The short answer
- Corppass is the company's digital identity for government services. People log in with their own Singpass, and Corppass says what they may do for the company.
- Four roles: Registered Officer (approves), Corppass Admin (manages access), Sub-Admin (helps manage) and User (transacts). There is also a view-only Enquiry User.
- Each company can have up to two Corppass Admins. Always appoint two.
- Foreign directors and staff without Singpass get a Singpass Foreign user Account, created by your Corppass Admin.
- Never share logins with your accountant. Authorise their firm or their user for the specific e-service instead.
The idea in one picture
Singpass proves who a person is. Corppass decides what that person may do for a company. Your accountant logs in to IRAS as themselves, and Corppass checks they are authorised to file your company's tax return. No shared passwords.
The roles
| Role | Who | What they do |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Officer | A director, partner or company secretary on ACRA's record | Approves who becomes Corppass Admin |
| Corppass Admin | Usually a director or the finance head. Up to two per company | Creates users, assigns e-services, removes leavers |
| Sub-Admin | Appointed by an Admin | Helps manage users, with more limited powers |
| User | Staff or advisers | Transacts on the e-services assigned to them |
| Enquiry User | Appointed by an Admin or Sub-Admin | Views the company's Corppass set-up only |
Setting it up
- Go to the Corppass portal and register as Corppass Admin, logging in with Singpass and entering the UEN.
- If you are not the Registered Officer, they approve online (or by letter of authorisation).
- Approval can take up to five working days.
- Add the second Admin straight away.
- Create users and assign only the e-services each one needs.
Foreign directors and staff
People without an NRIC or FIN who need to transact for the company need a Singpass Foreign user Account (SFA). They do not register themselves: your Corppass Admin creates it, using their foreign ID number, issuing country, full name exactly as on the ID, and an email address. They then receive activation instructions by email.
Accountants and other firms
- Authorise the adviser for the specific e-services they need, such as corporate tax or GST.
- In myTax Portal, give your accountant the Preparer role and keep Approver with the company. That keeps a separation of duties.
- Remove access the day an engagement ends.
Common problems, and how to avoid them
- One Admin who leaves: appoint two from day one
- A foreign director who cannot approve: create their SFA early
- One person as Preparer and Approver for IRAS: split the roles
- Former staff and advisers still active: review users every quarter
- Shared Singpass details: never. Each person uses their own
The e-services most companies need
| Agency | What you do there | Who usually holds access |
|---|---|---|
| ACRA (Bizfile) | Annual return, changes of officers, address and share capital | Company secretary, plus a director |
| IRAS (myTax Portal) | ECI, corporate tax, GST returns, withholding tax, employee income | Accountant as preparer, finance head or director as approver |
| CPF Board | Monthly contributions for local staff | Payroll provider or finance |
| MOM | Work pass applications and renewals | The company itself or a licensed agency |
| Grants and business portals | Grant applications and claims | Finance or the project owner |
Assign each e-service to a named person, with a second person who can step in. The quarterly access review should look at this table, not only at the list of users.
Questions people ask
How many Corppass administrators can a company have?
Up to two. Appoint both from day one.
How do foreign directors without Singpass access Corppass?
Your Corppass Admin creates a Singpass Foreign user Account for them, using their foreign ID details and email.
Should we share our Corppass login with our accountant?
Never. Authorise the accountant for the specific e-services they need, and keep the Approver role in IRAS with the company.
Talk it through with an adviser
Tell us your structure and deadlines. We reply with what applies to you and a fixed-fee proposal.
Sources
- GovTech: What is Corppass and how to apply
- GoBusiness: Register a Corppass Administrator
- Ask.gov.sg (Corppass): Do foreign users need a Singpass Foreign user Account?
- IRAS: Singpass Foreign user Account for foreign individuals
General information only, last reviewed 11 November 2026. It is not advice for your situation. Laws and practice change, and the official sources linked above prevail. Speak to a qualified adviser before you act.
