As an expatriate, what do I need to know

• 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 on your employment income.

• Income is assessed on a preceding year basis, ending 31 December. You must File Your Income Tax Return by 15 April of the following year. You can usually expect to receive the income tax bills by September.

• 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 interest are tax exempt in Singapore.

• For more information, refer to A Guide for New Taxpayers.

• Tax residents are eligible for tax reliefs that can be offset against the assessable income. You can get reliefs for spouse 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.

• 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.

• Sign up for the 12-month interest free GIRO Instalment Plan to pay your income tax by instalments. Otherwise, full payment has to be made within one month from the date of the income tax bill.

We have Online Calculators to help you do a quick assessment :

• Resident Tax Calculator 
• Non-Resident Tax Calculator 
• NOR Travel calculator 
• Area Representative Travel Calculator 
• Tax Clearance Calculator