Income Tax Filing FAQ for Foreigners in Singapore

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Tax season is here. In Singapore, taxes must be filed before April 18th. As a foreigner, you might be wondering how to file a tax return and what the regulations are. Luckily Singapore has made it easy by creating an online tax filing system that you can complete from your computer, although you do still have to physically send some forms to the tax office. Let us answer some common questions about tax filing that might come up:

Forward: The following is Q+A for tax year 2023 only, based on information provided on Singapore's IRAS website for your reference only. Personal income tax can be a complicated issue; for specific answers regarding your tax situation please call the IRAS hotline at 1800 356 8300 from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The ultimate decision for tax payable is up to the discretion of the Singapore tax office.

Q: When should I file Taxes?
A: Before April 15th for paper filing or April 18th for online filing after the tax year (the tax year is the same as the calendar year).

Q: When are Singapore tax payments due?
A: Tax payments are due April 15th for paper filing or April 18th for online filing.
 
Q: What makes me eligible for paying Singapore taxes (or what makes me a tax resident)?

A: You become a Singapore tax resident if you stay in Singapore longer than 183 days, or if you normally reside in Singapore in spite of temporary absence. Non residents are those that stay less than 183 days in the country.
Those that stay in Singapore for 60 days or less in a calendar year may be exempt from tax.
​
Q: How do I count the days I stayed in Singapore?
A: Please note that the day you come to Singapore doesn't count, but the day you leave does. It's a good idea to keep track of the number of days you have been in Singapore via the stamps on your passport.

​Q: What is the income tax rate?/ How much is Singapore tax?

A: The income tax rate varies from 2% to 24% depending on the salary amount.

Singapore 2023 Progressive Tax Rate Table: ​

Taxable Income (SGD)	Tax Rate	Tax payable (SGD)
​First 20,000	Value	Value
Next 10,000	2%	200
First 30,000	-	200
​Next 10,000	3.5%	350
First 40,000	-	550
Next 40,000	7%	2,800
First 80,000	-	3,350
Next 40,000	11.5%	4,600
First 120,000	-	7,950
Next 40,000	15%	6,000
First 160,000	-	13,950
​Next 40,000	18%	7,200
First 200,000	-	21,150
​Next 40,000	19%	7,600
First 240,000	-	28,750
​Next 40,000	19.5%	7,800
First 280,000	-	36,550
​Next 40,000	20%	8,000
First 320,000	-	44,550
​Next 180,000	22%	39,600
First 500,000	-	84,150
​Next 500,000	23%	115,000
First 1,000,000	-	199,150
​Excess of 1,000,000	24%	-

​Non-residents:
For non-residents, employment income is either taxed at the higher rate of 15% or the tax table above. Other income is taxed at 24%.
 
Q: Are there tax exemptions?
A: Yes, there is a 2,000 SGD exemption for the taxpayer's spouse, and 4,000 SGD per child. There is also deduction relief for employment from 1,000-12,000 SGD depending on the individual situation.  

Q: What other special deductions/allowances are there?
A: Allowances for 2023 are as follows:
 
Deductible relief for employment:
1,000 – 12,000 SGD depending on the individual situation

Dependent child:
4,000 SGD per child

Spouses (with no income)
2,000 SGD

 Q: What are the itemized deductions in Singapore?
A:

• Charitable Donations- up to 250% of the donation made.
• Life Insurance Premiums up to 5,000 SGD
• Education courses up to 5,500 SGD
• Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) Capped at 35,700 for foreigners or 15,300 for citizens and permanent residents
• Central provident fund (CPF) capped at 20,400 SGD

​Q: What non-taxable fringe benefits can employers give to employees?
A: There are a number of tax-deductible fringe benefits available to foreign professionals such as car, housing, medical cost, and travel cost nontaxable benefits. For more information on how to implement these tax benefits, please contact a Singapore tax professional.

Q: What is the amount for tax filing exemption? If my salary is low enough do I not have to file taxes in Singapore? 
A: If the total annual salary was below 20,000 SGD then you are exempted from filing taxes. 

Q: How do I compute tax in Singapore?/ How do I compute a tax refund in Singapore?/ How do I calculate Singapore income tax in Singapore?
A: Take your gross net salary and subtract applicable exemptions and special/standard deductions (if you use itemized deductions, then you cannot use the personal and married standard deductions). After this, you can see which tax bracket your wage falls into, and you can subtract the progressive difference. Multiply this by the rate of the tax bracket and you will arrive at the amount of tax owed.
Alternatively, if you file taxes online, the computer will compute your taxes for you.
For example:
Let's say the gross salary for me is 100,000 SGD. I also contributed 10,000 SGD to CPF. I am under 55 years old, so I subtract the earned relief income (1,000), and CPF contribution relief (10,000), ending up at 89,000 SGD. This amount falls under the 11.5% bracket. For the 80,000 and below, the accumulated tax is 3,350, and then I add the total for tax in the 11.5% bracket (89,000-80,000 = 9,000 x 11.5%= 1,035) ending up at a total of 4,385 SGD tax due.
Gross Salary 100,000 SGD
-10,000
-1,000
=89,000
= 80,000 x progressive tax rate 2% - 7% = 3,350
+ 9,000 x 11.5% = 1,035
= 4,385 SGD total tax due

Q: Is there an online tax calculator I can use?
A: Yes, you can use the free online calculator from the IRA government website here (should only be used for reference): https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/individual-income-tax/basics-of-individual-income-tax/tax-residency-and-tax-rates/sample-income-tax-calculations

Q: How do I file taxes in Singapore?
A: You can e-file or go to the tax office in person.  If you go in person, the word on the street is that it takes less than 20 minutes to file. You can also e-file, and save yourself a trip outdoors.
 
Q: How do I e-file taxes in Singapore?
​Click here for the e-filing system for foreigners: https://mytax.iras.gov.sg/ESVWeb/default.aspx
 
Q: How do I pay my taxes?
A: You can pay by credit card, cheque, MediSave, GIRO, or PayNow.
 
Q: How do I get my tax refund?
A: Tax credits are refunded through various methods including GIRO, PayNow, Telegraphic Transfer, or by cheque.

Q: When will I get my Singapore tax refund?
A: The IRAS will send tax refunds within 30 days that the tax credit is confirmed.  However, no one can say for sure. This depends on how early you submitted your tax refund, how complicated your refund is, and the arbitrary decision-making of the tax officer assigned to you.
If you really want to know the timing of your tax refund, call the IRAS hotline at 1800 356 8300 from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Now, stop asking this question in the comments! 
 
Q: What is the withholding tax rate in Singapore?
A: Usually 15%

Q: What is the withholding tax rate on dividends for foreigners in Singapore?
A: The withholding rate on dividends sent to overseas investors is 0%.

Q: What is the sales tax/VAT/indirect tax rate in Singapore?
A: 9%.

Q: What is the hotel tax rate in Singapore?
A: 10% service tax.

Looking for a hotel in Singapore? You can find out where to stay in our Singapore hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Singapore here.
You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Singapore on Gigago here.  

Q: What is the corporate income tax rate in Singapore?
A: 17%

Q: Is there tax on foreign income in Singapore?
A: In general no, tax is only levied on income derived from Singapore.  

Q: How do I file US Taxes if I am an American citizen or a green card holder overseas?
​A: Please see our guide on filing taxes as an American Expat living overseas here.

Q: Who Should I go to if I have a question while filing my income tax return on my own?
A: For specific questions, please call the call the IRAS hotline at 1800 356 8300 from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Q: Are there any other tax benefits for foreigners in Singapore?
A: Besides the benefits described above, foreign visitors in Singapore are also applicable for VAT refunds. You can check out many discount deals for accommodation, tours, shopping, and transportation for foreigners in Singapore that include VAT deductions on Klook here or on KKday here. 

Feel free to comment or ask any reasonable general questions below that a free online blog can answer (otherwise, please just call the tax office), and please like and share!
 
-Larry

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