Tax Treatment for Payouts from Proposed SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Manpower whether the payouts received by the participants of the proposed SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme will be subject to income tax.

Dr Tan See Leng: In Singapore, income is taxable and payouts from the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support (JS) scheme are considered income. However, we intend to exempt the JS scheme payouts from income tax. This is consistent with the policy objective of the scheme to provide temporary financial support to involuntarily unemployed jobseekers, who face employment setbacks and need greater support.