← Singapore hubs Comedian
Singapore English (English) $ SGD
As a comedian navigating the vibrant but expensive landscape of Singapore, I need to balance my creative freelance income with the practicalities of city life. This hub covers the essential national schemes, grants, and portals that help me stay afloat, insured, and tax-compliant while I chase the next big gig.
Managing income tax and mandatory contributions as a self-employed creative is essential to avoid penalties.
Income Tax for Self-Employed national · Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore
Who qualifies All self-employed individuals earning income from trade, business, or profession.
What you get Legal compliance and access to tax relief schemes.
What it actually costs you Annual filing via myTax Portal; requires accurate record-keeping of expenses.
Common gotcha Forgetting to declare side-hustle income from hosting or brand deals.
MediSave Mandatory Contributions national · CPF Board
Who qualifies Self-employed persons with annual Net Trade Income exceeding $6,000.
What you get Compulsory savings for future medical expenses.
What it actually costs you Annual contribution based on net trade income; calculated by IRAS.
Common gotcha Thinking MediSave is optional just because I don't have a corporate employer.
Voluntary CPF Top-up national · CPF Board
Who qualifies Any Singapore citizen or PR.
What you get Tax relief on cash top-ups to your own or family's CPF accounts.
What it actually costs you Cash; capped at the prevailing Annual Limit.
Common gotcha Once money is in CPF, it is locked until retirement age.
ACRA BizFile+ national · Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority
Who qualifies Anyone starting a sole proprietorship or partnership.
What you get Legal entity status for professional invoicing.
What it actually costs you $15 registration fee + $60 annual renewal.
Common gotcha Failing to renew the business registration annually leads to late fees.
SkillsFuture Credit national · SkillsFuture Singapore
Who qualifies Singaporeans aged 25 and above.
What you get $500 initial credit + $500 top-up for approved courses.
What it actually costs you Time; requires Singpass login to claim.
Common gotcha Credits expire if not used, though top-ups have been extended.
InvoiceNow national · IMDA
Who qualifies Registered businesses.
What you get Faster payment processing and digital invoicing standard.
What it actually costs you Setup time with a PEPPOL-ready service provider.
Common gotcha Requires a compatible accounting software subscription. Medical costs in Singapore are high; these schemes provide a safety net for when I'm between gigs.
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; doesn't cover everything.
CHAS Card national · Ministry of Health
Who qualifies Singaporeans based on household income or annual value of home.
What you get Subsidies for visits to GP and dental clinics.
What it actually costs you Application via Singpass; no fee.
Common gotcha Must visit a CHAS-accredited clinic to get the subsidy.
Healthy 365 / LumiHealth national · Health Promotion Board
Who qualifies All residents.
What you get Vouchers and rewards for hitting step counts and healthy habits.
What it actually costs you Time; requires using the app and a tracker.
Common gotcha Points expire if you don't redeem them in time.
Screen for Life national · Health Promotion Board
Who qualifies Eligible Singaporeans/PRs for health screenings.
What you get Heavily subsidised health screenings for chronic diseases.
What it actually costs you $5 or less per visit at participating clinics.
Common gotcha Only applies to specific age-appropriate screenings.
Polyclinic Outpatient Subsidies national · Ministry of Health
Who qualifies All Singapore citizens.
What you get Subsidised consultation and medication at public polyclinics.
What it actually costs you Standard consultation fee after subsidy.
Common gotcha Long waiting times at the clinic.
CareShield Life national · Ministry of Health
Who qualifies Singaporeans born 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; you cannot opt out. As an artist, I need to know where the government supports the creative industry.
NAC Arts Grant national · National Arts Council
Who qualifies Arts practitioners and organisations.
What you get Funding for production, creation, and capability development.
What it actually costs you Detailed proposal, budget, and project timeline.
Common gotcha Strict reporting requirements after project completion.
National Library Board Resources national · National Library Board
Who qualifies All library members.
What you get Free access to creative software, studios, and research databases.
What it actually costs you Library membership (free for citizens).
Common gotcha Studio slots book out very fast.
IMDA Content Development Grant national · IMDA
Who qualifies Media content creators.
What you get Funding for digital content development.
What it actually costs you Rigorous application and proof of distribution plan.
Common gotcha Must meet local content requirements.
National Heritage Board Grants national · National Heritage Board
Who qualifies Projects related to Singapore heritage.
What you get Funding for research or community heritage projects.
What it actually costs you Application process and post-project audit.
Common gotcha Must align with NHB's heritage objectives.
CultureAnywhere national · National Arts Council
Who qualifies General public and artists.
What you get Platform to showcase digital arts content.
What it actually costs you Submission of digital assets.
Common gotcha Content must be curated to be featured.
Youth Corps Arts Engagement national · MCCY
Who qualifies Youths interested in community arts.
What you get Opportunities to lead arts-based community projects.
What it actually costs you Time and commitment.
Common gotcha Requires volunteer hours. Singapore is expensive; I need to use every available concession and voucher.
Public Transport Concession national · Land Transport Authority
Who qualifies Specific groups (students, seniors, low-wage workers).
What you get Discounted fares on buses and trains.
What it actually costs you Application for concession card.
Common gotcha Must renew annually if applicable.
CDC Vouchers national · People's Association
Who qualifies All Singaporean households.
What you get Digital vouchers for heartland merchants and supermarkets.
What it actually costs you None; claimed via Singpass.
Common gotcha Vouchers have an expiry date.
U-Save Utility Rebates national · Ministry of Finance
Who qualifies HDB households.
What you get Direct rebates on utility bills.
What it actually costs you None; automatic if you live in an HDB.
Common gotcha Only applies to HDB flats, not private property.
GST Voucher Scheme national · Ministry of Finance
Who qualifies Lower-to-middle income Singaporeans.
What you get Cash payouts to offset GST expenses.
What it actually costs you None; automatic based on tax filing.
Common gotcha Must have updated bank account details with the government.
HDB Concessionary Loan national · HDB
Who qualifies Eligible HDB flat buyers.
What you get Lower interest rate compared to bank loans.
What it actually costs you Eligibility assessment and HFE letter.
Common gotcha Strict eligibility criteria for income and property ownership.
SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit national · Enterprise Singapore
Who qualifies Self-employed with business registration.
What you get Subsidies for business transformation and training.
What it actually costs you Application via business portal.
Common gotcha Only for specific business development activities.
1states & territories — open one to see what it offers.
Singapore新加坡 Singapore offers a unique ecosystem for creative professionals through government-backed grants and venue subsidies that help comedians navigate the high cost of living.
NAC Arts Creation Grant 国家艺术理事会创作补助金 state · National Arts Council
Who qualifies Singapore citizens or permanent residents with a proven track record in the arts.
What you get Funding support for the creation of new artistic work, including comedy scripts and shows.
What it actually costs you Detailed project proposal, budget breakdown, and portfolio; high competition.
Common gotcha The grant is highly competitive and requires a long lead time for application approval.
National Heritage Board Heritage Project Grant state · National Heritage Board
Who qualifies Individuals or groups producing content related to Singapore's heritage.
What you get Financial support for projects that document or showcase local culture through comedy.
What it actually costs you Submission of project scope and evidence of historical research.
Common gotcha Must ensure the comedy content aligns with heritage preservation goals.
SG Culture Anywhere state · National Arts Council
Who qualifies Local artists looking to digitize performances.
What you get Subsidies for digital production costs and streaming infrastructure.
What it actually costs you Technical specifications of the digital show.
Common gotcha Requires adherence to strict digital quality standards set by the NAC.
NLB Arts Space Rental Subsidy state · National Library Board
Who qualifies Registered local artists and performers.
What you get Discounted rates for using public library auditoriums for rehearsals or small shows.
What it actually costs you Booking fee and adherence to library noise policies.
Common gotcha Limited availability and strict rules on show content (must be family-friendly).
IRAS Self-Employed Tax Relief state · Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore
Who qualifies Freelance comedians filing as sole proprietors.
What you get Deductions for business-related expenses like equipment, software, and venue rentals.
What it actually costs you Maintaining meticulous records of all receipts and invoices.
Common gotcha Many freelancers forget to claim home-office deductions if they work from home.
SkillsFuture Credit state · SkillsFuture Singapore
Who qualifies Singaporeans aged 25 and above.
What you get Initial $500 credit for approved courses, including marketing, video editing, or public speaking.
What it actually costs you SingPass login; course must be on the approved list.
Common gotcha Credits expire if not used; some courses are not fully covered.
e2i Freelance and Self-Employed Person Support state · Employment and Employability Institute
Who qualifies Freelancers needing training or career guidance.
What you get Training grants and networking opportunities to boost professional viability.
What it actually costs you Registration with e2i and attendance at workshops.
Common gotcha Often overlooked by performers who view themselves as 'artists' rather than 'workers'.
Medisave Top-up for Self-Employed state · CPF Board
Who qualifies Self-employed individuals contributing to Medisave.
What you get Tax incentives for voluntary contributions to your own healthcare savings.
What it actually costs you Regular manual contributions via the CPF portal.
Common gotcha Failure to contribute as a self-employed person can lead to penalties.
One honest app. Real lives, real businesses. Free for what people need, paid only for what runs a business — on our own model, our own metal.
Where we run
Bangalore + Czechia
Our own metal · GDPR · DPDPA
