* Income tax is estimated (annual tax / 12 periods). Singapore does not use PAYE withholding.
No PAYE: Singapore does not have a pay-as-you-earn tax system. Employees file their own annual tax returns with IRAS. This calculator estimates the per-period tax for budgeting purposes only.
CPF: For Singapore Citizens and PRs, both employee and employer CPF contributions are mandatory. The employee portion (20% for ages 55 and below) is deducted from gross salary. Employer CPF (17%) is paid on top.
SDL: The Skills Development Levy is 0.25% of monthly wages, with a minimum of $2 and maximum of $11.25 per employee. It is paid by the employer to fund workforce training programs.
IR8A: Employers must submit Form IR8A (employee income information) to IRAS by 1 March each year for the previous calendar year, or participate in the Auto-Inclusion Scheme (AIS) for electronic filing.
What deductions apply to Singapore payroll?
For Singapore Citizens and PRs, the main payroll deductions are CPF employee contributions and income tax (via IRAS self-assessment, not PAYE). Foreign workers on work permits do not contribute to CPF but may have the Skills Development Levy (SDL) and Foreign Worker Levy applied.
Does Singapore have PAYE withholding?
No. Unlike many other countries, Singapore does not use a Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) system. Employees file their own annual tax returns with IRAS. However, this calculator estimates the per-pay-period tax liability for budgeting purposes.
When must employers pay CPF contributions?
Employers must pay CPF contributions by the 14th of the following month. Late payment incurs interest at 18% per annum (minimum $5 per month). Employers use the CPF e-Submit system.
What is the Skills Development Levy (SDL)?
SDL is a mandatory levy of 0.25% of the employee's total monthly wages, with a minimum of $2 and a maximum of $11.25 per employee per month. It applies to all employees, including foreign workers.
How CPF, income tax, and SDL affect your monthly payslip
What deductions come out of your salary each month?
The main deduction is your CPF employee contribution — 20% of your monthly wages (for those aged 55 and below), capped at S$6,800 of ordinary wages. Unlike many countries, Singapore does not withhold income tax from monthly pay. You pay income tax separately after filing your annual return. So your monthly take-home is gross salary minus CPF employee share.
How much CPF does your employer contribute?
Your employer contributes 17% of your monthly wages to CPF (for employees aged 55 and below). This is paid on top of your salary — it does not come out of your pay. Combined with your 20%, a total of 37% goes into your CPF accounts each month. For a S$5,000 salary, that is S$1,000 from you and S$850 from your employer.
What is the Skills Development Levy (SDL)?
Employers pay SDL for every employee, including foreign workers. The rate is 0.25% of gross monthly pay, with a minimum of S$2 and a maximum of S$11.25 per employee. SDL funds the national SkillsFuture programme. It does not come out of the employee wages — it is an employer cost only.
Why does Singapore not withhold income tax from monthly pay?
Singapore uses a self-assessment system. You file your income tax return once a year (by April), and IRAS calculates your tax based on your total annual income. You then pay the tax bill in one go or spread it via GIRO. This is different from countries like the UK or Australia, where tax is taken from every paycheck automatically.
How are CPF contributions split across the three accounts?
For employees aged 35 and below, CPF is split as follows: 23% to Ordinary Account (can be used for housing and education), 6% to Special Account (retirement savings), and 8% to MediSave Account (medical expenses). The exact split changes as you get older, with more going to MediSave and less to the Ordinary Account after age 35.
What is the CPF wage ceiling and how does it work?
The Ordinary Wage (OW) ceiling is S$6,800 per month. CPF is only calculated on wages up to this ceiling. If you earn S$10,000 per month, CPF is based on S$6,800, not S$10,000. There is also an Annual Wage ceiling of S$102,000, which limits total CPF on additional wages like bonuses. These ceilings mean high earners contribute a smaller percentage of total pay to CPF.
What payslip information must employers provide?
Under the Employment Act, employers must give itemised payslips for every pay period. The payslip must show: basic salary, allowances, overtime pay, deductions (CPF employee share, absence, etc.), employer CPF contribution, net pay, and the pay period. Payslips can be given electronically. Employers who fail to provide them can face fines.
IRAS-Aligned: Based on 2025 IRAS rates and thresholds. For personal advice, speak to a qualified tax professional.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on current HMRC rates and thresholds for the 2025/26 tax year. It does not constitute professional tax, financial, or legal advice. Your actual liability may differ depending on your individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified accountant or tax adviser before making financial decisions. Read our terms
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