Just a few more days to go before 2009 ends. It's time to top up donation as well as purchase of books and computers to the maximum claimable level.

I was paying income tax at 27%, the maximum level. Under the new PCB system, my monthly salary is even deducted more. It is actually over-deducted for quite a big sum. Budget 2010 announced that maximum personal income tax rate will be reduced to 26% but I doesn't help to relief me much.

I know it is our responsibility to pay tax based on income level. I am only an employee earning fixed salary in corporate world, and there is not much room to structure my taxable income even though I maximise donotion, medical and purchase of books and computer.

I would like to ask those who are also paying the maximum 27% income tax rate or tax consultants, that how you strategise income tax matter in order to minimise taxable income.

I have not got married yet, thus no wife and no kids. That's why I can't enjoy much tax relief.

Furthermore, it is pointless for me to engage a tax consultant, as I am only an employee and I do not own any business. It looks like I can't do much and have to continue being a good citizen contributing to the government.


It is easier to get loans, but my cumulative loan amount becomes bigger too as I tend to buy more properties resulting in bigger commitment.

Even under the previous PCB system, my monthly income was also over-deducted. I have roughly calculated and found out that I need to claim back quite a large sum for my 2009 income tax.

Thanks but what to chat and how to negotiate? I work in a public-listed company with hundreds of employees. I don't think the company would "customise" my payroll only.

My HR Department did send a memo explicating the new PCB system early this year but I didn't really pay attention. What I notice is that my monthly salary has constantly been deducted by a bigger quantum compared to previous years.

I have to seriously strategise my deductible tax with my HR Department from Jan 2010 onwards.


For me, I'd rather prefer I underpay IRB monthly. I don't mind to top up contribution when I submit the income tax form. I can earn interest myself rather than giving it to others.


Frankly speaking, bonus this year is better than last year. But it is not a VERY HUGE one. Also in last year's income tax declaration, I didn't maximise all tax relief items, such as medical insurance, purchase of books and computers, etc.

Over the past few years, IRB also needed to refund me the surpluss that had been over-deducted from my salary. Now my worry is, how efficient is IRB to return me the huge sum which could be 20x higher than last year's amount.

No. It only applies to SPA executed from 10-3-09 to 31-12-10, for housing loan on one property which does not derive any rental income.