Singapore CA Qualification (Foundation) Singapore Taxation (TXF) — Information & Free Practice

About Singapore CA Qualification (Foundation) Singapore Taxation (TXF)

Singapore CA Qualification (Foundation) Singapore Taxation (TXF) · SG

Key exam facts

Provider

The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) administers SCAQ. ACRA is responsible for SCAQ's development; Cirrus provides the e-examination platform and Proctorio remote proctoring.

Format

Restricted open-book, remotely proctored e-examination using multiple-choice questions, including standalone and short case-based questions.

Exam questions

Total questions: 50.

Time limit

150 minutes (2 hours 30 minutes) of examination time. Published TXF sitting: 4 December 2026, 14:00–16:30 Singapore time (GMT+8).

Passing score

At least 50% of the available examination marks is required to pass the module.

Exam fee

Per module: S$408.75 for non-students, S$327.00 for students, and S$218.00 for a re-sit; inclusive of GST and non-refundable. Student eligibility is based on formal tertiary enrolment at examination enrolment. Tuition is excluded. Separate application/candidature fees may apply; published fees are subject to change.

Topics covered

• Introduction to Income Tax Jurisdiction (7%)

  • The Scope of Income Tax
  • Explain the territorial basis of taxation
  • Explain the term ‘basis period’ and determine the basis period in a given situation
  • Explain the term ‘year of assessment’ and determine the Year of Assessment in a given situation
  • Income Tax Administration
  • Explain the statutory obligations imposed in a given situation, including any time limits for action, and advise on the implications of non-compliance, including: - Recognise the time limits for the filing of tax returns, including estimates of chargeable income (ECI) and the making of claims; and - Recognise the due dates for the payment of tax, including instalment arrangements and tax assessed on estimated chargeable income.
  • List the information and records that taxpayers need to retain for tax purposes.
  • State the circumstances in which the Comptroller can enquire into the tax affairs of taxpayers.
  • Explain the procedures for dealing with appeals and disputes.
  • Understand the roles and responsibilities of a Tax Agent and how they facilitate the administration of the Singapore Tax system.
  • Distinguish the difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion.

• Sources of Income (27%)

  • Trading Income
  • Distinguish between income receipts and capital receipts.
  • Apply the badges of trade to determine if income is trading in nature.
  • Employment Income
  • Recognise the factors that determine whether an engagement is treated as employment or self-employment and the tax implications thereof.
  • Explain the tax treatment of employment benefits assessable, including share options, share awards, retrenchment or retirement benefits, and excess Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions made by an employer.
  • Income from Self Employment
  • Recognise the basis of assessment of income from self- employment.
  • Property and Investment Income
  • Compute the net investment income, in properties and equities, placement of funds on deposit with banks, and loans granted both within and outside Singapore.
  • Distinguish the difference between a business carrying on a trade and one held for pure investment intent.
  • Exempt Income
  • Identify and describe the types of exempt income under S13.
  • Foreign sourced income
  • Distinguish between locally sourced income and foreign sourced income.
  • Recognise the tax treatment of foreign sourced income received or deemed received in Singapore and the implications of applying for a Certificate of Residency.
  • Tax Residency
  • Explain how the tax residency of an individual is determined and its relevance to income tax.
  • Demonstrate the application of the 3-year and 2-year concessional rules for determining tax residence
  • Determine the basis period for assessing corporate profits, including the case of a change of financial reporting date.
  • Describe how the tax residence of a company is determined.

• Personal Income Tax Liabilities (13%)

  • Computation of Taxable Income and Income Tax Liability for Resident Individuals
  • Compute the assessable income, chargeable income, and the amount of income tax
  • Identify and calculate the amount of personal reliefs available to individuals and recognise the reliefs and rebates claimable, such as: - Earned income; - Spouse; - Child/ handicapped child; - Handicapped sibling; - Life Insurance - Parent/ handicapped parent; - Grandparent caregiver; - Course fees; - Foreign maid levy - National servicemen (NSman); - Parenthood tax rebate; - Contributions to the Central Provident Fund (CPF); - Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS); - CPF voluntary contributions; and - CPF Cash top-up
  • Computation of Taxable Income and Income Tax Liability for Non-Residents
  • Determine the income deemed sourced in Singapore under S12(6), S12(6A), S12(7), and S12(7A) of the SITA.
  • Explain the withholding tax implications arising from payments made to non-residents.
  • Compute the tax liability of a non- resident individual deriving employment income under S40B.

• Taxable Income, Deductions and Capital Allowances (20%)

  • Profits Chargeable to Corporate Income Tax
  • Recognise the tax treatment of trade/business income or income from other source and distinguish between income receipts and capital gains.
  • Compute income arising from the business of the making of investments.
  • Tax Deductions
  • Determine all allowable deductions and non-allowable under S14 and S15 of the SITA.
  • Recognise the relief that can be obtained from special deductions and/ or double deductions, including deduction for pre- commencement expenses (i.e. S14B, S14C, 14F, 14N, 14R, S14V, and S14W).
  • Recognise the tax relief for donations and the carry forward of unabsorbed donations.
  • Capital Allowances
  • Define and determine the qualifying expenditure of 'plant and machinery' for capital allowances purposes.
  • Determine the capital allowance claims available under S19 and S19A of the SITA.
  • Compute balancing allowances and balancing charges, including the application of S21 and S24 of the SITA.
  • Describe how different financial assets and liabilities should be treated for income tax purposes (including SFRS109 tax treatments/ adjustments).
  • Land Intensification Allowance (LIA) and Industrial Building Allowance (IBA)
  • Compute the initial allowance (IA) and the annual allowance (AA) under the Land Intensification Allowance (LIA) for qualifying business.
  • Compute the annual allowance for existing qualifying building under the transitional rules of the industrial Building Allowance (IBA).
  • Compute the balancing adjustment on the disposal of an industrial building

• Corporate Income Tax Liabilities (20%)

  • Relief for Capital Allowances
  • Demonstrate how capital allowances can be carried forward and carried back and determine the order of set-off
  • Identify the limits for the set-off and carry forward of capital allowances in relation to an entity in the business of the making of investments under S10E of the SITA.
  • Relief for Trading Losses
  • Demonstrate how trading losses can be carried forward and carried back or forfeited.
  • Demonstrate how trading losses can be claimed against total income and the order of set-off of current and previous years' trading losses.
  • Identify the limits for the set-off and carry forward of losses in relation to an entity in the business of the making of investments under S10E of the SITA.
  • Recognise the order of set-off of capital allowances, losses, and donations of the current and previous years of assessment.
  • Computation of the Corporate Income Tax Liability
  • Compute the corporate income tax liability for a company with different income sources, including investment income.
  • Taxation of Corporate Groups
  • Define members of the same group and recognise the effect of being a member of the same group for corporate income tax purposes.
  • Outline and apply the group relief provisions.
  • Outline the basic principles contained in the transfer pricing guidelines, including different commonly used methodologies for setting and defending transfer prices, especially in cross-border transfers.
  • Taxation of General Partnerships
  • Describe the legal standing of a general partnership and how the income of a general partnership is determined.
  • Recognise the tax treatment of the income and allowable business expenses of a general partnership.
  • Compute divisible profit and adjusted profit of a general partnership.
  • Allocate the adjusted profit and capital allowances to each partner, including when there is a change in the profit sharing profit or upon the dissolution of a partnership

• Goods and Services Tax (13%)

  • The Scope of Goods and Services Tax (GST)
  • Explain the requirements for a GST registered business and how GST is accounted for and administered.
  • Describe the scope of GST including, transactions which are out of scope e.g. third-country sale and transfer of going concern (TOGC).
  • Identify and explain the different types of supplies e.g. standard- rated, zero-rated, and exempt supplies.
  • Explain the GST implications of imports and exports.
  • The GST Registration Requirements
  • Describe what are the circumstances and implications for an entity to register for GST
  • Explain the circumstances in which pre-incorporation and pre- registration input GST can be recovered
  • Outline the GST implications of group registration and divisional registration
  • Explain how and when a taxpayer can de-register for GST and the GST implications upon deregistration.
  • Recognise the GST implications where there is a change in business constitution and ownership.
  • The Computation of GST Liabilities
  • Recognise the tax point under the time of supply rules when goods or services are supplied.
  • Apply the principles regarding the valuation of supplies, including imports
  • Recognise the circumstances in which input GST is claimable and non-claimable (such as blocked input tax).
  • Explain the GST implications of partial exemption for partially exempt business, including de- Minimis rule.
  • Compute the available GST reliefs (e.g. trade debts that are bad).
  • Recognise the GST treatment for fringe benefits and for reimbursements and disbursements.
  • Prepare a GST return.

How to prepare

Work through the topics, read the explanation after each answer, and revisit the areas where you miss questions. Use the official outline and reference materials below to guide your study.

These independent practice questions are not actual exam items and do not guarantee a passing result.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources and references

• Singapore Taxation Study Guide 2026–2027

  printed p. 4, Module Objective (full detailed scope mapped separately at printed pp. 8–20)

• Singapore Taxation Study Guide 2026–2027

  printed p. 8, Module Syllabus weight table

• Singapore Taxation Study Guide 2026–2027

  printed p. 4, Module Assessment

• ISCA Resources for 2026 SCAQ Programme Changes

  FAQs, delivery

• ISCA Resources for 2026 SCAQ Programme Changes

  FAQs for SCAQ Programme Developments

• SCAQ Candidate Handbook 2026

  section 11.8, printed p. 26

• ISCA Foundation Programme

  Fees, Foundation Programme Module Examinations

• ISCA Foundation Programme

  Fees, footnote 5 and Note

Confirm current exam arrangements with the exam provider.