Singapore is famous for having no general capital gains tax, which makes “how much CGT do I owe?” usually a one-word answer: none. But there are two real exceptions — gains reassessed as trading income, and Seller’s Stamp Duty on quick property sales — that catch people out. This calculator computes your gain and applies exactly those exceptions, nothing more.
How it works
The gross gain is simply:
gross gain = sale proceeds − original cost − selling expenses
For a normal investor this gain is exempt and the net equals the gross. The tool then checks the two ways a charge can arise:
- Trading income. If you tick the trading box, or report frequent similar disposals, the gain may be assessable. Under the “badges of trade” test — short holding, many transactions, a profit motive — IRAS can tax the gain at income-tax rates. The tool applies your marginal rate to the gain in that case.
- Seller’s Stamp Duty. For residential property sold within three years, SSD applies on the sale price at 12, 8, or 4 percent by holding period. This is a transaction duty, not a tax on the gain, but it is a real cost the tool subtracts.
Example and notes
Sell shares for 200,000 dollars that cost 150,000, and the 50,000 gain is fully exempt — net gain 50,000. Sell a property bought 18 months earlier and an 8 percent SSD applies on the sale price even though there is no capital gains tax on the underlying profit.
The line between investing and trading is a matter of fact and IRAS judgement, not a fixed rule, so the trading flag here is guidance rather than a determination. For anything material, confirm your position with IRAS or a qualified tax adviser.