Additional Registration Fee (ARF) Formula Explained, With Examples
Every additional registration fee (arf) result comes from one formula. Once you understand what goes into it, you can sanity-check any figure you are given, whether by an employer, a bank, a teacher or another website.
The formula
100% on the first S$20,000 of OMV, 140% on the next S$20,000, 190% on the next S$20,000 and 250% above S$60,000.
What each input means
- Open Market Value (OMV) (S$): the value you enter in the calculator.
Example
For example, with these inputs:
- Open Market Value (OMV) (S$): 35,000
the calculator returns:
- ARF payable: S$41,000.00
- ARF as % of OMV: 117.14%
How the result changes
The table keeps the other inputs at their example values and changes open market value (omv) (s$).
| Open Market Value (OMV) (S$) | ARF payable | ARF as % of OMV |
|---|---|---|
| 35,000 | S$41,000.00 | 117.14% |
| 17,500 | S$17,500.00 | 100.00% |
| 26,250 | S$28,750.00 | 109.52% |
| 43,750 | S$55,125.00 | 126.00% |
| 52,500 | S$71,750.00 | 136.67% |
Why it matters
Interest rates, instalments and returns compound over years, so a small difference in rate or tenure turns into thousands of dollars. Working the numbers out yourself makes it easier to compare bank offers, avoid expensive debt and plan savings goals.
Interest in Singapore is quoted in several ways. Mortgages and savings accounts use effective annual rates, while car loans and many personal loans are advertised at flat rates that look much lower than their true cost. Banks must disclose the effective interest rate, and comparing on that basis gives a fair picture.
Inflation erodes buying power, so a savings goal set in today's dollars needs to be adjusted upwards for the years it will take to reach it. Singapore's core inflation has varied widely over the past decade, so it is worth testing a range of rates.
An emergency fund of three to six months of essential expenses protects you from having to borrow at high rates when something unexpected happens. Once that buffer is in place, extra savings can go towards longer-term goals and investments.
Related calculations
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- Profit Margin Calculator: Calculates profit, margin and markup from cost and price.
- Markup Calculator: Finds the selling price from cost and markup.
- Discount Calculator: Works out sale prices during Great Singapore Sale, 11.11 and other promotions.
Use the Additional Registration Fee (ARF) Calculator to plug in your own numbers.
Run your own numbers: Additional Registration Fee (ARF) Calculator