What is UEN? A Global Perspective on Singapore's Business Identifier

Which Businesses Need a UEN?

Introduced in 2009, the UEN is mandatory for entities interacting with Singaporean government agencies. These include:

• Companies and Businesses: Private Limited (Pte Ltd), sole proprietorships, partnerships, and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs).
• Societies and Trade Unions: Registered under the Registry of Societies.
• Healthcare Institutions and Charities: For public trust and compliance.
• Representative Offices: Acting as liaison offices for foreign companies.

Your UEN stays with you for life—regardless of name changes or restructuring.

How to Get a UEN in Singapore?

It’s automatic for businesses registered in Singapore. Here’s how to get started:

1. Register Your Business with ACRA
   • Visit the BizFile+ website.
   • Choose your business structure (e.g., Pte Ltd or LLP).
   • Pay a one-time fee of $315 for companies or an annual fee starting at $115 for sole proprietorships.
2. Check Your UEN
   Once registered, your UEN is included in your business profile. Need to verify it? Use the UEN Search Tool.
3. Special UENs (SUN)
   Want a memorable UEN for branding? Opt for a Special UEN (SUN) during registration.
   • Tier 1 SUN: Repeating numbers like “20188888A” cost $3,000.
   • Tier 2 SUN: Patterns like “201812121R” cost $1,000.

Uses for UEN and Why It’s Important

1. Enabling PayNow Corporate Transactions

Companies can link their UEN to PayNow or PayLah, Singapore’s popular instant payment system. This allows customers and clients to make direct payments to the business using only the UEN, simplifying payment processes and improving transaction efficiency.

2. Filing Taxes with IRAS

The UEN is essential for filing corporate taxes with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). It ensures the accurate identification of the business for tax assessments and refunds.

3. CPF Contributions

Businesses use their UEN for submitting employee CPF contributions to the Central Provident Fund Board. It acts as the unique identifier for payroll and statutory submissions.

4. Opening Corporate Bank Accounts

Banks require the UEN to verify a company’s registration status during the account opening process, ensuring legitimacy and compliance with financial regulations.

5. Applying for Government Grants and Schemes

The UEN is critical when applying for Singapore’s wide range of government grants, subsidies, or funding programs. It links the application to the company’s registered profile for validation.

6. Compliance with Statutory Requirements

UEN is displayed on business documents, including invoices, receipts, and contracts, ensuring transparency and compliance with regulatory standards.

How to Search for a Company's UEN?

Looking up a UEN is a breeze:

1. Visit the UEN Search Directory.
2. Enter the business name or partial address.
3. View details like the UEN, status, and agency of issuance.

Pro Tip: Searching for a UEN can help verify if a company is legitimate—an essential step before partnerships or investments.

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