Refundable Working Mother's Child Relief Top-up or Childcare Credit for Middle-Income Working Mothers

Parliamentary Question by Ms Jessica Tan:

To ask the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance whether the Ministry will consider a refundable Working Mother’s Child Relief top-up or refundable childcare credit targeted at middle-income working mothers with three or more Singapore Citizen children who have reached the $80,000 personal income tax relief cap.

Parliamentary Reply by Second Minister for Finance, Ms Indranee Rajah:

The Member’s suggestion is targeted at higher income working mothers. The $80,000 personal income tax relief cap was introduced to make our personal income tax system more progressive. Currently, the relief cap of $80,000 does not affect the vast majority of working mothers, including those with more children.

Supporting Singaporeans in starting and raising families is a top priority for the Government. At this year’s National Day Rally, the Government announced a new SG Child Support Package which, taken together with existing benefits, will provide around $70,000 in direct financial support for every Singaporean child. We will also significantly reduce preschool fees and keep fees affordable across student care centres in primary schools. The Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup’s full set of recommendations will be published in early 2027.