Based on feedback to help SMEs benefit from the PIC scheme without rushing the implementation of their investments, the Minister for Finance announced a refinement to the PIC claims process on 4 Mar 2010, to enable companies to combine the $300,000 ceilings per year for the first two years into a new ceiling of $600,000 over two years. Businesses will therefore be able to claim a 250% deduction for the first $600,000 of expenditure on each activity that they incur for YA2011 and YA2012 combined. Thereafter the scheme will revert to the yearly cap of $300,000 per activity so as to focus the scheme on our SMEs.
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Change in Income Tax Treatment on Staff Discount with effect from Year of Assessment 2011
IRAS has been proactively seeking public comments and feedback in our continuous review of tax policies and procedures. The tax treatment of benefits-in-kind is one such area where we have been introducing administrative concessions in response to public feedback obtained. Taking into consideration the compliance cost that employers have to incur in tracking staff discounts awarded, IRAS has decided to extend the scope of administrative concession to exempt the taxable benefits on staff discount where the value of an item of good or service offered to employees and their family members, relatives and friends does not exceed the exemption threshold of $500. The change will take effect from Year of Assessment 2011 (i.e. benefit given out from 2010).
More information can be found here
in the IRAS website.
With effect from Year of Assessment 2011, where the exemption is applicable, employers:
- Do not have to declare the benefit in the Form IR8A that are to be given to employees and
- Do not have to include the benefit when transmitting the income details electronically to IRAS
For clarification, you can email Miss Lim Fei Chen at feichen@iras.gov.sg or call 6351 3639.
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Simple Salary Survey by SNEF Research Institute Open for Participation
The survey that provides comprehensive, accurate, representative, affordable and timely salary information is open for participation.
Contact us at Tel: 6227 2287 or Email: ri@snef.org.sg to participate now.
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Draft Tripartite Guidelines on the Re-employment of Older Employees
As part of its efforts to help older employees remain economically productive, the Government will enact re-employment legislation by 2012 to enable more people to continue working beyond the current statutory retirement age of 62, up to 65 in the first instance and, later, up to 67. This change, accompanied by increased Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) for older, low-wage workers, will complement the CPF Minimum Sum Draw-Down-Age (DDA), which will progressively be raised from 2012.
Formed under the aegis of the Tripartite Committee on Employability of Older Workers (“TriCom”), the Tripartite Implementation Workgroup (TIWG) aims to help companies put in place the necessary processes and systems for re-employment to work. The TIWG released the Tripartite Advisory on the Re-employment of Older Workers (“Advisory”) in April 2008 and has been encouraging employers and employees to adopt the Advisory. Taking into account the feedback obtained on the Advisory, the TIWG has updated and expanded the Advisory into Tripartite Guidelines on the Re-Employment of Older Employees (“Guidelines”) to better prepare employers and employees for the re-employment legislation.
Click here
to download the draft Tripartite Guidelines on the Re-employment of Older Employees.
For assistance in implementation, please email: tag@snef.org.sg.
Click here
for the one-stop information resource centre on Re-employment, a joint effort by SNEF, NTUC & MOM.
Click here
for more information on the draft Tripartite Guidelines on the Re-employment of Older Employees.
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Tripartite Advisory on Managing Manpower Challenges for Enhanced Competitiveness and Sustainability
There have been some signs of economic recovery. Following quarterly declines of 9.5% and 3.2% in the first and second quarter 2009 respectively, GDP growth is projected to grow by 0.8% for the 3rd quarter. MTI has also upgraded the economic forecast to minus 2.5% to minus 2.0% from minus 4% to minus 6%. The tripartite parties have met and decided to issue an advisory to help employers manage manpower challenges in a recovery and wage pressures in the short term.
Click here
for the Tripartite Advisory on Managing Manpower Challenges for Enhanced Competitiveness and Sustainability.
If you have any queries, please contact your SNEF IR consultant at Tel: 6327 9297 or email to advisory@snef.org.sg.
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New Tax Clearance Calculator at IRAS website
IRAS has received a number of enquiries from both employers and individuals, seeking clarification on whether they need to seek tax clearance for their foreign employees.
Employers can now self-help at IRAS website using the IRAS newly designed Tax Clearance Calculator......
For information on IRAS' requirements on severance payments, please click here.
For workers who are looking for jobs, please email:
jobs@snef.org.sg.
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SNEF Overseas Business Travel Benefits for Executive
The SNEF Overseas Business Travel Benefits for Executive Report will be launched on the 21st December 2009.
As more organisations assign their employees overseas for business and other official purposes, they need to provide appropriate overseas business travel benefits to help employees to cover relevant expenses and ensure that they are well-taken care of. This would also help them to perform more effectively when overseas.
With this in mind, SNEF Research Institute surveyed more than 210 employers in Singapore to determine the latest market practices on Overseas Business Travel Benefits for Executive.
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FREE HR Advisory Service for SMEs
SNEF, in collaboration with Spring Singapore has launched a new Human Resource Advisory and Information Service (HRAISS) for SMEs.
This service is targeted at Singapore-based SMEs with an employment size of up to 200 employees.
FREE Enquiries on HR matters can be made via calls to the smehr@snef hotline: 6221 2334 This service is available Mondays to Fridays (9.00am to 5.30pm)
FREE HR Advisory service via email. All email enquiries can be sent to: smehr@snef.org.sg.
If necessary, smehr@snef Consultants can arrange for a face-to-face meeting to discuss the HR matter in more details.
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HR Capability Package
To help SMEs meet their HR capability needs, SPRING Singapore and the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) jointly developed an HR Capability Package to improve and strengthen SMEs' human resource management capabilities by addressing HR gaps and promoting good HR practices.
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Be a Certified Service Professional (CSP) - A Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) training programme under the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR) scheme
As we are faced with global economic downturn, companies in Singapore are also faced with the challenge of reducing cost and saving jobs. This is an ideal time to build up manpower capabilities and prepare for economic recovery. With the assistance of SPUR, an initiative recently introduced by the Singapore Tripartite, employers can now leverage on the enhanced financial support for staff training and absentee payroll subsidy. This training is applicable for all Singapore and Singapore Permanent Resident staff in all industries.
SNEF is one leading agency for promoting SPUR and also one of the Continuing Education and Training (CET) centres for CSP.
Upskill or reskill your staff in this programme so that they are instilled with a positive mindset and be equipped with essential customers service skills that is crucial to sales creation and profit generation in today’s challenging market.
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GLOBAL REMUNERATION PROFESSIONAL (GRP)
Global Remuneration Professional (GRP) Program is a certified international compensation
& benefit program developed by WorldatWork from the United States, which is similar to the well-known CCP Program with its material more globally based. In order to earn the GRP
designation, you will have to pass all 8 examinations (GR1 to GR9). EXPAND your professional knowledge and STRENGTHEN your career standing by joining more than 12,000 professionals
worldwide in attaining the PRESTIGIOUS GRP certification. The GRP programme is recognized
globally. In Singapore, more than 900 HR professionals have acquired the GRP Designation.
Join this exclusive club and be a compensation specialist.
Registrations are now open for the following modules and it's on a
first come first served basis. ENROL NOW!
- GR1 (Total Rewards Management): 1-3 Mar 10 - GR2 (Quantitative Methods): 4-6 Mar 10 - GR3 (Job Analysis, Documentation and Evaluation): 10-12 May 10 - GR4 (Base Pay Management): 13-15 May 10 - GR6 (Variable Pay - Incentives, Recognition and Bonuses):
19-21 Jul 10 - GR7 (International Remuneration - An Overview
of Global Rewards): 22-24 Jul 10 - GR9 (Strategic Communication in Total Rewards):
13-15 Sep 10 - GR17 (Market Pricing - Conducting a Competitive Pay Analysis): 16-18 Sep 10
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Financial Modelling Using Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheets have been an indispensable tool for working executives for many years. Many working executives are already familiar with using Microsoft Excel to create simple spreadsheet solutions to answer basic questions. These solutions are created using the basic functions of Microsoft Excel. This course will build on the basic knowledge of the participants to formulate more complex models....... - Click here to register.
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Community Engagement Programme (CEP)
The Community Engagement Programme brings together people from different communities in Singapore to work with each other to develop understanding and to prevent and minimise racial and religious tensions in our society after a crisis, such as a terrorist incident.
Through the Programme, the community will be involved in response plans that will be activated when a terrorist incident does occur. These plans aim to help Singaporeans cope with the shock and to stay calm and resilient. This will ensure that our society stays together, and we can continue with our daily lives as quickly as possible.
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A Guide to Implement Monthly Variable Component (MVC) for Small & Medium Enterprises
MVC is a "standby" component to be used by employers to bring down wage costs in sudden and severe business downturns to survive and save jobs.
With the reduction of CPF contribution rate, there is little room to adjust wage cost through CPF cut in the future. Employers therefore should get ready MVC as an "emergency lever" to be used in bad times.
Download the Guide & FAQs to Implement Monthly Variable Component (MVC) For SMEs
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Initiated by the Tripartite Action Group (TAG), the
Campaign on Responsible Job Advertisements promotes the adoption
of the Tripartite Guidelines on Non-Discriminatory Job
advertisements.
Tripartite Guidelines on Non-Discriminatory Job advertisements
Be part of the group of Responsible Job Advertisers today!
For more details please contact Mr. Shaun Hou at
Tel: 6827 6827/6827 6951 or
Email: shaun_hou@snef.org.sg
