1. Cross-Border Tax & Compliance
Singapore has a highly attractive territorial tax regime. However, as an expat, you must navigate your home country’s global tax liabilities. We specialize in structuring portfolios to manage tax efficiency:
- FATCA & US Tax Planning: Helping US citizens construct IRS-compliant portfolios that minimize PFIC (Passive Foreign Investment Company) punitive taxation.
- European & UK Pension Repatriation: Advising UK expats on QROPS (Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes) and QNUPS to protect UK pension growth.
- Australian Expat Advisory: Structuring assets to manage Australia's non-resident tax rules, CGT tax locks, and superannuation choices.
2. Expat Retirement & SRS Optimization
Expats in Singapore do not have CPF contributions by default, meaning retirement funding is self-directed. We optimize local and international schemes to maximize savings:
- Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS): Foreigners can contribute up to SGD 35,700 annually to SRS, which reduces local taxable income. We advise on how to invest SRS cash beyond the default 0.05% bank rate into low-cost portfolio funds.
- Tax-Efficient Withdrawal: Foreigners can withdraw SRS funds penalty-free after 10 years from the date of the first contribution. We design withdrawal models to capture the 50% tax exemption rule.
- Portable Pensions: Establishing offshore saving portfolios that are fully portable, allowing you to continue growing capital if you relocate or repatriate home.
3. International Health & Protection
Healthcare in Singapore is world-class but can be extremely expensive for non-citizens who do not qualify for subsidized public rates. We review and set up global health structures:
- Worldwide Coverage Plans: Sourcing health insurance that covers you locally in Singapore and when traveling globally or visiting family in your home country.
- Excluding/Including USA Cover: Tailoring policies to include or exclude US medical zones to optimize premiums.
- Company Benefit Audits: Checking if your corporate group insurance leaves gaps in critical illness or long-term disability, and supplementing with cheap portable plans.
4. Property Financing for Foreigners & Expats
Acquiring real estate in Singapore involves specific regulatory filters for non-citizens. Associated with **Singapore Mortgage Brokers**, LINC advises on financing options:
- Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD): Foreigners face a standard 60% ABSD on residential properties, but citizens of specific countries under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) like the US, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein are exempt and pay local rates.
- Expat Home Loans: Setting up bank mortgage packages with flexible currencies and optimal LTV (Loan-to-Value) splits.
Why Choose LINC for Expat Wealth Management?
Our branch directors, Rainer Ackbari (with background in US/German corporate banking) and Oliver Doss (30 years of global market banking), are expatriates themselves who reside in Singapore. We understand the specific concerns regarding offshore assets, cross-border moves, and global asset management firsthand.