GST Offset Package Overview

1. GST Credits
2. Senior Citizens’ Bonus
3. Utilities-Save, Service and Conservancy Charges and Rental Rebates
4. Other components of the GST Offset Package

1. GST Credits

In Budget 2007, it was announced that all adult Singaporean would get GST Credits of up to $1,000 over 4 years to help them with the impact of the GST increase. Those who earn less or live in smaller homes would get more GST Credits. Nearly three-quarters of adult Singaporeans would get $800 each. NSFs and NSmen will also get a one-off $100 GST Credits to recognize their contributions to national security.

*Singaporeans will be receiving the final payout for GST Credits on 1 Jul 2010.

Back to top

2. Senior Citizens’ Bonus

In Budget 2007, it was announced that lower-income elderly aged 55 and above, with an annual income of $100,000 or less, would also receive Senior Citizens' Bonus of $200 to $1,000 over 4 years. This was to help them meet living expenses out of their savings. Two-thirds of the Senior Citizens' Bonus would be given in cash and one-third credited to their Medisave Accounts.

*Singaporeans will be receiving the final payout for Senior Citizens’ Bonus on 1 Jul 2010.

Back to top

3. Utilities-Save, Service and Conservancy Charges and Rental Rebates

HDB households would get Utilities-Save (U-Save), Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC) and rental rebates over 5 years to help them cope with higher costs of living. Those living in smaller HDB flats would get more rebates.

U-Save Rebates

* Figures in brackets show the additional U-Save rebates announced at National Day Rally 2008.

Eligibility Criteria

HDB households who fulfill all of the criteria below would qualify for the U-Save rebates:
a) Singaporean households (i.e. at least one Singapore citizen lessee/essential occupier or fully sublet to at least one Singaporean tenant); and
b) Lessees and essential occupiers or tenants of fully sublet flat do not own or share ownership in any private residential property, commercial and/or industrial property (including HDB commercial/industrial properties)

Number of months of S&CC Rebates

* Figures in brackets show the additional S&CC as announced in Budget 2009.

Eligibility Criteria

HDB households who fulfill all of the criteria below would qualify for the S&CC rebates:
a) Singaporean households (i.e. at least one Singapore citizen lessee/essential occupier);
b) Lessees and essential occupiers do not own or share ownership in any private residential property, commercial and/or industrial property (including HDB commercial/industrial properties); and
c) Flat-owners have not sublet their entire flat

Number of months of Rental Rebates

* Figures in brackets show the additional month of Rental Rebates as announced in Budget 2009.

Eligibility Criteria

HDB households who fulfill all of the criteria below would qualify for the Rental rebates:
a) Singaporean households (i.e. at least one Singapore citizen lessee/essential occupier) who pay subsidised rent; and
b) Tenants do not infringe tenancy agreements of rental flats

Back to top

4. Other Components Of the GST Offset Package

As part of the GST Offset Package, Singaporeans would have received the following

• Top-Ups to PSEA
• Property Tax Rebate
• Assistance for Low-Income Families with Children
• Assistance for Pensioners
• Top-ups to Public Transport Fund for lower-income households
• Assistance through Citizens' Consultative Committees (CCCs), Self-Help Groups and VWOs for lower-income households
• Additional Subsidies for Healthcare, Education and Service and Conservancy Charges

Click here to find out more.

Back to top