per year in local business spending is required, among other requirements.

Section 13U, also known as the Enhanced Tier Tax Incentive Scheme

It exempts both offshore and onshore funds from paying taxes, with no limitations on the percentage of Singaporean investors.

At least three investing experts, including one non-family member, must be employed by family offices.

Annual expenditure requirements differ according to the assets under management. So, S$1 million expenses for AUM over S$100 million; S$500,000 for AUM of S$50 million to S$100 million; and S$200,000 for AUM under S$50 million.

Some other things to note of include:

• In order to qualify for Singapore tax incentives, family offices must employ local investment professionals who are residents of the country and make a minimum of S$3,500 per month.
• A minimum amount of local company expenditure is also necessary for the tax incentive programs, and this spending may include grants and donations to qualified local charity.
• To further enhance Singapore’s appeal as a leading wealth management hub, the Global Investor Program offers ultra-high-net-worth individuals the chance to get permanent residency by investing in a family office.

Singapore extends and revises family office tax rules in budget 2024

Significant changes to family office tax laws are included in the Singapore Budget 2024 proposal, which aims to increase the country’s attractiveness as a premier center for wealth management.

These adjustments are a part of a larger plan to ensure Singapore stays relevant in the financial services industry while responding to trends in worldwide taxation.

The budget proposes to prolong the existing tax benefits for family offices with the goal of luring affluent people and families to establish their investment businesses in Singapore.

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