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.
DTDi
Tax deduction incentive
EDG
Cash reimbursement grant
MRA Grant
Cash reimbursement grant
DTDi
Internationalisation expense deduction
EDG
Business upgrading, innovation and growth
MRA Grant
First-time overseas market entry
DTDi
200% tax deduction on qualifying expenses
EDG
Up to 50% of qualifying project costs
MRA Grant
Up to 70% of eligible costs, capped per new market
DTDi
IRAS (with EnterpriseSG)
EDG
Enterprise Singapore
MRA Grant
Enterprise Singapore
DTDi
When filing corporate income tax
EDG
After project completion and claims approval
MRA Grant
After project completion and claims approval
{ 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.
{ frequently asked questions }
Quick answers to common questions on DTDi positioning before you start your grant-supported project.
Enterprise Development Grant
For projects that upgrade your business, build innovation capability, or take you into new markets. Funds qualifying third-party consultancy, software, equipment, and internal manpower costs. Up to 50% support for SMEs.
Marketing Readiness Assistance Grant
For first-time overseas market entry. Defrays the cost of overseas promotion, business development, and market set-up. Up to 70% support for SMEs (enhanced rate from 1 April 2026), capped at S$100,000 per company per new market.
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