Must a freelance creative writer register as a Sole-Proprietor with ACRA to meet IRAS classification as a Self-Employed Person (SEP) to Qualify For Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (SIRS)?

Hey there friend!

Here's what I found for the eligility of the scheme which I hope you can qualify for. So to summarise for your situation as a freelance creative writer, being registered as a Sole proprietor is ok so long that you meethe following criteria set out below.

Even if you do get rejected, you can wait till 20 April and beyond to appeal for your SIRS eligibility.

To receive the cash payout, self-employed persons must meet all of the following:

• Started work as an SEP on or before 25 March 2020

• Earn a Net Trade Income of no more than $100,000

• Live in a property with an annual value of up to $21,000

• Do not own two or more properties

For married Singaporean self-employed persons, the following criteria apply too:

• The individual and spouse together do not own two or more properties

• The Assessable Income of his/her spouse does not exceed $70,000

According to IRAS, here are some examples of self-employed persons:

• Baby-sitter

• Commission agent (e.g. insurance agent, real estate agent)

• Direct seller

• Freelancer (e.g. you receive fees for providing services as a delivery rider, consultant, book keeper, graphic designer)

• Hawker (you are the owner of a hawker business or a food stall)

• Owner of a business that buys and sells goods and/ or services

• Owner of an online business (i.e. you buy and sell goods or provide services through the Internet)

• Owner of your own practice (e.g. accountant, architect, doctor, lawyer)

• Taxi driver / Private-hire car driver

• Private tuition teacher (you look for your own students by yourself or through agencies and do not receive a salary from a tuition centre)