Capital Gains Tax Singapore

Singapore does not impose a capital gains tax on profits from the sale of shares, REITs, ETFs, or most property. Gains from such investments are generally not taxable, making Singapore an attractive base for investors — though frequent traders may be assessed as carrying on a trade by IRAS. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.

Table of Contents

Does Singapore Have Capital Gains Tax?

Singapore does not impose a capital gains tax (CGT). This is one of the most investor-friendly aspects of Singapore’s tax regime. Profits from selling shares, S-REITs, ETFs, unit trusts, bonds, and most property are not subject to tax for individual investors — regardless of the size of the gain and with no minimum threshold.

This contrasts sharply with the UK (18–28% CGT on investments), Australia (marginal rate after 50% discount for assets held over 12 months), and the US (0–20% long-term CGT). Singapore’s nil CGT policy means investors keep 100% of their capital gains, compounding wealth significantly over long investment horizons.

What This Means for Stock and REIT Investors

For Singapore investors holding SGX shares, S-REITs, ETFs via REIT ETFs, or unit trusts on platforms like FSMOne and Endowus, selling at a profit generates zero CGT. You also benefit from Singapore’s one-tier tax system for dividends — companies pay corporate tax on profits, and dividends are tax-exempt for individual investors. S-REIT distributions are received tax-free by Singapore individual investors.

The Trading vs Investing Distinction

While there is no CGT, IRAS can reclassify gains from “capital” to “income” if you are deemed to carry on a trade in securities. Factors considered: frequency and volume of trades, whether financing was used, whether investments were held for income versus purely for resale profit, and the nature of your employment. Casual retail investors buying and holding for dividends or long-term growth are very unlikely to be assessed as traders.

Capital Gains on Property in Singapore

Property gains are also exempt from CGT. However, related taxes apply: Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) of 1–4%, Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) of 20% for Singapore citizens buying a second property (higher for PRs and foreigners), and Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD) of 4–12% if sold within 3 years. These are transaction costs, not CGT, but meaningfully reduce net returns on short-term property investment. Use the Retirement Planning Calculator to model property versus financial assets in your wealth plan.

Crypto and Capital Gains in Singapore

IRAS’s position on cryptocurrency mirrors its stance on shares: capital gains from selling crypto are not taxable, but profits from trading crypto as a business are. IRAS looks at the same factors — frequency, intention, use of leverage — to determine whether crypto activity constitutes a trade. As at Q1 2026, Singapore remains one of the more crypto-friendly tax jurisdictions, though MAS has tightened regulations on crypto exchanges and stablecoins.

Practical Implications for Singapore Investors

The absence of CGT combined with the one-tier dividend exemption means Singapore investors enjoy both tax-free income and tax-free capital growth — a rare combination globally. For further tax optimisation, the Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) provides tax relief on contributions, while the CPF Investment Scheme allows investing OA funds in approved assets. Use the SRS Tax Savings Calculator to model your tax savings.

Frequently Asked Questions — Capital Gains Tax Singapore

Explore More Glossary Terms

Browse our full Singapore investing glossary covering CPF, S-REITs, ETFs, dividend investing, and retirement planning terms.