FAQ: Double Tax Deduction Internationalisation

FAQ: Double Tax Deduction Internationalisation

Product Overview

  • What is Double Tax Deduction Internationalisation (DTDi)?

    The Double Tax Deduction Scheme for Internationalisation (DTDi) aims to encourage Singapore companies and firms (hereinafter refer to as “businesses”) to expand overseas. It allows approved businesses to deduct against their taxable income, twice the qualifying expenses incurred for qualifying activities.

  • What eligibility criteria are needed to apply for DTDi?
    1. Businesses resident in or having a permanent establishment in Singapore for the primary purpose of promoting the trading of goods or provision of services are eligible to apply for DTDi.
    2. Businesses which are enjoying discretionary incentives¹ may also be allowed to qualify for the DTDi scheme on a case-by-case basis, subject to approval by Enterprise Singapore (“EnterpriseSG”) or Singapore Tourism Board (“STB”)”.
    3. Businesses are required to submit its DTDi application prior to commencement of the activity.


    Qualifying expenses are computed net of any grant or subsidy from the Government or statutory boards.

  • What are the Budget 2021 DTDi enhancements?
    Enhancements New Eligible Expenses

    Virtual Trade Fair approved by EnterpriseSG
    		New Eligible Expenses
     Package fees charged by event organisers:
    • Virtual Exhibition hall & Booth access
    • Collateral creation (electronic direct mail “EDM”, booth writeup)
    • Business Meeting/Matching sessions
    • Pitches/Product launches/Speaking Slots
    • Webinar/ Conference
    • Post Event Analytic

    Third party costs:
    • Design and production of digital collaterals and promotion materials for the virtual trade fair
    • Logistics costs to send materials/samples overseas to potential clients met at the virtual trade fair*

    *Please refer to EnterpriseSG’s DTDi webpage for the list of approved virtual trade fairs.

    The following conditions need to be met:
    • Both the DTDi claimant and the recipient of the materials/samples have attended the virtual trade fair; and
    • Materials samples should be sent within 6 months from the end of the virtual fair.

    Overseas Investment Study Trip/Mission
    		New Eligible Expenses
    • Logistics costs to transport materials/samplesused during the trip/mission

    Inclusion of 4 more activities under Automatic DTDi
    		New Eligible Expenses
     The 4 new qualifying activities under automatic DTDi are:
    • Product/Service Certification (primarily to increase buyer’s acceptance in overseas market)
    • Overseas Advertising and Promotional Campaign
    • Design of Packaging for Overseas Markets
    • Advertising in Approved Local Trade Publication


    The Budget 2021 enhancements will be effective on and after 17 February 2021. Businesses will need to apply to Enterprise Singapore directly for enhancements relating to overseas investment study trips/missions.

Automatic DTDi

  • What is Automatic DTDi?

    Automatic DTDi allows businesses to claim 200% tax deduction on the first $150,000 of qualifying expenses incurred on the following activities per YA without obtaining prior approval for the expenses from EnterpriseSG/STB:

    1. Overseas market development trips/missions;
    2. Overseas investment study trips/missions;
    3. Participation in overseas trade fairs;
    4. Participation in local trade fairs approved by EnterpriseSG or STB
    5. Participation in virtual trade fairs approved by EnterpriseSG
    6. Product/Service Certification (primarily to increase buyer’s acceptance in overseas markets) approved by EnterpriseSG
    7. Overseas Advertising and Promotional Campaign
    8. Design of Packaging for Overseas Markets
    9. Advertising in Approved Local Trade Publication

    • Fees paid to secure speaking spots at overseas business/trade conferences to pitch products/ services to attendees
    • Logistics costs of transporting materials/samples used during the business missions
    • Third party consultancy costs to arrange business networking events to promote products/services.
    • Logistics costs of transporting materials/samples used during the trip/mission
  • How do I apply for Automatic DTDi?

    Business should declare and include their DTDi expenses when filing their annual income tax return. There is no need to obtain prior approval for the expenses from ESG or STB before the commencement of the event.

    There is no change to the existing procedure for tax filing. Businesses are not required to submit upfront documentation to IRAS for expenditure not exceeding the $150,000 threshold. However, as with other business expenses, businesses are required to maintain documentation to provide proof of their expenditure and the purpose of that expenditure.

Application and Approval Process

  • What is the application and approval process for non-Automatic DTDi activities?

    A. 3-Step Application Process

    1. Visit the DTDi incentive portal here.
    2. Complete your Organisation Profile and User Profile (for first-time applicants only)
    3. Click on the "Forms" tab and select the appropriate activity under which you are applying. Fill in all the relevant fields accordingly.


    Businesses can expect to take five to ten minutes to fill in the online form.

    For the step-by-step process, please view the guide here.

    B. Approval-In-Principle (AIP)

    After your application has been supported, EnterpriseSG will send you an “Approval-in-Principle (AIP)” email notification.

    C. Evaluation Form

    After the conclusion of the activity, you will need to submit an Evaluation Form to indicate the results of the activity (e.g. projected outcomes, outcome achieved, confirmed sales, sales under negotiation and projected sales). The Evaluation Form has to be submitted via the Incentive Portal within 2 weeks from the end of the support period.

    Once your Evaluation Form is approved by EnterpriseSG, you will receive an email notification to download the Letter of Support. (Please note that you will need to submit the Evaluation Form after the event before you can obtain the letter.)

    D. Letter of Support

    For the activity supported under DTDi by EnterpriseSG, you would need to submit the Letter of Support to IRAS when filing your annual income tax return.

    Your company should compile and make available all relevant supporting documents to IRAS upon request.

    These documents should show proof of expenditure and the purpose of that expenditure. This includes:
    • Purpose and itinerary of the trip
    • List of companies met
    • Invoices/Receipts of qualifying expenses


    Please note that even if EnterpriseSG supports the application (AIP), the final claims are subject to each company submitting the necessary documents to IRAS (upon request) to determine the final tax claim allowed for the event.

    Should you need any further assistance, please contact EnterpriseSG at +65 6898 1800 or by sending a message through https://go.gov.sg/askenterprisesg