Singapore hubs

Ben Yew

Videographer

SingaporeEnglish (English)$ SGD

Ben is a freelance videographer navigating the gig economy in Singapore, balancing equipment costs, tax filings, and health insurance. This hub covers the essential national schemes, grants, and portals he needs to stay compliant and competitive in the local creative industry.

Growing my freelance business

Essential grants and tax schemes that help me upgrade my gear and manage my freelance income.

Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG)

national · Enterprise Singapore

Who qualifies
Singapore-registered businesses with at least 30% local shareholding.
What you get
Up to 50% funding support for pre-approved IT solutions and equipment.
What it actually costs you
Requires a valid CorpPass and submission of quotes before purchase.
Common gotcha
You must buy from pre-approved vendors only, no exceptions.

SkillsFuture Credit

national · SkillsFuture Singapore

Who qualifies
Singaporeans aged 25 and above.
What you get
$500 opening credit plus periodic top-ups for approved courses.
What it actually costs you
Zero, just your Singpass login.
Common gotcha
Credits expire if you don't use the top-up portions within the stipulated timeframe.

IRAS Tax Deductions for Sole Proprietors

national · Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore

Who qualifies
All registered sole proprietors.
What you get
Deduction of business expenses like camera gear depreciation and software subscriptions.
What it actually costs you
Must keep receipts for 5 years.
Common gotcha
Personal expenses cannot be claimed as business expenses.

Enterprise Development Grant (EDG)

national · Enterprise Singapore

Who qualifies
SMEs with at least 30% local shareholding.
What you get
Support for upgrading business capabilities and internationalisation.
What it actually costs you
Requires a detailed project proposal and financial audit.
Common gotcha
The application process is long and requires a clear business growth plan.

Startup SG Founder

national · Enterprise Singapore

Who qualifies
First-time entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas.
What you get
Mentoring and a startup capital grant of up to $50,000.
What it actually costs you
Must have a strong pitch deck and business model.
Common gotcha
Highly competitive; requires commitment to a mentorship program.

ACRA BizFile+

national · ACRA

Who qualifies
All business owners.
What you get
Instant access to business profile and renewal services.
What it actually costs you
Annual renewal fee of $60.
Common gotcha
Missing the annual filing deadline incurs heavy penalties.

Staying healthy on a freelance budget

Since I don't have a company insurance plan, I rely on national schemes to keep costs down.

MediSave

national · CPF Board

Who qualifies
All Singapore Citizens and PRs.
What you get
Mandatory savings for hospitalisation and outpatient care.
What it actually costs you
Mandatory contributions based on net trade income.
Common gotcha
Freelancers often forget to contribute, leading to back-dated payments.

MediShield Life

national · CPF Board

Who qualifies
All Singapore Citizens and PRs.
What you get
Basic health insurance for large hospital bills.
What it actually costs you
Premiums payable via MediSave.
Common gotcha
It only covers basic ward stays; private hospitals require an Integrated Shield Plan.

CHAS Blue/Orange Card

national · Ministry of Health

Who qualifies
Singaporeans based on household income or annual value of residence.
What you get
Subsidies for visits to GP and dental clinics.
What it actually costs you
Zero, application is online.
Common gotcha
Must visit CHAS-accredited clinics to get the discount.

CareShield Life

national · Ministry of Health

Who qualifies
All Singaporeans born in 1980 or later.
What you get
Long-term care insurance for severe disability.
What it actually costs you
Premiums payable via MediSave.
Common gotcha
It is a mandatory scheme, not optional.

Screen for Life

national · Health Promotion Board

Who qualifies
Singaporeans based on age and gender.
What you get
Highly subsidised health screenings.
What it actually costs you
Small co-payment fee.
Common gotcha
You must get an invitation letter or check eligibility online first.

National Vaccination Programme

national · Ministry of Health

Who qualifies
All residents.
What you get
Free or heavily subsidised essential vaccinations.
What it actually costs you
Zero at polyclinics.
Common gotcha
Not all vaccines are free; check the list on the portal.

Planning for the future

As a freelancer, I need to manage my own retirement savings and insurance protection.

CPF Voluntary Contribution

national · CPF Board

Who qualifies
Self-employed individuals.
What you get
Tax relief and interest on voluntary savings.
What it actually costs you
Your own cash flow.
Common gotcha
Once you put money into CPF, you cannot withdraw it until age 55.

Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS)

national · Ministry of Finance

Who qualifies
Anyone aged 18 and above.
What you get
Tax-deferred savings for retirement.
What it actually costs you
Investment risk if you choose to invest the funds.
Common gotcha
Early withdrawal before age 62 incurs a 5% penalty.

Singapore Savings Bonds (SSB)

national · MAS

Who qualifies
Individuals with a bank account.
What you get
Safe, government-backed investment with monthly interest.
What it actually costs you
$2 transaction fee per application.
Common gotcha
Limited supply; you may not get the full amount you apply for.

LIA Consumer Guides

national · Life Insurance Association

Who qualifies
All consumers.
What you get
Standardised information on insurance products to avoid mis-selling.
What it actually costs you
Zero.
Common gotcha
These are guides, not products; read them before buying any policy.

MoneySense

national · MAS

Who qualifies
All residents.
What you get
Unbiased financial advice and calculators.
What it actually costs you
Zero.
Common gotcha
It's educational, not a financial advisor service.

Retirement Sum Scheme

national · CPF Board

Who qualifies
CPF members reaching age 55.
What you get
Monthly payouts from your retirement account.
What it actually costs you
Requires meeting the Basic Retirement Sum.
Common gotcha
Payouts are not guaranteed for life unless you join CPF LIFE.

Getting around and daily living

Efficient transport and digital services that make my daily work commute easier.

SimplyGo

national · LTA

Who qualifies
All public transport commuters.
What you get
Seamless fare payment using contactless cards or mobile wallets.
What it actually costs you
Standard transit fares.
Common gotcha
Must register your card on the app to track spending.

Singpass

national · GovTech

Who qualifies
Citizens, PRs, and long-term pass holders.
What you get
Single login for all government portals.
What it actually costs you
Zero.
Common gotcha
Keep your password and 2FA secure; never share it.

Parking.sg

national · HDB/URA

Who qualifies
Drivers.
What you get
Digital parking coupons for public carparks.
What it actually costs you
Standard parking rates.
Common gotcha
Don't forget to 'end' your parking session when you leave.

OneService

national · Municipal Services Office

Who qualifies
All residents.
What you get
Report municipal issues like broken lights or illegal dumping.
What it actually costs you
Zero.
Common gotcha
Requires a photo of the issue to be effective.

NLB Membership

national · National Library Board

Who qualifies
All residents.
What you get
Access to books, e-resources, and co-working spaces.
What it actually costs you
Zero for basic membership.
Common gotcha
Overdue fines apply if you don't return books on time.

HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) Letter

national · HDB

Who qualifies
Singaporeans looking to buy a flat.
What you get
Assessment of eligibility for purchase, grants, and loans.
What it actually costs you
Zero.
Common gotcha
The letter is valid for 9 months only.

State-level schemes

1states & territories — open one to see what it offers.

Singapore新加坡

Singapore offers a unique ecosystem for media professionals through high-tech infrastructure grants and digital transformation support for freelance creatives.

Growing my freelance videography business

Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG)

state · Enterprise Singapore

Who qualifies
Singapore-registered businesses with at least 30% local shareholding.
What you get
Up to 50% funding support for pre-approved digital solutions and equipment.
What it actually costs you
Requires a Corppass login and a valid quotation from a pre-approved vendor.
Common gotcha
You must apply before purchasing the equipment; retroactive claims are strictly rejected.

SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC)

state · SkillsFuture Singapore

Who qualifies
Employers who have contributed to the Skills Development Levy.
What you get
One-off $10,000 credit to cover up to 90% of out-of-pocket expenses for business transformation.
What it actually costs you
Automatic eligibility check via your UEN; no separate application needed.
Common gotcha
The credit is non-transferable and expires if not used within the stipulated timeframe.

IMDA Media Talent Progression Programme

state · Infocomm Media Development Authority

Who qualifies
Singaporean media freelancers and production crew.
What you get
Subsidies for professional masterclasses and industry-recognized certifications.
What it actually costs you
Proof of active freelance work in the media sector.
Common gotcha
Courses must be on the IMDA-approved list to qualify for the subsidy.

SEP Training Support Scheme

state · NTUC U Associate

Who qualifies
Self-employed videographers who are NTUC members.
What you get
Hourly training allowance of $10 per hour for attending approved courses.
What it actually costs you
Membership fee and attendance records.
Common gotcha
You must be a registered member before starting the course to claim the allowance.

Managing costs in the city

Merdeka Generation Package

state · Ministry of Health

Who qualifies
Singaporeans born between 1950 and 1959.
What you get
Annual $200 Medisave top-ups and additional subsidies for outpatient care.
What it actually costs you
Automatic notification via Singpass; no application required.
Common gotcha
Ensure your contact details are updated in the government portal to receive notifications.

CDC Vouchers Scheme

state · Community Development Councils

Who qualifies
All Singaporean households.
What you get
Digital vouchers to spend at participating heartland merchants and hawkers.
What it actually costs you
Claim via Singpass; no cost.
Common gotcha
Vouchers expire at the end of the year; they cannot be carried over.

ActiveSG Credits

state · Sport Singapore

Who qualifies
All Singaporeans and Permanent Residents.
What you get
$100 initial credit for gym and pool bookings.
What it actually costs you
Download the app and verify your identity.
Common gotcha
Credits expire if not used within the first year of activation.