1. Osome Blog Singapore
  2. What Taxes Do Malaysian Entrepreneurs Pay in Singapore?

What Taxes Do Malaysian Entrepreneurs Pay in Singapore?

Author Nataliya DzharianiNataliya Dzhariani

4 min read
Money Talk

Singapore corporate tax rate is 17% flat for foreigners and locals. The government supports startups with exemptions. And Singapore and Malaysia have a Double Taxation Agreement to avoid being taxed twice on the same income.

What Taxes Do Malaysian Entrepreneurs Pay in Singapore?

Singapore tax system is one of the best in the world for entrepreneurs. Learn how to benefit from opening your foreign company and paying its taxes in Singapore.

What are the benefits of Singapore tax system?

The tax rates in Singapore are simple, transparent and fairly low. The corporate tax rate is 17% flat for both foreign and local entrepreneurs. On top of that, the Singapore government supports startups by giving exemptions for the first three years after incorporation. And since Singapore and the United Kingdom have a Double Taxation Agreement, you’re protected from being taxed twice on the same income.

How do Singapore and Malaysia corporate taxes compare?

While the tax structures are similar, Singapore rates are lower. And since Singapore and Malaysia have a Double Taxation Agreement, you’re protected from being taxed twice on the same income. Both countries do not tax on capital gains in general. However, some gains are taxed in Malaysia, like the ones derived from the disposal of real property or sale of shares in a real property company.

Let’s do the math comparing two mature companies with the same profit:

Profit: ‎RM300,000

Malaysia Singapore
Tax on profit 18% 8.08%
Total tax RM54,000 RM24,225


The effective Singapore tax rate above is calculated with a PTE exemption that we explain below.

What exemptions are there for start-ups?

The Start-Up Tax Exemption (SUTE) provides tax cuts for the first 3 years after Singapore company registration. For the financial years 2019 and 2020 the rules translate into the following effective rates:

  • 4.25% on the first S$100,000 (RM300,000) of normal chargeable income
  • 8.5% on the next S$100,000 (RM300,000)

After the first 3 assessment years have expired, you can receive a Partial Tax Exemption (PTE). Here are the effective tax rates:

  • 4.25% for the first S$10,000 (RM30,000) of normal chargeable income
  • 8.5% on the next S$190,000 (RM570,000)

How can I qualify for the start-up tax exemption?

It is available within the first 3 years after you opened a company in Singapore.

  • At least one shareholder has to be a person, not a company and hold more than 10%.
  • No more than 20 shareholders altogether.
  • Investment holding and property development companies cannot apply.
  • You have to be a tax resident in Singapore.

What are other taxes on business?

Singapore declared dividends are not taxable, neither are capital gains.  There’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) on supplies made in Singapore but your company only has to register for it if your turnover grows over S$1,000,000 (RM3,000,000). As a GST-registered company, you have to charge GST on your supply. The upside is you can claim the GST suffered on your purchases. If you mainly export your goods abroad, you may apply for an exemption from GST registration.

Tax Singapore Malaysia
Corporate Tax 17% 24%
Capital Gains Tax 0% 0%
Tax on Dividends nil nil
GST/SST 9%
after S$1m turnover
5-10%
Personal Income Tax 0%–22%
progressive rate
0%–28%
progressive rate

When and how do I submit my taxes?

Taxes are filed annually with IRAS (the tax authority) by November 30th. You report on your income for the previous year. For example, a report on 2018 income is submitted on November 30th, 2019.

You also get to choose the exact evaluation period. It doesn’t have to match a calendar year. For example, if you’ve incorporated in October, you can report your income from the 1st of October to the 30th of September.

Annual reporting is a service regularly provided by local agencies. As they process your documents, they will advise on possible changes needed to qualify for tax exemptions.

FYE
Closing data of your evaluation year
30 Sep 31 Mar
Basis period
Your evaluation year, choose convenient dates
1 Oct 2017
to 30 Sep 2018
1 Apr 2018
to 31 Mar 2019
Year of Assessment (YA)
When you submit the report
2019 2020
Tax Filing Deadline
Always 30 Nov
30 Nov 2019 30 Nov 2020

Can my company lose Singapore tax residency?

Yes, if IRAS thinks your “control and management” happens elsewhere.  So one important requirement is that your board of directors has to meet and make strategic decisions in Singapore. Having a local executive also helps convince IRAS that your company is resident.

Losing residency means you won’t get most of the exemptions and benefits. Good news is that residency is evaluated on a yearly basis so you can apply again the following year.

If I move to Singapore, what personal taxes will I pay?

The personal tax rate is progressive from 0% to 22%. If you buy a property, tax on property is progressive from 0 to 16%.

Personal tax rate

Chargeable income (S$) Estimated tax (S$) Effective tax rate
first 20,000 0 0%
next 10,000 200 2.0%
next 10,000 350 3.5%
next 40,000 2,800 7.0%
next 40,000 4,600 11.5%
next 40,000 6,000 15.0%
next 40,000 7,200 18.0%
next 40,000 7,600 19,0%
next 40,000 7,800 19,5%
next 40,000 8,000 20.0%
over 320,000 44,550 22.0%

This article was written by experts at Osome – online service for Incorporation, Secretary, and Accounting in Singapore. We help entrepreneurs from Malaysia to start and run business, including tax management and filing. We respond fast 24/7 in a secure chat.

Share this post:
Subscribe

Tips to run your business smarter. Delivered to you monthly.

By clicking, you agree to our Terms & Conditions , Privacy and Data Protection Policy

Related Articles

  • How a Revenue-Based Accounting Plan Can Help You Grow
    Money Talk

    How a Revenue-Based Accounting Plan Can Help You Grow

    A revenue-based accounting plan offers businesses in their first year of business a flexible approach to financial management and an opportunity to grow their revenues. Learn more about how this strategy can benefit your business.

    ·3 min read
  • Understanding the Workflow of Transfer Pricing in Singapore
    Money Talk

    Understanding the Workflow of Transfer Pricing in Singapore

    Affiliated businesses often trade on preferential conditions and thus pay less tax. To prevent that, countries developed a system to control the “family business” — the transfer pricing rules. Let’s see how they influence the prices you set, how to play by these rules and what documents to prepare.

    ·7 min read
  • What Is the Singapore Progressive Wage Credit Scheme (WCS)
    Better Business

    What Is the Singapore Progressive Wage Credit Scheme (WCS)

    The Singapore Progressive Wage Credit Scheme (WCS) uplifts low-wage workers by incentivizing employers to raise wages. It bridges income gaps, boosts morale, supports businesses in wage increment efforts, fosters productivity, and promotes a more equitable income distribution within companies.

    ·7 min read
  • 2023 Tax Deadlines in Singapore You Need To Know About
    Money Talk

    2023 Tax Deadlines in Singapore You Need To Know About

    One of the most important aspects of running a business includes planning ahead. Kickstart your 2023 by getting a headstart on important tax deadlines, so you can always stay on top of things. Read on to find out more.

    ·8 min read
  • 7 Things SMEs Need To Know About the 2023 Singapore Budget
    Money Talk

    7 Things SMEs Need To Know About the 2023 Singapore Budget

    Singapore's Budget 2023 sets out measures to boost local businesses and encourage innovation, amid uncertainties in the global economy. Find out what the measures are, and how it impacts your small business.

    ·3 min read

Tips to run your business smarter. Delivered to you monthly.

We’re using cookies! What does it mean?