We refer to the letters 'She's filial but feels penalised' (ST Forum, 21 Mar 2011) by Ms Peggy Fong and 'Give filial singles a tax break' (ST Online Forum, 23 Mar 2011) by Miss Peggy Leong.

Both Ms Fong and Miss Leong asked why the Foreign Maid Levy (FML) relief is not given to singles who employ foreign maids to look after their elderly parents.

FML relief is given to married women, widows, or women who were separated or divorced from their husbands and lived with their children. It is a targeted tax relief to give recognition to women who continue to remain in the workforce after their marriage.

The Government grants a separate tax relief, the Parent Relief, to recognise taxpayers, whether single or married, who take care of their parents. This tax relief is available for all care arrangements for parents, including if the taxpayer engages a helper to care for them. The Parent Relief was increased in Budget 2010, from a maximum of $5,000 to $7,000. If the taxpayer is supporting his handicapped parent, the relief is up to $11,000, higher than $8,000 previously.

In addition to the Parent Relief, a taxpayer - whether single or married - who employs a maid to care for his Singaporean parent who is aged 65 years or above, or who is suffering from disabilities, can enjoy a concessionary maid levy of $170 per month, instead of the normal $265 levy.

We thank the writers for their feedback.