Family Office Setup Singapore (SFO) — Legal, Tax & Banking Support

A Family Office in Singapore allows high-net-worth families to manage global investments, governance, and succession planning under a trusted legal framework. Our lawyers provide end-to-end support for your Single Family Office (SFO) or Multi Family Office (MFO) — from structuring and tax qualification under MAS 13O / MAS 13U (S13O / S13U) to incorporation, compliance, and banking.

We help families design single family office structures that meet MAS requirements and maintain long-term operational and tax efficiency.

Who Family Office Setup Singapore is For

• Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) individuals and families set up a family office in Singapore for cross-border wealth management
• Family principals seeking a single family office structure with control and confidentiality
• Multi-generational families exploring multi family office platforms or co-investment models
• Private bankers, accountants, and advisors assisting clients with family office setup and compliance
• Investors seeking to qualify for S13O or S13U tax exemptions

How It Works — Our 5-Step Family Office Setup Singapore Process

1. Assessment & Strategy: Review the family’s assets, investment goals, and governance preferences.
2. Structure Design: Create the optimal single family office structure — combining holding companies, trusts, and management entities.
3. Tax Qualification: Assess and prepare documentation for MAS 13O / 13U tax exemption applications.
4. Incorporation & Banking: Register entities, assist with bank account openings, and ensure family office tax compliance.
5. Governance & Compliance: Establish internal controls, investment policy statements, and reporting protocols for family office wealth management.

Eligibility & Requirements

To qualify for Singapore’s MAS 13O / 13U (S13O / S13U) tax exemptions, a family office must:

• Manage its own family’s assets (not external clients).
• Maintain a minimum AUM of SGD 20M (for 13O) or SGD 50M (for 13U).
• Employ at least 2 (13O) or 3 (13U) investment professionals, with at least one non-family member.
• Meet local business spending thresholds as specified by MAS.

We guide clients through every step to ensure regulatory compliance and eligibility for tax incentives.

Case Snapshot

An Indonesian family with diversified holdings restructured one branch of their large family into a Single Family Office (SFO) in Singapore.

Through proper entity design and investment management agreements, the SFO qualified under S13O, achieving full tax exemption on investment gains and improved governance across multiple jurisdictions.

Fees & Timelines

• Setup Duration: Typically 4–8 weeks, depending on banking timelines.  Please note that once it is setup, the tax incentive approval time frame will be subject to the approval of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Please schedule a meeting with us so we can see how much lead time you need for your application.
• Fees: Phase-based fixed fees with transparent milestones.

We also assist clients in transitioning from private investment vehicles to a full family office setup once they reach the necessary scale.

FAQs for Family Office Setup Singapore

Q: What’s the minimum AUM required for S13O and S13U?
A: For S13O, at least SGD 20M must be maintained at the point of application and throughout the incentive period.
For S13U, at least SGD 50M must be maintained at the point of application and throughout the incentive period.

Q: Do I need to hire local staff for my family office?
A: Yes. MAS requires at least 2 professionals for S13O (1 non-family member) and 3 professionals for S13U (1 non-family member), throughout the incentive period.

Q: Can a single family office invest in other family offices or private equity?
A: Yes, subject to compliance with family offices investing guidelines under MAS regulations.

Q: What’s the difference between a Single Family Office and a Multi Family Office?
A: A Single Family Office (SFO) serves one family exclusively, while a Multi Family Office (MFO) manages wealth for several unrelated families.

Call to Action

Ready to establish your Singapore Family Office?

Book a confidential consultation with our private wealth lawyers to discuss your family office setup, structure, and MAS 13O/13U qualification.