How do you think NSFs and NSmen should be included in this year's budget?
On average, NSmen get a tax deduction of $1500 a year. If we assume that the average NSman earns $3000 a month, he would pay a marginal tax rate of 3.5% beyond the first tax-exempt $21000. This effectively means he would save a mere $52.5 annually in taxes.
A few years ago, it was announced that NSmen would get $3000 to their post-secondary education account on their ORD date. After completing his reservist duties at 2 milestones (midway and fully), thye would get another $3000 on each milestone to his CPF account.
Occasionally, they would get a cash bonus of $100 from the government during the annual budget. But this is where everything stops. One cannot help but wonder if this is partly sum of $150 is sufficient to compensate us for our tremendous sacrifices.
While NS is no doubt a legal duty, MINDEF’s stinginess reflects their stingy nature to go beyond the legal requirements. In an era where there is more workplace competition than ever, this model needs a severe rethink.
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*This was a status update from an ongoing petition to reduce National Service by Tan Kin Lian
Source: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Petition-to-reduce-National-Service/1450910421794913?fref=ts