How to Earn Credit Card Miles on IRAS Income Tax in Singapore
Updated: 14 Apr 2026
Turn your yearly tax bill into air miles — here’s how savvy cardholders are earning rewards by paying their IRAS income tax with a credit card workaround.
Tax season may not bring joy, but for the financially savvy, it offers a surprising opportunity — earning air miles or cashback rewards. Every year, the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) issues a Notice of Assessment (NOA) to let you know how much income tax you owe. This can be paid in full or split into monthly instalments through GIRO. While IRAS does not allow direct credit card payments, you can still use your card to pay — just not in the usual way.
Instead, third-party payment platforms and selected banks offer solutions that let you charge your tax bill to a credit card, with a small service fee in return for miles, points or cashback. This method is becoming increasingly popular among Singaporeans looking to maximise everyday spending for future travel rewards.
>> MORE: Best bill and tax payments services that still earn you rewards and miles in Singapore
Can you earn miles from paying IRAS income tax?
The answer is: No. You cannot directly pay your tax bill with a credit card.
To quote IRAS: “We do not offer credit cards as a payment mode as the transaction costs charged by the credit card service providers are high. We need to keep our cost of collection low to preserve public funds.”
You cannot pay IRAS directly with a credit card at no cost. To earn rewards, you must use either a Bank Tax Facility or a Third-Party Payment Platform. In 2026, the strategy remains: if the value of the miles/cashback you earn is greater than the processing fee, you win.
These services charge your credit card, then transfer the funds to IRAS either on your behalf (direct payment) or by depositing the funds into your account (indirect payment). While there’s a service fee involved, many find the trade-off worth it, especially when earning valuable miles on large tax sums. This method has grown in popularity among Singaporeans who want to rack up KrisFlyer miles or bank points without additional purchases.
Rack up miles rewards with a credit card for frequent flyers
No matter your travel habits, earn miles with these credit cards tuned for great mpd and low minimum spend.
Bank Tax Payment Facilities
Many banks offer a dedicated service where they pay IRAS on your behalf and charge the amount (plus a fee) to your credit card.
A. Standard Chartered Tax Facility
For 2026, Standard Chartered is running an aggressive promotion for its Beyond and Visa Infinite cardholders.
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Processing Fee: 1.90%
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April 2026 Promo: The first 25 approved applications each month (until June 2026) get a 100% cashback on the processing fee (capped at S$200).
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Best Card: SC Beyond Credit Card (earning 1.4 miles per S$1).
B. Citi PayAll
Citi PayAll remains the "gold standard" for miles collectors due to its seamless integration within the Citi Mobile App.
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Processing Fee: 2.0% to 2.2% (variable based on card type).
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2026 Strategy: While the 2025 "zero-fee" promos have ended, users with the Citi Prestige or Citi PremierMiles card still find value here to clock spend for high-tier travel rewards.
C. HSBC & DBS Facilities
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HSBC: Offers a tax payment program with fees starting from 1.5%, but rewards are often capped or restricted to specific card tiers.
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DBS: Their "My Preferred Payment Plan" allows you to split your tax bill into interest-free installments for a one-time processing fee, though rewards are generally not granted for this specific installment plan.
>> MORE: Paying income tax: Are CardUp, ipaymy, and Citi PayAll worth the admin fee?
Third-Party Platforms: CardUp (April 2026)
CardUp is the most popular alternative for cards that aren't supported by bank-native facilities (like American Express or BOC).
| User Type | Promo Code | Effective Fee |
| New Users | 25AMEX18 | 1.8% (Amex only, up to S$3,500) |
| Existing Users | 25AMEX21 | 2.1% (Amex only, up to S$3,000) |
| Visa/Mastercard | 173VTAXONE | 1.73% (One-off payment) |
| Recurring Payment | 18VTAX26 | 1.80% (Visa only) |
Why use CardUp in 2026? It is often cheaper than bank facilities (1.73% vs 1.9%+) and allows you to use almost any credit card to earn its base rewards.
Is it Worth It? The Math for 2026
To decide if you should pay the fee, calculate your Cost per Mile (CPM).
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Scenario: You have a S$10,000 tax bill.
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CardUp Fee (1.73%): S$173.
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Miles Earned (at 1.4 mpd): 14,242 miles.
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Cost per Mile: S$173 / 14,242 = 1.21 cents.
Verdict: Since a KrisFlyer mile is generally valued at 1.5 to 1.8 cents for Business Class redemptions, paying 1.21 cents per mile is a "profitable" trade.
DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card
- Up to 1.3 miles per S$1 spent locally, including bus and train rides.
- Up to 2.2 miles per S$1 spent on overseas purchases in foreign currency.
- Receive 10,000 bonus miles when you pay the annual fee of S$196.20
- 2 free lounge visits within each 12-month period of your membership to over 1,500 airport lounges worldwide.
- Read our full review of the DBS Altitude Card.
- Bonus air miles
- Airport lounge
- No expiry air miles
- Unlimited air miles
- Miles are awarded in the form of DBS points which are awarded for every S$5 spent.
- Each conversion of DBS points to miles will be subjected to an administrative fee of S$25 (exclusive of GST).
Card details
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1.3 miles per S$1 spent locally at maximum, including bus and train rides.
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2.2 miles per S$1 spent on overseas purchases in foreign currency at maximum.
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10,000 bonus miles when you pay the annual fee of S$196.20
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2 free lounge visits within each 12-month period of your membership to over 1,500 airport lounges worldwide.
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Miles are awarded in the form of DBS points which are awarded for every S$5 spent.
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Each conversion of DBS points to miles will be subjected to an administrative fee of S$25 (exclusive of GST).
SingSaver’s take
The DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card is a solid entry-level miles card for frequent travellers and young professionals, offering non-expiring miles, complimentary lounge access, and a generous welcome bonus — though its earn rates are modest compared to premium alternatives.
Best income tax credit card: SC Visa Infinite Credit Card
The Standard Chartered Visa Infinite Credit Card stands out as a top choice for earning miles on your IRAS income tax payments in Singapore. Its dedicated Income Tax Payment Facility allows cardholders to convert their tax obligations into valuable air miles, making it an excellent tool for frequent travellers and high spenders.
Why the SC Visa Infinite Credit Card
Unlike many cards that exclude tax payments from rewards, the SC Visa Infinite offers a specialised facility that enables you to earn miles on your income tax payments. By applying through this facility, you can have the tax amount credited to your bank account, which you then use to pay IRAS.
From 1 April to 30 June 2025, enjoy a full cashback rebate on the 1.9% processing fee when you use the Standard Chartered Income Tax Payment Facility and credit the tax amount to your Standard Chartered bank account. You can receive up to S$300 cashback, on top of the base miles earned from your tax payment.
Standard Chartered Visa Infinite Credit Card
- Earn up to 3 miles per dollar in every statement cycle where a min. eligible spend of S$2,000 is made.
- Complimentary Priority Pass membership with 6 lounge visits a year.
- Receive complimentary travel insurance coverage of up to S$1 million when you charge your full travel fare to this card.
- Get access to exclusive card offers and privileges with The Good Life programme.
- Earn rewards points on education, rental, insurance, and tax payments via SC EasyBill.
- Local spend: 3.5 rewards points (1.4 miles per S$1)
- Miles do not expire.
- Airport lounge
- Travel insurance
- Bonus air miles
- Base earn rate of 1 mile per S$1.
- A S$26.75 transfer fee is levied for every mileage transfer rewards code redeemed.
- Annual fee is strictly non-waivable.
- Monthly spend required
Card details
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3 miles per dollar at maximum in every statement cycle where a min. eligible spend of S$2,000 is made.
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6 lounge visits per year with complimentary Priority Pass membership
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S$1 million complimentary travel insurance coverage at maximum when you charge your full travel fare to this card.
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Get access to exclusive card offers and privileges with The Good Life programme.
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Earn rewards points on education, rental, insurance, and tax payments via SC EasyBill.
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Base earn rate of 1 mile per S$1.
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A S$26.75 transfer fee is levied for every mileage transfer rewards code redeemed.
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Annual fee is strictly non-waivable.
SingSaver’s take
The Standard Chartered Visa Infinite Credit Card offers attractive benefits for frequent travellers who can meet its high income and spending requirements. However, the substantial annual fee and limited transfer partners may deter some users. Prospective cardholders should carefully assess whether the card's benefits align with their spending habits and travel goals.
Step-by-Step: How to Pay in April 2026
- Receive your NOA: Wait for your Notice of Assessment (NOA) from IRAS via myTaxPortal.
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Choose your "Vehicle":
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For Lowest Fee: Use CardUp with the
173VTAXONEcode. -
For Convenience: Use Citi PayAll or SC Tax Facility via your bank app.
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Provide Proof: You will need to upload a PDF copy of your NOA for verification.
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Wait for Processing: These platforms usually take 3–5 business days to remit the money to IRAS. Ensure you set the payment date at least 7 days before your tax due date.
Best credit card sign-up bonuses 2025
Compare sign-up offers now and turn your next big payment — even income tax — into bonus rewards.
Benefits of paying IRAS income tax with credit card
One of the main reasons to pay IRAS with a credit card is the chance to earn air miles or rewards points on a large transaction. Income tax bills can range from a few hundred dollars to five-figure sums, so it’s a good opportunity to boost your rewards balance significantly with a single transaction.
It’s also a clever way to meet minimum spend requirements for sign-up bonuses. Many credit cards offer 10,000–50,000 bonus miles if you spend S$2,000–S$4,000 within the first few months — and a tax bill can help you hit that in one go.
>> MORE: 7 smart ways to meet your credit card minimum spend to earn the welcome reward
Charging your tax to a card can also improve cash flow. Even though you’re paying a service fee, you’re essentially deferring payment until your credit card’s due date — and possibly splitting it across months if your bank offers instalment plans.
Tracking your expenses is easier too. With credit card statements, you’ll have a clear digital record of your income tax payment, useful for personal budgeting or financial planning.
Lastly, promo codes from CardUp or ipaymy often reduce fees enough that the cost per mile earned becomes highly attractive — sometimes under 1.3 cents per mile.
2026 Tax Payment Comparison
| Platform | Fee (Apr 2026) | Best Card to Use | Reward Type |
| CardUp | 1.73% - 2.25% | SC Simply Cash / Amex | Miles / Cashback |
| Citi PayAll | 2.0% - 2.2% | Citi Prestige | High-value Miles |
| SC Tax Facility | 1.90% | SC Beyond | Miles |
| IRAS Direct | 0% | N/A (GIRO/PayNow) | None |
Card | Hot Reward Pick | SingSaver Reward | Card benefit | Airmiles Local | Airmiles Overseas | Annual Fee | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | HSBC TravelOne Credit Card | S$849 | 1.2 - 2.4 | 1.2 miles / dollar | 2.4 miles / dollar | S$196.20 | ||
 | Citi PremierMiles Card | S$1,798 | 1.2 - 10 | 1.2 miles / dollar | 2.2 miles / dollar | S$196.20 | ||
 | UOB PRVI Miles American Express Card | S$400 | 1.4 - 8 | 1.4 miles / dollar | Up to3 miles / dollar | S$261.60 | ||
 | Standard Chartered Journey Credit Card (Annual Fee Paying) | S$600 | 1.2 - 3 | 1.2 miles / dollar | 2 miles / dollar | S$196.20 | ||
 | OCBC Rewards Credit Card | S$799 | 1 - 15 | Up to4 miles / dollar | 0.4 miles / dollar | S$196.20 | ||
 | UOB Visa Signature Card | S$400 | 0.4 - 4 miles per dollar | 4 miles per dollar | 4 miles per dollar | S$218.00 | ||
 | DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card | S$879 | 1.3 - 2.2 | 1.3 miles / dollar | Up to 2.2 miles / dollar | S$196.20 | ||
 | Citi Rewards Card | S$1,798 | 1 - 10 | - | - | S$196.20 | ||
 | UOB Preferred Visa Card | - | - | 0.4 - 4 | Up to 4 miles / dollar | Up to 4 miles / dollar | S$196.20 | |
 | American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card | - | S$0 | 1.2 - 2 | 1.2 miles / dollar | 1.2 miles / dollar | S$397.85 | |
 | Maybank World Mastercard | - | - | 0.4 - 4 | 0.4 miles / dollar | 0.4 miles / dollar | S$261.60 | |
 | Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card | - | - | 0.4 - 2.8 | 1.2 miles / dollar | 2.8 miles / dollar | S$196.20 | |
 | UOB Lady's Solitaire Card | - | - | 0.4 - 4 miles per dollar | 4 miles per dollar | 4 miles per dollar | S$414.20 | |
 | DBS Woman's World Card | - | - | 1 - 10 DBS | 4 miles / dollar | 1.2-4 miles / dollar | S$196.20 | |
 | DBS yuu Visa Card | S$879 | 0.5 - 18 % | Up to 10 miles / dollar | - | S$196.20 |
Citi PremierMiles Card
- 1.2 miles per S$1 spent locally.
- 2.2 miles per S$1 spent in foreign currency.
- Citi Miles never expire. Can be exchanged for a variety of frequent flyer miles, hotel stays, rewards and cash rebates.
- Use Citi PayAll to earn Citi Miles, Citi ThankYou PointsSM or Cash Back when you pay your bills with your Citi Credit Card.
- Earn miles on rent, condo management fees, school fees, taxes and bills via Citi PayAll.
- 2 free airport lounge visits per year to participating Priority Pass lounges worldwide.
- Up to S$1 million travel insurance coverage when you charge your travel tickets to this card. There will be a revision made to the Citi Credit Cards complimentary travel insurance. The Travel Insurance coverage in respect of a Trip charged to Citi PremierMiles Card will be updated to end on 31 March 2026. For more information, please click here.
- 11 different airline and hotel transfer partners.
- Generous sign-up bonus with relatively low minimum spend.
- Read our full review of the Citi PremierMiles Card.
- No expiry air miles
- Airport lounge
- Travel rebate
- Gift: Apple product
- Admin fee of S$25 (excluding GST) for each conversion of Citi Miles to frequent flyer miles.
- Service fee applies to Citi PayAll facility.
Card details
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S$1,000,000 complimentary travel insurance coverage at maximum.
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Complimentary access to airport lounges worldwide (via Priority Pass membership)
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Option to redeem miles for flights, hotels, or other rewards.
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No minimum spend required to earn rewards.
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Miles do not expire.
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Welcome offers available
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Foreign currency transaction fee: 3.25%.
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Air miles conversion fee: None typically charged for transferring to partner airlines.
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Interest on purchase: 27.9% per annum
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Interest on cash advance: 27.9% per annum
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Interest-free period: 25 days.
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Supported by VISA, Mastercard (two variants exist), Google Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay.
SingSaver’s take
The Citi PremierMiles Card is a popular choice for travellers due to its competitive overseas miles earn rate, complimentary travel insurance, and airport lounge access. The lack of miles expiry provides added flexibility for redemptions. Its partnership with Agoda can also offer a significantly higher miles earn rate for bookings made through the designated channel.
Before committing, review your card’s T&Cs. Some cards exclude payment facilitators from rewards, while others set caps or require a minimum spend per statement month. Ensure your spend qualifies to avoid disappointment.
Pro-Tips for Tax Season 2026
- Avoid Double Payment: If you have an active GIRO arrangement with IRAS, you must cancel it or wait for the specific "one-off" window to avoid being charged twice.
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Check for "Targeted" Promos: In April 2026, check your bank's "Rewards" or "Offers" tab in their app. Many banks send targeted 1.5% fee offers to high-income individuals.
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AXS Option: You can still pay via AXS using a credit card, but note that most banks have excluded AXS transactions from earning any rewards since 2024
Maximise your rewards with UOB with their best cards
Use a UOB miles credit card to pay your income tax and relax as the rewards roll in.
UOB PRVI Miles Visa Card
UOB PRVI Miles Visa Card
- Earn 3 miles per S$1 spend (UNI$7.5 per S$5 spend) on regional spend in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, including online shopping on overseas website.
- Earn 2.4 miles per S$1 spend (UNI$6 per S$5 spend) on other overseas spend, including online shopping on overseas websites.
- Earn 1.4 miles per S$1 spend (UNI$3.5 per S$5 spend) on local spend.
- 4 complimentary lounge visits annually, exclusive for Principal Cardmembers.
- Earn up to 8 miles per S$1 spend (UNI$20 per S$5 spend) on agoda and Expedia bookings via UOB PRVI Miles website.
- Earn up to 6 bonus KrisFlyer miles for every S$1 spend if you also apply for a new KrisFlyer UOB Account.
- Complimentary personal accident coverage and emergency medical assistance of up to S$500,000.
- Choice to redeem for miles, cashback, or vouchers.
- No minimum spend and no cap on earned miles
- Bonus air miles
- Unlimited air miles
- Travel insurance
- No monthly spend required
- Annual fee of S$261.60
- Terms and conditions apply for all above-mentioned privileges. Visit here for more details. Insured up to S$100,000 by SDIC.
Card details
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3 miles per S$1 spend (UNI$7.5 per S$5 spend) on regional spend in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, including online shopping on overseas website.
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2.4 miles per S$1 spend (UNI$6 per S$5 spend) on other overseas spend, including online shopping on overseas websites.
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1.4 miles per S$1 spend (UNI$3.5 per S$5 spend) on local spend.
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4 complimentary lounge visits per calendar year for principal cardmembers.
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Earn up to 8 miles per S$1 spend (UNI$20 per S$5 spend) on agoda and Expedia bookings via UOB PRVI Miles website.
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Earn up to 6 bonus KrisFlyer miles for every S$1 spend if you also apply for a new KrisFlyer UOB Account.
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Complimentary personal accident coverage and emergency medical assistance of up to S$500,000.
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Choice to redeem for miles, cashback, or vouchers.
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No minimum spend and no cap on earned miles
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Annual fee of S$261.60
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Terms and conditions apply for all above-mentioned privileges. Visit here for more details. Insured up to S$100,000 by SDIC.
SingSaver’s take
The UOB PRVI Miles Visa Card is an excellent choice for frequent travellers seeking high miles earn rates on both local and overseas spending, especially when booking through selected travel platforms, offering flexibility and value without minimum spend requirements.
What are the downsides or risks?
This strategy isn’t for everyone. First, you’re paying a service fee — and if you don’t redeem your miles wisely, the value may not justify the cost. Second, not all credit cards award points for bill payments via third-party platforms. If your card excludes such spend, you could end up paying fees for nothing.
There’s also the risk of IRAS payments not going through on time if there’s a processing delay, so plan ahead. They’re also cracking down on overpaying your card to artificially earn more miles, so banks are looking into this too.
Another consideration — instalment plans aren’t always available, unless your bank offers one, and you may be charged interest if you don’t repay your bill in full.
When should you pay your income tax?
So now that you have your credit card and payment facility lined up, when should you make the payment?
Once you receive your Notice of Assessment (NOA) from IRAS — usually between May and September — you’re expected to pay your income tax by the due date stated on the notice. This date typically falls one month from the issuance of the NOA. For most taxpayers, this means final payment is due sometime between June and October. If you opted for GIRO, payments will be automatically deducted in 12 monthly instalments starting from May.
While IRAS gives you some flexibility in how you pay, it’s important not to miss the deadline. Late payments are subject to a 5% penalty, with an additional 1% per month thereafter — so planning ahead is crucial. If you intend to use a credit card payment facility like CardUp or ipaymy to earn miles, remember to factor in their processing time (usually 3 to 5 working days) to ensure IRAS receives the payment on time.
A smart strategy is to make your credit card payment a few days before the due date, allowing enough buffer for processing delays without paying too early. This also helps you time the charge with your card’s statement cycle — giving you the maximum interest-free period to repay the balance.
Frequently asked questions about paying income tax IRAS with a credit card
Not directly with IRAS — but you can use third-party platforms or bank payment facilities to do so indirectly.
Miles or points are typically credited after the payment is posted on your card statement, depending on your card issuer’s cycle.
Check the cost per mile, the service fee, and whether your credit card includes such payments as eligible spend.
Yes, GIRO is the default option for monthly instalments — but it doesn’t earn rewards.
No, payments made via PayNow or GIRO are not eligible for credit card rewards.