Rates and thresholds change. The current figures are kept in one place: the Singapore property rules reference.
What counts as rental income?
IRAS says rental income is the full amount of rent and related payments you receive when you rent out your property. That includes rent of the premises, maintenance, rent of furniture and fittings, and a forfeited rental deposit. Renting out a spare room is taxable too, and you apportion allowable expenses by the number of rooms rented out. Rent is taxable from the date it is due and payable, not the date you actually receive it, so rent due in December 2025 but paid in January 2026 belongs to the earlier year.
Two ways to claim expenses
For tenanted residential property you can use the simplified claim, where deemed rental expenses of 15% of gross rent are filled in for you on the online tax form, and you may still claim mortgage interest on the loan taken to buy the property. IRAS says you need not keep records of the other rental expenses for this claim, but you should keep the mortgage interest documents for at least 5 years. Alternatively you can claim the actual expenses you incurred, keeping tenancy agreements, bank statements, invoices and receipts for at least 5 years.
What is and is not deductible?
| Allowable | Not allowable |
|---|---|
| Interest paid on the loan used to buy the rented property | Repayment of the loan principal |
| Property tax for the rental period | Penalty for late payment of property tax |
| Fire insurance premiums | Capital sum assured on the property |
| Repairs that restore the property to its original state | Cost of initial repairs, and repairs that improve or add to the property |
| Maintenance, such as MCST charges and pest control | Renovation, additions and alterations |
| Agent commission, advertising, legal fees and stamp duty to secure a tenant, but not for leases longer than 3 years | Deductions for leases, renewals or extensions exceeding 3 years |
Worked example with invented numbers
A landlord rents out a flat for $3,000 a month for a full year, so gross rent is $36,000. The deemed expense claim is 15% of that, or $5,400. Mortgage interest paid for the year on the loan to buy the flat was $9,000.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross rent ($3,000 x 12) | $36,000 |
| Less deemed expenses (15%) | $5,400 |
| Less mortgage interest | $9,000 |
| Net rental income added to the tax return | $21,600 |
If the landlord's documented actual expenses, other than interest, came to more than $5,400, claiming actual expenses would lower the net figure. If they came to less, the simplified claim is the better one. The tax payable then depends on the owner's total income and tax residency, which this page does not work out.
Joint owners, losses and vacancies
- A sole owner is taxed on 100% of the rental income. Joint owners are taxed on their legal share, regardless of who receives the rent.
- A rental loss cannot be carried forward or set against other income. As an administrative concession, you may offset the loss of one property against the rent of another in the same year, if all are rented at market rates.
- From the Year of Assessment 2022, repair, insurance, maintenance and property tax during a vacant period between tenants can be deducted, if you made reasonable efforts to find a new tenant.
Sources and references
Official sources, checked on 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is rental income taxable in Singapore?
Yes. IRAS says the net rental income, after allowable expenses, is subject to income tax.
Can I deduct my mortgage interest?
Yes. IRAS allows interest on the loan used to buy the rented property. Repayments of the loan principal are not deductible.
What is the 15% deemed expense claim?
For tenanted residential property, IRAS fills in deemed rental expenses of 15% of gross rent on the online tax form. You can still claim mortgage interest on top, or opt to claim actual expenses instead.
Is the tax charged when rent is received or when it is due?
From the date it is due and payable to the owner, not the date of actual receipt.
Is rent from a spare room taxable?
Yes. IRAS says income from subletting a room is taxable, and you apportion allowable expenses based on the number of rooms rented out.
Renting out a property and unsure how to report it?
Winfred can talk through the landlord side of the numbers, and for tax treatment he will point you to IRAS or a qualified tax adviser for your own filing.
Book a free 30 minute strategy call WhatsApp WinfredWinfred Quek is an Associate Marketing Consultant at Crestbrick Pte Ltd (CEA Licence No. L3010886H). CEA R073319H. This page is for general information only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Verify current figures with IRAS, HDB, CPF Board or MAS before making any decision.