How Singapore tax refunds work and who receives them

The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) processes tax refunds for residents who have overpaid income tax during the year. A refund happens when your total tax paid (through monthly deductions or advance payments) exceeds what you actually owe based on your final tax assessment. Not everyone gets a refund — you only receive one if you have paid more than your liability.

IRAS sends refunds automatically once your tax return is processed and approved. You do not need to request a refund separately; it is issued as part of the normal assessment cycle. The refund goes to the bank account you provided on your tax return, or by cheque if you did not register a bank account with IRAS.

Refunds are issued in batches throughout the year, typically starting from May onwards for the previous year's assessment. The timing depends on when your return was filed and processed, not on when you filed it.

Key Takeaways

  • IRAS automatically issues refunds to your registered bank account once your tax assessment is approved — you do not need to request one.
  • Refunds are only issued if you have overpaid tax; you must file a tax return to receive one, even if you are owed money.
  • Refunds typically arrive between May and August for the previous year's tax, depending on when your return was processed.
  • You can check your refund status through myTax Portal using your SingPass login, which shows whether a refund has been issued and the expected arrival date.
  • If your refund does not arrive within the stated timeframe, contact IRAS directly through their online enquiry form or call their hotline.

Filing your tax return to receive a refund

To receive a refund, you must file a tax return with IRAS, even if you are not required to do so by law. Employees whose income comes only from salary and has already been taxed at source may not be legally required to file, but filing is the only way to claim a refund if you have overpaid.

You can file your return online through myTax Portal (the easiest method), by submitting a paper form, or through an approved tax agent. The online portal is available from early March each year and closes on 18 April for most taxpayers. If you miss the deadline, you can still file late, but IRAS may impose a penalty.

When you file, you must declare all income sources and provide your bank account details so IRAS can transfer the refund directly. If you do not provide a bank account, IRAS will send a cheque instead, which takes longer to arrive.

Checking your refund status through myTax Portal

The fastest way to track your refund is through myTax Portal, which shows the status of your assessment and any refund owed. Log in using your SingPass credentials, navigate to the "My Notices" or "My Assessments" section, and look for your latest year of assessment. The portal displays whether your assessment has been approved, whether a refund has been issued, and the expected date it will arrive in your bank account.

If your assessment is still being processed, the portal will show "Under Review" or a similar status. Once approved, it will show the refund amount and the date IRAS issued it. Bank transfers typically take three to five business days to appear in your account after IRAS issues the refund.

If you do not have a SingPass account, you can register for one through the SingPass website using your NRIC and mobile number. Registration is free and takes a few minutes.

Timeline for receiving your refund

Refunds are not issued on a fixed date — they are processed in batches as assessments are completed. Most refunds for the previous year's tax are issued between May and August, but some may arrive as late as September or October if your return required additional review.

The exact timing depends on several factors: when you filed your return (earlier filers are usually processed first), whether your return was straightforward or required clarification, and current IRAS processing volume. Returns filed in March are typically processed before those filed in April.

Once IRAS issues your refund, the bank transfer takes three to five business days. If you requested a cheque instead of a bank transfer, allow an additional one to two weeks for postal delivery.

What to do if your refund is delayed or missing

If your refund has not arrived by the date shown in myTax Portal, or if the portal shows a refund was issued but you have not received it after five business days, contact IRAS directly. The most reliable method is to submit an online enquiry through the IRAS website — fill out the form with your NRIC, assessment year, and details of the issue, and IRAS will respond within five to seven working days.

You can also call the IRAS hotline at 1800-356-8888 (toll-free within Singapore) during business hours. Have your NRIC and assessment year ready when you call. If you are calling from overseas, use the international number listed on the IRAS website.

Common reasons for delays include: your bank account details were incorrect or incomplete on your return (IRAS may have issued a cheque instead), your return is still under review, or there was an error in processing. IRAS can verify which of these applies and advise you on next steps.

Refunds for non-residents and foreign workers

Non-residents who worked in Singapore during the year and had tax withheld from their salary can also receive refunds, but the process is different. Non-residents must file a tax return within one month of leaving Singapore or by the normal filing deadline, whichever is earlier. The return must be filed in person at an IRAS office or through an approved tax agent — online filing is not available for non-residents.

Non-resident refunds are typically processed more slowly than resident refunds because they require additional verification. Allow up to three months for processing. Refunds are sent by cheque to your last known address in Singapore or overseas, depending on what you provided on your return.

If you are a foreign worker leaving Singapore, inform your employer's payroll department and IRAS of your departure date so they can process your final tax assessment correctly.

Refunds for self-employed and business owners

Self-employed individuals and business owners can receive refunds if they have overpaid estimated tax or if their actual tax liability is lower than expected. The process is the same as for employees: file your tax return with IRAS, declare all income and allowable expenses, and IRAS will calculate whether you are owed a refund.

Business owners must file their returns by 30 November each year (or 31 December if using a tax agent). Refunds are processed after your assessment is approved, which can take longer for business returns because they often require more detailed review. Allow four to six months for processing if your return includes business income.

If you have paid quarterly estimated tax (called "estimated chargeable income" or ECI), you can offset overpayments against future tax bills or request a refund. Check myTax Portal to see whether IRAS has credited an overpayment to your next year's assessment or issued it as a refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to file a tax return if I only earn salary and have no refund coming?

No, employees whose income comes only from salary and has been fully taxed at source are not legally required to file. However, if you have overpaid tax (for example, because you had multiple employers or claimed deductions), you must file to receive a refund. IRAS will not issue a refund without a filed return.

What if I filed my return but IRAS has not issued an assessment yet?

Check myTax Portal to see the current status. If it shows "Under Review", IRAS is still processing your return — this can take several weeks. If you filed late or your return required clarification, processing takes longer. You can contact IRAS through their online enquiry form if you filed more than two months ago and have not received an assessment.

Can I get my refund as a cheque instead of a bank transfer?

Yes, but you must request this when you file your return. If you did not provide a bank account number on your return, IRAS will automatically send a cheque. Cheques are mailed to your registered address and take one to two weeks longer to arrive than bank transfers. You cannot change the payment method after filing.

What happens if I provided the wrong bank account number on my return?

If IRAS issued a refund to an incorrect account, contact them immediately through myTax Portal or by phone. Provide the correct account details and IRAS can reissue the refund. If the refund was transferred to someone else's account, you may need to work with your bank to recover it, which can take several weeks.

Do I need to report my refund as income on next year's tax return?

No, a tax refund is not income — it is a return of tax you overpaid in a previous year. You do not declare it on your next return.