XBRL filing — full vs simplified — Complete 2026 guide

XBRL filing is the submission of a company’s financial statements to ACRA in eXtensible Business Reporting Language — a structured, machine-readable format lodged with the annual return. Most Singapore-incorporated companies must file either Full XBRL or Simplified XBRL, depending on their size. This 2026 guide explains who files which template, the thresholds, the timeline, and the errors that trigger rejection.

Raffles Corporate Services works with a panel of corporate and employment law firms; this article is general information, not legal advice.

What XBRL filing is and why ACRA requires it

Financial statements presented to members are prepared under the framework discussed in our SFRS basics guide. XBRL filing then converts those statements into tagged data so ACRA can analyse them consistently across the register. Section 201 of the Companies Act 1967 obliges directors to present financial statements that comply with prescribed accounting standards and give a true and fair view; ACRA’s filing requirements determine the format in which those statements are then lodged.

Full XBRL vs Simplified XBRL — the core distinction

There are two main templates. Full XBRL captures a comprehensive set of data elements — the primary statements plus extensive notes. Simplified XBRL (Financial Statements Highlights) captures a reduced set: the income statement, the statement of financial position, and selected disclosures. The template you must use is driven by company size, not by preference.

Who files which template (numerical specifics)

As a general rule in 2026:

  • Smaller companies — those with revenue and total assets each not exceeding S$500,000 — file in Simplified XBRL.
  • Larger companies that are not exempt file in Full XBRL.
  • Companies limited by guarantee and the Singapore branches of foreign companies file their financial statements in PDF, not XBRL.
  • A solvent exempt private company (EPC) is not required to file financial statements, though an insolvent EPC must — and files in XBRL.

Timeline and how XBRL fits the annual return

XBRL is lodged together with the annual return. A non-listed company must generally file its annual return within seven months after its financial year-end, after the financial statements have been laid before members. The detailed mechanics are covered in our annual return (AR) filing with ACRA guide.

Step-by-step: preparing and filing XBRL

  1. Finalise and have the financial statements approved by the board and members.
  2. Confirm the correct template — Full, Simplified, or PDF-only — based on size and entity type.
  3. Map the figures into ACRA’s BizFinx preparation tool, tagging each element accurately.
  4. Validate the file in BizFinx to catch errors before submission.
  5. Upload with the annual return via BizFile+ within the filing deadline.

Common mistakes and gotchas

The most frequent rejections arise from figures in the XBRL file not matching the signed AGM accounts, using the wrong template for the company’s size, incorrect tagging or mapping of line items, and missing mandatory disclosures. Always reconcile the XBRL output line by line against the audited or directors-approved statements before filing, and validate in BizFinx. Tax and accounting changes flagged in our cross-site review of the Singapore Budget 2026 corporate impact can also affect disclosures.

FAQs

What is XBRL filing? It is the submission of financial statements to ACRA in a structured, tagged data format lodged with the annual return.

Who can file Simplified XBRL? Smaller companies whose revenue and total assets each do not exceed S$500,000.

Do all companies file in XBRL? No. Companies limited by guarantee and branches of foreign companies file in PDF, and solvent EPCs are not required to file financial statements at all.

When must XBRL be filed? With the annual return, generally within seven months of the financial year-end for a non-listed company.

What tool is used to prepare XBRL? ACRA’s BizFinx preparation tool, which also validates the file before submission.

Related guides and authorities

Filing requirements are set by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA); tax treatment of the underlying figures is administered by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).

Need help with this? Call, SMS or WhatsApp +65 8501 7133, or email [email protected]. Raffles Corporate Services works with a panel of corporate and employment law firms; this article is general information, not legal advice.