Withholding Tax in Singapore: Rates, Waiver, Filing & When To Pay

6 min read|Last Updated: November 16, 2022|

Upon incorporating a company in Singapore, one will be liable to pay taxes to the Singapore government. When a non-resident firm or individual obtains an income from a Singaporean source for services given or labour done in Singapore, the tax withheld and paid to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) also known as withholding tax. This is also known as tax deduction at source in other countries.

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When does the Singapore Withholding Tax Apply?

Singapore withholding tax only applies to non-resident companies and individual when:

  • Their source of income comes from a Singaporean source

  • Their source of revenue is services provided in Singapore

  • Certain modes of payments such as rents, management fees, royalty, rights of use, interest, etc.

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A non-resident company in Singapore is defined under 3 situations, namely:

  • Companies that are incorporated outside of Singapore but are active locally

  • Companies that are incorporated in Singapore that are active outside of Singapore

  • Branches of foreign companies in Singapore

What are the Different Types of Income that are Subjected to Withholding Tax?

There are various types of incomes that will be subjected to withholding tax in Singapore. These include:

1. Interests, commission, and any other debt- or loan-related fees

Interest on past-due trade accounts, interest on credit terms provided to a non-resident supplier, and commission or loan fees paid to a non-resident are all subject to Singapore withholding tax at 15%.

2. Royalty, rights of use, and intellectual property

Royalties are subject to a 10% withholding tax or the applicable corporate rates in Singapore. Any payments involving the use of commercial, scientific, technical, or industrial expertise for business purposes, or the hire of non-resident professionals to perform these services on your behalf, are subject to withholding tax at 10%.

3. Management fees

Payments owing to foreign organisations who provide management services or assist you in managing your business may be subject to Singapore withholding tax. These fees are subject to specific criteria, such as double taxation treaties.

4. Services rendered

When you hire non-resident companies to install equipment, provide technical assistance, provide training and consultation services, and other comparable activities within Singapore, you will be subjected to Singapore withholding tax at 17%.

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5. Rent

Rent or payments paid to the non-resident company for movable property will be subject to Singapore withholding tax.

For more information on the withholding tax rates in Singapore for various types of incomes, you can find out directly from IRAS here.

Payments that are Not Subjected to Withholding Tax in Singapore

There are certain types of payments made to non-resident companies that are exempted from withholding tax in Singapore. They include:

  • Dividend payments
  • Payments for Satellite Capacity & the Use of International Submarine Cable Capacity, Including payments for Indefeasible Rights of Use (IRUs)
  • Payments for the Charter of Ships
  • Payments made by Banks, Finance Companies & Certain Approved Entities
  • Payments to Singapore Branches of Non-Resident Companies
  • Section 12(6) on Interbank / Interbranch Transactions

How to File & Pay Withholding Tax in Singapore?

Withholding tax filing and payment can be done online through the IRAS-managed myTaxPortal. To pay the withholding tax, the payer must first log in to his CorpPass account and fill out an S45 Form describing the payment in detail.

An acknowledgement page will appear after a successful submission, giving the tax payment due date.

The payer can then make payment using a variety of methods, including GIRO deduction, bank transfer, or mobile banking apps like DBS PayLah!.

Generally, the payment of withholding tax is due on the 15th of the second month from the day of payment to the non-resident, or on the 25th of the same month after the day of payment if you opt to pay by GIRO deduction. This day of payment is determined as the earliest of:

  • The date on which the payment is due according to the contract, or the invoice date (without considering credit terms) if there is no written contract or agreement
  • The date of payment to the non-resident (i.e. where the payment is credited into the non-resident’s designated account)
  • The date of actual payment
  • In the case of directors’ remuneration, the date when the remuneration was voted and approved by shareholders

Withholding Tax Waiver in Singapore

Double Tax Agreements (DTA) in Singapore allow for reduction and wavier withholding taxes from countries such as China, Japan, and Australia, among others. To be eligible for DTA, you must obtain an official Certificate of Residence for any of the eligible countries and submit a scan of it to IRAS.

  • If the claim is for the current year: by 31 March of the following year; or
  • If the claim is for the preceding years: Within 3 months from the date of e-filing the withholding tax.

Non-Resident Professionals & Their Tax Treatment

A non-resident professional (NRP) is someone who spends less than 183 days a year in Singapore while delivering services. For any form of money earned for services rendered in Singapore, non-resident professionals are liable to Singapore withholding tax.

Foreign public performers, such as musicians, dancers, actors, and sports, who visit Singapore to perform and stay for less than 183 days are categorised as public entertainers, regardless of whether they operate as individuals or as employees.

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Non-residents are board directors or business directors who spend less than 183 days in Singapore in a calendar year. A board director may also hold another role within a company, such as a Chief Executive Officer or Managing Director, but they are only considered a board director for income derived in that role.

The general withholding tax rate for NRPs is a flat 15% of gross income except in the following cases:

  • Payment to non-resident company directors is subjected to 22% withholding tax. This applies to all forms of income (salary, bonus, director’s fees, accommodation, gains from stocks and shares, and other payments)
  • Services performed in Singapore by public entertainers is subject to 10% withholding tax till 31 March 2020.

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FAQs

I don’t want to be taxed by both the Singapore government and the country where my company headquarters are based. How do I avoid this?2024-01-14T11:08:42+08:00

Singapore has double tax agreements (DTA) with many countries in order to prevent companies and individuals from being taxed by both jurisdictions.

If your company operates out of a country that has a tax treaty with Singapore, the DTA may provide relief from double taxation. Do note that this depends on the particular service your company provides, as well as the specific provisions of the DTA in your country.

Is it better to withhold taxes or not?2021-11-18T16:05:25+08:00

Withholding decreases evasion and underpayment. Because of the aforementioned savings dilemma, withholding makes it more likely that the government will receive all the taxes it is due. Withholding also makes it more difficult for tax protesters and tax evaders to keep their money out of the IRS’s hands. 

How do I pay withholding tax in Singapore?2021-11-18T16:05:18+08:00

As a payer, you must file and pay WHT to IRAS by the 15th of the second month from the date of payment to the non-resident. If you are on GIRO for WHT payment, the GIRO deduction date is on the 25th of the month the tax is due. 

What are the common items subjected to withholding tax Singapore2021-11-18T16:05:10+08:00

What types of payments are subject to Singapore withholding tax? Singapore withholding tax applies to interest charged on overdue trade accounts, interest on credit terms paid to a non-resident supplier, and commission or loan fees that are paid to a non-resident. 

What happens if I missed the deadline to pay Singapore withholding tax?2021-11-18T16:03:52+08:00

If you’re late in paying your Singapore withholding tax, IRAS will issue a Demand Note and include the late payment penalty (currently 5%).  

Not paying the tax and penalty by the due date stipulated in the Demand Note will cost you an additional penalty of 1% for each outstanding month (subject to a maximum of 15%).  

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