Singapore Personal Income Taxes in 2025 - What You Need to Know

If you live or work in Singapore, chances are you’ll need to deal with income tax at some point. The good news? Singapore keeps things pretty simple compared to many countries.

In 2025, personal income tax rates in Singapore range from 0% to 24%, depending on your income. It’s a progressive system, which means that lower earners pay little to no tax, while higher earners pay a proportionally higher amount.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know, including:

✅Who needs to pay income taxes

✅The different tax brackets

✅What counts as taxable income

✅Available reliefs to reduce your tax bill, and

✅The steps to file your return on time.

Who Needs to Pay Personal Income Tax?

Anyone who earns income in Singapore is generally required to pay personal income tax, according to the Income Tax Act. How much you pay depends on your tax residency status, not your nationality. And residency is determined by the length and nature of your stay in Singapore.

Before working out your tax bill, the first step is to determine whether you are a Singapore tax resident.

How to Determine if You're a Tax Resident in Singapore

You’re treated as a tax resident if you are:

• A Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) who normally lives in Singapore, except for temporary absences.
• A foreigner who has stayed or worked in Singapore for at least 183 days in the previous calendar year.
• A foreigner who has lived in Singapore continuously for three consecutive years, even if the first or third year was under 183 days.
• A foreigner who has worked in Singapore for at least two consecutive years, with a combined stay of at least 183 days. (This rule applies to foreign employees but not to company directors, public entertainers, or professionals.)
• A foreigner issued with a work pass valid for at least one year. You’ll generally be treated as a resident, though the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) will review your status when you leave Singapore for tax clearance.

When counting days, remember that weekends, public holidays, and short overseas trips (e.g., vacations or business travel) still count towards your total stay.

If you don’t meet these conditions, you’ll be taxed as a non-resident, usually at a flat rate.

Singapore Personal Income Tax Rates

Here’s the progressive rate table for tax residents in Singapore.

What If I Am a Non-Resident?

Non-residents are taxed under different rules.

• Employment income is taxed at 15% or progressive resident rates, whichever is higher.
• Director’s fees, consultant’s fees, and other income (such as rental or royalties) are generally taxed at 24%.
• Short-term employment (60 days or less) is exempt, unless you’re working as a director, public entertainer, or professional in Singapore.

Unlike residents, you cannot claim personal reliefs, although you may deduct allowable business expenses and approved donations.

Taxable vs Non-Taxable Income

Not every type of income is taxed. Here’s a quick reference table based on the IRAS guidelines.

What Is Considered Taxable Income?

• Employment income: Salary, bonuses, allowances, director’s fees, commissions, and benefits-in-kind (e.g. housing, car benefits).
• Stock options & share plans: Gains from exercising stock options or receiving shares as part of your employment package.
• Pension and retirement-related income: Pensions, retirement benefits, and retrenchment benefits may be taxable, depending on the circumstances.
• Self-employment/freelance: Profits from business, trade, professional services, and gig work (like ride-hailing or delivery apps).
• Rental income: Income from property in Singapore, after deducting expenses like repairs, property tax, and mortgage interest.
• Overseas income: Income remitted into Singapore may be taxable, depending on IRAS rules.
• Government grants: Some payouts (e.g. COVID-19-related payouts) are taxable. Taxable ones are usually pre-filled in your tax return.
• Digital tokens: Cryptocurrency or tokens accepted as payment are taxed like regular income.
• Investments: Some dividends (e.g., from cooperatives and foreign-sourced dividends), royalties, annuities, and interest income (e.g. loans, pawnshops, and non-approved banks) are taxable.

What Is Considered Non-Taxable Income?

• CPF savings: Withdrawals from CPF accounts and CPF LIFE payouts are not taxed.
• Capital gains: Profits from selling property, shares, or financial instruments are not taxable, unless IRAS treats the activity as trading.
• Interest: Deposits with approved banks and licensed finance companies in Singapore, most debt securities, and most foreign-sourced interest.
• Lottery winnings: Winnings from TOTO, 4D, horse racing, and sports betting are exempt.
• Government transfers: Schemes like GST Vouchers and Workfare Income Supplement are not taxable, unless directly tied to income replacement.
• Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) withdrawals: Depending on when and how you withdraw, some may be taxable, but not all.

Are There Any Tax Deductions or Tax Reliefs?

Yes, there are many tax deductions, tax reliefs, and tax rebates available for individual income tax. You can refer to the table below which highlights more common and general tax relief options.

For the full list of tax relief, please refer to the Tax Reliefs section on the IRAS website. 

How to File Your Income Tax Return in Singapore

Filing your taxes in Singapore is straightforward once you know the process. But before filing your tax return, it’s important to note a few basics.

• The annual tax filing period runs from 1 March to 18 April 2025.
• Your session will automatically expire after 20 minutes of inactivity, so avoid leaving it idle.
• If you can’t finish in one go, use the “Save as Draft” option. Drafts are kept for up to 14 days, but you must still submit your return before the deadline.

It’s also useful to check whether your employer is part of the Auto-Inclusion Scheme (AIS), since that determines if your income details are pre-filled. You can verify this using the Search AIS Organisation tool.

Furthermore, you should keep these documents ready to make the process smoother.

• Singpass / Singpass Foreign user Account (SFA) login
• Form IR8A (if your employer is not in the AIS)
• Details of your dependants (e.g. child and parent) for new relief claims
• Rental income records (gross rent, allowable expenses)
• Business registration number (if self-employed or in a partnership).

Once you’re ready, here’s what to do.

First, log in to myTax Portal using your Singpass or SFA. From the top menu, select Individuals > File Income Tax Return to get started.

If your employer is part of the AIS, your salary, CPF contributions, and other details will already be pre-filled. IRAS also pulls in data such as donations or rental income declared in previous years.

If your employer is not in AIS, you’ll need to enter your employment income manually using the details from Form IR8A, which your employer should provide to you.

Double-check everything carefully. If anything is wrong, contact your employer to resubmit the correct information to IRAS.

Add any income that isn’t pre-filled. This could include freelance or gig work, rental income, overseas income brought into Singapore, or other taxable sources. Use the “+ADD NEW” option in the form to enter these details and click "UPDATE" to save the details in your form.

Remove reliefs you no longer qualify for, adjust those shared with others (e.g. Qualifying Child Relief), and add any new ones you’re eligible for.

Once everything looks good, the system will generate a consolidated statement. Review it carefully, then tick the declaration box and click Submit. Make sure to save or print the acknowledgement receipt for your records.

IRAS will issue your Notice of Assessment (NOA) between May and September. This is your official tax bill, showing the amount of tax you owe.

If you find an error, you can file an amendment within 30 days from the date on your NOA.

Even if you disagree with the assessment, you must pay the taxes within 30 days. You can choose from several payment methods, such as GIRO or internet banking. If your objection is later approved and IRAS determines you’ve overpaid, the excess will be refunded within 30 days after your case is reviewed.

What If I Miss the Deadline?

Missing the deadline to file your income tax return can lead to several consequences. Here’s what happens and what you can do to fix it.

Estimated Tax Bill

If you miss the deadline, IRAS might send you an Estimated Notice of Assessment. This is a rough estimate of the tax you owe, based on your past income. You’ll need to pay the estimated amount within a month. Make sure to file your return as soon as possible, so IRAS can adjust the tax if needed.

Composition Fee

Instead of going to court, IRAS may offer you a chance to pay a composition fee. This fee can be up to $5,000 and helps you avoid prosecution. But you’ll still need to file your return by the due date they give you.

Court Summons

If things still aren’t sorted, IRAS could send you a Notice to Attend Court. If you don’t show up, you may face a fine or even a warrant for arrest.

However, you can avoid court by filing your return and paying any fees before the court date.

If You Miss Multiple Years

If you haven’t filed for two or more years, the consequences are much more serious:

• You could get penalised twice the tax amount you owe.
• You could face a fine of up to $5,000.
• You might even face imprisonment for up to 6 months if the issue isn’t resolved.

Final Thoughts

The Singapore income tax system is fair and reasonable, with many reliefs and schemes. Singapore tax residents, make sure you file and pay your income tax within the given time frame to avoid penalties. It is important to determine your tax residency status to find out if you are liable for the Singapore income tax.