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December 9, 2025

2025 Singapore 13D Family office: funding, structuring, tax essentials in one article!

With the rising demand for global asset allocation and family wealth inheritance, Singapore has become the preferred destination for more and more high net worth families to set up a family office, thanks to its stable legal system, strict regulatory environment and comprehensive tax regime. The 13D Family Office, with its higher flexibility and lower operational threshold, has become a popular solution for overseas asset management.
The following article will take you through a quick overview in the most concise way possible: what is 13D? funding requirements? How is it structured? How are taxes determined? Who are the right families?
part 1
What is 13D Family Office?
13D is a tax exemption scheme for offshore funds under the Income Tax Act of Singapore, whereby a fund company managed by a family office can enjoy tax exemption on qualifying investment income, provided that it meets the requirements.
Features:- Suitable for families with large offshore assets- Wide range of investment disciplines, allowing fund houses to allocate global assets offshore- Simple structure, no need to apply for MAS license (exempted by legal opinion)- Applicants who apply for a Work Pass (EP) can fast-track their family's relocation to Singapore.

part 2
Operational requirements for 13D
(2025 update)
✔ Funding threshold: no hard minimum asset size requirement (unlike 13O/13U), more flexible.

✔ Must be managed by a Singaporean entity

The fund house needs to be managed by a Singaporean fund management company (SG FMC) for investment management.

✔ Investment Professional (IP) requirements

- At least 1 IP

- No minimum salary requirement

- May be a family member (subject to reasonable investment experience)

✔ No MAS license required

Adoption of a legal opinion (Legal Opinion) is exempt from CMS licensure.

part 3
13D Common Architecture(simplified version)
A 13D structure typically consists of two companies: 1) The Fund Company - usually located in the BVIOffshore, Cayman, etc. - hold family assets and invest globally - enjoy 13D tax exemption on investment income

2) Fund Management Company (FMC)

- Registered in Singapore

- Investment management services to fund companies

- Possibility of applying for EP, identity planning

- Exempt from CMS Capital Markets Services License

The two form a compliance structure through the Investment Management Agreement + Legal Opinion.

part 4
tax residentIdentity determination (very critical)
In order to take advantage of the 13D tax incentives, it is important to confirm: 1) Is the fund company (e.g. BVI) considered Singapore tax resident? The key to determining this is POEM (Place of Effective Management and Control) and not place of incorporation: BVI companies are generally not considered Singapore tax resident as long as: - the board of directors does not hold its meetings in Singapore

- Key investment decisions are not made in Singapore

- No local office/team

If physically operating in Singapore, you may be considered as a Singapore tax resident → 17% corporate income tax is payable.

② Fund Management Company (Singapore Registered)

Must be recognized as a Singapore tax resident company, need:

- Bookkeeping, tax returns, audits (if applicable)

- Satisfy general corporate operating compliance requirements

③ Individual tax resident (EP holder)

A person is tax resident in Singapore if he or she satisfies any of the following criteria

- Residence ≥183 days per year

- Working in Singapore and receiving a salary (e.g. EP)

- Primary income from Singaporean companies

Individuals file income tax returns at the Singapore tax rate (0-24%).

⚠ If still a tax resident of China → need to be aware of global tax rules (avoid double filing)

This is a five-day and four-night journey, the harvest far exceeds your imagination! In these few days of study, students can not only greatly expand their horizons and improve their cognitive boundaries, but also exercise their independence and learn to self-flagellate and self-management; forge their tough character and hard-working spirit, and break through themselves in the challenges.
part 5
Who's a good candidate for 13D?
13D is ideal for: - Families with offshore assets, stocks, funds, family business assets - Need global asset allocation under a legal structure - Want to apply for Singapore EP / PR for family members - Want to achieve wealth transfer + global tax compliance

- Families with assets ranging from $5 million to hundreds of millions of dollars

Features:
Low financial threshold
Flexible Architecture
High tax compliance
Can take into account identity planning

 

part 6
13D vs13O / 13U(one super-simplified table)
part 7
To summarize: why 13DSo popular?
✔ Minimum financial requirements
✔ The architecture is easy to build
✔ Maximum investment flexibility
✔ Strong tax incentives
✔ Ability to apply for EP for family members
✔ Ideal for high net worth families with large offshore assets The 13D Family Office in 2025 remains one of the most cost-effective and flexible global asset planning tools.
If you are interested in a family office, please feel free to inquire about the process!
ALONINE GroupOur team of professional consultants specializes in providing highly customized global strategy consulting services. We provide you with one-on-one exclusive accompaniment, service areas covering: enterprise internationalization expansion (overseas strategy)

Establishment and management of family offices

Singapore Immigration Planning (with Self-Employment EP)

Total Wealth Management and Inheritance

Feel free to contact us for your exclusive globalization solution.]

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