Glossary · structure
Single Family Office
Also known as: SFO
- Definition
- A Single Family Office (SFO) is an entity that exclusively manages the assets, governance, and family-office services of one family. Typical economic threshold US$50M+ AUM.
Singapore SFOs typically operate from a Singapore-incorporated entity (often a VCC umbrella for the investment vehicle, plus a separate management entity). A qualifying SFO is exempt from holding a MAS Capital Markets Services Licence under the single-family-office class exemption (para 5(1)(ba), Second Schedule, SF(LCB) Regulations), in force from 15 June 2026 — not the general related-corporations exemption, which SFOs can no longer use. It must file a notice with MAS within 14 days of commencing business and an annual return. Family-office tax exemptions under 13O or 13U are commonly applied for.
Source: MAS FAQs on Licensing Exemption Framework for Single Family Offices
Related
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