Tax Worries

[Jobspeak]

Please help! Good advice needed urgently!  As an Employment Pass holder do you pay a lower tax rate if your partner is working and/or if you have children?  Can you claim wages to the maid and/or CPF contributions for her?  What else could be considered a deduction?  Is accommodation (paid/supplied by employer - under $4K per month) included in taxable income and at what rate?  Are other employer-paid benefits such as airfares, relocation costs etc. considered taxable income and at what rate?

[HNL]

You definitely need to talk to an accountant.  I will try to answer in a general fashion so that you get the overall picture.

You can claim deductions if your spouse makes less than a certain amount.  Deductions for kids are available as well.  But no such thing as a lower tax rate.  

EP holder or not, you are taxed the same as Singaporeans.  The relevant question is whether you are a resident.  (working or living in Singapore more that 1/2 year--with some exceptions)  Non residents are taxed differently.  What I am telling you refers only to residents.

Housing is taxable, most likely not at the full amount, but at 10% of your employment income.  (Complicated rules exist regarding whether you are director or your place is rent-controlled, oh, also if your place is furnished, they have a table to refer to for that.)

Home leave costs are also taxable, but whether you went once or more makes a difference as to how much of the actual cost is considered your income.

Maids--wages are NOT deductible.  If you are a working woman twice the levy can be deducted, but if you are a man, no luck.

Please talk to an accountant.  Or at least check out the IRAS site.