Wow congrats! takes not even a week? i thought the processing time would be months?

It's not necessarily months, there are cases of next day approval too.
It seems that the timing are mostly random. Maybe depend on the amount
of applications received etc.

Hi guys,

I've accepted an offer to work in Singapore starting in September. I was wondering if I there's anything that I need to settle (eg. income tax) with Malaysian government before moving over?

Do you manage to get Work Permit convert to E Pass ? I'm having the same dilemma as well. Company already told me upfront the EP pass approval is very tough at the moment. So that why they apply Work permit instead of EP. if it doesn't affect my salary..i don't mind though.

is it normal for company to deduct 5% of your salary for tax purposes ? Attached screenshot from my offer letter.


Attached thumbnail(s)

I have to pay on my own la... But company do all the tax filing thing with the payroll system. Just need to file tax refund if any.

I'm not sure if a company can pay tax on behalf/for its employees.

But if can that means the balance from the accumulated 5% pay will be credited back to your account after they pay the tax for you. 5% retention though. No good no good.

But again... You already here in SG or still thinking to accept the offer or not?

i'm still in MY. Haven't tender yet, but have accepted their offer. They told me do not tender until the work permit approved.

Yup..5% retention is no good.

This post has been edited by shawnmy: Jul 30 2016, 09:22 AM

First time knowing that personal income tax in Singapore is hold by the company

I guess this is one of the agency trick to get our money in case we resign before 1 year. I'll ask them to removed or maybe decrease the tax retention rate.

Just want to know..is it legal for company to do tax retention for their employee in SG ?

I think your company is bs you. What you mean tough ? As long as u and your company meet all the requirements. You will get e pass

You working with MoM is it?

That what i thought. I guess they want to make their life easier, hence just simply apply work permit instead of E pass. If they give me E pass, is it possible for me to convert from work permit to E Pass after 3 months ?

nope. but TS has passed the min requirement for EP. why is he getting non-ep

You have to give those companies the benefit of doubt. Many new applicants have been reporting in this thread that their companies applied WP instead of EP even though their salary qualified for it. And it's a trend now

Deal more with govenrment agencies here and you'll realise their rules and regulations keep changing. Not surprising

The way the application works, the company can apply for EP, and if MOM feels that you do not qualify for EP, they will automatically assess you for S-pass. So, there is no need to apply for S-pass directly in your case since you seem to fulfill the conditions for EP. You can check out your chances on MOM's EP online application assessing tool, although it is stated there that it is not guaranteed.

So i guess nothing to worry right ? Just let them apply for work permit first and after few months, i'll ask them to apply for either EP or S pass.

If you are not a citizen/PR, then yes, it's normal to minimize chances of you running road without paying tax. And your co is kind enough to withhold only 5%.

Read here.

Never heard of WP upgrade to EP pass features in MoM

i didn't know about that. Okay..they will hold 5% of my salary everymonth..

Oops sorry paiseh didn't read your tiny screenshot properly. The clause on the site, as well as what i encountered before, refer to the whole salary for the last working month. But yours is 5% of every month it's a bit different from what was stated. Perhaps you can make reference to the MOM site and clarify with your co.