Maid Levy Singapore 2026: What Employers Need to Know

If you are hiring a domestic helper in Singapore, the maid levy is one of the ongoing costs you need to plan for from day one. It is a tax the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) charges employers for every foreign domestic worker they employ, and it is separate from the helper's salary, insurance, and your agency fee. Understanding the maid levy in Singapore for 2026 helps you budget accurately and avoid penalties that can put your helper's work permit at risk.

What is the maid levy?

The levy is a pricing mechanism MOM uses to manage the number of foreign domestic workers in Singapore. You pay it monthly for the entire time your helper holds a valid work permit under your name. The levy is not a fee that goes to your helper or your agency. It is paid directly to the government, and it applies whether your helper is a first-timer or a transfer helper already in Singapore.

Standard and concessionary rates

There are two levy rates. The standard rate is $300 per month. This is what most households pay if no one in the home qualifies for a concession.

The concessionary rate is $60 per month. You qualify for this lower rate if you live with at least one of the following in the same registered address: a child under 16 years old, an elderly person aged 67 or above, or a family member with a disability who is certified to need help with daily activities. Only one helper per household can be placed on the concessionary rate under most circumstances, so if you employ more than one helper, the second may be charged at the standard rate.

The concession is not automatic. You need to apply for it and provide supporting documents, such as the qualifying person's identification or a medical certification for a disability claim. Once approved, the lower rate applies going forward, so it is worth sorting out early.

How to pay the levy

The most common and reliable way to pay is by GIRO. You set up a GIRO arrangement linked to your bank account, and MOM deducts the levy automatically on the 17th of each month for the previous month. This removes the risk of forgetting a payment. Many employers choose to pay through the CPF Board's payment channels, which handle the GIRO deduction on MOM's behalf.

If you do not set up GIRO, you can pay manually through internet banking, AXS, or SAM machines, but you then carry the responsibility of paying on time every single month. For most households, GIRO is the simpler and safer option.

When is the levy due?

The levy starts accruing from the day your helper's work permit is issued, not from her arrival or her first working day. Payment for each month is due by the 17th of the following month. If you are on GIRO, the deduction happens automatically on that date. The levy stops only when the work permit is cancelled or expires, so if your helper goes on home leave or you are between placements, check carefully whether the levy is still running.

What happens if you pay late?

Late payment carries consequences. MOM charges a late payment penalty, and if the levy remains unpaid, your bank may be instructed to recover the amount. More seriously, continued non-payment can lead to the cancellation of your helper's work permit and can affect your ability to hire a helper in the future. Unpaid levy is treated as a debt to the government. If your GIRO deduction fails because of insufficient funds, top up your account promptly and check with MOM so the payment can be reattempted before penalties accumulate.

Always check the latest rates

Levy rates and concession rules are set by the government and can change. The figures above reflect the position for 2026, but before you budget or apply for a concession, confirm the current rates and eligibility criteria on the official MOM website at mom.gov.sg. MOM is the definitive source, and rates published there override any general guide, including this one.