Citizens in Private Properties Who Do Not Have Any Declared Income

Parliamentary Question by Mr Lim Biow Chuan:

To ask the Minister for Finance currently, how many citizens live in private properties but do not have any declared income.

Parliamentary Reply by Second Minister for Finance Ms Indranee Rajah:

Of 2.7 million adult Singaporean citizens, about 6% or about 164,000 live in private properties and do not declare income for the purposes of personal income tax in Singapore. They generally come under three groups: 

a) They have no yearly income of any form; or

b) They do have income but that income is not taxable, including interest income or dividend income; or

c) They do have taxable income, but are not required to file tax returns as they are not subject to tax after taking into account their tax deductions and reliefs. 

The 164,000 figure includes citizens who have access to other financial means. For example, those who have retired with private savings, and those who are receiving financial support from economically active family members.  

We do not have further details of the financial situation of the 164,000 citizens, as we only collect information required for tax administration.