Payroll Services in Singapore

Smart payroll solutions that fit your tech growth in Singapore.

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Trusted Insight

Trusted payroll company in Singapore

IT payroll outsourcing in Singapore that just works.

Trusted payroll company in Singapore
  • Launch payroll in 7 days
    We get everything up and running within a week.
  • Payroll cycles synced
    Timely salaries and clean reports.
  • Aligned with Singapore rules
    Every filing and contract done by the book.
  • Confidentiality and IP secured
    Your data and ideas stay protected.
  • Built for various team types
    Remote, in-office, or hybrid — we cover it.
  • Ensures smooth scaling in Singapore
    Easily grow or shrink your team.

Singapore
Singapore Flag

Strategic gateway to Southeast Asia, with top-tier digital and financial infrastructure.
Stable, open economy attracts capital-intensive tech operations and HQs.
Government grants and tax breaks support innovation across AI, biotech, and fintech.
GDP

$527.3 billion in 2025

Languages

English and Mandarin

Currency

Singapore Dollar ($, S$)

Developer salary range

S$60k – S$120k/year (US$44k–$88k)

Singapore tax structure overview

Income

0%–22% progressive resident tax; 15% flat for non-residents.

Employer contributions

Up to 17% Central Provident Fund (CPF) for residents; none for non-residents.

Employee contributions

Up to 20% CPF, deducted from salary (residents only).

Freelancers

No CPF; subject to 0%–22% personal tax, 8% GST registration if turnover exceeds S$1M.

Reporting

Monthly CPF submissions and annual IRAS income tax filing.

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Employment law insights

Minimum wage

No statutory minimum wage; market-driven salary benchmarks apply for IT roles.

Overtime pay

1.5x regular rate after 44 hours/week; capped for certain roles.

Payroll frequency

Monthly, unless a contract states otherwise.

Pay stub

Mandatory itemized pay stub, digital or printed, required with each payment.

Common benefits in tech

  • Mandatory CPF contributions for local employees.
  • 14 days paid annual leave plus 11 public holidays.
  • Paid maternity (16 weeks) and paternity (2 weeks) leave.
  • Bonuses based on 13th month, performance, or profit share.
  • Private medical plans, dental, wellness perks, and training allowances.

Payroll system in Singapore

Not all payroll rules apply equally across sectors. Here’s what matters most for tech employers hiring in Singapore.

Types of tech employees Singapore

In Singapore, IT staff fall into two categories: employees and contractors. Understanding the difference helps structure the right contract, especially when remote work or foreign status is involved.

Employees

Hired under Singaporean employment law with CPF and leave entitlements: paid vacation, medical leave, maternity/paternity benefits, and termination safeguards.

Work structure
Work under company direction and policies.
Common roles
Backend developers, data scientists, product managers, QA engineers.
Сontractors

Independent professionals engaged through service agreements. They handle their own taxes, CPF (if applicable), and business expenses.

Work structure
Operate autonomously, using personal tools and workflows.
Common roles
DevOps consultants, interim CTOs, freelance engineers.
Contractor services in Singapore

The main rule to avoid legal consequences: contractors must clearly operate with independence.

Reclassification risks

Contractors may be deemed employees if they:

  • Follow fixed schedules set by the company.
  • Use internal tools and systems.
  • Report to company managers.
  • Rely on one primary client for ongoing work.
Remote setups

Physical location is not the only rule. Remote contractors also risk reclassification if they:

  • Join regular team meetings.
  • Submit deliverables for internal approval.
  • Use platforms like Jira, GitHub, or Slack.
  • Are paid on fixed timelines or milestones.
Off-site workforce in Singapore

Remote and hybrid teams in Singapore are treated just like in-house staff. To stay compliant, you’ll need proper contracts, clear classification, and full payroll registration.

Legal status
Must reside in Singapore or hold a valid work visa. Visa status is linked to employment continuity.
Reimbursements
Employers typically reimburse internet, electricity, and essential equipment. Terms defined in the contract.
Health and safety
Employers are encouraged to ensure a safe home work environment.
Data regulations
Employers must ensure compliance with Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (PDPA) and international data laws; secure access protocols are required.
Payroll
Remote employees are paid like any local hire — with full salary, benefits, and tax filings required.
Equity and stocks in Singapore

If you offer stock options or RSUs to your Singapore team, they’re considered taxable income and must be reported.

Stock options and RSUs
Taxed at vesting or exercise, based on fair market value. Includes RSUs, ESOPs, and phantom shares.
Payroll reporting
Equity income is included in gross salary and appears on monthly payroll and pay stubs.
Cash alternatives
Milestone-based cash bonuses are often used as simpler, performance-linked substitutes to reduce complexity.
CPF and benefits impact
For citizens and PRs, equity gains count as ordinary wages and are subject to CPF. For foreigners, CPF does not apply, but payroll reporting remains mandatory.
Foreign stock plans
Equity from overseas parent companies must be declared through local payroll channels and reflected in employee income records.
Pay stub rules in Singapore

Employers are legally required to issue itemized pay stubs with every salary payment. Digital or printed formats are both accepted. Records must be retained for at least 2 years.

Mandatory details include:

  • Gross salary and net pay.
  • Itemized deductions (e.g. CPF, taxes, benefits).
  • Overtime, bonuses, and allowances.
  • Salary period covered.
  • Employer name and employee ID.
Singapore payroll side notes

Key payroll details and edge cases worth knowing before you start.

IT pay benchmarking

Singapore does not enforce a universal minimum wage. Pay is set by agreement between employer and employee, guided by market benchmarks. In tech:

  • Junior developers: S$ 3k–4k/month;
  • Mid-level (3–5 years): S$ 5k–7k/month;
  • Senior/AI/DevOps roles: S$ 8k–12k+/month.

Salaries are highest in areas like One-North, CBD, and Changi Business Park.

Monthly payment required
Salaries must be paid at least once per month, within 7 days of the salary period’s end. Delays are a legal offence.
CPF applies only to citizens and PRs
CPF contributions are mandatory for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents. Foreign employees are exempt, reducing cost but affecting retirement coverage.
Unused leave is taxable
Leave encashment is treated as taxable income and must be reported through payroll.
IR8A and tax clearance (IR21)
Employers must file IR8A for each employee by year-end. For foreign staff leaving Singapore, Form IR21 must be submitted at least 30 days before departure.
Bonuses and equity: additional wages
Bonuses, RSUs, and stock options are classified as “Additional Wages,” subject to different tax and CPF treatment.
Salary deductions are regulated
Only deductions permitted by law and agreed to in writing may be applied (e.g. lodging, meals, unpaid leave).
Director fees reported separately
Non-salaried director fees fall outside CPF and standard payroll. They are declared under Appendix 2 of Form IR8A.

Singapore payroll mistakes to avoid

Common pitfalls and hidden rules that catch IT employers off guard.

Contractor misclassification_icon

Misclassified contractors

Freelancers treated as employees may cause legal risks and backdated obligations.

Unforeseen costly delays_icon

Late salary payments

Wages not paid within 7 days breach the Employment Act.

Contractors without CPF and leave_icon

Equity income misreported

RSUs and options are often taxed incorrectly or excluded from payroll.

IR8A and IR21 mistakes_icon

IR8A and IR21 mistakes

Missing or inaccurate tax forms delay clearance and result in audits.

Improper deductions_icon

Improper deductions

Employers may only deduct wages for specific reasons and only with written approval.

CPF contribution errors_icon

CPF contribution errors

Underpayments or wrong caps, especially on bonuses, can result in penalties.

Final leave payout errors_icon

Final leave payout errors

Errors in payout or tax treatment of unused leave are common.

Payroll system restrictions_icon

Missing payroll records

Failure to store payroll data for 6 years breaches local law.

Incorrect bonus classification_icon

Incorrect bonus classification

Bonuses often misfiled under Basic instead of Additional Wages.

CPF wrongly applied to foreigners_icon

CPF wrongly applied to foreigners

Only Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents qualify for CPF contributions.

All-in-one payroll services in Singapore

Streamlined monthly payroll services with expert local handling, CPF logic, and bank-grade processing, designed for fast-scaling software teams.

All-in-one payroll services in Singapore
Automated local payroll

Single platform for salaries, equity, CPF, tax reporting, and IR8A submissions.

Easy setup and monthly payments

Employee setup, salaries, contributions, and compliant pay stubs are processed every cycle.

Singapore banking

Bank processing is done locally to simplify currency handling, reduce delays, and ensure transparency.

Easy benefits and bonuses add-ons

Add private healthcare, equity, bonuses, or remote work reimbursements, with ease.

Privacy and data handling standards

All records are securely stored and aligned with Singapore’s PDPA requirements.

Hands-on Singapore support

Our team submits every filing and provides nuanced guidance on exceptions and edge cases.

Explore Our Payroll Platform

See how the Global Employer of Record platform helps you seamlessly manage your global workforce — from hiring and compliance to payroll and employee requests — all in one place.

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Enter new markets and build high-performing global teams with GEOR.

Your payroll win-win plan

We’ve helped tech companies run leaner teams, cut admin hours, and reduce legal risks. Here’s what efficient payroll can unlock in Singapore.

96%
reduction in hiring time.
40%
savings in HR and operational costs.
4x
faster market entry.
92%
employee retention rate.
Singapore payroll pricing

Our base plan is built for international companies hiring their first engineers or setting up distributed teams. It’s ideal for pilot teams, early tech hires, and converting contractors into full-time staff.

Basic
  • Onboarding within 7 days
  • Payroll processing
  • Pension, social fees, and reporting
$499

per employee/ month.
No hidden fees or extra charges.

Remove complexity from payroll

You need to pay a team in Singapore, but the traditional route gives you brain fog? Book a call with us, and we’ll make it all click.

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Smarter than usual payroll vendors

Compared to other payroll outsourcing companies in Singapore, our model is purpose-built for tech teams and software enterprises.

Feature GEOR ADP
Local insights and software development focus Deep understanding of Singapore tech workflows and regional hiring nuances. Broad local experience; delivers across industries, not exclusive to IT.
Compliance framework Tailored to Singapore regulations — CPF, IR8A, IR21, Additional Wages, etc. Strong compliance tools; may be less specialized in tech payroll for local specifics.
Digital-first platform Modern payroll integrated with CPF, tax, and benefits management. Established digital platform with global features; may require customization.
Equity and bonus integration Fully supports RSUs, stock options, and milestone bonuses within the payroll cycle. Handles bonuses; equity plans may need manual setup or add-ons.
Speed of onboarding and support Rapid 7-day setup with hands-on local team and personalized support. Longer implementation cycles; standard support and local services available.

Full payroll setup in a week

After guiding about a hundred global software companies into new markets, we’ve cracked the code on lean and reliable operations. Our system untangles common Singapore hurdles, deadlines, and confusing expat taxation, helping you sidestep regulatory red tape entirely. Imagine personalized payroll for Singapore — with smart automation, local tax handling, workforce tools, and optional add-ons that adapt to your hiring plans.

GEOR

Small things that matter.

Big results. Every time.

FAQs

Who uses payroll services in Singapore?

Tech-driven companies — fintech startups, AI platforms, multinational enterprises and global teams building a local presence — rely on payroll outsourcing services in Singapore.

Can we run payroll for Singapore-based employees from abroad?

Yes. We manage Singapore payroll for international employers with no Singapore entity.

Do I need a Singapore office to run payroll?

No, you can legally hire, onboard, and pay employees in Singapore without opening a local office.

Is a local HR team necessary?

No, there is no need for local HR. GEOR handles employment agreements, CPF setup, monthly tax filings, and salary processing.

What’s unique about payroll in Singapore?

CPF and tax deductions must be itemised. Bonuses count as “Additional Wages.” Monthly Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) filings are mandatory. CPF applies only to citizens and PRs.

Which taxes and contributions are included in the Singapore payroll?

Income tax, CPF (citizens/PRs only), Skills Development Levy, Foreign Worker Levy (if applicable), Additional Wages, IR8A and IR21.

Can you handle equity in Singapore payroll?

Yes. We manage RSUs, stock options, and performance bonuses under the Additional Wage category.

Do you support hybrid or fully remote work setups in Singapore?

Yes. We cover remote hires, expense reimbursements, and ensure proper structuring for off-site arrangements.

Can you make payments to both employees and contractors?

Yes, we create compliant contracts for both and advise on structuring for both employment types.

How is status (employee vs. contractor) determined?

We assess autonomy, payment method, and duration under Singapore’s legal tests for classification.

How do tech contractors handle taxes in Singapore?

They register with IRAS, invoice for services, and manage their own CPF (if Singaporean) and GST obligations.

How do you issue pay stubs for Singapore payroll?

Digitally. Each pay stub includes gross salary, CPF, tax deductions, and bonus breakdowns.

How do GEOR secure employee data?

All records are encrypted and processed in line with Singapore’s PDPA and EU’s GDPR.

What sets your payroll services apart?

We combine automation with local expertise. Our team ensures CPF compliance, handles IR21, and understands tech-sector payroll from the inside.