Unlocking Lucrative Tax Relief: Your Guide to Singapore’s Tax Benefits for Foreigners

Foreigners in Singapore may be eligible for certain tax reliefs, including the Not Ordinarily Resident (NOR) scheme and the Double Taxation Agreements (DTA). These schemes provide exemptions or reduced tax rates for foreigners working or residing in Singapore.

So let us take a deeper look

Foreigners in Singapore may benefit from various tax reliefs and incentives offered by the government. These measures aim to attract skilled foreign professionals and promote economic growth. Two significant tax relief schemes for foreigners in Singapore are the Not Ordinarily Resident (NOR) scheme and the Double Taxation Agreements (DTA).

1. Not Ordinarily Resident (NOR) Scheme:

2. The NOR scheme provides tax exemptions or reduced tax rates for foreigners who are employed in Singapore for a limited period.

3. To qualify for the NOR scheme, individuals must not have been a Singapore tax resident for three consecutive years prior to the qualifying year.
4. Under this scheme, employment income derived from outside Singapore and brought into the country is exempted from tax. Only income earned in Singapore is subjected to taxation.

5. The tax benefits offered by the NOR scheme are applicable for a period of five consecutive years.

6. Double Taxation Agreements (DTA):

7. Singapore has signed comprehensive DTAs with over 80 countries to prevent double taxation on income earned by foreigners and ensure fair tax treatment.

8. These agreements eliminate or reduce the tax liability of foreigners by providing relief in various forms, such as exemption, credit, or lower tax rates.
9. DTAs cover different types of income, including employment income, dividends, royalties, and capital gains.
10. By leveraging DTAs, foreigners can avoid being taxed twice on the same income in both their home country and Singapore.

To further illustrate the significance of tax relief for foreigners in Singapore, Albert Einstein once said, “The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.” This quote emphasizes the complexities of tax regulations and the importance of availing reliefs and exemptions whenever possible.

Here are some interesting facts regarding tax relief for foreigners in Singapore:

1. Expatriate Tax Program: Singapore offers a favorable tax regime for foreign professionals under the Economic Expansion Incentives (Relief from Income Tax) Act. This program aims to attract highly skilled individuals to contribute to the country’s economy.

2. NOR vs. DTA: The NOR scheme and DTAs are not mutually exclusive. Foreigners who qualify for the NOR scheme can still benefit from DTAs to further reduce their tax liability.

3. Tax Planning: Proper tax planning plays a vital role in maximizing tax reliefs for foreigners in Singapore. Consulting with tax professionals or seeking advice from qualified tax advisors can help individuals optimize their tax strategies.

Table: Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs) between Singapore and some notable countries:

Country	Date of Agreement	Type of Income Covered
United States	1996	All types of income
China	2007	All types of income
Japan	1994	All types of income
India	1994	All types of income
United Kingdom	1976	All types of income
Australia	1969	All types of income except immovable property

Please note that the above table is a sample and does not represent an exhaustive list of DTAs or the specific categories of income covered. The actual agreements might differ in coverage and details.

In conclusion, Singapore provides attractive tax relief schemes such as the NOR scheme and DTAs to attract and retain foreign talent. These measures not only benefit foreigners but also contribute to Singapore’s goal of being a global hub for businesses and financial activities. Proper tax planning and understanding the available options are essential for foreigners to optimize their tax situation while complying with the tax regulations.

See the answer to “What are the tax relief for foreigners in Singapore?” in this video

In this YouTube video titled “My Income Tax Relief for 2022 EXPOSED,” the speaker discusses various tax relief strategies for the year 2022. They mention earned income relief, donations relief, NSman tax relief, and SRS tax relief. The total tax relief for non-CPF related strategies amounts to $19,360. They also delve into CPF tax relief, highlighting the combined tax relief limit of $8,000 for voluntary contributions to the Mandisafe retirement fund or the RSTU. The speaker shares their personal experience and calculates their total CPF tax relief to be $7,922. They explain how this is combined with regular employment tax relief to achieve an overall tax relief of $19,360. The speaker also provides insights into calculating tax savings based on income tax brackets, utilizing the IRAS income tax calculator, and signing up for cashback credit cards to effectively pay income tax while gaining rewards.

There are other points of view available on the Internet

Non-resident individuals are not entitled to any personal reliefs and deductions, and are subject to tax at a flat rate of 22% (24% from year of assessment 2024). As a concession, employment income of non-residents is taxed at the higher of a flat rate of 15% or the graduated resident rates with personal reliefs.