Taxes
Singapore — Tax: Capital Gains
Singapore levies no capital gains tax on assets held for genuine long-term investment purposes — this covers shares, real property, bonds, and cryptocurrency (including NFTs) for individual investors. The key exception: if trading is frequent and short-term enough to be considered carrying on a trade/business (e.g. active day-trading, professional market-making), the resulting gains are treated as ordinary business income and taxed at standard income tax rates instead. Property sales carry no capital gains tax regardless of holding period, but stamp duties apply on every purchase — including the Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD), which can reach up to 60% for foreign purchasers — and rental income from property remains fully taxable at marginal personal income tax rates.
Key facts
- No capital gains tax on investment-held shares, property, bonds, or cryptocurrency (including NFTs) for individual investors.
- Frequent, short-term trading (day-trading, professional market-making) can be reclassified as business income and taxed at standard income tax rates instead.
- Property sales carry no capital gains tax regardless of holding period, but stamp duties (including ABSD, up to 60% for foreign buyers) apply on every purchase.
- Rental income from property remains fully taxable at marginal personal income tax rates, distinct from the capital gains exemption on the sale itself.
Required documents
- Brokerage/exchange transaction records
- Property purchase/sale documentation for stamp duty assessment
Common mistakes
- Assuming all crypto/trading gains are automatically tax-free — frequent short-term trading can be reclassified as taxable business income.
- Overlooking that the 0% capital gains treatment on property doesn't extend to rental income, which is fully taxable.