What “++” Really Costs in Singapore: Service Charge Plus GST
A ++ price adds 10% service charge and 9% GST, charged on the service charge too. S$100 on the menu becomes S$119.90. Examples and how to split the bill.
By the MoneyBackKit SG team · Updated 17 October 2026 · 3 min read
You see S$28++ on the menu and think “around S$30 then”. Then the bill arrives and it's more than you expected. The two plus signs mean the price doesn't include the service charge or GST yet, and the way they stack is easy to underestimate.
What “++” adds
- A service charge, usually 10%, set by the restaurant. It isn't a government charge.
- GST at 9%, charged on the food and drinks and on the service charge.
Because GST is charged on the service charge too, you don't pay 10% + 9% = 19%. You pay 1.10 × 1.09, which is 19.9% more than the menu price.
What S$100 of menu prices really costs
| Menu prices add up to | Service charge | GST | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| S$25.00 | S$2.50 | S$2.48 | S$29.98 |
| S$60.00 | S$6.00 | S$5.94 | S$71.94 |
| S$120.00 | S$12.00 | S$11.88 | S$143.88 |
| S$300.00 | S$30.00 | S$29.70 | S$359.70 |
Splitting the bill
Four friends order dishes adding up to S$268++. The bill is S$321.33, so each person pays S$80.33. Dividing S$268 by four and adding “a bit” usually leaves someone short.
Where you won't pay ++
- Hawker centres and most kopitiams: prices are final.
- Many cafés and fast-food places show prices that already include GST and have no service charge.
- Takeaway at some restaurants: ask, as service charge often doesn't apply.