Over 140,000 employers to receive this round of JSS payouts to retain and pay workers

1.     Over 140,000 employers will receive payouts totalling over $2.2 billion from 30 June 2021 under the Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) to support the wages of over 2 million local employees. Employers who have made mandatory CPF contributions for their local employees for the months of January to March 2021 by the stipulated deadlines will qualify to receive the payout. With this payout, more than $26.7 billion of JSS support would have been disbursed since the introduction of the scheme at the Unity Budget in February 2020.

2.      For the upcoming payout in June, employers in the aviation, aerospace, and tourism sectors will receive 50% support for the first $4,600 of gross monthly wages paid in January, February and March 2021. Those in food services, retail, arts and entertainment, land transport, built environment, and marine and offshore will receive 30% support for wages paid during the same period, while employers in all other sectors¹ will receive 10% support.

3.     Eligible employers will be notified by post of their payout amount later this month. They can also log in to myTax Portal to view the electronic copy of their letter.

Earlier payouts for employers with PayNow Corporate or GIRO 

4.     Employers who have registered for PayNow Corporate as at 25 June 2021 or have existing GIRO arrangements with IRAS can expect to receive the JSS payouts from 30 June 2021. Other employers will receive their cheques from 5 July 2021.

Enhancements to JSS for affected sectors

5.     As announced in the Government’s support measures to help businesses during Phases 2 and 3 (Heightened Alert), the JSS will be enhanced to support sectors that have been significantly affected by the safe management measures from 16 May to 11 July 2021. Sectors that are significantly affected, will receive 50% support for the period of 16 May to 11 July 2021. Other sectors that are affected will receive 30% support for the period of restrictions. Thereafter, these sectors will continue to receive 10% support from 12 to 25 July 2021. Details of qualifying sectors can be found at go.gov.sg/jss. The enhanced payout will be disbursed in September 2021.

Review of mandatory CPF contributions and penalties for abusing the JSS

6.     It is vital that employers contribute the right amount of CPF for their employees, based on actual wages paid.

7.     Employers’ CPF contributions are used to determine the amount of JSS payout. The penalties for any attempt to abuse the JSS are severe. Other than having their JSS payouts denied, offenders can be charged under Section 420 of the Penal Code, where they may face up to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine. Businesses or individuals who wish to report any malpractices or potential abuses of the JSS may do so via email to [email protected] or online at go.gov.sg/jssreport.

8.     As part of the checks for JSS eligibility, a small number of employers will receive letters from IRAS asking them to conduct a self-review of their CPF contributions and to provide declarations or documents to substantiate their eligibility for JSS payouts. Their June 2021 payouts will be withheld pending the self-review and verifications by IRAS. The payout will be disbursed after the completion of the review.

9.     For more information, please visit go.gov.sg/jss.

Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore

Ministry of Finance

¹Excluding biomedical sciences, precision engineering, electronics, financial services, information and communications technology, media, postal and courier, online retail, and supermarkets and convenience stores.