, Singapore

What you need to know about Singapore's Skills Development Levy services going on cloud

By Dewi Sriwahyuto

Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) has created an online system for companies to manage their SDL payments.

Welcome to the cloud club SDL.

Scheduled to launch on December 1, 2013, employers will now be able to use the self-help features to make various transactions.

This includes:

  • Company profile updates;
  • SDL liabilities payments;
  • SDL transaction histories;
  • SDL refund requests;
  • SDL calculator;
  • Submission forms download;
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
  • What is Skills Development Levy [SDL]?

Employers have to contribute SDL for all employees, which includes full-time, casual, part-time, temporary and foreign workers rendering services wholly or partly in Singapore. This is up to the first $4,500 of gross monthly remuneration at a levy rate of 0.25%, subject to a minimum of $2, whichever is higher.

The CPF Board collects SDL on behalf of the Singapore Workforce Development Agency. The levy collected is channelled into the Skills Development Fund (SDF), which provide grants to companies that send their workers for training.

For details, read the FAQs provided by the Workforce Development Agency here.

Track transactions through cloud

WDA has introduced e-payment modes for you to make SDL transactions. By end November, you should have received the login details for your company to access the new system.

Initially employers preferred to pay through cheques only because it was the easiest method. Now, with payment options in the new cloud system through e-Nets, Credit/Debit card and eNets Internet Banking, employers can make faster and track track payments from anywhere in the world. 

How to remove SDL from payslip

Weirdly, we’ve received loads of questions on how to remove SDL from showing up in a payslip.

One of the reasons for this is because SDL is paid by the employer and does not necessarily have to be shown on the employee’s payslip.

If you’re one of the clueless bunch, watch this how-to video.

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