Most Singapore-incorporated companies must file financial statements in XBRL format with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). This requirement applies as part of the Annual Return submission via BizFile. ACRA sets out the full filing requirements, preparation methods, and exemption procedures on its official portal.
Your three immediate actions are:
- Confirm your obligation. Check whether your company type requires Full XBRL, Simplified XBRL, the XBRL Financial Statements Highlights (FSH) template, or qualifies for an exemption.
- Choose your preparation route. Use the BizFinx Preparation Tool, approved accounting software, or engage a corporate service provider (CSP) to map and validate your financial data.
- Submit within the window. Upload your XBRL file to the BizFinx portal, then file your Annual Return via BizFile using CorpPass within 14 days of uploading.
Exemptions exist for certain exempt private companies (EPCs), insolvent EPCs, and entities regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Details on each category follow below.
Key takeaways
XBRL filing in Singapore is mandatory for most companies with share capital, with the required template determined strictly by company type and accountability status.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Confirm your template first | Your company type determines Full XBRL, Simplified XBRL, FSH, or PDF-only; check ACRA’s requirements page before preparing. |
| The 14-day window is fixed | Uploaded XBRL files remain on BizFinx for 14 days; file the Annual Return within that period or re-upload. |
| Mapping is a governance task | Directors should sign off on XBRL mapping; errors create public-record inconsistencies visible to auditors and regulators. |
| Use ACRA’s free tools | The BizFinx Preparation Tool, taxonomy files, and sample instances are all available at no cost from ACRA’s training materials page. |
| Bizsquare manages the full workflow | Bizsquare handles mapping, validation, CorpPass submission, and file retention for Singapore companies. |
Table of Contents
- Which companies must file XBRL in Singapore?
- What do the Full XBRL, Simplified XBRL, and FSH templates capture?
- How do you prepare, validate, and submit XBRL step by step?
- How do you map to the ACRA taxonomy and avoid common validation errors?
- Who may file FSH plus PDF instead of full XBRL?
- What tools and downloads do you need to prepare XBRL?
- What are the typical costs, timelines, and who can file on your behalf?
- Run this checklist before you submit your XBRL file
- Why careful XBRL preparation reduces risk and saves time
- Bizsquare handles your XBRL filing from mapping to submission
- Sources
- FAQ
Which companies must file XBRL in Singapore?
ACRA’s requirements and exemptions page maps every company type to its required filing format. The table below summarises the key categories.
| Company type | Required filing format |
|---|---|
| Listed companies on SGX | Full XBRL |
| Non-listed companies with share capital (not EPC, not MAS-regulated) | Full XBRL |
| Solvent exempt private companies (EPCs) | FSH + PDF of AGM financial statements |
| Insolvent EPCs | PDF only (no XBRL required) |
| Banks, finance companies, insurers (MAS-regulated) | FSH + PDF of AGM financial statements |
| Companies limited by guarantee | PDF only (no XBRL required) |
| Foreign companies | PDF only (no XBRL required) |
A few additional points to note:
- An exempt private company is a private company with no more than 20 shareholders, none of whom is a corporation.
- A solvent EPC must still file the FSH template alongside a PDF copy of its AGM financial statements.
- An insolvent EPC files only a PDF, with no XBRL obligation at all.
- Companies that are MAS-regulated (banks, merchant banks, finance companies, insurers, and certain capital markets entities) file the FSH template plus a PDF, not Full XBRL.
Getting this classification right matters before you open any preparation tool. Choosing the wrong template means revising the entire submission, which costs time and can delay your Annual Return.
What do the Full XBRL, Simplified XBRL, and FSH templates capture?
ACRA currently uses three distinct XBRL templates. Each captures a different scope of financial data, and the template assigned to your company type is not discretionary.
| Template | Who uses it | What it captures |
|---|---|---|
| Full XBRL | Listed companies; non-listed companies with share capital (non-EPC, non-MAS) | Primary statements, notes, accounting policies, segment data, and detailed disclosures mapped to the ACRA Taxonomy |
| Simplified XBRL | Certain smaller non-listed companies with share capital (where applicable) | Primary statements and selected notes; fewer disclosure elements than Full XBRL |
| XBRL FSH (Financial Statements Highlights) | Solvent EPCs; MAS-regulated entities | Key financial highlights only: revenue, profit/loss, assets, liabilities, equity; no detailed notes |
A few practical points on each template:
- Full XBRL requires the most rigorous mapping exercise. Every line item in the primary statements and most notes must be tagged to a concept in the ACRA Taxonomy. Missing tags trigger validation errors.
- Simplified XBRL covers the primary statements and a defined subset of notes. It is less demanding than Full XBRL but still requires careful mapping to avoid rounding or currency mismatches.
- XBRL FSH is the lightest template. Companies filing FSH must attach a PDF copy of the full AGM financial statements alongside the FSH submission. The PDF is the primary disclosure; the FSH is the structured data extract.
When a PDF must accompany the filing, the PDF must be identical to the financial statements tabled at the AGM. Any discrepancy between the two documents is a common cause of ACRA follow-up.
How do you prepare, validate, and submit XBRL step by step?
The BizFinx workflow runs in a clear sequence. Follow these steps in order, and you will avoid the most common delays.
Collect and finalise your AGM financial statements. The XBRL filing must model the exact figures tabled at the AGM. Do not begin mapping until the AGM financial statements are signed off.
Download the BizFinx Preparation Tool. Go to the BizFinx training materials page and download the latest version of the tool, along with the Quick Guide updated in February 2026. Install the tool on a Windows machine.
Map your financial data to the ACRA Taxonomy. Open the Preparation Tool and work through each statement and note, tagging every line item to the closest matching taxonomy concept. This is a data exercise, not a simple copy-and-paste.
Run the local validation check. The BizFinx Preparation Tool runs its own validation before you can export the XBRL instance document. Fix all genuine errors at this stage. Warnings may be acknowledged if the underlying data is correct.
Export the XBRL instance document. Once local validation passes, export the file from the Preparation Tool. The file will carry an
.xbrlextension.Upload to the BizFinx portal. Log in to the BizFinx portal using your CorpPass credentials. Upload the XBRL instance document. The portal runs a second validation pass. Resolve any new errors before proceeding.
File the Annual Return via BizFile. Log in to BizFile with CorpPass and complete the Annual Return. The system will link to your uploaded XBRL file on the BizFinx server. Submit the Annual Return to complete the process.
The 14-day window is critical. ACRA confirms that uploaded XBRL files remain on the BizFinx server for up to 14 days. If you do not file the Annual Return within that period, you must re-upload the XBRL file and start the window again. During peak filing season, this is one of the most frequent causes of delay.
For companies filing multiple entities, the BizFinx Multi-upload Tool allows batch uploads. Download it from the same training materials page as the Preparation Tool.
How do you map to the ACRA taxonomy and avoid common validation errors?
Mapping is where most XBRL compliance problems begin. The BizFinx preparer’s guide sets out the mapping principles, the Minimum Requirement List, and the three-stage validation process in detail. Read it before you open the Preparation Tool.
The best-fit mapping principle
Each line item in your AGM financial statements must be matched to the closest concept in the ACRA Taxonomy. If no exact concept exists, use the closest parent concept. If a disclosure is absent from your AGM financial statements, leave the corresponding taxonomy element blank. Do not invent figures to fill empty tags.
Common validation errors and how to fix them
- Rounding mismatches. Figures in the XBRL file must use the same rounding unit (thousands, millions) declared in the filing header. A mismatch between the header declaration and individual element values triggers an error.
- Currency inconsistency. All monetary elements must use the same currency code declared in the filing. Mixed SGD and USD values in the same instance document will fail validation.
- Presentation format errors. Negative values must follow the sign convention specified in the taxonomy. Entering a loss as a positive number when the taxonomy expects a negative value is a frequent mistake.
- Missing mandatory notes. The Minimum Requirement List specifies which notes are mandatory for your template. Omitting a mandatory note produces a hard error that blocks submission.
- Consolidation mismatches. If your company files consolidated financial statements, every element must reflect the consolidated position. Mixing company-level and group-level figures in the same instance document causes structural errors.
- Mismatch with AGM financial statements. ACRA requires the XBRL filing to be identical to the documents tabled at the AGM. A figure that differs between the two documents, even by rounding, will trigger a follow-up.
Mapping review sequence before upload
- Reconcile every primary statement total in the XBRL file against the signed AGM financial statements.
- Confirm the rounding unit and currency code in the filing header.
- Check that all Minimum Requirement List elements are populated.
- Verify sign conventions for losses, provisions, and contra items.
- Run the local validation in the Preparation Tool and clear all errors.
Pro Tip: The BizFinx Preparation Tool distinguishes between hard errors and possible warnings. Hard errors block export; warnings do not. Review each warning individually. If the underlying data is correct and the warning reflects a legitimate presentation choice, you may acknowledge it and proceed. Do not acknowledge warnings without understanding the reason.
Good mapping practice also supports data quality in financial reporting more broadly, reducing the risk of inconsistencies across statutory filings.
Who may file FSH plus PDF instead of full XBRL?
Not every company faces the Full XBRL obligation. The following categories may file the FSH template alongside a PDF of their AGM financial statements, rather than a full XBRL instance document.
- Solvent exempt private companies (EPCs)
- Banks and merchant banks regulated by MAS
- Finance companies regulated by MAS
- Licensed insurers regulated by MAS
- Certain capital markets services licensees regulated by MAS
Insolvent EPCs are exempt from XBRL entirely and file only a PDF.
How to apply for an exemption or relief
- Confirm your company’s classification using the ACRA requirements and exemptions page before applying.
- Prepare supporting documentation that evidences your company’s status (for example, shareholder register for EPC status, or MAS licence details for regulated entities).
- Submit an exemption application through the ACRA BizFile portal, attaching the relevant documentation.
- Await ACRA’s written confirmation before filing in a non-XBRL format.
- Retain the confirmation letter with your corporate records for audit purposes.
If your company’s status changes (for example, a new corporate shareholder is added, removing EPC status), the exemption no longer applies. Review your classification at every financial year end.
What tools and downloads do you need to prepare XBRL?
ACRA provides all the tools and reference files a preparer needs at no charge. The BizFinx training materials page is the single most important bookmark for any finance professional handling XBRL compliance in Singapore.
Official ACRA resources to download
- BizFinx Preparation Tool — the primary desktop application for mapping and validating XBRL instance documents. The Quick Guide was updated in February 2026.
- BizFinx Multi-upload Tool — for preparers filing on behalf of multiple entities in a single session.
- ACRA Taxonomy files — the full taxonomy schema and linkbases, available from the XBRL resources and downloads page. Download the current taxonomy version before starting any mapping exercise.
- Sample XBRL instance documents — pre-built examples showing correct tagging for common financial statement structures. Use these to calibrate your own mapping before working on live data.
- Quick guides and user manuals — step-by-step PDF guides for the Preparation Tool and Multi-upload Tool, updated regularly.
- Video recordings — walkthrough demonstrations of the BizFinx tools, available on the training materials page.
| Resource | Where to get it | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| BizFinx Preparation Tool | BizFinx training materials page | Download first |
| ACRA Taxonomy (current version) | XBRL resources and downloads page | Download before mapping |
| Sample XBRL instances | XBRL resources and downloads page | Review before mapping |
| Quick Guide (Feb 2026) | BizFinx training materials page | Read before using the tool |
| Multi-upload Tool | BizFinx training materials page | Download if filing multiple entities |
Keep copies of the taxonomy files and your exported XBRL instance documents with your corporate records. If you need a copy of a previously submitted XBRL file, contact ACRA directly, as the BizFinx server retains uploaded files for only 14 days.
What are the typical costs, timelines, and who can file on your behalf?
Timelines tied to AGM and Annual Return
The XBRL filing does not have a standalone deadline. It forms part of the Annual Return, which must be filed within a prescribed period after the financial year end. The sequence is:
- Hold the AGM and table the finalised financial statements.
- Prepare and validate the XBRL file (allow at least one to two weeks for a first-time preparer).
- Upload to BizFinx and file the Annual Return within 14 days of upload.
Plan backwards from your Annual Return due date. Leaving XBRL preparation to the last week before the deadline is the most common cause of late filings.
Cost drivers to budget for
- Internal preparation time. Mapping a full set of financial statements to the ACRA Taxonomy typically takes several hours for an experienced preparer and longer for a first-time filer.
- Software costs. The BizFinx Preparation Tool is free. Approved third-party accounting software that generates XBRL output may carry a licence fee.
- CSP or professional lodger fees. A corporate service provider or professional lodger charges for preparation, mapping, validation, and submission. Fees vary by provider and complexity of the financial statements.
- Audit and accounting costs. If the financial statements require audit, audit completion must precede XBRL preparation. Audit delays flow directly into XBRL filing delays.
For guidance on how corporate tax filing timelines interact with year-end compliance, the Bizsquare resource on corporate tax filing covers the relevant deadlines in detail.
Who can file on the company’s behalf?
- Directors may file directly using their own CorpPass credentials.
- Company secretaries and CSPs may file as authorised lodgers using a professional number registered with ACRA.
- Approved accounting firms may prepare and submit XBRL on behalf of clients under a CorpPass authorisation.
The person submitting the Annual Return via BizFile must have valid CorpPass access. CorpPass authorisation must be set up in advance, as it cannot be granted on the day of filing.
Run this checklist before you submit your XBRL file
Use this list immediately before uploading to the BizFinx portal. Tick every item before you proceed.
- [ ] Every figure in the XBRL instance document matches the signed AGM financial statements exactly, including rounding.
- [ ] The rounding unit declared in the filing header (thousands, millions) is consistent across all monetary elements.
- [ ] The currency code in the filing header matches every monetary element in the file.
- [ ] All elements on the Minimum Requirement List are populated.
- [ ] Sign conventions for losses, provisions, and contra items follow the ACRA Taxonomy specification.
- [ ] Consolidated and company-level figures are not mixed within the same instance document.
- [ ] A PDF copy of the AGM financial statements is ready to attach (required for FSH filers and Simplified XBRL filers where applicable).
- [ ] The BizFinx Preparation Tool local validation shows zero hard errors.
- [ ] All warnings have been reviewed individually and acknowledged where the underlying data is correct.
- [ ] CorpPass access for the filing entity is active and the authorised lodger’s professional number is registered.
- [ ] The Annual Return is ready to be filed within 14 days of upload.
A year-end compliance checklist from Bizsquare covers the broader statutory obligations that sit alongside XBRL filing, including AGM documentation and corporate secretarial records.
Why careful XBRL preparation reduces risk and saves time
The most persistent misconception about XBRL filing is that it is a technical task best left to IT or junior finance staff. In practice, the mapping exercise requires someone who understands the financial statements well enough to make judgement calls about taxonomy concepts. A poorly mapped filing does not just trigger a validation error; it creates a public record that may not accurately reflect the company’s financial position.
Directors should treat XBRL sign-off as a governance step, not an administrative afterthought. The XBRL instance document, once submitted, becomes part of the public record on ACRA’s register. Inconsistencies between the XBRL data and the PDF financial statements are visible to auditors, lenders, and regulators. Correcting a submitted filing requires a fresh submission and, in some cases, a formal explanation to ACRA.
Good mapping also reduces audit friction. When the XBRL tags align precisely with the audited financial statements, subsequent reviews, whether by external auditors or ACRA itself, proceed with fewer queries. The time saved across two or three audit cycles more than offsets the investment in careful preparation.
The decision to engage an external provider is straightforward for most SMEs. The BizFinx Preparation Tool is free, but the mapping expertise is not. A CSP or accounting firm with XBRL experience will complete the mapping faster, with fewer errors, and will manage the CorpPass submission on the company’s behalf. For directors who are not finance professionals, the cost of a professional lodger is almost always lower than the cost of a late filing penalty or a resubmission exercise.
Bizsquare handles your XBRL filing from mapping to submission
XBRL compliance is one of the more technical statutory obligations a Singapore company faces, and the cost of getting it wrong, in time, penalties, and public-record accuracy, is real.
Bizsquare’s accounting and bookkeeping team manages the full XBRL workflow: mapping your AGM financial statements to the ACRA Taxonomy, running local and portal validation, handling CorpPass submission, and reconciling the XBRL file against your audited accounts. The team also maintains a repository of your submitted XBRL instance documents, so you are never scrambling for records at the next filing cycle.
For companies that need end-to-end support, Bizsquare’s corporate advisory and outsourced CFO service covers the full year-end compliance cycle, from AGM preparation through to Annual Return filing. Contact Bizsquare to discuss your company’s filing requirements and get a clear scope of work before your next Annual Return deadline.
Sources
The following official ACRA pages and downloadable files are the authoritative references for XBRL compliance in Singapore. Keep copies of the taxonomy files and your submitted XBRL instance documents with your corporate records.
- Filing financial statements in XBRL format | Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority
- ACRA BizFinx preparer’s guide (PDF)
This article is general information, not a substitute for advice from a qualified financial advisor. Consult a qualified financial professional about your own circumstances before acting on anything here.
FAQ
Is XBRL filing mandatory in Singapore?
Yes. Most Singapore-incorporated companies with share capital must file financial statements in XBRL format as part of their Annual Return to ACRA. Exempt private companies, insolvent EPCs, companies limited by guarantee, and foreign companies have different or reduced obligations.
How do you prepare an XBRL filing for ACRA?
Download the BizFinx Preparation Tool from ACRA’s training materials page, map your AGM financial statements to the ACRA Taxonomy, run the local validation, export the XBRL instance document, and upload it to the BizFinx portal before filing the Annual Return via BizFile.
How much does XBRL filing cost in Singapore?
The BizFinx Preparation Tool is free. Engaging a corporate service provider or professional lodger to handle mapping, validation, and submission carries a fee that varies by provider and the complexity of the financial statements. Internal preparation time is the main cost for companies that file in-house.
How do you submit XBRL to ACRA?
Upload the validated XBRL instance document to the BizFinx portal using CorpPass, then file the Annual Return via BizFile within 14 days of the upload. The BizFile system links to the uploaded file on the BizFinx server to complete the submission.
What happens if the XBRL figures differ from the AGM financial statements?
ACRA requires the XBRL filing to be identical to the financial statements tabled at the AGM. Any discrepancy, including rounding differences, commonly triggers a follow-up from ACRA and may require a corrected resubmission.
Can a company secretary or CSP file XBRL on behalf of a company?
Yes. A company secretary, CSP, or approved accounting firm may prepare and submit XBRL as an authorised lodger, using a professional number registered with ACRA and valid CorpPass access for the filing entity.
What is the XBRL FSH template?
The XBRL Financial Statements Highlights (FSH) template captures key financial highlights only, including revenue, profit or loss, assets, liabilities, and equity. Solvent EPCs and MAS-regulated entities use this template, accompanied by a PDF copy of the full AGM financial statements.
Where can you download the ACRA Taxonomy?
The ACRA Taxonomy files and sample XBRL instance documents are available from the XBRL resources and downloads page on the ACRA website. Download the current taxonomy version before beginning any mapping exercise.
What should you do if you miss the 14-day BizFinx upload window?
Re-upload the XBRL instance document to the BizFinx portal. The 14-day retention window restarts from the new upload date. File the Annual Return via BizFile within the new 14-day period to complete the submission.
Can Bizsquare handle the full XBRL filing process?
Yes. Bizsquare manages the complete workflow, from mapping AGM financial statements to the ACRA Taxonomy, through validation and CorpPass submission, to retaining submitted XBRL files for future reference. Contact Bizsquare to discuss your company’s specific filing requirements.
