Question 1

Do you need to keep receipts for per diem rates in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

No, in Singapore, you do not need to provide exact expenses for any expenses covered by per diems. For items not covered by per diem rates, such as international lodging and airfare, receipts should be presented and employers should use a travel reimbursement to reimburse employees for exact expenses.

Question 2

Are per diem payments taxed in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Per diem rates are not taxable up to the allowed amount, which varies by country. If an employer pays employees a per diem allowance that is higher than the rate set by the IRAS, the additional amount is considered taxable income for the employee. For example, if the employee travels to South Africa, the set per diem by the IRAS is S$56 per day. If the employer decides to pay employees S$100 per day, the additional allowance over the set rate for South Africa is taxable. S$100 - S$56 (set per diem) = S$44 (taxable amount) In addition, if the employer provides a reimbursement rate for certain travel expenses based on the actual expense incurred by the employee, some of these reimbursements are not taxable as well. Taxable reimbursements / expensesParking fees at the airport if the employee drives to the airport Payment for luggage or clothing for business travel Non-taxable reimbursements / expensesTravel insurance premiums for the duration of international travelTravel between home and the airport for international business tripsInternational lodging ratesInternational airport transfersTravel between cities (domestic or international) for business purposes Entertainment expenses for business purposes

Question 3

How are per diem rates paid in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Per diem rates may be paid to the employee before or after the trip in question. If the per diem rate is paid in local currency (i.e. not in Singapore dollars), the employer should use their internal conversion rate. If the employer does not have a set internal conversion rate, a standard conversion rate from an international or local bank should apply.

Question 4

What if I have US employees traveling to Singapore?

Accepted Answer

If you have US employees traveling to Singapore, reimbursement rates work differently. In this case, you need to follow the official travel reimbursement rates from the U.S. Department of State office. Keep in mind that these international rates vary from the standard per diem allowances set by the Department of Defense (DOD) for official travel within the continental United States (CONUS). For more information on travel regulations for US employees, see the state.gov website and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) website for official details and exemptions.

Per Diem Rates in Singapore: A Guide for Business Travel (2024)

What are per diem rates?

How are per diem rates calculated in Singapore?

What’s covered by per diem rates in Singapore

What’s not covered by per diem rates in Singapore

Examples of per diem rates in Singapore

Per diem rates for international business travel

FAQs on Singapore Per Diem Rates

Do you need to keep receipts for per diem rates in Singapore?

Are per diem payments taxed in Singapore?

How are per diem rates paid in Singapore?

What if I have US employees traveling to Singapore?

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