Knowledge Highlights 26 November 2024
BizFile+ system migration from 4 to 9 December 2024 for ACRA’s new Bizfile portal, launching on 9 December 2024 to replace BizFile+
The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority’s (“ACRA”) new Bizfile portal, launching on 9 December 2024, will replace BizFile+, the current online system for filing and retrieving business information. With the new Bizfile, users will be able to access various eServices for business registration, information updates, annual filings, and business data retrieval in a seamless manner.
To prepare for the new system, ACRA will need to suspend all online services from 8pm, 4 December 2024 (Wednesday) to 8am, 9 December 2024 (Monday) to migrate the data to the new Bizfile. During this period, there will not be any access to ACRA’s services or to lodge any transactions.
To minimise inconvenience, ACRA has requested that special attention be paid to the following details:
- All online filing and registration services in BizFile+ portal and Variable Capital Company (VCC) portal are not available from 8pm, 4 December 2024 to 8am, 9 December 2024
These include services such as registration of business entities, updating of particulars, and filing for annual returns.
Some eServices/transactions will be unavailable from 20 November 2024 and 27 November 2024, respectively, until 8am, 9 December 2024. More details are available here.
- Extension of filing time and no imposition of filing penalties for filings till 16 December 2024
ACRA will not impose any late filing penalties for annual returns and other types of filings (e.g. change of particulars, appointments) that are due between 4 and 9 December 2024. The filing deadline will be extended to 16 December 2024.
- Purchase of business information at ACRA iShop; Access to API Marketplace and API Mall
ACRA iShop, API Marketplace, and API Mall will be unavailable from 4 to 9 December 2024. During this period, information products, such as business profiles, can still be purchased from authorised information service providers (“ISPs”). The list of ISPs can be found here.
Information products, such as business profiles that are purchased from ACRA iShop before 4 December 2024, can still be retrieved from the BizFile+ Product Download page using the product download code in the email delivery notification. These products should be downloaded within the seven-day retrieval period from the date of purchase.
- Complete filing/transactions by 8pm, 4 December 2024
ACRA requests corporate service providers to file or complete their applications or transactions by 8pm, 4 December 2024. This will ensure sufficient time for processing, especially for applications or transactions that may require reviews by relevant authorities or endorsements from business partners.
Transactions not completed by 8pm, 4 December 2024 will require re-application when the new Bizfile portal launches on 9 December 2024. No refunds of fees for such transactions will be made.
- Resources available to prepare for the new Bizfile
ACRA has shared more details about the features of the new Bizfile portal at https://www.acra.gov.sg/about-bizfile/resources. The FAQs are available here.
Reference materials
The following materials are available on the ACRA website www.acra.gov.sg:
