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Key Takeaways
IRAS does not accept direct credit card payments: You cannot pay your tax bill on myTaxPortal with a credit card, as IRAS avoids high transaction costs.
Workarounds exist for a fee: Using a credit card requires third-party platforms like CardUp or bank tax facilities (e.g., Citi PayAll, SC Tax Facility), which charge a 1.6%–2.6% processing fee.
Maximise rewards with the right card: Top cards like SC Beyond or Citi ULTIMA offer the best rewards but require high incomes. Most can still earn good rewards with accessible cards and the right platform.
Consider your end goal—travel or savings: If you use miles for premium flights, paying tax by credit card is often worthwhile. For instant savings, focus on cashback cards and lower fees.
Why Use a Credit Card to Pay Income Tax?
1. Earning miles and cashback
While you cannot pay IRAS directly with a credit card, using platforms like CardUp or bank facilities such as Citi PayAll and Standard Chartered’s Tax Facility lets you earn rewards on your income tax payment. This means you can collect air miles, cashback, or points on a bill you need to pay anyway.
Premium cards like the Standard Chartered Beyond Credit Card or Citi ULTIMA offer up to 2 miles per dollar, but are mainly for high-income earners. Most people can still benefit from cards like the Standard Chartered Visa Infinite or Citi PremierMiles, while cashback seekers can use the Citi Cash Back+ and other eligible cards via CardUp.
To compare options, check out the best miles cards in Singapore or best cashback cards in Singapore.
2. The "admin fee" reality check: When it’s not worth it
Paying income tax with a credit card always comes with a processing fee, usually 1.6% to 2.6%. For lower-earning cards, this fee can cancel out any miles or cashback you’d earn. Always compare the fee against the rewards—sometimes, you may pay more in fees than you get in value. Alternatives like GIRO instalment plans don’t have extra charges and may be more cost-effective.
How to Pay Income Tax With a Credit Card in Singapore
Bank-specific tax facilities
Some banks, like Standard Chartered and Citibank, offer dedicated facilities for using your credit card to pay IRAS income tax and earn rewards. Standard Chartered’s Tax Payment Facility is open to Beyond Credit Card and Visa Infinite holders (1.90% fee, up to 2 mpd for Beyond, 1.4 mpd for Visa Infinite with minimum spend). For other SC cardholders, the EasyBill programme allows IRAS payments up to $10,000 per year, earning cashback or rewards, also with a fee up to 1.90%.
Each facility has specific card and reward requirements, so check the latest terms for your card.
Third-party platforms
If your bank doesn’t have a tax facility or you want to use a card from another bank, platforms like CardUp are an option. CardUp supports most Singapore-issued cards, including Amex, Citi, HSBC, Maybank, OCBC, POSB, StanChart, and UOB. The standard processing fee is 2.60%, but recurring income tax payments can enjoy a reduced 1.80% fee with code 18VTAX26 (Visa only, till 22 Mar 2026). Always check for promos and card eligibility before paying.
City PayAll: Gold standard for miles chasers?
For those who prioritise earning miles, Citi PayAll stands out as one of the leading platforms for credit card payment of income tax in Singapore It lets you pay IRAS with eligible Citi cards and earn rewards at your base card rate. You can choose between a Service Fee payment option (where you pay a fee and earn rewards) or a Zero Fee payment option (no fee, but no rewards).
Until 28 Feb 2026, spend $6,000+ to get a 0.50% bonus rebate (capped at $150,000 spend, excluding fees) with Citi PayAll. This rebate is in addition to the miles or points earned on your card, which varies with different cards. Cards like the Citi Prestige and Citi ULTIMA earn the most miles (1.3 mpd and 1.6 mpd respectively), but entry-level cards like the Citi PremierMiles Card (1.2 mpd) are also eligible.
Best Credit Cards for Income Tax Rewards in 2026
Choosing the right card for credit card payment of income tax can make a big difference in the rewards you earn. Below is a comparison of the top cards and facilities available for 2026, with key details on earn rates, fees, and eligibility:
Credit card | Earn rate | Processing fee | Eligibility (minimum annual income) | Payment platform |
SC Beyond Credit Card | Up to 2 mpd* | 1.90% (Tax Facility) | $200,000 | SC Credit Card Income Tax Payment Facility |
Citi ULTIMA Card | 1.6 mpd | Citi PayAll service fee | By invitation only | Citi PayAll |
SC Visa Infinite Credit Card | 1.4 mpd** | 1.90% (Tax Facility/EasyBill) | – For Priority/Private Banking customers: $30,000 (Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents) or $60,000 (Foreigners) – For all other customers: $150,000 | SC Credit Card Income Tax Payment Facility |
Citi PremierMiles Card | 1.2 mpd | Citi PayAll service fee | $30,000 (Singaporean) / $42,000 (non-Singaporan) | Citi PayAll |
Citi Cash Back+ Card | 1.6% cashback | Citi PayAll service fee | $30,000 (Singaporean) / $42,000 (non-Singaporan) | Citi PayAll |
Any major bank card via CardUp | Varies by card | 1.8% with promo (Visa)*** | Most Singapore-issued cards | CardUp |
*2 miles per S$1 with SC Beyond, Priority/Priority Private only
**1.4 miles per S$1 with SC Visa Infinite, minimum $2,000 eligible spend per statement cycle
***Promo applies to Singapore-issued Visa cards for recurring income tax payments on CardUp, ends 22 Mar 2026 (promo code: 18VTAX26)
When choosing, be sure to compare the total fees with your card’s earn rate, and consider whether you prefer to accumulate miles with a miles card or receive cash rebates with a cashback card.
Comparing the Fees: Bank Facilities vs. Third-Party Platforms
Choosing how to pay income tax with a credit card impacts your net rewards. Both bank facilities and platforms like CardUp charge processing fees, and reward rates vary by card. Here’s a 2026 fee and reward comparison:
Payment method | Typical processing fee (2026) | Supported cards | Maximum earn rate (miles/cashback) |
Standard Chartered Tax Facility | 1.90% (one-time) | SC Beyond, SC Visa Infinite | 2 mpd (Beyond*), 1.4 mpd (Visa Infinite**) |
SC EasyBill | Up to 1.9% | Other SC credit cards | Varies by card |
Citi PayAll | 1.8%–2.2% (varies) | Citi ULTIMA Card, Citi Prestige Card, Citi PremierMiles Card, Citi Rewards Card, Citi Cash Back + Card, Citi Cash Back Card | Varies by card, e.g. – Citi ULTIMA Card: 1.6 mpd – Citi Prestige Card: 1.3 mpd – Citi PremierMiles Card: 1.2 mpd – Citi Cash Back + Card: 1.6% cashback |
CardUp (standard fee) | 2.6% | Most Singapore-issued credit cards | Varies by card |
CardUp (with promo code 18VTAX26) | 1.80% (Visa, recurring, till 22 Mar 2026) | Most Singapore-issued Visa cards | Varies by card |
*2 mpd on SC Beyond for Priority/Priority Private only.
**1.4 mpd with SC Visa Infinite, minimum $2,000 eligible spend per statement cycle
Always calculate your total rewards versus fees for your own card and payment size. Sometimes, the admin fee can outstrip the value of miles or cashback.
Step-By-Step: How to Use a Credit Card to Pay Your IRAs Bill
Paying your income tax with a credit card in Singapore is straightforward, but the process depends on whether you use a bank’s tax facility or a third-party platform like CardUp. Here’s a general step-by-step guide for both methods:
A. Using a bank’s tax payment facility (e.g., Standard Chartered Tax Facility, Citi PayAll)
Log in to your bank’s internet banking or mobile app.
Locate the tax payment service (often found under “Payments,” “Pay bills,” or a dedicated “Tax Facility” section). If necessary, set up the service by following the instructions on screen.
Enter your tax details as requested. You will typically need to enter information such as:
Your IRAS reference number
Tax amount due
Payment category (e.g. insurance, taxes, rent) and frequency
For Citi PayAll, you will also need to select your service fee option: 2.6% service fee with rewards, or zero fee with no rewards.
Select your credit card for payment and review the processing fee, earn rate, and any applicable caps or promo details.
Confirm and submit the payment. The bank will process your payment to IRAS and charge the total (tax amount + processing fee) to your card.
Track your rewards—miles, points, or cashback will be credited according to your card’s usual statement cycle.
For Citi PayAll, payments are usually processed in 4 business days. Payments made using SC EasyBill and SC’s Credit Card Income Tax Payment Facility take up to 7 business days to be processed.
B. Using a third-party platform (e.g., CardUp)
Sign up or log in to your CardUp account.
Create a new payment under the “Taxes” payment category and choose “Income Tax” as the payment type.
Choose your recipient: For income tax payments, select “IRAS – Income Tax”
Enter your payment amount, then select your card and payment plan.
Upload your up-to-date Statement of Account, showing your name, NRIC, outstanding balance and date of outstanding balance. CardUp will extract your payment reference number based on your registered NRIC.
Review your payment details, including the recipient, amount, CardUp fee and selected card.
Submit your payment. CardUp will process the payment to IRAS on your behalf.
Check myTax Portal and your credit card account to ensure the payment was successful and that you receive the expected miles, points, or cashback.
CardUp will generally process your payment within 3 to 5 business days.
Moneysmart Pro-Tips for Tax Season 2026
Calculate your "cost per mile" before you pay
Always calculate the value of your rewards versus the processing fee before paying income tax with a credit card. Divide the fee by the miles or cashback earned to find your “cost per mile” or “cost per dollar.” If your rewards aren’t worth more than the fee, it may not be a good deal—especially if you’re not using miles for high-value travel.
Keep an eye out for seasonal promo codes (VTAX26, etc.)
Promo rates can greatly boost your net rewards. For 2026, CardUp offers a 1.80% fee for recurring income tax payments with Singapore-issued Visa cards (code 18VTAX26, valid till 22 Mar 2026). Banks and platforms often release promo codes, so always check for the latest offers before paying.
Don’t forget the GIRO rebate alternative (UOB One Account)
If you want to minimise costs, consider the GIRO Monthly Tax Payment Plan, especially with accounts like UOB One. GIRO lets you split tax into interest-free instalments, and with UOB One Account, you can get a 6% cash rebate (capped at $600) until 31 Mar 2026.
