Home-based Businesses

General

• I have previously registered for the Home Office Scheme. However, I have moved to a commercial property. What do I do?

  You must update your company’s information on BizFile+ within 14 days if there are any changes in your office address. If you are still using your current residential premises as a Home Office, you do not need to inform HDB/URA. However, if you are no longer using your HDB flat as a home office, you will need to inform HDB to terminate the existing HOS licence by submitting a request via the e-feedback form at https://hdb.gov.sg/efeedback.

• Do I need to include GST on my business transactions?

  Businesses in Singapore with annual taxable turnovers exceeding or are likely to exceed S$1 million from the sale of taxable goods and services are required to register for GST. If your company’s annual taxable turnover does not exceed S$1 million, it is generally up to you whether you wish to register your business for GST voluntarily.

• I want to close my company. What do I do?

  You may apply to ACRA to strike off its name from the Register. If you were residing in an HDB flat and using your HDB flat as a Home Office, you will need to inform HDB to terminate the existing HOS licence by submitting a request via the e-feedback form at https://hdb.gov.sg/efeedback.

Food/bakery

• Can I sell items prepared from home directly to customers (e.g. Customized cakes, muffins and tarts)?

  Yes, but business operations should be kept at a small scale and the activities must not cause disamenities to your neighbours.

• Can I sell baked items prepared from home at retail food establishments or at temporary fairs?

  No. Retail food establishments and fairs are to prepare the food at their licensed premises or obtain food from approved sources

• Can I cater food to food stations and stalls at events?

  No. Operations of such scale should be appropriately located in licensed food premises.

• I want to sell on a larger scale but am not yet ready to commit to a long term lease. What can I do?

  You can consider booking SFA-endorsed co-working kitchens to scale your operations. With their facilities, you can sell your products at food fairs.

E-Commerce

• Can I sell my items on eCommerce platforms if they decide to promote my product?

  Yes.

• Can I engage the services of delivery vendors/agents to deliver my parcels?

  Yes, so long as the business remains small scale and the business activities do not adversely affect your neighbours’ living environment or cause any nuisance.

Home Office

• I want to offer formal services from home but wish to keep my home address private. What can I do?

  You can consider getting a virtual office. Having a virtual office gives businesses a physical address and office-related services without the overhead of a long lease and administrative staff. You may use this as your registered office address, all while working from home.