Maid Levy Calculator (2026)

Work out the monthly migrant domestic worker (MDW) levy — including the $60 concessionary rate for households with a young child, elderly member, or person with disabilities.

Your household

How many helpers (MDWs)?

Concession-qualifying household members

Count each member who qualifies: a Singapore-citizen child below 16, an SC/PR aged 67+, or a person with disabilities (certified to need help with ≥1 daily activity). One concession is granted per eligible person, up to 2 helpers per household.

Helper(s) present for only part of this month (pro-rate)

Result updates as you type

Total monthly levy

$60

Concession on 1 of 1 helper · $720/year

Helper 1 (concessionary)$60/mo

Payable this month

$60

Concession saves

$2,880/yr

The concessionary rate saves you $240/month ($2,880/year). MOM grants this automatically for young-child / elderly cases; PWD-based concession requires an application via AIC.

Note: the Foreign Domestic Worker Levy income-tax relief lapsed from YA2025 — no tax-relief offset applies.

Save $2,880/year

With the MDW levy concession, my maid levy drops to $60/month — saving $2,880 a year versus the normal rate.

Share your result

The maid levy concession could save you $2,880/year — check if your household qu…

ShareWhatsApp Telegram Facebook X LinkedIn

smartcalculator.sg

For reference only — not HR or legal advice.

Paying the levy and managing it month-to-month

GIRO is mandatory before MOM issues the Work Permit. The levy is debited automatically each month — but there are a handful of situations where you can apply for a waiver or pro-rate.

account_balance

Setting up + monthly payment

GIRO mandate is requiredbefore MOM issues the Work Permit — submit the form at any DBS/POSB or OCBC branch, or via the bank's online application.
The levy is deducted on the 17th of each month for the previous month's levy.
Daily pro-rate applies for partial months — when the helper starts mid-month, departs mid-month, or both employers share a calendar month during a transfer.
Insufficient GIRO funds can lead to Work Permit cancellation — keep the bank account topped up.
Concession is auto-granted by MOM for qualifying young-child / elderly households. PWD-based concession requires a separate application via the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC).

event_busy

When you can apply for a waiver

Helper hospitalised — for at least 7 consecutive days in a recognised hospital, you can apply for a levy waiver covering that period.
Helper on overseas leave — at least 7 consecutive days overseas, capped at a total of 60 waiver days per calendar year.
Helper changes employer mid-month — old and new employers each pay the daily pro-rate for their respective days.
Termination — levy stops on the cancellation date; you owe partial-month levy up to that day, then nothing further.
FDWL tax relief — lapsed from YA2025. Do not claim it on your income tax return; the levy is no longer tax-deductible.

MOM — apply for a levy waiver·MOM — paying the levy

How the MDW levy works

Three rates, one concession.

paid

$300 / $450 / $60

$300 monthly for a first helper at the normal rate, $450 for a second helper, and $60 for the concessionary rate — granted for one helper per eligible person, up to two helpers per household.

family_restroom

Concession criteria

A Singapore-citizen child under 16, an SC/PR member aged 67 or above, or a certified person with disabilities qualifies the household for the $60 rate — one concession per eligible person, up to two helpers.

schedule

Daily pro-rate

When the helper is not in your employ for a full month, MOM charges a daily rate instead — $9.87, $14.80 or $1.98 depending on tier.

FAQ

How much is the MDW levy in Singapore?add

The monthly migrant domestic worker (MDW) levy is $300 for your first helper at the normal rate and $450 for each subsequent helper. Households that qualify for the concessionary rate pay $60 per month per concession — granted for one helper per eligible person, up to two helpers per household.

Who qualifies for the concessionary $60 rate?add

A household qualifies if it has a young child below 16, an elderly member aged 67 or above, or a person with disabilities. MOM grants the concession automatically based on the information you provide when applying for the work permit (for child/elderly cases). PWD-based concessions require an application via the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC).

Can I get the concession on both helpers if I employ two?add

Yes, if you have two separate eligible persons in your household. MOM grants the levy concession for one helper per eligible person, capped at two helpers per household. So a home with both a young child (Singapore citizen, below 16) and an elderly parent (67 or above) can put both helpers on the $60 concession. With only one eligible person, just one helper gets the concession and the second pays the normal $450 rate.

What if my helper is away or starts mid-month?add

The levy is pro-rated using a daily rate: $9.87/day for a normal first helper, $14.80/day for a subsequent helper, and $1.98/day for the concessionary rate. The daily rate is used only for partial months — full months use the flat monthly amount.

Is there a tax relief for the MDW levy?add

No. The Foreign Domestic Worker Levy income-tax relief lapsed from Year of Assessment 2025. The MDW levy is no longer tax-deductible — do not assume any offset on your tax return.

Sources

• MOM — Paying the MDW levy — Monthly and daily levy rates for normal and subsequent helpers (verified 2026-05-20)
• MOM — Levy concession — Concessionary $60 rate and qualifying conditions (verified 2026-05-20)

calendar_month

Get your free Leave Entitlements Cheat Sheet

Get the printable cheat sheet — free with the Smart Money Singapore newsletter.

Related Calculators

child_care