First Rental Support Scheme (RSS) Payouts to be disbursed from 6 August

Over 38,400 tenants and owner-occupiers to receive more than $216 million worth of RSS payouts to support businesses with rental costs

Over 38,400 tenants and owner-occupiers will receive their first Rental Support Scheme (RSS) payouts, totalling over $216 million from 6 August 2021. This is achieved ahead of schedule by two weeks. This is the first time we are providing rental support directly to tenants without going through the landlords. The new payout mechanism allows tenants to receive rental cash payment from the Government promptly and reduces compliance burden for landlords.

2 The Minister for Finance had announced the RSS on 28 May 2021 to support businesses with rental costs, as part of a package of support measures to help businesses tide over restrictions under Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) from 16 May to 13 June 2021. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and eligible Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) with an annual revenue not exceeding $100 million, which are tenants or owner-occupiers of qualifying commercial properties, will receive a cash payout equivalent to 0.5 month of their rent for the period of 14 May to 29 May 2021 in this first RSS payout.

3 There will be a separate second RSS cash payout (as announced by the Ministry of Finance on 23 July 2021) in view of the tightened safe management measures after returning to Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) from 22 July to 18 August 2021. This second cash payout of an additional 0.5 month of rent for qualifying tenants and owner-occupiers of privately-owned commercial properties will be disbursed in October 2021. MOF will release another update closer to the second RSS disbursement.

4 Eligible tenants and owner-occupiers will be notified by post of their RSS cash payout. They can also log in to myTax Portal from 6 August 2021 to view the electronic copy of their letter.

Earlier payouts for tenants and owner-occupiers with PayNow or GIRO

5 Eligible tenants and owner-occupiers with PayNow or existing GIRO arrangements with IRAS can expect to receive the RSS cash payouts from 6 August 2021. Those without these payment arrangements will receive cheques by 20 August 2021. More details on the RSS are available on the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) website at go.gov.sg/irasrss.

Qualifying tenants and owner-occupiers who do not receive the payout notification

6 The cash payout will not be disbursed automatically to tenants who only rent part of a property, tenants who rent a mixed-use property (e.g. a shophouse for both retail and residential use), or to licensees. Eligible tenants and owner-occupiers who do not receive the payout notification should submit an application to IRAS. Applications will open on 16 August 2021. Please visit the IRAS website at go.gov.sg/irasrss for more details.

Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore
Ministry of Finance
5 August 2021