SME Cash Grant 2026
· Last verified 8 Nov 2026One-off automatic cash grant of S$500 per local employee (up to S$2,500) paid in November 2026 to help SMEs with business costs.
- Support
- S$500 per local qualifying employee (SC/PR), capped at S$2,500. Sole proprietorships/partnerships with no local employees: flat S$500 if owner's net trade income for YA 2025 <= S$100,000. Grant is taxable.
- Maximum funding
- S$2,500
- How to apply
- No separate application needed
- Apply before starting?
- Check official page
Recent changes
New for 2026 (announced after Budget 2026). Companies must declare it as taxable income. IRAS published the appeal window on the scheme page: 2 Nov 2026 to 7 Jan 2027. Payouts to businesses with GIRO as at 14 Oct 2026 or PayNow Corporate as at 25 Oct 2026 started from 2 Nov 2026, with no cheque payments. A new FAQ states that sole proprietors and partners with zero or no net trade income for YA 2025 are not eligible for the flat $500 grant.
Who is eligible
- Registered and operating in Singapore
- Active ACRA-registered company, sole proprietorship or partnership
- YA 2025 revenue <= S$100m OR <= 200 employees as at 30 Jun 2026
- Headcount = highest monthly local employees Apr-Jun 2026 with on-time CPF
- Must be active at disbursement in Nov 2026
- Need IRAS GIRO (by 14 Oct 2026) or PayNow Corporate (by 25 Oct 2026)
Quick eligibility check
- 1. Is your business ACRA-registered and active?
- 2. Was your YA 2025 revenue S$100 million or less, or did you have 200 or fewer employees on 30 Jun 2026?
- 3. Did you employ Singapore citizen/PR staff with on-time CPF between Apr and Jun 2026?
- 4. Do you have GIRO with IRAS or PayNow Corporate set up?
0 of 4 answered.
What it covers
- Unrestricted cash grant
How to apply
- No application needed
- Ensure GIRO or PayNow Corporate is set up
- Check letter / myTax Portal notification in Nov 2026
- If eligible but you did not receive the grant, submit an appeal form between 2 Nov 2026 and 7 Jan 2027 (appeals after 7 Jan 2027 will not be considered)
- To return a payment, transfer it by internet banking to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue using the account details on the IRAS page
Processing time: Paid from 2 Nov 2026
Documents you need
- None (automatic)
- PayNow Corporate or GIRO details
Frequently asked questions
What is the SME Cash Grant 2026?
One-off automatic cash grant of S$500 per local employee (up to S$2,500) paid in November 2026 to help SMEs with business costs.
How much funding does SME Cash Grant 2026 give?
S$500 per local qualifying employee (SC/PR), capped at S$2,500. Sole proprietorships/partnerships with no local employees: flat S$500 if owner's net trade income for YA 2025 <= S$100,000. Grant is taxable.
Who is eligible for SME Cash Grant 2026?
Applicants must be registered and operating in Singapore. Active ACRA-registered company, sole proprietorship or partnership YA 2025 revenue <= S$100m OR <= 200 employees as at 30 Jun 2026 Headcount = highest monthly local employees Apr-Jun 2026 with on-time CPF Must be active at disbursement in Nov 2026 Need IRAS GIRO (by 14 Oct 2026) or PayNow Corporate (by 25 Oct 2026)
Do I need to apply for SME Cash Grant 2026?
No separate application is needed. Automatic; IRAS eligibility checker
What documents do I need for SME Cash Grant 2026?
None (automatic); PayNow Corporate or GIRO details.
Sources
Information last verified on 8 Nov 2026. Grant rules change often. Always confirm with IRAS before you apply.
