Raising children in Singapore is predicted to cost between $200,000 and $1 million per child until they become adults. Fortunately, there are government support schemes such as tax reliefs and rebates that you can claim to ease some of these expenses. This is in addition to the Child Development Account (CDA) and the Baby Bonus cash gift for babies born in Singapore.
The filing of personal income tax deadline is 15 April each year – so if you haven’t reviewed your tax reliefs yet, now is the time! Curious how much tax savings you can enjoy, and how to claim them properly? Let’s break it down.
1. Parenthood Tax Rebate (PTR)
Offered to tax residents who are married, divorced, or widowed, the PTR is a one-time rebate that can be shared between spouses. Any unutilised amount can be carried forward to offset future income taxes.
How much can you claim?
- $5,000 for the first child
- $10,000 for the second child
- $20,000 for the third and subsequent children
2. Qualifying Child Relief (QCR) / Handicapped Child Relief (HCR)
This relief helps ease the financial load of supporting children below 16 years old or those in full-time education. It applies to biological, adopted, and stepchildren.
Claim amounts:
- $4,000 per child under QCR
- $7,500 per child under HCR
This relief may be shared between spouses or ex-spouses. Working mothers can claim QCR/HCR alongside WMCR, up to a total cap of $50,000 per child.
3. Working Mother’s Child Relief (WMCR)
This relief supports working women caring for their Singapore Citizen children.
For children born before 1 Jan 2024:
- 15% of earned income for 1st child
- 20% for 2nd child
- 25% for 3rd and subsequent children
- Capped at 100% of earned income
For children born on or after 1 Jan 2024 (YA2025 onwards):
- $8,000 for 1st child
- $10,000 for 2nd child
- $12,000 for 3rd and subsequent children
This change supports more equitable relief across income levels.
4. ❌ Foreign Domestic Worker Levy Relief (FDWL)
Previously available to married, divorced, or widowed working women, this relief allowed claims of 2x the levy paid for one domestic helper.
📌 Important: This relief has lapsed from YA2025 onwards. It no longer applies to income earned in 2024.
5. Grandparent Caregiver Relief (GCR)
If your parent or in-law helps care for your Singapore Citizen child under 12—and they are not working—you may be eligible for this relief.
Claim amount:
- $3,000
📌 Only one person can claim per caregiver. If another sibling is already claiming, you cannot. If ineligible, consider Parent Relief.
Need Help Navigating All These?
As a woman, a mother and a Financial Consultant raising my own family here in Singapore, I know how confusing it can be to figure out which benefits you’re entitled to, especially when things keep changing.
If you’re unsure about your eligibility or simply want a second pair of eyes before filing your taxes, I’m just a message away.
Let’s turn tax confusion into confidence—one relief at a time. 💛
And if you’d like to go beyond tax reliefs and learn more about the full range of government grants and parental benefits available in Singapore, you can check out this article too.
📆 This article was updated in April 2025. (for YA2025 filing)
