• One is considered to be self-employed if they own a business and can make profits or suffer losses. Freelancers are also considered to be self-employed if they engage in contract work for others, such as providing some form of service.

• When filing tax returns, self-employed people may apply for tax rebates on their business expenses or employee medical expenses.

• Medisave is the first layer of medical protection in Singapore. In July 1992, the Central Provident Fund (CPF) launched the Self-Employed Medisave Contribution scheme to ensure that self-employed personnel are able to pay for their medical expenses. Self-employed personnel who earn a yearly net business income of more than $6,000 a year will need to contribute to MediSave.

Many activities were put on hold due to the pandemic. This in turn affected business in certain industries, and especially impacted self-employed personnel in industries such as tourism and the performing arts. The self-employed personnel who were interviewed said that they welcomed the expansion of the criteria for the Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (SIRS).

• In general, a large portion of an employee’s medical fees is paid by their employer. Employers are also liable to compensate their employees for work-related injuries and contribute to their CPF. However, self-employed personnel have to pay for their own CPF instead.