Reviewing Parenthood Tax Rebate Eligibility for Unwed Working Mothers

Parliamentary Question by Mr Gabriel Lam:

To ask the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) how many submissions relating to the eligibility criteria for Working Mother’s Child Relief have been received from unwed working mothers under the Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup’s engagement; (b) whether the Workgroup’s recommendations expected in early 2027 will consider the eligibility of unwed working mothers for the relief; and (c) if not, why this issue falls outside its scope. 

Parliamentary Question by Mr Gabriel Lam:

To ask the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) how many submissions relating to the Parenthood Tax Rebate have been received under the Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup’s engagement; (b) whether the Workgroup’s recommendations expected in 2027 will consider extending the rebate to unwed mothers; and (c) if not, why this issue falls outside its scope. 

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Parliamentary Reply by Second Minister for Finance, Mr Jeffrey Siow:

The Marriage and Parenthood (M&P) Reset Workgroup has received a wide range of feedback from Singaporeans through its engagements and feedback channels, including feedback on tax measures such as the Working Mother's Child Relief (WMCR) and the Parenthood Tax Rebate (PTR). The Workgroup does not require members of the public who provide feedback to disclose their marital or employment status. As such we are unable to say what number of submissions were made by unwed working mothers.

In this recent engagement exercise, the number of submissions on each of these issues is less than 5.

The Government is reviewing M&P-related tax measures under the M&P Reset Workgroup and will release its full set of recommendations in early 2027.