10 Smart Ways to Lower Your Personal Income Tax in Singapore (YA 2026)

You know that feeling when you get that dreaded SMS from IRAS? Yup, it’s tax season—and the taxman’s here to collect.

But here’s the good news: While paying taxes is part of life, there are legal and smart ways to reduce how much you actually pay. Whether you’re supporting your parents, raising kids, saving for retirement, upgrading your skills, or giving to charity—there are tax reliefs you can tap into.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the basics of personal income tax in Singapore and break down 10 practical ways to cut down your income tax bill for the Year of Assessment (YA) 2026.

Quick Overview: How to File and Pay Your Income Tax

If you’re a first-timer or just need a quick refresher, here’s how the tax process works in Singapore:

🗓 Timeline

• Feb–Mar: IRAS will send you a notification (by SMS, letter, or email) to file your income tax.
• 1 Mar–18 Apr: This is your window to log in and file your tax return.
• End April onwards: After filing, you’ll get your Notice of Assessment. That’s when you’ll need to pay—via GIRO, internet banking, or even at an AXS machine.

✅ What if you’re under the No-Filing Service (NFS)?

If IRAS has pre-filled your income details, you may not need to file anything. But don’t be too quick to celebrate—always log in to the myTax Portal to check. If something’s inaccurate or missing (like extra freelance income), you’ll need to e-file and declare it yourself.

What Income is Taxable in Singapore?

Here’s a quick breakdown of what IRAS counts as taxable income, and what’s not:

⚠️ What about selling property?

If you’re just selling your own home occasionally, it’s usually non-taxable. But if IRAS suspects you’re buying and selling properties for profit like a business, that income could be taxed. So when in doubt, check directly with IRAS.

Understanding Chargeable Income

Once you know your taxable income, it’s time to figure out your chargeable income—the final figure IRAS uses to calculate your tax bill.

Formula:

🧮 Chargeable Income = Taxable Income – Tax Reliefs

Think of tax reliefs as legal “discounts” IRAS gives you before they apply the tax rates.

Why You Can’t Do Anything About YA 2025 Anymore

Let’s clear up a common confusion. If you’re trying to lower your tax for YA 2025, you’re too late—those reliefs and contributions needed to happen between 1 Jan to 31 Dec 2024.

But hey—don’t stress. You still have all of 2025 to take action for YA 2026. That means you’ve got time to plan and use tax reliefs before the next deadline hits.

Singapore Income Tax Rates for YA 2025

Here’s a quick look at how personal income tax is calculated based on your chargeable income:

📈 As you can see, your tax liability climbs steeply once your chargeable income exceeds $40,000. That’s where tax reliefs become extremely useful.

10 Tax Reliefs to Help You Save on Income Tax

Below are the most common tax reliefs available to Singapore residents for YA 2026:

🛑 Important Note: You can claim up to a maximum of $80,000 in total personal income tax reliefs.

Some reliefs (like CPF contributions and working mother’s relief) are automatically included. Others—like course fees, donations, or business expenses—require you to actively submit documentation when filing.

Use the IRAS Tax Relief Checker to see what you’re eligible for!

Grouping the Reliefs: 6 Smart Tax-Saving Strategies

Let’s simplify things by organising these reliefs into six practical strategies. Think of these as your tax-saving playbook:

1. 💰 Save for Retirement

Top up your CPF Special Account, Medisave, or contribute to an SRS account. You’re not just saving for the future—you’re lowering your tax bill now.

2. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Start or Grow a Family

If you’re a working mum, the Working Mother’s Child Relief (WMCR) gives you a significant tax deduction—sometimes up to 100% of your income. Also consider claiming for the Qualifying Child Relief (QCR) and Handicapped Child Relief (HCR).

3. 👵 Take Care of Your Parents

Parent and Grandparent Reliefs offer generous deductions—up to $18,000 if they stay with you. It’s IRAS’s way of encouraging family support across generations.

4. 🎓 Upgrade Your Skills

Paying for work-related courses out-of-pocket? Claim up to $5,500 in course fee relief, as long as it’s relevant to your current or future job.

5. 🧾 Track Your Expenses

If you spent money on work-related or business-related expenses (but didn’t get reimbursed), you may be able to claim it. Just make sure to keep proper receipts and records.

6. ❤️ Be Charitable

Donating to approved charities or Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs)? You get 250% tax deduction on the donation amount—yes, more than double!