The Hidden Costs of Non-Compliance: Why Cutting Corners Backfires
On paper, skipping a filing or delaying compliance might feel harmless —
especially when you’re a busy founder juggling a million things.
But in Singapore, non-compliance isn’t just a box left unchecked.
It can spiral into serious legal, financial, and reputational damage.
Let’s break it down.
1️⃣ Small Delays, Big Penalties
Miss your annual return filing?
That’s an immediate $300 late fee from ACRA.
Ignore tax filings?
Expect $200–$1,000 late penalties from IRAS,
plus additional fines and even court summons if left unresolved.
Example: A small e-commerce startup once thought they could “catch up later” —
by the time they did, they were hit with over $5,000 in cumulative penalties.
2️⃣ Directors on the Hook
Non-compliance isn’t just a company issue.
Under Singapore law, directors can be personally liable.
✅ You risk fines
✅ You risk disqualification as a director
✅ In extreme cases, you risk criminal prosecution
Example: We’ve seen founders sidelined because they failed to understand their director duties — losing credibility and future opportunities.
3️⃣ Damaged Reputation
Investors, banks, and even large customers routinely check corporate records.
If your company shows a pattern of late filings or compliance breaches,
it raises serious red flags.
✅ Harder to secure funding
✅ Trouble securing credit facilities
✅ Losing out on major contracts or government tenders
Example: A mid-sized services firm lost a lucrative B2B contract when the buyer’s due diligence revealed compliance lapses.
4️⃣ Operational Disruption
Non-compliance can block essential corporate actions.
Want to issue new shares or change directors?
You’ll hit roadblocks if filings aren’t up to date.
Example: We’ve helped companies stuck mid-fundraising because of outdated ACRA records.
5️⃣ Why Work With Paperwork.sg?
We:
✅ Stay on top of deadlines and filings for you
✅ Flag issues early, before they snowball
✅ Provide concierge-level corporate services so you can focus on growth