myTax Portal Step-by-Step Filing Guide 2026

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about Singapore tax obligations. It is not professional tax, legal, or financial advice. For your specific situation, please consult a qualified tax advisor or certified public accountant. Disclosure: This article is published on the Denpyo blog. Denpyo provides receipt management and expense tracking services.

Introduction

Filing your income tax return in Singapore is now simpler than ever with the myTax Portal, IRAS's digital filing platform. Whether you're a self-employed freelancer, business owner, or employee with investment income, you'll use myTax to file your Year of Assessment (YA) 2026 return by April 18, 2026. This guide walks you through every step: setting up your Singpass 2FA login, understanding pre-filled data, completing Form B/B1 for self-employed persons, and avoiding common filing mistakes.

What Is the myTax Portal?

The myTax Portal is IRAS's online platform where you can file, view, and manage your tax matters without visiting an office. You can file your personal income tax return, view your tax history, pay outstanding taxes, and access tax reliefs — all from your computer or phone. Filing through myTax is faster and more secure than paper filing, and IRAS processes e-filed returns more quickly.

When Does Filing Open and Close for YA2026?

e-Filing for Year of Assessment 2026 opens on 1 March 2026 and closes on 18 April 2026. This gives you about 7 weeks to file. Paper filing also closes on April 15, but e-filing is strongly recommended for speed and convenience. If you need more time, you can request a bulk extension by June 30, 2026, through a tax agent.

Step 1: Set Up Your Singpass 2-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Before accessing myTax, you must have an active Singpass account with 2-factor authentication enabled. If you don't have Singpass, create one at www.singpass.gov.sg (requires your NRIC/FIN and a phone number). If you have Singpass but haven't enabled 2FA, log in and activate it now — 2FA is mandatory for myTax access.

2FA Methods Available:

• Singpass mobile app: Download the Singpass app, log in, and approve requests from your phone
• SMS: Receive a one-time password (OTP) via text message
• Email: Receive OTP via your registered email

The Singpass app is fastest and most secure. Set it up in advance so you don't get stuck during filing.

Step 2: Log Into myTax Portal

Visit mytax.iras.gov.sg and click "Login". You'll see two options:

• Singpass Login: The default option. Click it, verify your 2FA, and you're in.
• Singapore Foreign User (SFA) Account: For non-citizens with work permits who have filed before. Use this only if you have an SFA account.

After logging in, your dashboard will show your current tax year, any pre-filled information, and a link to "File Income Tax Return".

Step 3: Review Your Pre-Filled Information

IRAS pre-fills certain information automatically if employers or organisations have submitted data to IRAS on your behalf. What gets pre-filled:

• Employment income from employers in the Auto-Inclusion Scheme (AIS)
• CPF contributions (both personal and employer portions)
• Donations to approved charities
• NSman Relief (if applicable)
• Life insurance premiums and mortgage interest relief

What does NOT get pre-filled: Self-employed income, business expenses, investment income, rental income, or discretionary reliefs. You must enter these manually. Carefully review the pre-filled amounts — if they're incorrect, you can edit them.

Step 4: Choose Your Filing Status

After logging in, you'll be asked to confirm your filing status. The three main categories are:

• Employee only: Choose this if you earned only employment income and have no other income sources
• Self-employed (sole proprietor): Choose this if you run your own business or are a freelancer
• Partner (partnership): Choose this if you're part of a business partnership

Self-employed persons file using Form B (for sole proprietors with net trade profit). Partners file Form B1. Employees file a simplified form. Select the status that matches your primary income source.

Step 5: File Your Income (Form B/B1 for Self-Employed)

If you're self-employed, you'll complete Form B. Here's what you'll enter:

Section 1: Business Details

• Name of business (if you have one)
• Nature of business (e.g., "Graphic Design Freelancer", "Web Development")
• Period of business operation (usually calendar year: 1 Jan – 31 Dec 2025)
• Business address (your office or home office address)

Section 2: Income & Expenses

• Gross receipts: Total income from all business sources
• Cost of goods sold (COGS): If applicable (e.g., materials for a product business)
• Gross profit: Gross receipts minus COGS
• Business expenses: All deductible expenses (rent, utilities, software, professional fees, etc.)
• Net profit: Gross profit minus business expenses

Pro tip: Keep a spreadsheet of monthly income and expenses before you start filing. Organize expenses by category (rent, travel, software, etc.) so you're ready with numbers when you log into myTax.

Section 3: Tax Reliefs & Deductions

Apply for reliefs you're entitled to:

• Personal relief: S$9,000 automatically applied (unless earning below S$22,000)
• CPF contribution relief: Deduct CPF contributions (up to S$7,257/year for self-employed)
• Life insurance premium relief: Deduct premiums if eligible
• Mortgage interest relief: Deduct interest on your residential property loan
• Earned Income Relief: Additional relief if you're still earning after age 55

Only claim reliefs you actually qualify for. IRAS may request supporting documents if the amounts are unusually high.

Step 6: Check Your Tax Calculation

After you enter your income and expenses, myTax will calculate your:

• Chargeable income: Your net profit after expenses and reliefs
• Tax amount owed: Based on Singapore's progressive tax brackets (0–24%)
• Tax rebate: If applicable (for YA2026, there's a 60% rebate capped at S$200)
• Final tax: Tax owed minus rebate

Review these calculations carefully. If something doesn't look right, edit your income or expenses before submitting.

Step 7: Review Your Deductions (Critical Check)

Before submitting, verify that you haven't claimed:

• Non-deductible expenses (personal meals, home internet if mixed use without proportional calculation, car payments)
• Duplicate claims (the same expense claimed twice)
• Disallowed reliefs (reliefs you don't qualify for)
• Incorrect amounts (typos in income or expense figures)

IRAS uses data analytics to flag unusual deduction patterns. If your business expenses exceed 80% of gross income, IRAS may audit you. Ensure your deduction claims are reasonable and well-documented.

Step 8: Check Your Supporting Documents Are Ready

You don't need to upload documents to myTax, but IRAS may request them for audit. Have these ready:

• Bank statements (showing business income and expense payments)
• Receipts and invoices (for all claimed expenses)
• Proof of business registration (if applicable)
• CPF contribution statements
• Professional fee invoices (accountant, lawyer, etc.)
• Proof of donations (if claiming donation relief)

Keep documents organized by category and retain them for 5 years. Denpyo can help you organize receipts digitally.

Step 9: Submit Your Tax Return

Once you're confident your details are correct, click "File" or "Submit". myTax will show a confirmation message with your submission date and a reference number. Save or print this confirmation — you'll need it if IRAS contacts you later.

After submission: You cannot make changes directly through myTax. If you need to amend your return after filing, contact IRAS at 1800-352-0000 or email them through myTax's "Contact IRAS" option.

Step 10: Receive Your Notice of Assessment (NOA)

IRAS will process your return and issue a Notice of Assessment (NOA). Depending on your status:

• Direct NOA (D-NOA): Issued mid-March to taxpayers on the Auto-Inclusion Scheme. Your tax bill is calculated and you can view it in myTax.
• Required to File (RFI): If you're required to file but your return was pre-assessed, you'll receive an NOA after filing.
• No Filing Service (NFS): If you filed, you'll receive an NOA confirming your tax amount.

Your NOA will show your chargeable income, tax payable, and any rebates. Review it carefully — you have a deadline to object if the assessment is wrong.

Step 11: Pay Your Tax (If Owed)

If you owe tax, your NOA will include a payment due date (usually 1 month from the NOA date). You can pay in several ways:

• Online: Through myTax Portal using your bank's e-banking service
• Cheque: Payable to "IRAS"
• Automated Clearing House (ACH): Direct debit from your bank account
• Over the counter: At SingPost outlets or banks

Pay by the due date to avoid late payment penalties (5% + interest).

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Mistake 1: Missing the Filing Deadline

Impact: Late filing penalty of S$200–S$1,000 plus 5% of unpaid tax. How to avoid: Mark April 18 in your calendar. File early, not on the last day. If you need more time, ask for a bulk extension before June 30.

Mistake 2: Forgetting to Enable 2FA Before Filing

Impact: You won't be able to log into myTax. How to avoid: Enable 2FA on Singpass now, before filing period opens. Test your login a few days early.

Mistake 3: Claiming Expenses Without Receipts

Impact: IRAS may disallow the deduction during audit if you can't produce proof. How to avoid: Keep every receipt. Use Denpyo to digitize and organize them. You don't send receipts to IRAS, but be ready to show them if audited.

Mistake 4: Entering Wrong Business Address or Details

Impact: Delays if IRAS tries to contact you, or assessed tax goes to the wrong place. How to avoid: Double-check your business address and phone number before submitting. Ensure your address matches your business registration.

Mistake 5: Not Claiming Valid Reliefs

Impact: You pay more tax than necessary. How to avoid: Review the full list of tax reliefs on IRAS and claim every one you qualify for.

Mistake 6: Mixing Personal and Business Expenses

Impact: Disallowed deductions + penalties if audited. How to avoid: Keep separate records. Only claim business-related expenses. Use separate credit cards or bank accounts for business and personal spending if possible.

What If You Need Help?

IRAS Support: Contact IRAS online or call 1800-352-0000 (available Mon–Fri, 8:30am–5:00pm). They can answer filing questions, explain pre-filled data, and guide you through myTax.

Tax Agent/Accountant: If you're unsure about your income, expenses, or reliefs, hire a tax agent to file on your behalf. Many charge S$100–S$300 for self-employed filing, which can be worth the peace of mind.

e-Filing Guide: IRAS provides a step-by-step video guide at go.gov.sg/efilingguide (with both English and Chinese options).

How Denpyo Helps

Filing through myTax is straightforward, but gathering your income and expense numbers is the hard part. Denpyo scans your business receipts automatically, categorizes them into the exact deduction categories IRAS recognizes, and gives you a clear expense report by month and category. When you sit down to fill out Form B in myTax, your numbers are already organized — you can go straight from Denpyo's summary to myTax without fumbling through spreadsheets. The less time you spend hunting for receipts, the faster you file.

Summary: myTax Filing Checklist

• Enable Singpass 2FA at least one week before filing opens
• Organize your income receipts and expense records by category
• Log into myTax on or before April 18, 2026
• Review all pre-filled information and correct any errors
• Enter your business details (name, nature, period, address)
• Enter gross income, COGS (if applicable), and net profit
• List all deductible business expenses with supporting receipts
• Claim all eligible tax reliefs and deductions
• Review your calculated chargeable income and tax amount
• Verify your bank details for tax refunds or payments
• Submit your return and save the confirmation number
• Keep all supporting documents for 5 years
• Pay any tax owed by the due date shown on your NOA
• Use Denpyo's income tax calculator to estimate your tax before filing