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How to Use AI for Singapore Tax Filing and IRAS Compliance
Use AI to understand Singapore tax obligations, prepare IRAS submissions, and ensure compliance with deductions and filing deadlines.
8 min read27 February 2026
AI can help categorise income sources (salary, investment, freelance) and explain tax treatment for each under Singapore law
Use generative AI to identify allowable deductions and expenses you might miss, maximising your tax refund or minimising liability
AI guides you through IRAS e-filing process, helping you understand form fields, submission requirements, and documentation needed
Language models can explain complex concepts like progressive tax rates, tax relief, CPF deductions, and what triggers audit flags
Why This Matters
Singapore has one of the world's simplest tax systemsâno VAT, clear tax brackets, and many allowable deductions. Yet many Singaporeans file incorrectly: they miss deductions (home office, professional fees, medical), misclassify income, or submit incomplete documentation. This costs them thousands in lost refunds or triggers IRAS queries.
AI simplifies tax compliance. It can review your income and expenses, flag missing deductions, explain what's allowable and what's not, and walk you through the IRAS form step-by-step. Rather than feeling confused or hiring a tax accountant ($500-$2,000), you can get AI-assisted guidance for free.
For Singapore's self-employed, freelancers, and business owners, AI is particularly valuable. It helps you track expenses throughout the year, understand employment pass tax implications, and stay compliant with IRAS without hiring a professional accountant.
AI simplifies tax compliance. It can review your income and expenses, flag missing deductions, explain what's allowable and what's not, and walk you through the IRAS form step-by-step. Rather than feeling confused or hiring a tax accountant ($500-$2,000), you can get AI-assisted guidance for free.
For Singapore's self-employed, freelancers, and business owners, AI is particularly valuable. It helps you track expenses throughout the year, understand employment pass tax implications, and stay compliant with IRAS without hiring a professional accountant.
How to Do It
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Step 1: Gather Your Income Documentation
Collect all income documents: your annual payslip, 1099 forms if freelancing, investment income statements, rental income records, and any other earnings. Paste these into Claude or ChatGPT and ask: "What's my total assessable income for this year? Which income streams are taxable in Singapore?" AI categorises and totals everything.
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Step 2: Identify All Allowable Deductions
Ask AI: "I'm a freelancer. Which of these are tax-deductible in Singapore: home office supplies ($500), professional courses ($1,500), laptop purchase ($3,000), software subscriptions ($1,200), client meals ($600)?" AI explains Singapore tax law deductions and flags non-deductible items.
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Step 3: Calculate Your Taxable Income
AI does the math: Total Income - Allowable Deductions - CPF Contributions = Taxable Income. Ask: "Given my income of $80,000, deductions of $12,000, and CPF of $11,520, what's my taxable income? What tax bracket do I fall into?" AI shows you the bracket and estimated tax liability.
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Step 4: Walk Through IRAS Form with AI
Ask: "I'm filing Form B1 (Individual Return). Walk me through each section and explain what information I need." AI guides you through: employment income, business income, rental income, investments, relief claims, and CPF contributions.
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Step 5: Prepare Documentation and Submit
Compile all receipts, invoices, and supporting documents. Ask AI: "What supporting documents should I keep for IRAS if I claim home office and course fees as deductions?" AI creates a checklist. Submit via IRAS e-filing before the deadline (usually March 15).
What This Actually Looks Like
The Prompt
I'm a Singapore resident earning: $60,000 salary from my main job + $15,000 freelance income + $2,000 investment income. I contributed $11,520 to CPF (employer + employee). I claim $3,000 professional development, $1,500 home office, and $800 laptop (partial allocation to work). Are these deductions allowable? What's my tax liability?
Example output — your results will vary based on your inputs
Your assessable income: $60K + $15K + $2K = $77K. Allowable deductions: $3K professional development (yes) + $1.5K home office (if you can document business use, yes) + $800 laptop (20% allocation might be acceptable; get a receipt). Total deductions: ~$5.3K. CPF relief: $11.52K. Taxable income: $77K - $5.3K - $11.52K = $60.18K. Tax bracket: $60K falls into the 7% bracket ($600 on first $20K) + 11.5% on next $40K (~$4,600) = ~$5,200 total tax. However, you'll get Earned Income Relief (10% of employment income, max $1,000), so net tax: ~$4,200. Refund/balance depends on tax withheld. Recommendation: Claim the deductions but keep all receipts; home office is audited frequently.
Prompts to Try
Income Classification Prompt
I earn: [salary], [freelance work], [rental income], [investment gains]. Are all these taxable in Singapore? What's my total assessable income, and are there any exemptions I should know?
What to expect: Breakdown of each income type, explanation of taxability, and identification of any non-taxable income (e.g., capital gains in Singapore are not taxed).
Deduction Audit Prompt
I want to claim these as deductions: [list of 10+ expense categories]. For each, tell me if it's deductible under Singapore tax law, any dollar limits, and documentation required.
What to expect: Yes/no for each deduction, explanation of limits, and required proof (receipts, invoices, documentation standards).
Tax Bracket and Liability Prompt
My taxable income is $[amount] after deductions and CPF relief. What's my tax bracket, estimated tax liability, and any reliefs I might qualify for? How much should I expect to pay or refund?
What to expect: Your exact tax bracket, calculated tax, identified reliefs, and estimated refund/balance due.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting CPF Contribution Relief
Many employees don't realise their CPF contributions reduce taxable income. This is automatic, but self-employed and freelancers must claim it. Missing this costs you hundreds in unnecessary tax.
Claiming Non-Deductible Personal Expenses
Gym memberships, personal car expenses, holiday costs are not deductible. Some freelancers claim everything and face IRAS audits. AI helps you distinguish business expenses (deductible) from personal expenses (not deductible).
Underreporting Rental or Freelance Income
IRAS has data from 1099 forms, rental platforms, and cross-checks with banks. Under-reporting triggers audits. AI helps you accurately declare all income and understand what IRAS already knows about you.
Tools That Work for This
Claude or ChatGPTExcellent for explaining Singapore tax law, identifying deductions, and walking through IRAS forms. Can process your financial documents and provide guidance.
AI can guide you, but it's not a substitute for professional tax advice. Complex situations (business losses, capital gains, expat status) warrant a tax accountant.
IRAS MyTax PortalSingapore's official tax filing platform. All submissions happen here. AI can help you understand forms, but filing is done officially through myTax.
Portal is sometimes buggy; you need a SingPass login.
Tax Accounting Software (e.g., Xero, Wave)Tools for tracking income and expenses throughout the year. Integrates with banks to auto-categorise transactions, making year-end tax prep easier.
Paid tools; require ongoing setup and category mapping. Best for businesses and self-employed; overkill for simple salary earners.
Frequently Asked Questions
IRAS audits if you claim unreasonable deductions or your income/expenses seem inconsistent. If your deductions are legitimate and you keep documentation, you're fine. AI helps you claim correctly, not exaggerate. However, always keep receipts as proof.
Singapore allows home office deduction if you can document exclusive business use. 2 days/week is marginal; you'd need to prove a dedicated office space. Some accountants say it's not worth the audit risk. AI can explain the rules, but your situation is borderline.
You can amend within 4 years. IRAS has a simple amendment process on myTax. Minor errors (a few hundred dollars) are often overlooked. Major underreporting triggers audits. Ask AI to review your prior year return and identify issues before voluntarily amending.
Next Steps
- Gather all income documents and upload to Claude or ChatGPT for classification
- Run a deduction audit using AI to identify what you can legitimately claim
- Calculate your estimated tax liability using AI guidance
- Log into IRAS myTax portal and follow AI-guided form walkthrough
- Submit before March 15 deadline and keep all supporting documentation for 5 years
- Run a deduction audit using AI to identify what you can legitimately claim
- Calculate your estimated tax liability using AI guidance
- Log into IRAS myTax portal and follow AI-guided form walkthrough
- Submit before March 15 deadline and keep all supporting documentation for 5 years