Australia vs Singapore taxes (2026): income, company and CGT

Australia vs Singapore tax rates at a glance

Tax	🇦🇺 Australia	🇸🇬 Singapore
Income tax	Tax-free threshold: AUD 18,200 Next band: 16% Middle band: 30% Upper band: 37% Top rate: 45% Medicare levy: 2%	Resident income tax: 0% - 24% Non-resident income tax: 24% Employment concession: 15% or resident rates Foreign income: 0% / limited exceptions CPF employee: 20% CPF employer: 17%
Corporate tax	Base-rate entity rate: 25% General company rate: 30% Franking credits: Available GST: 10%	Corporate income tax: 17% Start-up exemption: Up to S$125,000 Partial exemption: Up to S$102,500 YA 2026 rebate: 50% GST: 9% Dividend withholding tax: 0%
Capital gains tax	Inclusion method: Marginal rates Individual discount: 50% after 12 months Effective top individual rate on discounted gain: About 22.5% before levy Company treatment: Generally no discount	Capital gains tax: 0% Crypto gains tax: 0% Share gains tax: 0% Property gains tax: 0%
Dividend tax	Resident taxation: Marginal rates Franking credit benefit: Offsets company tax paid Domestic non-resident WHT: Often 30% on unfranked Treaty rates: Often lower	Dividend withholding tax: 0% Domestic dividends: 0% Foreign dividends: 0% / limited cases
Wealth tax	Net wealth tax: 0% Annual federal asset tax: 0% Land tax / stamp duty: State rules apply	Net wealth tax: 0% Net worth tax: 0% Annual asset tax: 0%
Inheritance / estate tax	Estate / inheritance tax: 0% General gift tax: 0% Super death benefits: Can apply Later CGT on inherited assets: Possible	Inheritance tax: 0% Estate duty: 0% Gift tax: 0% Probate tax: 0%
VAT / GST / sales tax	GST: 10%	GST: 9%

Who wins on each tax

Personal income taxSingapore

Singapore's top resident rate is 24%, below Australia's 45% plus Medicare levy; non-resident rules and CPF or social-security facts still matter.

Corporate taxSingapore

Singapore's flat corporate rate is 17%, compared with Australia's 25% base-rate entity and 30% general company rates.

Capital gains taxSingapore

Singapore generally has no personal CGT, while Australia taxes gains through income tax even though individuals commonly receive a 50% discount after 12 months.

Dividend taxSingapore

Singapore generally has 0% dividend withholding and one-tier exempt Singapore dividends; Australian dividends are taxed at marginal rates with franking-credit relief.

Inheritance and wealth taxTie

Neither has a broad net wealth or inheritance tax, but Australia can tax superannuation death benefits and Singapore still requires succession administration.

The verdict

Singapore's resident personal rate tops at 24%, below Australia's 45% plus 2% Medicare levy. Singapore's corporate rate is 17%, compared with Australia's 25% base-rate or 30% general company rate.

Singapore generally has no personal capital-gains tax and no tax on ordinary Singapore-company dividends; Australia taxes gains through income tax and relies on franking credits to reduce company/shareholder double taxation.

Choose Singapore for a genuine Asia-based company and lower recurring tax; choose Australia for Australian customers, workforce and market access. Residency, CFC, transfer pricing and substance determine whether the headline advantage survives.

How to read this comparison

Singapore usually wins the rate comparison; Australia can win the operating-market comparison. The Singapore result assumes real management and substance, not a shell company.

Frequently asked questions

Is Singapore or Australia lower tax?

Singapore is usually lower for personal income, company profits, capital gains and dividends. Australia can be the better commercial home when local customers, staff and market access matter more.

Does Singapore have capital gains tax?

Singapore generally does not tax personal capital gains, but trading or business profits can be taxable. Australia treats many gains as part of income tax.