UNPAID LEAVE - Implications

[martincymru]

I am considering taking 2 months' unpaid leave Sept 1 to Nov 1 2015.

EP expires Dec 31 2015.

What are the implications?

[livingontheedge]

I dont know the laws and regulations on Passes but I have personally taken more than 1 month unpaid leave for a backpacking trip with no implications.

[sundaymorningstaple]

As long as the employer is okay with it, your EP stays intact. Null issue.

[martincymru]

Ok, noted that null issue for 2 months ( I agree IMHO).

But what if (say) a new EP was granted on Jan 1 2016 and the employee worked one month (say Jan 2016) and took 11 months (Feb - Dec 2016) unpaid leave?

Employee therefore pays zero tax for year 2016. Surely IRAS or whoever may take action (what action?).

[livingontheedge]

Why would the employer employ such an employee?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Don't forget, you have to earn a certain amount to gain an EP. You would also have to maintain that in order to renew the EP as well. Again, this would be tantamount to the employer being amiable to some crap like that, which I doubt. Again, like anything else, once abused, screwed. I'm sure that MOM checks with IRAS on income reported (if PR they would check with CPF as well). So, vacations and/or sabbaticals as long as they are reasonable should not be a problem.