Approved Museum Scheme

Who qualifies

• Organisation types: Registered charity or Institution of a Public Character.
• The museum must be accessible to the public and registered as a charity to obtain Approved Museum status.

What it funds

• Community, arts, heritage, sports, social-good projects

Qualifying artwork/artefact donations made 1 Jan 2024 to 31 Dec 2026 receive a 250% tax deduction (the rate was 300% for donations made in calendar year 2015, under SG50).

Payment: Delivered as a tax deduction, allowance or credit.

How to apply

A museum applies to NHB for Approved Museum status using the Application Form for Approved Museum Status; once approved, a donor claims the tax deduction for a qualifying donation using the Application Form for Double Tax Deduction for Artwork/Artefact Donations.

1. Museum submits the Application Form for Approved Museum Status to NHB.
2. Once approved, the museum submits the Application Form for Double Tax Deduction for Artwork/Artefact Donations for a qualifying donation.

Documents

• Application Form for Approved Museum Status — Submitted by the museum seeking Approved Museum status. Agency document ↗
• Application Form for Double Tax Deduction for Artwork/Artefact Donations — Submitted by the Approved Museum for a donor's qualifying donation. Agency document ↗
• Museum organisational chart — Must accompany Section 1 of the museum application.
• Museum collection policy (if applicable) — Required if the museum states that it has a collection policy.
• Museum conservation guidelines (if applicable) — Required if the museum has a formal collection documentation, care and use programme.
• Museum accessioning and de-accessioning policy (if applicable) — Required if the museum has a formal collection documentation, care and use programme.

Claiming support

The Approved Museum submits the tax-deduction application and supporting documents to NHB for the corporate or individual donor's qualifying artwork/artefact donation.

Contact: NHB_MR_Secretariat@nhb.gov.sg

Application window: No application deadline is stated. The 1 Jan 2024-31 Dec 2026 dates are the qualifying donation period for the 250% tax deduction, not an application window.