Everything Singapore employers need to know about the maid levy (officially the Foreign Domestic Worker levy): current rates of S$300/month standard or S$60 concessionary, who qualifies for the lower rate, how to pay via GIRO, AXS, SingPost or internet banking, and how to claim levy waivers for hospital stays and overseas leave.
· Sources: MOM (mom.gov.sg), IRAS
The maid levy (officially the Foreign Domestic Worker levy) is S$300 per month at the standard rate, or S$60 per month at the concessionary rate. It is a mandatory monthly fee that Singapore employers pay to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for each foreign domestic worker they employ, due by the 17th of the following month. Most employers pay the maid levy by GIRO; AXS, SingPost and internet banking are also accepted.
The FDW levy is a mandatory monthly tax of S$300 (or S$60 concessionary rate) that Singapore employers pay to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for each foreign domestic worker they employ.
Work out your monthly and yearly maid levy, including partial months. Based on MOM 2026 rates.
Concessionary applies if your household has a child under 16, a person aged 67 or older, or a person with disabilities.
Levy is due by the 17th of each month. GIRO is the recommended payment method to avoid the late-payment fee. Full months are charged at the monthly rate; partial months are prorated daily (monthly rate x 12 / 365). Estimates only, confirm against your MOM levy bill.
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<iframe src="https://upwill.com.sg/embed/fdw-levy-calculator" width="100%" height="560" loading="lazy" style="border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px" title="FDW Levy Calculator"></iframe>
<p style="font:13px sans-serif">FDW Levy Calculator by <a href="https://upwill.com.sg/resources/fdw-levy">Upwill (MOM EA 24C2628)</a></p>$300/month
($3,600/year)
All employers without qualifying conditions
$60/month
($720/year)
Employers with young children, elderly, or PWD
$450/month
($5,400/year)
For employing a second FDW in the household
Savings Tip: If you qualify for concessionary levy, you save $240 per month ($2,880 per year) compared to the standard rate.
Source: Ministry of Manpower (MOM), mom.gov.sg
The Foreign Domestic Worker Levy (FDWL) Relief has lapsed from Year of Assessment (YA) 2025 onwards and remains unavailable in 2026. This relief previously allowed working mothers to claim tax relief of up to twice the levy paid. Employers cannot claim FDWL relief on income earned in 2024, 2025, or 2026. The MOM concessionary levy rate (S$60/month) is separate and still active.
Concrete examples of total monthly levy cost based on common Singapore household scenarios. Figures are current as of May 2026 and verified against MOM's published rates.
| Household Type | Levy Rate | Monthly | Annual | 2-Year (Full Contract) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working couple, no children | Standard | S$300 | S$3,600 | S$7,200 |
| Family with child under 16 | Concessionary | S$60 | S$720 | S$1,440 |
| Family caring for parent aged 67+ | Concessionary | S$60 | S$720 | S$1,440 |
| Household with 2 helpers (1st) | Standard | S$300 | S$3,600 | S$7,200 |
| Household with 2 helpers (2nd) | Second helper rate | S$450 | S$5,400 | S$10,800 |
Note: Levy is pro-rated daily if your helper enters or leaves Singapore mid-month. Levy waivers apply for hospital stays of 2+ consecutive days or overseas leave of 7+ consecutive days (up to 4 weeks/year).
You may qualify for the lower concessionary levy rate of $60/month if your household meets any of the following conditions:
Child below 16 years old living in the household
Proof required: Birth certificate, household address proof
Person aged 67 years or above living in the household
Proof required: NRIC showing age and address
Family member certified with disabilities
Proof required: Letter from doctor or relevant authority
Automatic monthly deduction from bank account
Deducted on 17th of the following month
Pay at any AXS machine islandwide
Immediate payment
Bill payment through your bank portal
Immediate payment
Pay at any post office branch
Immediate payment
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