Brand Transformation for Businesses Growing Across Asia • Get Up to S$100K EDGE Grant Support for International Branding. Learn More
DTDi is a tax incentive, not a grant. It lets eligible Singapore companies deduct 200% of qualifying internationalisation expenses from taxable income, for expenses incurred from 1 April 2012 to 31 December 2030.
{ What is DTDi? }
The Double Tax Deduction for Internationalisation Scheme is administered jointly by IRAS and Enterprise Singapore. Eligible Singapore companies planning for internationalisation can claim a tax deduction of 200% on qualifying expenses for specified activities. This means each dollar of qualifying expense reduces taxable income by two dollars — effectively lowering corporate tax liability for companies expanding overseas.
DTDi is a tax incentive, not a cash grant. The benefit is realised through your corporate income tax return.
Important: DTDi is currently legislated for qualifying expenses incurred from 1 April 2012 to 31 December 2030.
{ Eligibility }
{ What DTDi Covers }
Qualifying DTDi activities generally cover internationalisation-related expenses. Below is a summary. For the current authoritative list of qualifying activities, expense caps and approval thresholds, refer to the IRAS DTDi page.
Supports qualifying activities that help companies assess, study or explore overseas business opportunities such as:
Supports qualifying expenses related to promoting your company, products or services in overseas markets such as:
Supports qualifying activities that help companies prepare for overseas entry, licensing, certification or business presence such as:
{ The Comparison }
A quick comparison to help you understand where DTDi fits among Singapore’s key business support schemes.
| CATEGORY | DTDi | EDGE | OTG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of support | Tax deduction incentive | Reimbursement grant | Co-funding grant |
| Best for | Internationalisation expense deduction | Business upgrading, innovation and growth | Heritage business transformation |
| Main Benefit | 200% tax deduction on qualifying expenses | Up to 70% support depending on activity | Up to 80% of supportable costs, capped at S$40,000 |
| Administered by | IRAS (with EnterpriseSG) | Enterprise Singapore | National Heritage Board |
| When you benefit | When filing corporate income tax | After activity completion and claim approval | Initial funding upon acceptance; balance after completion |
{ How Creativeans Support }
DTDi is a tax matter, not a grant application. Creativeans is not a tax adviser, and we do not provide tax advice. What we do is help clients on the project side — designing the overseas business development, market promotion, or trade fair activity that may qualify, and producing the documentation (project plans, deliverables, evidence of activity) that supports your tax adviser’s DTDi claim.
For the tax claim itself, work with a qualified Singapore tax adviser or accountant.
{ FAQ }
No. It is a tax deduction. The benefit is realised by reducing your company’s taxable income when you file corporate income tax, which lowers tax payable.
ENTERPRISE SINGAPORE EDGE GRANT
For businesses looking to upgrade capabilities, improve efficiency or expand overseas. Supports eligible activities across strategy, branding, innovation, digitalisation and sustainability, with up to 70% support for SMEs depending on the activity.
Organisation Transformation Grant
For heritage businesses and organisations looking to transform and grow through areas such as rebranding, product development, digitalisation or marketing. Supports up to 80% of supportable project costs, capped at S$40,000.
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