General Personal tax Information – for Individuals (Foreigners):
- The amount of income tax that you have to pay depends on your tax residency in Singapore.
- Top marginal resident tax rate of 20% kicks in at S$320,000 of taxable income. Non-residents are taxed at the flat rate of 15% or the resident rates whichever results in a higher tax amount.
- Income is assessed on a preceding calendar year basis, ending 31 December. You must File Your Annual Tax Form by 15 April of the following year. You can usually expect to receive the income tax bills from May to August.
- Besides salaries and bonuses, perquisites such as housing and stock options will form part of your taxable employment income.
- Overseas income derived outside Singapore, Singapore dividends and bank interests are tax exempt in Singapore.
Paying your taxes: Sign up for the 12-month interests free GIRO Deduction Plan to pay your income tax
by installments. Otherwise, full payment has to be made within one month from the date of the income tax bill.
Are you a Tax resident or non-resident?
Different tax rates apply for tax residents and non-residents. You will be treated as a tax resident for a
particular Year of Assessment (YA) if you are a:
- Singaporean; or
- Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) if you have established your permanent home in Singapore; or
- Foreigner who stayed/worked in Singapore for 183 days or more in previous year (excludes director of a company).
Otherwise, you will be treated as a non-resident for a particular YA for Singapore tax purposes.
Tax rates for non-resident individuals
- Employment income
Your employment income is taxed at 15% or resident rate, whichever gives rise to a higher tax amount. - Director’s fees, consultation fees & all other income
The director’s fees, consultation fees and all other income that you received will be taxed at 20%.
If you are leaving Singapore or changing job
If you are about to leave Singapore or changing to another job within Singapore, your current employer
needs to notify IRAS and ensure that you settle all your taxes before you go. This process is known as tax
clearance. If you have any existing stock options or awards on hand which have yet to be exercised or vested,
you will be deemed to have derived gains from the stock or awards at the point of tax clearance.
Tax rates for resident individuals
| Chargeable Income (S$) | Rate (%) | Gross Tax Payable (S$) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| On the first On the next |
20,000
10,000 |
0
3.50 |
0.00
350.00 |
| On the first On the next |
30,000
10,000 |
5.50
|
350.00
550.00 |
| On the first On the next |
40,000
40,000 |
8.50
|
900.00
3,400.00 |
| On the first On the next |
80,000
80,000 |
14
|
4,300.00
11,200.00 |
| On the first On the next |
160,000
160,000 |
17
|
15,500.00
27,200.00 |
| On the first Above |
320,000
320,000 |
20
|
42,700.00
|
For YA 2008 and 2009, a personal income tax rebate of 20%, up to a maximum of $2,000 is granted.
Ways to save tax
- Tax residents are eligible for tax reliefs that can be offset against the assessable income. You can get reliefs for wife support, child maintenance etc. Conditions apply.
- You may claim expenses incurred against your employment income; enjoy tax deductions for approved charitable donations. Conditions apply.
- Under the Not Ordinarily Resident (NOR) Scheme, you can enjoy either Time Apportionment of Singapore employment income or Tax Exemption of Employer’s contributions to Overseas Pension Fund, or both. Conditions apply.
- If you work for a foreign employer and need to travel overseas in the course of work, you may enjoy time apportionment of employment income under the Area Representative Scheme. Conditions apply.
- With the Avoidance of Double Taxation Treaties signed by Singapore, your income may not be taxed twice in Singapore and your home country. Conditions apply.
Need help on your Tax assessment and submission?
Asiabiz Services can assist you in your personal income tax filings. Our personal tax filing services include:
- Registration for new tax payers
- Preparation and filing of income tax return based on your income and determination of possible deductions and reliefs that are applicable to you
- Request for extension of deadline, if necessary
- Preparation of Form IR8A for employees
- Tax planning and tax advice
If you would like us to assist you with your personal income tax return, please contact us at +65 6320 1877 to discuss your requirement in detail or send us an email at ptax@asiabiz.sg and we will get back to you.
Posted in: Personal Tax FAQs
