Getting ready for tax filing in Singapore
What to gather, which reliefs to check, and how to use myTax Portal without a scramble in April.
Filing taxes in Singapore feels overwhelming mostly because people start too late. Missing a deadline or submitting something incomplete leads to penalties and avoidable stress.
Starting early fixes almost all of it. Here is the order to work in.
Know what you actually have to file
In Singapore, individuals file an income tax return annually. IRAS issues return forms around March, with deadlines falling in April or May depending on how you file.
Your obligation changes if you are self-employed, receive rental income, or have income from sources beyond employment. Work out which of these apply to you before you gather a single document.
Get your documents into one place
Having everything in one folder saves more time than any other step. Collect:
- Income statements, such as your IR8A from your employer, or your own business income records
- Bank statements showing interest earned
- Rental income and expense receipts, if you let out property
- Investment income reports, including dividends and capital gains
- Receipts for deductible expenses such as donations, course fees and medical expenses
Sort them by category and date. Physical folders or digital, it does not matter, as long as you can find a document in under a minute.
Check what you can claim
Singapore offers reliefs that reduce your taxable income. The common ones:
| Relief | Who it applies to |
|---|---|
| Earned Income Relief | Working individuals |
| CPF Relief | Contributions to the Central Provident Fund |
| Parenthood Tax Rebate | Eligible parents |
| Course Fees Relief | Approved education courses |
Go through the full list on the IRAS website rather than relying on what you claimed last year. Circumstances change and reliefs do too.
Use myTax Portal
Most taxpayers can file electronically. The system pre-fills some of your information, which removes a lot of manual entry and the errors that come with it.
- Register for a Singpass account if you do not have one
- Log in to myTax Portal during the filing period
- Review the pre-filled data and add anything missing
- Submit before the deadline
Filing online also lets you track your submission and receive updates from IRAS directly.
Check it before you submit
Errors cause delays and can trigger a review. Before submitting:
- Confirm your personal details, name, NRIC and address
- Verify income amounts against your documents
- Make sure you have claimed everything you are entitled to
- Re-check the arithmetic, or use the IRAS calculator
If you spot a mistake after submitting, you can file an amendment within a set period. Catching it before submission is considerably easier.
Deadlines
Deadlines vary by filing method and by your income type.
Put the date in your calendar with a reminder two weeks out. Late filing brings penalties and interest. If you genuinely need longer, you can request an extension from IRAS, but it has to be approved.
Keep the records
After filing, keep copies of your return and supporting documents. IRAS may ask to review them during an audit or enquiry.
Organised records also make next year's filing faster, and they help when you are planning anything that depends on your income history.
When to get help
If your situation is complex, multiple properties, a business, income from overseas, a professional will usually save you more than the fee. They know which reliefs apply and where the common mistakes are.
What to do next
Start in February, not April. Pull your documents together, check the relief list, and file early enough that a missing document is an inconvenience rather than a crisis.
Written by JM Atelier. Published 13 Dec 2025. General information, not advice for your specific situation. Verify anything time-sensitive against the relevant authority before you act on it.