Owner-occupied residential properties enjoy lower tax rates than those not occupied by the owner. The lower owner-occupier tax rates are to encourage home ownership in Singapore.
The tax rates are progressive, where residential properties assessed with higher annual value are taxed at higher rates.
To check the tax rates applied on your property, refer to the tax rate indicator stated in your latest property tax bill. If the concession has been applied to your property, it will indicate "Owner-Occupier Tax Rates". You may also check the tax rates on our 'View Property Dashboard' digital service.
| Owner-Occupier Tax Rates |
|---|
| Annual Value ($) | Effective 1 Jan 2015 | Property Tax Payable |
First $8,000
Next $47,000 | 0%
4% | $0
$1 ,880 |
First $55,000
Next $15,000 | -
6% | $1,880
$ 900 |
First $70,000
Next $15,000 | -
8% | $2,780
$1,200 |
First $85,000
Next $15,000 | -
10% | $3,980
$1,500 |
First $100,000
Next $15,000 | -
12% | $5,480
$1,800 |
First $115,000
Next $15,000 | -
14% | $7,280
$2,100 |
First $130,000
Above $130,000 | -
16% | $9,380 |
| Annual Value ($) | Tax Rate
Effective 2015 | Property Tax Payable |
|---|
| First 8,000 | X 0% | = 0 |
| Remaining 4,000 | X 4% | = $160 |
| Property Tax Payable for 2015 | = $ 160 |
| Annual Value ($) | Tax Rate
Effective 2015 | Property Tax Payable |
|---|
| First 8,000 | X 0% | = 0 |
| Next 28,000 | X 4% | = $1,120 |
| Property Tax Payable for 2015 | = $1,120 |
| Annual Value ($) | Tax Rate
Effective 2015 | Property Tax Payable |
|---|
First 8,000 | X 0% | = 0 |
Next 47,000 | X 4% | = $1,880 |
Next 15,000 | X 6% | = $ 900 |
Remaining 14,000 | X 8% | = $1,120 |
Property Tax Payable for 2015 | = $3,900 |
You (as an individual or a married couple) must own and reside in the residential property to qualify for owner-occupier tax rates. If you are a married couple that owns
2 homes, the concession can only be applied to 1 home. Please note that even if a married couple were to occupy two homes, the owner-occupier tax rates can only apply to one of the homes. This is regardless of whether it is owned jointly or separately by the spouses.
The owner-occupier tax rates are not applicable in any of the following scenarios:
- You have wholly rented out your property;
- You have sold the property;
- The residential property is owned by a company, trust, association or a body of persons; and
- The property is a commercial or industrial building or land.
- The property is vacant.
Scenarios
Scenario 1: Owning more than 1 home
If you own a private property or HDB flat (A) and recently purchased another private property (B), you can apply for the owner-occupier tax rates for property (B) if you are living in it. The concession on property (A) will cease from the date you start enjoying the owner-occupier tax rates on property (B).
Scenario 2: Owning a property with a non-spouse
If you jointly own 2 residential properties (A and B) with another party other than your spouse (e.g. parents, siblings, etc.), you can apply for concession for each of the property.
Example: If you occupy residential property (A) and your parents occupy residential property (B), you can apply for the owner-occupier tax rates for property (A) and your parents can apply for the concession for property (B).
Scenario 3: Renting part of your home
If you partially let out your home while still living in it, you are still eligible for the owner-occupier tax rates.
Scenario 4: Deceased owner
The owner-occupier tax rates apply only when the owner owns and lives in the residential property.
When the owner passes away, the Legal personal representative should complete the legal transfer of the property to the beneficiaries as soon as possible. Owner-occupier tax rates may then apply, depending on the new ownership structure.
When the owner of a residential property that qualifies for owner-occupier tax rates passes away, IRAS will continue to apply the concession for up to 2 years from the owner’s passing or the date of transfer of the property, whichever is earlier. The tax rates will only be adjusted to higher non-owner-occupier tax rates if the property remains to be held by the estate of the deceased person. This automatic extension of the concessionary tax rates is to allow some time for the property transfer arrangements to be made. Once the property transfer arrangements are completed, if the new owner moves in to reside in the property, he/she can then apply for the owner-occupier tax rates from the date of occupation.
If the property is legally constrained from being transferred to the beneficiaries (e.g. the beneficiary is below the legal age of 21), you can submit an appeal via email with this template (PDF, 42KB) for the owner-occupier tax rates to continue to apply to the property. Beneficiaries have to be residing in the property and not be enjoying owner-occupier tax rates on another property to qualify for the concession.