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Individuals (Foreigners)


The amount of tax that you have to pay depends on how much you have earned.

As a resident:

  • You will be taxed on all income earned in Singapore and any overseas income that was brought into Singapore prior to 01 Jan 2004.
  • Your income, after deduction of tax reliefs, will be taxed at progressive resident rates.
  • The foreign-sourced income (with the exception of those received through partnerships in Singapore) brought into Singapore on or after 01 Jan 2004 is tax exempt.


    Tax implications at a glance

    If your period of stay (including work) in Singapore
    Resident status
    Tax implications
    Is at least 183 days in a year  Resident for that year All your income will be taxed at progressive resident rates.
    You may claim tax reliefs.
    Is at least 183 days for a continuous period over two years  Resident for both years As above
    Covers three consecutive years  Resident for all three years As above



    If you are here for 183 days in a year

    Under our tax residency rules, you will be regarded as a tax resident if you stay or work in Singapore for at least 183 days in a calendar year. The number of days in Singapore include weekends and public holidays.

    Example:

    You have stayed or worked in Singapore from 01 Jun 2007 to 03 Dec 2007 (183 days). You will be taxed as a resident for the Year of Assessment 2008.

    Year of Assessment Period of stay (inclusive of work) in Singapore Resident Status
    2008 01 Jun 2007 to 03 Dec 2007 (186 days) Resident


    If you are here for at least 183 days straddling two years

    Under the two-year administrative concession, you will be regarded as a tax resident for two years if you stay or work in Singapore for a continuous period of at least 183 days. This concession applies to foreign employees (excludes directors of a company and public entertainers) who have entered Singapore from 1 Jan 2007 and are unable to qualify as tax residents under our tax residency rules, due to the start date of their employment.

    Example:

    You have stayed or worked in Singapore from 03 Nov 2007 to 07 May 2008. You will be taxed as a resident for Years of Assessment 2008 and 2009.

    Year of Assessment Period of stay (inclusive of work) in Singapore Resident Status
    2008 03 Nov 2007 to 31 Dec 2007 (59 days) Resident
    2009 01 Jan 2008 to 07 May 2008 (128 days) Resident
      Total (187 days)  




     

    If you are here for three consecutive years

    Under the three-year administrative concession, if you stay or work in Singapore continuously for three consecutive years, you will be regarded as a tax resident for all the three years even though the number of days you are in Singapore is less than 183 days in the first and third year.

    Example:

    You have stayed or worked in Singapore from 03 Nov 2007 to 07 May 2009. You will be taxed as a resident for Years of Assessment 2008 to 2010.

    Year of Assessment Period of stay (inclusive of work) in Singapore Resident Status
    2008 03 Nov 2007 to 31 Dec 2007 (59 days) Resident
    2009 01 Jan 2008 to 31 Dec 2008 (366 days) Resident
    2010 01 Jan 2009 to 07 May 2009 (127 days) Resident

Last Updated on 5 August 2009

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