You’ll need to declare income you receive through Solar Staff independently. As a freelancer, you’re not our employee, so Solar Staff doesn’t withhold or pay taxes on your behalf.
To properly handle your Singapore tax obligations regarding income received via Solar Staff, you’ll need to:
Confirm your tax residency status
Understand your tax obligations
Tax residency
Singapore taxes income in two situations: when it arises here (for example, services you provide in the country) or when it's derived from Singapore sources. This applies equally to residents and non-residents.
Foreign-sourced income generally isn’t taxed, though some exceptions apply.
Are you a tax resident?
As an individual, you’re considered a tax resident if you meet any one of these conditions:
You’re a citizen or permanent resident. Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents (SPR) who live in Singapore are automatically tax residents. Temporary absences don’t change this status.
You’re a foreigner who spends substantial time here. You qualify as a tax resident if:
You stayed in Singapore for at least 183 days in a calendar year, or
If you lived or worked here continuously for three consecutive years (even if the first and third years each had fewer than 183 days).
Your Singapore employment spans more than one year. If you’re a foreigner working as an employee whose employment straddles two calendar years and you’ve stayed at least 183 days total, you’re also a tax resident. This provision applies specifically to employees – not company directors, public entertainers, or certain other professionals.
You’ll find more details and special cases on the IRAS website.
Singapore has Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs) with a number of countries (see the full list). These treaties can override Singapore’s domestic tax residency rules and other local provisions.
Tax identification numbers
Singapore uses different identification numbers depending on who you are and what you do. Here’s what exists and when you’ll need each one.
NRIC number
The National Registration Identity Card Number (NRIC) is your primary identifier as a citizen or permanent resident. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) issues these numbers.
It’s nine characters starting with S or T, like S5351748E. This number follows you everywhere – tax returns, bank accounts, and just about any official interaction.
The physical Identity Card (IC) carries this number. Everyone who’s a citizen or permanent resident needs to get one at age 15.
Getting your card is straightforward. First, register online. Then visit an ICA office for biometrics.
The cost depends on your status:
SGD 10 for citizens
SGD 50 for permanent residents
Once you’ve submitted your biometrics, you can book an appointment to collect your card as soon as the next business day. ICA will hold it for three months, or you can pick it up at any SingPost outlet.
You’ll need to re-register when you turn 30 and again at 55. Check your card’s validity online anytime.
FIN
The Foreign Identification Number (FIN) serves the same purpose as NRIC, but for foreigners living in Singapore long-term.
Same nine-character format, just starting with F, G, or M – like G1234567B.
You’ll get this from either the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority or the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) when you process your residency paperwork.
UEN
The Unique Entity Number (UEN) is issued when you register a business. Both organizations and sole proprietors receive one.
For sole proprietors, it’s nine characters – something like 11111111B.
GST registration number
The GST registration number is assigned when you register for Goods and Services Tax – Singapore’s version of VAT. Only businesses registered for GST have this number.
It’s ten characters long, formatted like MR2345678A.
CSN
The CPF Submission Number (CSN) is for employers. You need this to interact with the Central Provident Fund (CPF) and pay employee contributions.
Your CSN combines your UEN (or NRIC/FIN if you’re operating under your own name) with a special suffix called the CPF Payment Code.
Your freelance status for taxes
When working through Solar Staff in Singapore, you’ll operate under one of two statuses:
Keep in mind: You can’t pick your tax status directly in Solar Staff if you’re in Singapore, but you can add your tax ID to your account.
Setting up on the myTax Portal
Everything tax-related in Singapore happens through the government myTax Portal. You’ll file returns here, view your tax bills, and communicate with IRAS.
Access requires a Singpass digital key. The mobile app works best.
Foreigners will need a Singpass Foreign User Account (SFA) instead.
If you’ve registered as a sole proprietor, you’ll also need Corppass, which handles government services for businesses. Here’s how to use it.
Getting started: Register for Singpass | Set up myTax | Common questions
Self-employed person
Being a self-employed person (SEP) is the default when you work for yourself under your own name. There’s nothing to register – you already are one.
Do you need to file?
You must file if during the year you earned:
more than SGD 6,000 in net business income, or
more than SGD 22,000 in total income from all sources
Not sure if you need to file? Try this quick online checker.
Planning to hire people? You’ll need to understand employer obligations, which come with their own set of requirements.
Closing up shop or leaving Singapore
If you’re moving away permanently, let IRAS know at least a month ahead. You’ll also need to file a 4-Line Statement covering January 1 through your final day of operations, then settle the tax.
Keeping records
Track your income and expenses as you go. Every receipt, invoice, bank statement, and financial document needs to stay on file for at least five years.
Simplified record keeping
Running a small operation? Simplified Record Keeping (SRK) lets you maintain accounting registers instead of hanging onto every single piece of paper.
You qualify for simplified records if all of these apply:
Annual revenue stayed under SGD 200,000 for the past two financial years
Assets came in under SGD 100,000 at the end of last year
You’re not a holding investment company or property developer
You’re not registered for GST
Financial statements
Every self-employed person needs to prepare statements of accounts – that’s two documents:
Profit and Loss Account
Balance Sheet
If your annual revenue exceeds SGD 500,000, submit these statements to IRAS along with your tax return. Sign them before you submit.
How self-employed taxes work
Individual Income Tax
Individual Income Tax covers everything you earn – business income plus anything else. Singapore uses progressive rates, meaning higher earnings get taxed at higher percentages.
Here’s what applies for Year of Assessment 2025 (covering 2024 income):
Chargeable income | Tax rate on excess |
Up to SGD 20,000 | 0% |
SGD 20,001 – 30,000 | 2% |
SGD 30,001 – 40,000 | 3.5% |
SGD 40,001 – 80,000 | 7% |
SGD 80,001 – 120,000 | 11.5% |
SGD 120,001 – 160,000 | 15% |
SGD 160,001 – 200,000 | 18% |
SGD 200,001 – 240,000 | 19% |
SGD 240,001 – 280,000 | 19.5% |
SGD 280,001 – 320,000 | 20% |
SGD 320,001 – 500,000 | 22% |
SGD 500,001 – 1,000,000 | 23% |
Over SGD 1,000,000 | 24% |
Worth knowing: Tax residents automatically get a Personal Income Tax Rebate. For 2025, that’s 60% of your tax bill, capped at SGD 200.
What you can deduct
Legitimate business expenses backed by documentation come off your taxable income. So do business losses, which you can carry forward to future years.
Tax reliefs work differently – they reduce your taxable income before calculations. Think voluntary CPF contributions, qualifying education costs, supporting family members, and similar items. You can claim up to SGD 80,000 total.
Filing your return
Head to myTax Portal for online filing. You’ll use Form B/B1.
Help with filing: Step-by-step instructions | Quick reference guide
Paper filing is still possible in special circumstances – IRAS will mail you the form.
Where to report business income
Your business income goes in the “Trade, Business, Profession or Vocation” section of your return. You’ll complete one of two statements (see examples):
2-Line Statement – for income up to SGD 200,000
4-Line Statement – for income exceeding SGD 200,000
When to file
Online: Anytime from March 1 to April 18 the year after you earned the income.
Paper: Must arrive by April 15.
If you need more time, you can request an extension for up to 14 extra days.
Paying your tax
Once IRAS reviews your tax return, they’ll send you a Notice of Assessment showing what you owe. You’ll have 30 days from the assessment date to pay.
Late payment penalties
Miss the deadline and you’ll face an immediate 5% penalty on the tax amount. If it’s still unpaid after 60 days, there’s an additional 1% penalty for each completed month of delay – these can stack up to 12% total.
If you’re having trouble paying the full amount, you can request an installment payment plan.
Amending your tax return
You get one chance to amend your return – either by April 18 following the Year of Assessment, or within 30 days of receiving your Notice of Assessment, whichever comes first. Just remember: you still need to pay the assessed amount on time, even if you’re making changes.
MediSave contributions
Singapore citizens and permanent residents with annual net trade income above SGD 6,000 must make MediSave contributions to the Central Provident Fund (CPF).
Contribution rates
What you contribute depends on your age and income. Here are the 2025 rates:
Net trade income | Under 35 | 35–44 years | 45–49 years | 50 years and above |
SGD 6,001 – 12,000 | 4% | 4.5% | 5% | 5.25% |
SGD 12,001 – 18,000 | 4 – 8% | 4.5 – 9% | 5 – 10% | 5.25 – 10.50% |
Over SGD 18,000 | 8% | 9% | 10% | 10.50% |
Annual cap | SGD 7,104 | SGD 7,992 | SGD 8,880 | SGD 9,324 |
Use the online calculator to calculate your exact contribution amount.
How it works
After IRAS issues your Notice of Assessment, CPF will send their own notice – the “Notice of CPF Contributions for Self-employed Persons” – telling you how much to contribute. You’ll have 30 days from that date to pay. If you need more time, you can set up an installment plan.
There’s no separate MediSave reporting to worry about.
Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions
CPF contributions are mandatory payments employers make to the Central Provident Fund for their employees.
For self-employed persons
If you’re self-employed without any employees, you’re not required to make CPF contributions for yourself.
If you have employees
But if you hire Singapore citizens or permanent residents earning more than SGD 50 per month, contributions become mandatory. How much you pay depends on their residency status, age, and salary – see the calculation details here.
Contributions are due monthly by the last day of each month. Check out the payment methods on the CPF website.
No separate CPF reporting required.
Goods and Services Tax (GST)
GST is Singapore’s version of VAT.
Who must register
Registration is mandatory if:
Your taxable turnover over the past 12 months exceeded SGD 1,000,000, or
You expect your taxable turnover to exceed this threshold in the next 12 months
Not sure if you need to register? Use the IRAS calculator to find out.
Registration deadlines
If your taxable turnover over the past 12 months exceeded one million, you must register by January 30. Your GST registration takes effect from March 1.
You can also register voluntarily before hitting the threshold. More about registration
How to register
Everything’s done online. You’ll need to upload supporting documents. Processing takes 10 to 30 business days.
Once approved, you’ll get a letter with your GST registration number and the date your registration becomes effective.
Tax rates
The standard rate is 9%. Some supplies qualify for exemption or a 0% rate – like certain international services.
If you’re GST-registered, you’ll need to maintain proper records and issue tax invoices according to specific requirements – here’s the complete guide.
Electronic invoicing via InvoiceNow
Important: GST-registered businesses will need to transmit tax invoice data to IRAS through the InvoiceNow network.
This is being rolled out in phases:
From November 1, 2025 – applies to new businesses (operating less than 6 months) that voluntarily register for GST
From April 1, 2026 – extends to all businesses that voluntarily register for GST
GST filing
GST returns (Form GST F5) must be filed online only. If you need to fix an error in a filed return, use Form GST F7 – here’s how.
Filing frequency:
Quarterly (this is the default), or
Monthly (if you’ve applied for it)
Deadline: Within one month after your accounting period ends.
Helpful guides for GST F5: Filing process • Completing the form
Penalties
File late and you’ll get hit with an immediate SGD 200 penalty. After that, it’s another SGD 200 for each completed month of delay. The penalties cap at SGD 10,000.
Tax payment
Your tax payment is due on the same deadline as your return. Pay late and you’ll face additional penalties.
Skills Development Levy (SDL)
The Skills Development Levy (SDL) is a mandatory employer contribution to Singapore’s national Skills Development Fund, run by SkillsFuture Singapore.
How it’s calculated
The rate is 0.25% of each employee’s monthly wages.
Minimum: SGD 2 (for employees earning under SGD 800 per month)
Maximum: SGD 11.25 (for wages over SGD 4,500)
Use the online calculator to work out your levy.
Payment and reporting
The levy is paid monthly – due no later than 14 days after each month ends.
No separate reporting needed. FAQ
Foreign Worker Levy (FWL)
The FWL is a mandatory monthly levy for each foreign employee you hire.
How much you pay depends on your industry sector, the worker’s skill level, and applicable quotas. Calculation details
Payment is due by the 17th of the month following the levy period. More about payment
No separate FWL reporting required.
Sole proprietorship
A sole proprietor runs a business under their own name, owns it individually, and takes on all the associated risks.
What you need to know: Sole proprietors face the same tax and accounting obligations as self-employed individuals. You only need to register as a sole proprietor if you want to operate under a separate business name rather than your personal name.
Who can register
Age: 18 and above
Address: You’ll need an official business address in Singapore
Eligible persons:
Singapore citizens
Permanent residents
Foreigners with a FIN and an immigration status that permits them to conduct business in Singapore
How to register
The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) handles registration. Everything’s done online through the Bizfile portal. There’s a detailed guide to walk you through it.
Registration fees:
- SGD 100 for one year
- SGD 160 for three years
- Plus SGD 15 for business name registration
Processing takes 14–60 days. Once approved, you’ll get a Business Profile in your account showing your assigned UEN – make sure to download it within 30 days.
Renewal
Before your registration expires, renew through Bizfile. It costs SGD 30 for one year or SGD 90 for three years. Renewal guide
Cessation
If you’re closing down your business, you’ll need to submit an online application to ACRA (step-by-step instructions) and take care of your tax obligations – same as for self-employed individuals.
Additional details for sole proprietors
Business name
You can work under your personal name or register a separate business name with ACRA. Registration guide
Important for Solar Staff users: Our service creates accounts and documents strictly in your personal name. You can’t use a sole proprietorship business name with us.
Business Activity Code (SSIC)
During registration, you’ll need to specify your primary business activity from the Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC), plus any additional activities. The Singapore Department of Statistics (DOS) uses this data for analysis.
Special UEN (SUN)
If you prefer to choose your own UEN rather than accepting the automatically assigned one, you can select a Special UEN (SUN) for an additional fee. Learn more
Licenses and permits
Some business types need special licenses or permits. Check the requirements
Intellectual property protection
Sole proprietors can apply for patents or register trademarks. IP overview
Business bank account
While there’s no legal requirement, opening a separate business account is smart – it makes tracking income and expenses much easier. How to set one up
More resources: Key obligations for sole proprietors, questionnaire for new entrepreneurs, business startup guide, FAQ
Useful resources
Solar Staff documents for tax purposes:
Report your Solar Staff income based on the offer agreement, using the payment information from your work completion certificates and invoices.
Questions?
Reach out through the online chat in your Solar Staff account or email us at [email protected] for additional help.