v256.0 · tax residency · SG · verified 2026-04
Singapore tax residency
Rules that determine when you become tax-resident in Singapore, the headline rates, and any HNW or expat special regime that softens the standard system.
Threshold
183 days/year
Taxation basis
territorial — foreign income generally exempt
Top marginal rate
24% above SGD 1M (raised from 22% in 2024)
Capital gains
0% — no capital gains tax
Special regime: NOR (Not Ordinarily Resident) — DISCONTINUED 2020; replaced gradually by Global Investor Programme + Tech.Pass for talent
No remaining HNW-specific tax regime (NOR closed to new entrants 2020, transition phase ended YA 2024). Standard territorial system means foreign-sourced income generally exempt unless received in Singapore. PR pathway via Global Investor Programme (SGD 10M+ investment) or Tech.Pass for senior tech talent.
Rate landscape
| Dividends tax | 0% — one-tier corporate tax system, dividends exempt |
| Exit tax | No exit tax |
| Tax treaty network | 95+ jurisdictions |
| CRS (automatic info exchange) | Active since 2018 |
Recent regime changes (2023-2026)
Top personal rate raised to 24% from YA 2024 (>SGD 1M). GST raised to 9% (from 8% Jan 2024). Property ABSD raised 60% for foreign buyers April 2023. Pillar Two implemented 2025 (15% DMTT for multinationals >€750M turnover). Family-office tax incentives (13O/13U/13D) tightened 2023 — SGD 20M+ AUM threshold, minimum local hires.
Strengths
- Territorial taxation — foreign passive income generally exempt
- No capital gains, no dividends tax, no inheritance tax
- 95+ treaty network, world-class enforcement reputation
- World's top-3 financial centres, banking infrastructure peerless
- Stable currency, English-speaking common-law jurisdiction
Drawbacks
- Path to PR is competitive and slow — Singapore very selective
- ABSD 60% for foreign property buyers since 2023 deters real estate
- Cost of living among the world's highest
- NOR programme closed — no targeted HNW regime remaining
- GST 9% Jan 2024 stacks on consumption
Top cities for tax-residency seekers
Singapore
Source: official Singapore tax authority page · Last verified 2026-04
See also: full Singapore country profile · full tax-residency atlas