Self-Employed MediSave Contribution Calculator Singapore 2026
Net Trade Income, MACL Cap & BHS Tracker
Calculate your mandatory MediSave contribution as a Singapore freelancer, sole proprietor, or gig worker — based on your annual Net Trade Income, age band, and MACL cap. Includes IRAS tax deduction impact and BHS headroom tracker.
NTI = gross trade income minus allowable business expenses. Found on your IRAS NOA or estimated from your accounts.
Use your age as of 31 December 2026 — CPF Board assesses on the last day of the year.
Check Singpass → CPF → MediSave balance. Used to assess BHS impact and voluntary top-up headroom.
Enter your annual Net Trade Income (NTI) and age band to calculate your mandatory MediSave contribution, MACL cap, and IRAS tax deduction.
Understanding SEP MediSave Obligations — Net Trade Income, MACL Cap & BHS Rules for Freelancers 2026
If you earn more than S$6,000 in annual Net Trade Income (NTI) from self-employment, you are legally required to make a MediSave contribution to your CPF account. Unlike employees, self-employed persons (SEPs) do not contribute to their Ordinary Account (OA) or Special Account (SA) — only MediSave. IRAS assesses your NTI from your annual income tax filing and issues a Notice of Computation (NOC) detailing how much MediSave you must pay.
The MediSave contribution is capped at the MediSave Annual Contribution Limit (MACL) — which increases with age because older workers tend to have higher healthcare needs. Once your MediSave account reaches the Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) of S$75,500 in 2026, excess MediSave contributions are automatically credited to your SA (if below Full Retirement Sum) or OA (if FRS is met), where they earn the standard CPF interest rates.
SEP MediSave Contribution Rates & MACL Table 2026
| Age Band | Contribution Rate | MACL (Annual Cap) | NTI to Hit MACL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below 35 | 8% | S$6,800 | S$85,000 |
| 35 – 44 | 8.5% | S$7,350 | S$86,471 |
| 45 – 49 | 9% | S$8,000 | S$88,889 |
| 50 – 54 | 9% | S$8,900 | S$98,889 |
| 55 – 59 | 9% | S$10,300 | S$114,444 |
| 60 – 64 | 9% | S$10,600 | S$117,778 |
| 65 and above | 7.5% | S$10,600 | S$141,333 |
Source: CPF Board, 2026. MACL figures are the maximum annual contribution for each age band. BHS for 2026 is S$75,500.
How This SEP MediSave Calculator Works — NTI Threshold, MACL Cap & Tax Deduction Estimate
Step 1 — Check the S$6,000 NTI Threshold
No contribution is required if your annual NTI is S$6,000 or below. NTI is your gross business income minus allowable deductions — capital allowances, business expenses, and trade losses. If you have multiple trades or self-employment sources, IRAS aggregates them. Sole proprietors file their NTI via Form B; partners via Form P; freelancers and gig workers also via Form B.
Step 2 — Apply the Age-Banded Rate, Capped at MACL
Contribution = MIN(NTI × rate, MACL). The MACL acts as a ceiling — even if 8% of a high NTI exceeds S$6,800 (for those below 35), you only pay S$6,800. The MACL increases progressively with age, reflecting the higher healthcare costs of older workers. Many SEPs with NTI above S$85,000–S$120,000 hit their MACL and pay the same fixed amount regardless of further income increases.
Step 3 — Verify BHS and Tax Deduction Impact
Your MediSave contribution is fully deductible against your taxable income for IRAS purposes — the same deduction as an employee’s CPF contribution. If your MediSave balance is at or near the BHS of S$75,500, any contribution that would push you over the BHS flows into your SA or OA instead. This is important for financial planning: SA earns a higher interest rate than MA, so SEPs near BHS effectively receive higher CPF returns on their MediSave top-ups.
3 Real Singapore SEP MediSave Examples — Freelancer, Consultant & High-Income Gig Worker 2026
Example 1: Freelance Designer Age 28
Example 2: IT Consultant Age 42
Example 3: Sole Proprietor Age 55
3 Expert Tips for SEP MediSave — Claim Business Expenses, BHS Timing & Voluntary Contributions
Claim Every Allowable Expense to Reduce Your NTI and MediSave Bill
Your MediSave contribution is based on NTI — income after deducting allowable business expenses. Every legitimately claimable expense reduces not just your income tax but also your MediSave obligation. Allowable deductions include home office expenses (apportioned by room), professional development courses, subscriptions for business tools, client entertainment (subject to IRAS rules), equipment depreciation (capital allowances), and professional indemnity insurance. A S$10,000 reduction in NTI saves a 45-year-old SEP S$900 in MediSave (9% rate) plus income tax at their marginal rate. Keep receipts and file your Form B accurately — IRAS audits SEP expense claims.
Make Voluntary Top-Ups Before BHS to Maximise MediSave Interest
MediSave earns a minimum of 4% p.a. (with an additional 1% on the first S$20,000 and a further 1% on the first S$30,000 for those aged 55+). If your MA balance is well below the BHS of S$75,500, consider topping up voluntarily beyond your mandatory contribution — cash top-ups to MediSave are also tax-deductible (subject to the overall CPF Cash Top-Up Relief cap of S$8,000 for self). This is a legal tax shelter: you reduce taxable income today while earning 4%+ p.a. tax-free inside CPF. Stop top-ups once MA reaches BHS as excess funds flow into SA or OA at potentially lower rates.
Pay via GIRO in Four Instalments to Manage Cashflow
After IRAS issues your Notice of Computation (NOC), you can pay your MediSave contribution in a lump sum or spread it over four quarterly GIRO instalments (February, May, August, November). SEPs with variable monthly income should set up GIRO early to avoid a large lump sum impact and potential late payment penalties. Note that the IRAS NOC arrives some months after your tax return — typically by August of the assessment year. SEPs who underpay estimated taxes or fail to file by the deadline face penalties. Filing early and accurately is especially important when NTI varies significantly year-to-year, which is common for freelancers and project-based consultants.