I'm running a Pte Ltd investment holding company. What's the proper process to declare dividends for myself, or can I just pay myself what i want?

Since you're running a Pte Ltd, there's a proper procedure on paying out dividends. You can't just transfer company money out to your personal account from the profits. That can cause you to lose limited liability protections afforded by your Pte Ltd entity, and incur Directors liabilities.

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Anyway, declaring dividends is straightforward. Here's how to do it:

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Step 1: Have the board of directors declare a dividend payment

The Board of Directors should declare that dividends should be paid. State exactly how much in dividends should be paid.

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Step 2: Pass an ordinary resolution to approve the dividend payment

Prepare a written resolution stating how much dividends are to be paid out. Organise a shareholders meeting.

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At the meeting, hold a vote on whether to pay dividends or not. Since this is an ordinary resolution, you must receive at least 50% of all shareholders’ votes. If you receive at least 50% of the votes, the ordinary resolution has passed. You can now pay out the declared dividends.

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Step 3: Prepare the dividend voucher, and pay the dividend

Pay the dividend, and then issue each shareholder who received the dividend a dividend voucher.

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A dividend voucher is basically a dividend receipt. It helps shareholders and the company keep documentary evidence that dividends were paid and received.

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If you'd like further reading on this, here's a helpful guide on declaring dividends for business owners: https://www.providecover.com/best-guide-to-divi...