The Core Expense Categories

1. Company Registration and Setup Fees

• Government Charges: ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority) charges a fee of SGD 315 for company incorporation and name application.
• Professional Services: Engaging professional incorporation services to act as your corporate secretarial provider or local resident director typically brings initial setup fees to between SGD 600 and SGD 2,000+, depending on package complexity.

2. Office Rental and Utilities

• Prime Districts (CBD / Marina Bay): Serviced offices and Grade A commercial space range from SGD 60 to SGD 120+ per square foot annually.
• Flexible Options: Many early-stage startups opt for co-working spaces or virtual offices, which cost anywhere from SGD 200 to SGD 800 per desk monthly.
• Utilities: High-speed commercial fiber internet, electricity, and water typically add SGD 300 to SGD 1,000+ per month, depending on office size and energy consumption.

3. Employee Salaries and Benefits

• Competitive Compensation: Singapore’s job market is highly competitive across tech, finance, and professional services.
• Central Provident Fund (CPF): For Singapore Citizen and Permanent Resident (PR) employees, employers must contribute up to 17% of wages into the CPF scheme.
• Mandatory Coverage & Benefits: You must also budget for Work Injury Compensation Insurance (WICI), statutory medical benefits, and competitive group health plans.

4. Accounting, Auditing, and Compliance

• Bookkeeping & Secretarial: Monthly bookkeeping and routine secretarial maintenance generally start from SGD 300 to SGD 1,500+ per month, contingent on transaction volume.
• Annual Filings: Preparing annual financial statements (Unaudited Financial Statements) and submitting Corporate Income Tax returns require specialized oversight.
• Partnering with professional firms like Delom's compliance experts ensures you meet deadlines and avoid costly non-compliance penalties.

5. Taxation and Government Obligations

• Corporate Tax: Capped at a competitive 17%, with significant tax exemption schemes available for qualifying start-ups and small enterprises.
• Goods and Services Tax (GST): Mandatory registration is required if your taxable turnover exceeds SGD 1 million annually.
• Government Fees: Annual return filing fees and statutory filings add minor but recurring charges throughout the fiscal year.

6. Marketing and Day-to-Day Operations

• Digital marketing, branding campaigns, and client acquisition channels.
• SaaS subscriptions (accounting software, CRM tools, cloud storage).
• Professional advisors, legal counsel, and banking fees.

Real Stories from Delom Clients: Running Costs in Practice

Case Study 1: Tech Startup in Marina Bay

"When we launched our tech startup, Delom helped us understand that besides incorporation and office rent, employee benefits and compliance costs made up nearly 40% of our monthly expenses. Their comprehensive accounting support saved us from costly errors and kept our cash flow healthy."

— CEO, Tech Startup

Case Study 2: E-Commerce SME

"Our primary concern was managing GST and payroll costs while scaling up. Delom’s guidance on optimizing our tax schemes and streamlining payroll helped us reduce administrative overhead by 25%. Running costs became predictable, allowing us to invest strategically in marketing."

— Founder, E-Commerce Retailer

Case Study 3: Regional Consulting Firm

"Selina from Delom outlined the true ongoing costs beyond just rent and salaries. With their clear breakdown, we budgeted accurately for accounting fees and statutory compliance, avoiding surprises during audits. The transparent approach gave us confidence in financial planning."

— Partner, Consulting Firm

How Delom Supports Your Business Growth

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