Buying property abroad from Singapore

All foreign sourced income received in Singapore by a resident individual, other than through a Singapore partnership, is exempt from tax where the Comptroller is satisfied the exemption is beneficial. Rent received in Singapore from a home abroad therefore falls outside Singapore tax, while the country of the property taxes it under its own rules.

The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore states that gains from selling property are generally capital and not taxable, unless the owner buys and sells with a profit seeking motive or is trading in property. Foreign sourced income received by a resident individual is also exempt.

Singapore has had no exchange controls since 1978, and residents are free to remit Singapore dollar funds out of the country and to trade Singapore dollars in the foreign exchange market.

A citizen or permanent resident who normally resides in Singapore is a tax resident despite temporary absences. A foreigner is a tax resident after 183 days in the previous calendar year, 3 consecutive years of stay, or a work pass valid for at least a year.

Because exempt income carries no Singapore tax, there is nothing to relieve in Singapore. Singapore has 96 comprehensive double tax agreements, of which 93 were in force at 31 March 2026.

The exemption for resident individuals does not cover foreign sourced income received through a Singapore partnership, so that income follows other rules that were not read for this guide.