Wealth management is an extremely important endeavor for affluent families in the Asia-Pacific region.
A family office is a private wealth management firm for UHNWIs and wealthy families that oversees and manages their financial needs. The objective is to oversee familial wealth for preservation across generations.
Multi-family offices have therefore become the norm bringing in transformative partners with tailored solutions. Integrating the generational wealth with the Singapore family office can help to simplify the complex wealth management procedure.
Wealthy families in Singapore can seamlessly work towards managing their generational wealth.
You need at least US$30 million in investable assets to meet this criteria in Singapore.
Furthermore, they can get into conflict resolution, philanthropy, strategic planning, and also preserve the family values as you go ahead in generations.
- Singapore Family Office: A Key Step to Holistic Wealth Management
- Singapore Single Family Office Structure to Fund Management
- A Guide to Setting Up SFO in Singapore
- Start a Single Family Office in Singapore with Minimum Investment
- Key Differences Between Single Family Office and Multi Family Office in Singapore
- Singapore Single-family Office Requirements for Foreigners
- Single Family Office Tax Incentives in Singapore
- Final Words
Singapore Family Office: A Key Step to Holistic Wealth Management
Rich and affluent families are always on the lookout for managing their finances. Therefore a family office in Singapore can help in this diverse aspect of family wealth management. They can assist in tax planning, legal structuring, investment strategies, and lifestyle services. Each of these services contribute to better family office management services under one roof.
The Singapore Family Office opts for a very centralised approach which helps in reducing complexities. Therefore, the families can coordinate and manage their services and multiple businesses from a very centralised location. Not only does this help in better management but also plays an important role in better alignment of the financial goals.
Singapore Single Family Office Structure to Fund Management
The structure of a single family office in Singapore involves the management of assets of only a single firm. It would often involve fund management, an investment management company, fund company, advisers and professionals.
The single family office in Singapore is mostly preferred by ultra high net worth individuals and families. This exclusive type of structure can help with a wide range of things like philanthropy, succession planning, family governance, investment management, and tax reporting. Single Family Offices (SFOs) in Singapore are exempt from registering fund licenses with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and can rely on exemptions under the Securities and Futures Act (SFA) and the Financial Advisers Act (FAA)
A Guide to Setting Up SFO in Singapore
- There are different types of structure for the family office. Therefore, it is important to understand which one suits the expertise and can be of great help. Thus, in this case, one must choose the single family office in Singapore concept.
- Now, they must determine the legal form of the SFO. It can either be a trust, limited liability partnership or private limited company. Consulting legal and tax advisors can help to reach the right conclusion.
- The Singapore government has put in place a number of tax incentive schemes for funds managed by family offices for both offshore and onshore vehicles. These require a Singapore manager that is either licensed or exempt under local securities law for providing fund management services. It must carefully evaluate the family's expected source of wealth and financial track record.
- As soon as the license is granted, the SFOs can now be set up. Therefore, one can go ahead with hiring office staff, setting up the bank account, establishing accounting and reporting systems, and developing an investment strategy that aligns with their long term business goals.
Start a Single Family Office in Singapore with Minimum Investment
Key Differences Between Single Family Office and Multi Family Office in Singapore
The role of single family offices in Singapore is to cater to the needs of one family’s business requirements. However, a multi-family office business model must consider the demands of all the family offices that it manages. Single family office is a very cost effective solution, whereas a multi family office is slightly expensive. The difference in expense is usually because of the management of interest for the families involved. The single family office business model requires the expertise only in one field, whereas for the multi family office, the expertise must be diverse to fit in everyone’s needs.
Multi-Family Offices (MFOs) | Manage assets for two or more families | Regulated under the Securities and Futures Act (SFA) |
Single Family Offices (SFOs) | Exclusive management of one family’s assets | Not subject to licensing or regulation under the SFA |
Singapore Single-family Office Requirements for Foreigners
- You need to have an annual business spending of the fund reaching upto SGD 200,000. This can comprise of salary, rent, audit and bookkeeping fees, structure maintenance fees and other business requirements.
- The investment capital amount should be SGD 20 million for Plan A and SGD 5 million for Plan B minimum. Along with the amount accumulation, the source of the funds should be explained as well.
- The managers of the family office must not have any criminal record and political connections.
- To set up the office, at least one investment professional must be a non family member.
Single Family Office Tax Incentives in Singapore
The Income Tax Act 1947 offers tax exemption for Singapore fund-based managers under the Fund Tax Incentive Schemes for Family Offices. The single family office tax incentives in Singapore are usually categorised in two different sections:
Enhanced Tier Fund Tax Incentives Scheme- Section 13U
- There must be a minimum of S$50 million investment and three professionals employed, one of which must not be a family member.
- Irrespective of the company's location, this fund offers tax exemption for specified incomes.
Onshore Fund Tax Incentives Scheme- Section 13O
- This scheme also offers tax exemptions but is only relevant for businesses based in Singapore.
- Minimum S$20 million in Designated Investments at the point of application and throughout the incentive period
- Employ minimum 2 professionals, of whom at least 1 is not a family member of the beneficial owners
You will have to apply for the tax exemptions while starting this business to ensure no problems in the future.