I filed my income tax return for the Year of Assessment 2013 (YA 2013) online. Although I received more income last year, I will be paying less income tax for YA 2013 compared to the year before. Incredulous? How could this be? Could it be true? Regular readers would know that a large portion of my income is passive and non-taxable. So, to pay less income tax for YA 2013 compared to the year before, did my earned income from employment decline? Nope, it remained more or less the same as the year before although the probability that it could decline in future exists. The lower than expected estimated income tax for YA 2013 is because of donations I made to 6 charitable organisations last year which enjoy 2.5x tax deduction and the 30% personal income tax rebate I am eligible for from the government. Of course, I am pleased to be paying less ......