Assessable income is total income after allowable expenses and approved donations have been deducted. It is the figure that personal reliefs are subtracted from to arrive at chargeable income, the amount that is actually taxed.
Key takeaways
- Assessable income is total income less allowable expenses and approved donations.
- Total income covers employment income, trade income for the accounting year and other income such as rent.
- Chargeable income is what remains after personal reliefs are deducted from assessable income.
- Only tax residents may deduct personal reliefs, so for a non-resident the two figures are usually the same.
- Income is assessed on a preceding-year basis — YA 2026 covers income earned from 1 January to 31 December 2025.
See how this applies to your own figures.
Singapore Income Tax Calculator →How assessable income is worked out
IRAS starts from total income for the basis period. Employment income is taken net of employment expenses, trade income net of allowable business expenses, and other income such as rent net of rental expenses. Allowable expenses and approved donations are then deducted from that total to give assessable income.
From assessable income to chargeable income
- Total income less allowable expenses and approved donations = assessable income
- Assessable income less personal reliefs = chargeable income
- Chargeable income is the figure the resident tax rates are applied to
Personal reliefs are available only to tax residents who meet the qualifying conditions, and the total of all reliefs claimed is capped at SGD 80,000 for each Year of Assessment. A non-resident may deduct expenses and donations but is not eligible for personal reliefs.
The period assessable income relates to
Individual income tax is assessed on a preceding-year basis, so assessable income for Year of Assessment 2026 is the income earned in the basis period 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025. An Income Tax Return is required where total income for the previous year came to more than SGD 22,000, where net profit from self-employment came to more than SGD 6,000, or where a non-resident derived income from Singapore.
Key assessable income figures
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Assessable income | total income less expenses and approved donations |
| Chargeable income | assessable income less personal reliefs |
| YA 2026 basis period | 1 Jan 2025 to 31 Dec 2025 |
| Filing required if total income exceeds | SGD 22,000 |
| Personal income tax relief cap | SGD 80,000 per YA |
Figures as at 2026. Source: IRAS.
Worked example
In the illustration IRAS uses, employment income of SGD 50,000 less allowable expenses and donations of SGD 5,000 gives assessable income of SGD 45,000. Personal reliefs of SGD 10,000 are then deducted, leaving chargeable income of SGD 35,000.
Related terms
All Singapore glossary terms →Related calculator
Estimate Singapore income tax for YA 2026 using the IRAS resident rates and reliefs.
This page is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice. All figures and worked examples are estimates for illustrative purposes, are subject to change, and do not reflect any individual’s circumstances. Always refer to IRAS and seek independent professional advice before making any financial decisions.