Singapore Tax Rates and Recent Amendments

The Singapore Government responds to a global environment that is becoming more complex and less predictable, by maintaining its position as a tax friendly and tax competitive nation. Systematic and progressive tax rate changes have been introduced consistently during each of the annual budget speeches in recent years.

Some of the significant and recent changes in Singapore's tax rates include: reduction in corporate and individual tax rate to 17% and 20% respectively, reduction in withholding tax rates for non-resident entertainers, industry-specific tax incentives, removal of estate duty (ie death tax), increase in GST from 5% to 7% etc. Detailed below are the highlights of recent amendments to Singapore tax rates applicable to businesses, individuals and other bodies.

To calculate your estimated Singapore taxes and to compare how they stack up against those in your home country, refer to our online tax calculator.

Current Singapore Tax Rates - Quick Summary

Corporate Tax Rates

Personal Tax Rates

Related Topics:

• Singapore income tax for companies
• Singapore income tax for individuals 

Singapore Tax Rates - 2010 Amendments 

Income tax rates for businesses

• Tax deductions for qualifying expenditure on innovation focused activities: Under the newly introduced Productivity and Innovation Credit Scheme, all businesses will be allowed to deduct 250% of their expenditure incurred on qualifying activities, from their taxable income. The tax deductions are capped at S$300,000 for each activity. The qualifying activities include Research & Development; Intellectual Property registration; Intellectual Property acquisition; Design activities, Automation through technology or software; and training of employees. Businesses with a low taxable income, can choose to convert up to S$300,000 of the tax deductions and allowances credited to them into a cash grant, up to a maximum of S$21,000 each year. The Productivity and Innovation Credit will be available for all businesses from YA 2011 to YA 2015.
• Tax Incentive for law firms' international legal services: Approved law firms in Singapore will enjoy a 10% concessionary tax rate on incremental income from qualifying international legal services for 5 years. The incentive is valid from 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2015.
• Proposed enhancements to the Financial Sector Incentive (FSI) Scheme: The Monetary Authority of Singapore will introduce certain changes to the FSI Scheme to help simplify the rules of the scheme and to lower compliance costs for financial institutions.
• Review of existing tax incentives for futures members of the Singapore Exchange (SGX) and members of the Singapore Commodity Exchange Limited (SICOM): With effect from January 2011, the futures members of the SGX and members of the SICOM will no longer be eligible for the 10% concessionary tax rate on their qualifying income. They will instead have to apply for tax incentives under the Financial Sector Incentive (FSI) scheme. 
• Review of tax concession for offshore insurance business: Currently, approved insurers in Singapore enjoy a 10% concessionary tax rate on qualifying income derived from offshore insurance business conducted from Singapore. According to the 2010 Budget, with effect from April 2010 the incentive will be subject to a sunset clause of 5 years until 31 March 2015; the incentive will be awarded to an approved recipient for a period of 10 years; and a new headcount requirement will be imposed for incentive recipients. 
• Extension of Maritime Finance Incentive (MFI) Scheme: According to the 2010 Budget, the MFI Scheme will be extended until 31 March 2016. Under the MFI Scheme, an approved MFI entity enjoys either a 10% tax exemption or a 5% tax concession on its qualifying leasing income; and an approved manager of the MFI entity enjoys a 10% tax concession on qualifying income. 
• Tax incentive for ship brokers and Forward Freight Agreement (FFA) traders: Ship brokers and FAA traders will be entitled to a concessionary tax rate of 10% on their taxable income, subject to conditions. The incentive applies until 31 March 2010.
• Ship management fees to be classified as "income exempt from tax": Ship management fees derived from rendering ship management services to related Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) will be treated as qualifying income to be exempted from tax, subject to certain conditions.
• Ease in GST compliance for businesses that support the maritime industry: With effect from 1 July 2010, the GST zero-rating will be expanded to include pleasure and recreational ships that are wholly used for international travel. Additionally, it will apply to all goods (including stores and merchandises) supplied for use on board or installation on a qualifying ship, regardless of whether the ship calls on a port outside Singapore. Zero rating of GST also extends to the transport of goods or passengers via a ship to or from international waters, regardless of whether the ship calls on a port outside Singapore.
• Extension of qualifying listed Registered Business Trusts (RBT) concession: The GST remission for listed RBTs in infrastructure, ship leasing and aircraft leasing, will be renewed for the period from 18 February 2010 to 31 March 2015. 
• Extension and enhancement of Investment Allowance (IA) Scheme for aircraft rotables: The IA Scheme for aircraft rotables that grants qualifying companies an investment allowance of 50% of the qualifying costs of aircraft rotables has been extended until 31March 2015. The government will also enhance the IA scheme by removing the “non-swapping condition”, which helps to remove the administrative difficulties of having to track specific aircraft rotables.
• Deferring import GST: With effect from 1 October 2010, approved GST-registered businesses will be allowed to defer import GST that is payable on their goods at the point of entry into Singapore. The import GST is deferred for at least one month and declared as a payable amount in the corresponding GST return.
• Simplifying GST Accounting Rules: The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore proposes to ease GST accounting rules, with effect from 1 January 2011.
• Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Allowance and stamp duty remission for qualifying M&A deals: Qualifying M&As executed from 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2015 will be eligible for a M&A allowance of 5% of the value of the acquisition, subject to a cap of S$5 million for all qualifying deals executed per YA. Stamp duty on the transfer of unlisted shares for qualifying M&A deals will also be remitted. This remission is capped at S$200,000 of stamp duty per year. 
• Phase out of Industrial Building Allowance (IBA) Scheme: The IBA Scheme that allows businesses to claim an allowance on qualifying capital expenditure on the construction or purchase of a building that is to be used for a qualifying trade, is phased out with immediate effect. 
• Land Intensification Allowance: With effect from July 2010, businesses will be allowed to claim a Land Intensification Allowance on qualifying capital expenditure incurred in the construction of a qualifying building or structure. The qualifying business will be granted an initial allowance of 25% and an annual allowance of 5% on the qualifying capital expenditure.
• Removal of Approved Start-up Fund Manager Scheme: In view of the recent tax incentives accorded to Singapore's fund management industry, the Approved Start-up Fund Manager Scheme that was introduced in 2005 will be allowed to lapse on its expiry in February 2010. 
• Extension of and enhancements to listed Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) concessions: The income tax, stamp duty and GST concessions for listed REITs will be renewed until 31 March 2015. Other enhancements to REITs have also been proposed. 

Income tax rates for individuals

• Increase in parent relief: With effect from YA 2010, a relief of S$7,000 (previously S$5,000) is granted if the taxpayer lives with the dependent, or S$4,500 (previously S$3,500) if the taxpayer does not live with the dependent. Under handicapped parent relief, relief of S$11,000 (previously S$8,000) is provided if the taxpayer lives with the handicapped dependent, or S$8,000 (previously S$6,500) if the taxpayer does not live with the handicapped dependent. 
• Expansion of wife relief to spouse relief: Currently, a S$2,000 relief is granted to male resident taxpayers supporting their wives who earn a maximum income of S$2,000 per annum. According to the 2010 Budget, with effect from YA 2010, the relief will be expanded to female resident taxpayers who support their husbands who earn a maximum income of S$4,000 per annum. Note that the maximum income threshold of S$4,000 will be applicable to both spouses. 
• Increase in course fees relief: Course fees relief will be increased from S$3,500 to S$5,500 with effect from YA 2011.
• Extension of tax deduction on donations: The tax deduction of 250% will be extended for another year for donations made to approved Institutions of a Public Character from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2010.
• Removal of income threshold condition for handicapped-dependent-related reliefs and increase in income threshold condition for all other dependent-related reliefs: The income threshold condition will be removed for handicapped-dependent-related reliefs, while the income threshold of S$2,000 will be increased to S$4,000 for all other dependent-related reliefs. 

Other Changes

• Move from flat property tax rate system to progressive property tax rates system: With effect from January 2011, a 3-tier tax rate will apply for owner occupied residential property. A tax rate of 0% for the first S$6000 of AV; 4% for the next S$59,000 of AV; and 6% for the balance of AV in excess of S$65,000. The Annual Value (AV) of a property is the estimated annual rent of the property (determined by the tax department every year, by analysing rents of comparable properties), excluding the rent for furniture, fittings and service charge. Non-owner-occupied residential properties and other properties will continue to be subject to 10% property tax. 
• Tax deductions for angel investors: Angel investors who commit a minimum of S$100,000 of equity investment in a qualifying start-up in a given year can claim 50% tax deduction on their investment at the end of a two-year holding period. The deduction is subject to a cap of S$500,000 of investments in each Year of Assessment (YA).
• Reduced withholding tax rate for non-resident public entertainers: The withholding tax rate of 15% will be reduced to 10% until 31 March 2015 for non-resident public entertainers who are subject to tax at a withholding tax rate on their gross income derived in respect of services performed in Singapore.
• Duty-free allowance for additional one litre of wine or beer in lieu of one litre of spirits: 
• Currently, duty-free allowance for bottled liquor is one litre each of spirit, wine and beer. According to the 2010 Budget, travelers may purchase one additional litre of duty-free wine or beer in lieu of one litre of duty-free spirits with effect from from 1 April 2010. 
• Enhanced Transport Technology Innovation Development Scheme (TIDES): Taxes and duties for vehicles brought into Singapore for the purpose for R&D and test-bedding will be waived for a six-year period as opposed to the previous waiver period of two years. In addition, the quota of vehicles under this scheme will be expanded from 300 electric vehicles up to 1,300 vehicles. 
• Extension of Green Vehicle Rebate (GVR) to imported used green vehicles: The scope of the GVR scheme will be extended to include imported used green vehicles with effect from from 1 July 2010 and not be limited to new green vehicles. 

Singapore Tax Rates - 2009 Amendments

Income tax rates for businesses

• Corporate income tax rate cut: Corporate income tax rate will be reduced from 18% to 17% to help maintain Singapore's competitiveness. The rate cut will take effect from Year of Assessment (YA) 2010.
• Jobs Credit Scheme: The Jobs Credit Scheme was introduced in the Singapore Budget 2009 to encourage businesses to preserve jobs in the downturn. Businesses will receive a cash grant based on the CPF contributions they have made for their existing employees. It provides a significant incentive for businesses to retain existing workers, and where their business warrants, to employ new ones.
• Enhancement of Carry-Back Relief for YA 2009 and YA 2010: Unutilised trade losses and capital allowance for YA 2009 and YA 2010 can be carried back to set off against Assessable Income of three immediately preceding YAs up to a limit of S$200,000.
• Extension of the Tax Exemption Scheme for New Start-up Companies to Companies limited by Guarantee effective from YA 2010.
• Extension of Tax Deduction for Provisions Made under MAS Notices, for a further three years, subject to conditions.
• Enhancement of Fund Management Incentive Scheme by introducing an enhanced tier which is open to fund vehicles in the form of companies, trusts and limited partnerships.
• Enhancement of Tax Deduction for Capital Expenditure Incurred on Renovation or Refurbishment Works: Businesses that incur qualifying Renovation & Refurbishment expenses in the basis periods for YA 2010 and YA 2011 can deduct such expenses in one year instead of over three years, subject to the cap of S$150,000 for each relevant three-year period.
• Enhancement of Capital Allowance Granted In Respect of Plant or Machinery Acquired for YA 2010 and 2011: CA is computed based on 75% of the capital expenditure for the first YA and 25% of the capital expenditure for the second YA.
• Accelerated Writing - Down Allowance for Acquisition of Intellectual Property for Media & Digital Entertainment Content: The writing-down period for writing-down allowance will be reduced from 5 years to 2 years in respect of acquisition cost of intellectual property rights for Media & Digital Entertainment content incurred by an approved company or partnership, subject to conditions.
• Extension and Enhancement of Withholding Tax Exemption for Maritime Industry: Under the Block Transfer Scheme (BTS), WHT exemption can be granted in respect of interest payable on a loan taken by a shipping enterprise from a lender outside Singapore to acquire a Singapore-flagged ship. This WHT exemption is for ships registered with the Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS) on any date from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2013.
• Enhancement of: the List of Specified Income and Designated Investment for Certain Tax Incentive Schemes; Current FSI-HQ Scheme; Commodity Derivatives Trading (CDT) Scheme. A new tax framework for qualifying amalgamations will be introduced.

Income tax rates for individuals

• One-off Personal Income Tax Rebate of 20% for resident individuals up to a cap of S$2,000, for the tax payable for YA 2009.
• Removal of Income Tax on Net Annual Value of all residential properties from YA 2010.

Other Changes

• Tax Exemption of Foreign - Sourced Income Received in Singapore: Resident non-individuals and resident partners of partnerships in Singapore will enjoy tax exemption on all foreign-sourced income that was earned/ accrued on or before 21 January 2009 and remitted to Singapore during the period from 22 January 2009 to 21 January 2010.
• Enhancement of tax deduction on donations made in 2009 to Institutions of a Public Character and other approved recipients from double to 2.5 times.
• 40% Property Tax Rebate for owner-occupied residential properties and commercial and industrial properties for calendar year 2009.
• Property Tax Deferral for land approved for development for businesses, subject to business owners satisfying eligibility criteria. The period of the property tax deferral shall be from 22 January 2009 to 21 January 2011.
• Deferment of increase in assessment rate for hotel rooms: The increase in rate from 20% to 25% of gross room receipts with effect from 1 January 2009 will be deferred for 1 year.
• Goods and Services Tax (GST) Changes:
  • Changes to the GST treatment of aircraft and aircraft related supplies, with effect 1 April 2009.
  • Suspension of GST on goods temporarily removed from Zero GST or Licensed Warehouse for Auctions and Exhibitions, with effect 1 April 2009.
  • Recovery of GST incurred on prescribed expenses incurred from 22 January 2009 to 31 March 2014 for qualifying funds, managed by prescribed fund managers.

Singapore Tax Rates - 2008 Amendments

Income tax rates for businesses

• Liberalisation of the tax exemption scheme for new start up companies: With effect from Year of Assessment 2009, the tax exemption scheme (i.e. zero tax rate on first S$100,000 in profits for each of the first three years) for new start-up companies, presently available to new companies with not more than 20 shareholders all of whom must be individuals, is extended to new start-up companies with corporate shareholders subject to certain conditions. The company should have at least one shareholder who is an individual holding not less than 10% of the total number of issued ordinary shares in the company throughout the basis period relating to the YA of claim. With the relaxation of the above condition, start-ups with equity funding by corporations and venture capital can enjoy the start-up tax exemption as well.
• Tax credit for foreign sourced income: All Singapore companies that earned income from countries that don’t have double tax agreement with Singapore, will be allowed a tax credit on their foreign-sourced income from those countries.
• Tax deduction for medical expenses: With effect from YA 2008, employers are allowed to claim medical expenses for any YA beyond the existing 1% (but not exceeding 2%) of the total remuneration of their employees for the relevant basis period, subject to conditions.
• Extension of further tax deduction scheme for expenses incurred in recruiting or relocating overseas talent to 30 September 2013.
• Tax incentives for fixtures, fittings and installations: A special allowance is granted on the costs of renovation and refurbishment works (subject to an expenditure cap of S$150,000) incurred, from 16 February 2008 to 15 February 2013, by any person for the purposes of his trade, business or profession.
• Measures to encourage Research and Development in Singapore: Until YA 2013, R&D expenses incurred for R&D carried out in Singapore can qualify for tax deduction regardless of whether they are incurred in respect of the taxpayer’s existing trade or business. The deduction for R&D expenses has been enhanced from 100% to 150% of the actual R&D expenditure incurred.

  From YA 2009 to 2013, companies with chargeable income will be granted R&D tax allowance (RDA) for each year based on 50% of their chargeable income for that year, up to a maximum amount of S$150,000.

  New R&D incentive for start-up enterprise (RISE). Under RISE, a qualifying start-up company is allowed to surrender their tax adjusted losses in exchange for a cash grant of up to S$20,250 so long as it incurs qualifying R&D expenditure of at least S$150,000 during the year.

• Tax exemption for qualifying Family Investment Holding Company (FIHC): In other words, family owned investment holding companies will enjoy the same scope of exemptions that individuals currently enjoy on Singapore and foreign-sourced income.
• 10% concessionary rate of tax for approved insurance brokers on the income they derive from offering insurance broking and advisory services to offshore clients.
• 10% concessionary rate of tax for approved company, managing qualifying infrastructure business.
• Shipping companies to enjoy a concessionary tax rate of 5%-10% on income from container leasing activities.
• Extension and enhancement of Financial Sector Incentive (FSI) Scheme until 2013.
• 5% concessionary tax rebate for qualifying Islamic financial activities.

Income tax rates for individuals

• Abolition of estate duty: Estate duty for death occurring on or after 15 February 2008 has been abolished to encourage high net worth individuals to bring their assets into Singapore and thus supporting the growth of the wealth management industry.
• One-time income tax rebate of 20% (capped at $2000) for all resident taxpayers for Year of Assessment 2008.
• Enhancement to course fees relief: A taxpayer who has incurred course fees to attend any course of study, seminar or conference leading to an approved vocational qualification can claim for course fees relief of up to S$3,500 with effect from YA 2009. The period for claiming course fees relief has also been extended to two YAs from the YA relating to the year in which he has completed the course, or attended the seminar or conference.
• Changes to tax relief for Central Provident Fund: Employees and self-employed persons are allowed to claim tax relief for their voluntary cash contributions made specifically to their own Medisave Accounts, subject to conditions. Resident individuals who are Singapore citizens or permanent residents can claim tax relief for cash top-ups to their own and their family members’ (i.e. siblings, spouses, parents and grandparents) Minimum Sums now regardless of the age of the recipients.
• Changes to tax for Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) Contributions:  With effect from YA 2009, employers can contribute to their employees’ SRS accounts on the employees’ behalf, subject to the current SRS contribution cap for each individual. The employees can claim tax relief on this amount. With effect from YA 2009, individuals deriving only passive income in the preceding year are allowed to contribute to his SRS account in the current year. 

  SRS members can now continue to contribute beyond the prevailing prescribed retirement age, up to the point of their first penalty-free withdrawal.

• Changes to Not Ordinarily Resident (NOR) tax payers scheme: The previous qualifying criteria of a minimum 10% qualifying tax rate has been replaced with minimum Singapore employment income threshold of S$160,000. Enhancement of current NOR scheme to also cover benefits-in-kind (e.g. leave pay). Tax exemption is only allowed if the NOR taxpayer derives at least S$160,000 from his Singapore employment and the employer does not claim a tax deduction for the contributions made to non-mandatory overseas pension or provident fund and social security scheme. 

Singapore Tax Rates - 2007 Amendments

Income Tax Rates for Businesses

• Reduction in rate of tax for companies: The rate of tax for companies will be reduced from 20% to 18% with effect from the Year of Assessment (YA) 2008.
• Increase in the partial tax exemption threshold for companies: With effect from YA 2008, the threshold for the partial tax exemption for all companies will be increased to S$300,000. The tax exemption will be given as follows:
  • up to the first S$10,000 of the normal chargeable income (excluding Singapore franked dividend), 75% of the income or an amount up to S$7,500 is exempt from tax; and
  • up to the next S$290,000 of such income, 50% of the income or an amount up to S$145,000 is exempt from tax.
• Lifting of the Sunset Clause for the Tax Exemption Scheme for New Start-Up Companies:  The sunset clause of YA 2009 for the tax exemption scheme for new start-up companies has been removed.

  Currently, full tax exemption is granted on up to S$100,000 of the normal chargeable income (excluding Singapore franked dividends) of a qualifying company, for any of its first three consecutive YAs that falls within YA 2005 to YA 2009 (inclusive). The YA 2009 expiry date will now be removed, but the tax exemption will continue to apply to only the first three consecutive YAs of a qualifying company.

  For companies that qualify for the scheme, normal chargeable income between S$100,000 - S$300,000 (excluding Singapore franked dividends) will be eligible for 50% tax exemption under the enhanced partial tax exemption scheme which takes effect from YA 2008.

• Accelerated Capital Allowance for New Vehicle to Replace Pre-Euro IV Diesel Goods Vehicles and Buses: One-year write-off will be allowed on capital expenditure incurred to purchase a new Euro IV diesel goods vehicle or bus, registered during the period from 15 February 2007 to 14 February 2012, subject to conditions.
• Extension of time period for Writing Down Allowances (WDA) in respect of capital expenditure incurred to acquire IP rights has been extended by another 5 years to 31 October 2013.
• Enhancement to the Investment Allowance (IA) Scheme: The maximum qualifying period for IA has been extended from 5 to 8 years for companies that purchase their qualifying equipment on hire purchase.
• Enhancement to Approved Shipping Logistics (ASL) Scheme: The incentive period for ASL companies has been extended from 5 years to 10 years.
• Enhancement to Aircraft Leasing Scheme (ALS): Offer of a concessionary tax rate of 5% (in addition to existing 10% rate)
  • on qualifying lease income for a period of 5 years, with a possible extension of another 5 years;
  • to a registered business trust or an approved company under an aircraft or aircraft engine financing arrangement;
  • to income from leasing of aircraft engines; and income from leasing of aircraft or aircraft engines to any person in Singapore i.e. onshore leasing
• Enhancement to Finance and Treasury Centre (FTC) Incentive: Expansion of the qualifying activities under the FTC Scheme to include transacting and investing in units in any unit trust (foreign, local or designated unit trust).
• New Tax Incentive on Incremental International Arbitration Income for Law Firms, to grant a 50% tax exemption on incremental qualifying income derived by an approved law firm from international arbitration cases heard in Singapore.
• Extension of Tax Exemption on Payments made to Non-Resident in respect of Over-The-Counter (OTC) Financial Derivatives:
  • by an approved special purpose vehicle (ASPV) engaged in asset securitisation transaction, to 31 December 2008 and
  • by a financial institution in Singapore, to 19 May 2012. 

Income Tax Rates for Individuals

• Increase in Employer’s Compulsory CPF Contribution Rate from 13% to 14.5% with effect from 1 July 2007.
• Changes to Tax Relief for CPF Top-Up, which is now expanded to cover CPF top-ups in cash by taxpayers for their siblings who are 55 years old or older and whose income does not exceed SGD 2,000 in the year preceding the year of top-up, with effect from YA 2008. 

Other Changes

• New Tax Exemption Scheme for approved Not-for-Profit Organisations (NPOs) for an initial period of not more than 10 years subject to conditions.
• Income Tax exemption for Registered Charities and Exempt Charities, without having the need to meet the 80% spending rule. This change will take effect from YA 2008.
• Enhancement to Qualifying Debt Securities Scheme to accord tax exemption or concessionary tax rates on prepayment fee, redemption premium and break cost that are derived by investors from Qualifying Debt Securities (issued from 15 February 2007 to 31 December 2008), subject to conditions.
• Tax Deduction for Certain Borrowing Costs (other than Interest Expense):  The scope of tax deduction for borrowings which are on capital account and employed to acquire income will be expanded to cover qualifying borrowing costs which are incurred as a substitute for interest expenses or to reduce interest costs, with effect YA 2008.
• Enhancements to the Foreign Investor Scheme, Resident Fund of Foreign Investor Scheme and Financial Sector Incentive.
• Goods and Services Tax (GST) Changes: GST tax rate will be increased from 5% to 7% with effect from 1 July 2007. Zero-rating of Sales and Lease of Containers for International Transportation of Goods and Services Performed on the Containers. 
• Property Tax Rebates: As part of the GST offset package, a property tax rebate of up to S$100 per year will be granted to all owner-occupied residential properties for the years 2008 and 2009. For owner-occupied residential properties with annual values of S$10,000 or less, this rebate will be granted on top of the existing GST rebate.