At a Glance
- The MOM maid levy is S$300 a month for your first helper and S$450 for each additional helper
- With a levy concession, you pay S$60 a month. It covers households with a Singapore citizen child below 16, an elderly person aged 67 and above, or a person with disabilities
- Each month's levy is due by the 17th of the following month, usually by GIRO
- If your helper is overseas for 7 or more consecutive days, you can apply for a levy waiver, capped at 60 days a year
- Miss two months in a row and MOM can revoke her Work Permit. Late payment also adds a penalty
Friends, the levy is the one helper cost that never takes a day off.
You pay it to MOM every month her Work Permit is active. It never comes out of her salary.
Here is how much it is, who pays less, how to pay, and how to get some back when she goes home.
How much is the maid levy in Singapore?
S$300
First Helper
Standard monthly rate. About S$9.87 a day when MOM pro-rates it.
S$450
Each Extra Helper
The second helper and beyond, at the standard rate.
S$60
Concession Rate
For eligible households. Saves S$240 a month, or S$2,880 a year.
Who qualifies for the S$60 levy concession?
You must live in the same household as one of these people:
| Eligible person | Key condition | How you get it |
|---|---|---|
| Young child | Singapore citizen child or grandchild below 16 | Granted automatically by MOM |
| Elderly person | Singapore citizen aged 67 and above | Check the MOM levy concession page |
| Person with disabilities | Needs help with daily living activities | Apply via AIC, with a functional assessment |
Swipe the table sideways on mobile.
- One concession per eligible person, up to 2 helpers per household.
- If your eligible person is below 16 or above 67 and also has a disability, the age-based scheme already covers you.
- When your youngest child turns 16, the concession can drop off. That is why the levy on your bill can jump to S$300 one month.
How do I pay the maid levy?
1
Set up GIRO
Apply for levy GIRO when you hire. It takes a few weeks to approve, so start early.
2
No GIRO yet? PayNow QR
Pay through MOM's "Check and pay levy" eService until GIRO is approved.
17th
Due Date
May's levy is due 17 June. Weekend or holiday? It moves to the next working day.
When does the maid levy start and stop?
- Starts when her Work Permit is issued. Partial months are charged at the daily rate.
- Stops the day before her Work Permit is cancelled, or on its expiry date.
- Helper leaving? Cancel the permit promptly. Until you do, the levy keeps running.
- Changing employer by transfer? Your levy ends when your permit is cancelled, and the new employer's levy starts on theirs.
Can I get a levy waiver when my maid goes home?
Yes, if she is away at least 7 consecutive days. The waiver is never automatic. You apply after the levy bill comes.
| If your helper | Cap | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Went on overseas leave, 7+ days in a row | 60 days a year | No documents. Enter the date she left and the date she returned |
| Was given hospitalisation leave in Singapore | 60 days a year | Medical certificate with her name, FIN, dates, hospital, doctor and MC number |
| Did not return from home leave | Until permit is cancelled | Cancel the Work Permit first, then apply |
| Was in police or embassy custody | Custody period | Letter stating the custody period |
Swipe the table sideways on mobile.
Worked example from MOM
Helper away 1 to 15 September, levy S$300. You still owe 15 days x S$9.87 = S$148.05. So S$151.95 is waived and credited to your levy account. Apply from the 1st of the month after the bill, and within 1 year of it.
What happens if I pay the maid levy late?
- A late payment penalty is added to what you owe.
- Miss two consecutive months and her Work Permit is revoked the following month.
- You cannot apply for new Work Permits until you pay.
- MOM may take legal action to recover the unpaid levy.
Penalties are rarely waived. MOM considers it in exceptional cases, such as a GIRO failure caused by the bank. You pay the outstanding levy first, then appeal. So keep enough in the GIRO account around the 17th.
Quick checklist for employers
- Budget S$300 (or S$60) a month on top of salary, food and insurance.
- Set up GIRO in the first week. Pay by PayNow QR in the meantime.
- Check your levy bill each month. Look for rate changes when a child turns 16.
- Home leave of a week or more? Diary a reminder to apply for the waiver.
- Cancel the permit quickly when she leaves for good.
Budgeted the levy? Now find the right helper.
Browse helper profiles from MOM-licensed agencies. Filter by nationality, experience and transfer status, then talk to the agency directly.
Browse SearchmaidLevy rules from MOM, checked October 2026. Rates and conditions can change, so confirm on the MOM website before you budget.
P.S. A week of home leave for her can mean a small refund for you. Just remember to ask for it.
