If you are hiring a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) in Singapore, the monthly salary is only part of your financial commitment. On top of food, utilities, and insurance, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) charges a monthly Foreign Worker Levy.
In 2026, the standard levy is a hefty $300 per month. That equates to $3,600 a year purely in taxes.
However, to support families with caregiving needs, MOM offers a Concessionary Levy of $60 per month. But who exactly qualifies for this $240 monthly discount? And what happens if your circumstances change and the concession is suddenly revoked?
Use our 2026 MOM Levy Concession Calculator below to instantly check your eligibility, and discover the only 100% legal way to pay a $0 levy.
2026 Levy Concession Checker
Answer 3 questions to check your MOM levy status.
Switch to a Part-Time Maid. We absorb all corporate taxes.
2026 Singapore Maid Levy Rates
| Helper Type | Daily Rate | Monthly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1st FDW (Normal) | $9.87 | $300.00 |
| 2nd FDW (Normal) | $14.80 | $450.00 |
| Concessionary Levy | $1.98 | $60.00 |
| Professional Part-Time Maid | $0.00 | $0.00 |
The Foreign Worker Levy is a pricing mechanism used by the Singapore government to regulate the number of foreign workers in the country. As an employer, you are billed for this levy every single day your helper holds a valid Work Permit.
The 3 Schemes for Concessionary Levy ($60)
To qualify for the reduced $60/month rate, the employer or their spouse must be a Singapore Citizen, and the household must fall under one of these three caregiving schemes:
1. Young Child or Grandchild Scheme
You qualify if you live at the same registered NRIC address as a Singapore Citizen child who is below 16 years old. Warning: The moment the child turns 16, the levy automatically reverts to the $300 normal rate. MOM will not send a warning letter; you will simply see the increase on your next GIRO deduction.
2. Aged Person Scheme
You qualify if you live with an elderly family member who is a Singapore Citizen and is 67 years old or above. (This age requirement was raised from 65 in recent years to reflect longer life expectancies).
3. Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Scheme
You qualify if you live with a person certified by an AIC-assessed doctor to require assistance with at least one Activity of Daily Living (ADL), such as showering, dressing, or feeding.
What Happens When You Don’t Qualify?
If you are a working couple without children, expats living in Singapore, or your children have grown up, you are locked into the $300 per month tier. If you require a second helper, that rate jumps to $450 per month for the second maid.
Paying $3,600 a year strictly in taxes is a massive financial drain, especially when that money could be saved or invested.
The $0 Levy Loophole: Part-Time Cleaning
There is only one legal way to have your home professionally cleaned without paying a single cent to MOM: Hire a Part-Time Maid.
When you hire through an NEA-licensed company like Part-Time-Maid.com, the cleaners deployed to your home are local Singaporeans or Permanent Residents. Because they are not Foreign Domestic Workers, the MOM levy system does not apply. We act as their employer, managing their CPF and corporate taxes, meaning your monthly invoice is simply the flat fee for the cleaning hours you booked. No GIRO deductions, no surprise tax hikes, and zero MOM paperwork.
MOM Levy FAQs
How is the MOM maid levy billed and paid? +
Can I get the concessionary levy for two maids? +
Do I have to apply for the concessionary levy? +
Pay $0 in MOM Levies.
Why pay $3,600 a year in taxes? Switch to our NEA-licensed part-time cleaners and keep that money in your pocket.
No MOM paperwork • No GIRO deductions