Economic Development Board
International Headquarters Award
Provides concessionary tax treatment for qualifying international headquarters activities and expansion in Singapore.
Facts last checked on , confirm on the agency site before applying.
Recorded status: Accepting applications now
Who qualifies
- Must be registered in Singapore.
- The entity must meet EDB’s headquarters-activity, employment, and expenditure conditions.
- For the 5% rate: carry out HQ activities in Singapore; 18 additional Skilled Employees and additional annual Total Business Expenditure of at least S$8.0 million by Year 3; 30 employees and S$13 million by Year 5.
- For the 10% rate: carry out HQ activities; 15 additional Skilled Employees and S$5.5 million additional annual TBE by Year 3; 25 employees and S$9 million by Year 5.
- For the 15% rate: carry out HQ activities; 8 additional Skilled Employees and S$3 million additional annual TBE by Year 3; 13 employees and S$5 million by Year 5.
- Not eligible if the entity falls within Singapore Government sanctions lists, engages in illegal activities, regulated military goods or tobacco, is under investigation for regulatory breaches, is a MAS-licensed financial institution, or is an MPA-regulated shipping entity, unless specifically referred by MAS or MPA.
What it funds
- Core capabilities — strategy, HR, finance, branding, processes
- Market entry, overseas marketing, trade fairs, internationalisation
Concessionary tax rate of 5%, 10% or 15% on qualifying income in excess of base income; base income is the annual average of the preceding 36 months of net profit before tax from qualifying activities and does not apply to cost centre headquarters.
Payment: Delivered as a tax deduction, allowance or credit.
How to apply
Submit a formal application to EDB containing the Core Form and Supplementary Form.
- Prepare the Core Form with projected incremental investment in employment, fixed assets, and total business expenditure.
- Prepare the Supplementary Form with skilled employment and headquarters activities.
- Submit the formal application to EDB.
Documents
- Core Form
- Supplementary Form
Contact: https://www.edb.gov.sg/en/contact-us
Application window: Qualifying period stated in the factsheet is five years. No closing date stated.
Sources & last checked
Last checked:
- Incentives & facilitation | Singapore EDB
https://www.edb.gov.sg/en/how-we-help/incentives-and-facilitation - IHQ Factsheet | EDB
https://assets.app.optical.gov.sg/edb/production/published/collections/pages/%252Fhow-we-help%252Fincentives-and-facilitation/21e328ed-baf0-41e1-b625-dad3418c28e9.pdf