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IRAS Extends Tax Filing Deadlines

As part of its support for taxpayers in light of the latest measures to manage the COVID-19 situation, the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) is providing an automatic extension of deadlines for tax filing for individuals and businesses:
Tax TypeOriginal Filing DeadlineExtended Filing Deadline
Income Tax for Individuals (including sole proprietors and partnerships)18 Apr 2020 31 May 2020
Income Tax for Trusts, Clubs and Associations15 Apr 2020 31 May 2020
Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI) for companies with Financial Year ending Jan 202030 Apr 2020 31 May 2020
GST Returns for accounting period ending Mar 202030 Apr 2020 11 May 2020
S45 Withholding Tax Forms due in Apr 202015 Apr 2020 15 May 2020
Tax Clearances for foreign employee in Apr 2020 -1 additional month
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RESILIENCE BUDGET 2020

Jobs Support Scheme ("JSS")​

Current Treatment​

Employers will receive an 8% cash grant on the gross monthly wages of each local employee (applicable to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents only) for the months of October 2019 to December 2019, subject to a monthly wage cap of $3,600 per employee.   

Employers do not need to apply for the JSS. The grant will be computed based on CPF contribution data.   

Employers can expect to receive the JSS payment from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) by 31 July 2020.

Wages paid to business owners will not be eligible for the grant. 

New Treatment​

The cash grant will be increased to 50% for food and service industry, 75% for the aviation and tourism sectors, and 25% for rest of the industry.

The monthly qualifying wage ceiling is increased from S$3,600 to S$4,600.

The Jobs Support Scheme is extended for another two quarters, till the end of 2020.

Employers will receive a total of three tranches of payouts, in May, July, and October this year.

Business owners are defined as follows:

  1. Sole proprietor of a sole proprietorship;
  2. Partners of a partnership (including general partnerships, limited liability partnerships and limited partnerships);
  3. Employees who are both shareholders and directors (as defined in Section 4(1) of the Companies Act) of the company, or employees who are both members and directors in the case of a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG); and
  4. Individuals trading under their own name, including but not limited to commission agents, taxi drivers, and owners of professional practices.

The gated attraction must have more than 30% visitorship from tourists, and be classified under one of the following SSIC codes:

  • SSIC 91021: Museums;
  • SSIC 91022: Art galleries (excluding retail);
  • SSIC 91029: Preservation of historical sites, buildings, artefacts and paintings, cultural villages and other related activities n.e.c.;
  • SSIC 91030: Botanical and zoological gardens and nature reserve activities;
  • SSIC 93201: Amusement theme parks;
  • SSIC 93209: Other amusement and  recreation activities n.e.c. (including recreation parks/beaches and recreational fishing).

The food shops and food stalls must be classified under one of the following SSIC codes:

  • SSIC 56: Food and Beverage Service Activities;
  • SSIC 68104: Letting and operating of self-owned or leased food courts, coffee shops and eating houses (with mainly rental income).

Licensees registered as individuals will also be included if they make mandatory CPF contributions for their employees.

Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme ("SIRS")

Current Treatment

Not applicable.

New Treatment

Eligible self-employed persons will receive S$1,000 a month for nine months.

Singaporean SEPs who meet all of the following criteria are eligible for SIRS:

  • Started work as an SEP on or before 25 March 2020;
  • Do not also earn income as an employee;
  • Earn a Net Trade Income of no more than S$100,000;
  • Live in a property with an annual value of no more than S$13,000; and
  • Do not own two or more properties.

For married Singaporean SEPs, the following additional criteria apply:

  • The individual and spouse together do not own two or more properties; and
  • The Assessable Income of his/her spouse does not exceed S$70,000.

Self-Employed Person Training Support Scheme

Current Treatment

Announced on 3 March 2020, it gives give all freelancers a training allowance of S$7.50 an hour when they attend courses under the SkillsFuture Series, as well as selected sector-specific training programmes,.

New Treatment

The training allowance is increased to S$10.00 an hour with effect from 1 May 2020.

Workfare Income Supplement Scheme ("WIS")

Current Treatment

You will qualify for WIS if you:

  • are a Singapore Citizen;
  • are 35 years old or above on 31 December of the work year (all persons with disabilities would qualify for WIS); and
  • earn a gross monthly income of not more than S$2,300 for the month worked.

You will receive additional 20% of total annual WIS payments received for work done in 2019, with a minimum payment of $100. The highest WSP payout would have been S$720.

New Treatment

The Workfare Special Payment is increased to S$3,000, which will be paid over two equal payments of S$1,500 each, in July and October 2020.

COVID-19 Support Grant

Current Treatment

Not applicable

New Treatment

The scheme eligibility criteria are as follows:

  • Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents, aged 16 years and above,
  • who are presently unemployed due to retrenchment or contract termination as a result of
    the economic impact of the COVID-19 situation, and
  • meet all of the following:
  • Had a monthly household income of not more than $10,000, or per capita household income not more than $3,100 per month prior to unemployment;
  • Lives in a property with an annual value of not more than $21,000; and
  • Not currently receiving ComCare Short-to-Medium Term Assistance
    (SMTA) or ComCare Interim Assistance.
  • The applicant must have been employed as a full-time, or part-time permanent, or contract staff prior to unemployment.

Successful applicants will receive a monthly cash grant of S$800, for three months.

The scheme will be open for application from May 2020 to September 2020.

Individuals who are eligible may submit their application at their nearest Social Service Office,

Care and Support Package

Current Treatment

All Singaporeans aged 21 years and above in 2020 will receive a one-off Care and Support – Cash payout of S$300, S$200 or S$100, depending on their income.

Those who own more than one property will receive S$100, regardless of their income.

Parents, with one or more Singaporean children aged 20 years and below in 2020, will each receive an additional $100 in cash.

New Treatment

The one-off Care and Support – Cash payout that was announced at Budget 2020 will be tripled for all Singaporeans aged 21 and above in 2020.

Each eligible citizen will receive S$900, S$600, or S$300, depending on their income.

Those who own more than one property will receive S$300, regardless of their income.

Parents, with at least one Singaporean child aged 20 and below in 2020, will each receive an additional S$300 in cash.

DEFERMENT OF INCOME TAX PAYMENTS FOR COMPANIES

Current Treatment

Tax payable on first ECI e-Filed within

  • 1 months from year end: 12 months
  • 2 months from year end: 10 months
  • 3 months from year end:  8 months
  • After 3 months from year end: No instalments allowed

New Treatment

All companies with CIT payments due in the months of April, May, and June 2020 will be granted an automatic three-month deferment of these payments. 

The CIT payments deferred from April, May, and June 2020 will instead be collected in July, August, and September 2020 respectively.

No application is required.

Deferment of Personal Income Tax (PIT) Payments for Self-Employed Persons (SEPs)

Current Treatment

Not applicable.

New Treatment

All SEPs are to file their personal income tax (PIT) returns for YA2020 by 18 April 2020. SEPs will be granted an automatic three-month deferment of their PIT payments due in the months of May, June, and July 2020. The PIT payments deferred from May, June, and July 2020 will instead be collected in August, September, and October 2020 respectively.

RENTAL WAIVERS FOR TENANTS IN GOVERNMENTOWNED / MANAGED NON-RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES

Current Treatment

Stallholders at hawker centres and markets managed by the National Environment Agency (NEA) will be given one month’s worth of rental waivers, with a minimum waiver of $200.

Commercial tenants in other government-owned or managed facilities will be provided with half a month’s worth of rental waivers. 

These include facilities owned or managed by agencies such as the Housing Board, People’s Association, National Parks Board, JTC, Urban Redevelopment Authority, Singapore Tourism Board and Sentosa Development Corporation.

New Treatment

Stallholders at hawker centres and markets managed by the National Environment Agency (NEA) will be given three month’s worth of rental waivers, with a minimum waiver of $200.

Commercial tenants in other government-owned or managed facilities will be provided with two month’s worth of rental waivers. 

Other Non-Residential Tenants. Government agencies such as JTC, SLA, HDB, URA, BCA, NParks, and PA will provide half a month’s worth of rental waiver to eligible tenants of other non-residential premises who do not pay Property Tax. Eligible tenants/lessees may include those in premises used for
industrial or agricultural purpose, or as an office, a business or science park, or a petrol station.

ENHANCED PROPERTY TAX REBATE FOR NON-RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES

Current Treatment

For the tourism sector:

  • Property Tax Rebate of 30% for the year 2020, for the accommodation and function room components of licensed hotels and serviced apartments, and prescribed Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) venues.
  • International cruise and regional ferry terminals will receive a 15% Property Tax Rebate, and
  • the Integrated Resorts will receive a 10% Property Tax Rebate.

For the aviation sector:

  • 15% Property Tax Rebate for Changi Airport

New Treatment

For the tourism sector:

  • Property Tax Rebate of 100% for the year 2020, for the accommodation and function room components of licensed hotels and serviced apartments, and prescribed Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) venues.
  • International cruise and regional ferry terminals will receive a 100% Property Tax Rebate, and
  • the Integrated Resorts will receive a 60% Property Tax Rebate.

For the aviation sector:

  • 100% Property Tax Rebate for Changi Airport

For other non-residential properties:

  • 30% Property Tax Rebate

Enterprise Development Grant (EDG)

The Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) provides supports projects under 3 categories:

Core Capabilities

Projects under Core Capabilities help businesses prepare for growth and transformation by strengthening their business foundations.

Productivity

Projects under Innovation and Productivity support companies that explore new areas of growth, or look for ways to enhance efficiency.

Market Access

Projects under Market Access support Singapore companies that are willing and ready to venture overseas.

Current Treatment

Currently, the maximum support level is 70%, until 31 March 2023.

New Treatment

From 1 April 2020 to 31 December 2020, the support level will be raised from up to 70% to up to 80%. For enterprises that are most severely impacted by COVID19, the maximum support level will be further raised to 90% on a case-by-case basis.

Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG)

The PSG provides support to enterprises in their transformation journey through funding support for the adoption of off-the-shelf productivity solutions and equipment that have been pre-approved by the Government.

Current Treatment

Currently, the maximum support level is 70%, until 31 March 2023.

New Treatment

From 1 April 2020 to 31 December 2020, the maximum support level will be raised from 70% to 80%.

SMEs Go Digital

The SMEs Go Digital programme aims to help SMEs use digital technologies and build stronger digital capabilities to seize growth opportunities in the digital economy. 

Current Treatment

Not applicable.

New Treatment

From 1 April 2020 to 31 December 2020, the scope of pre-approved digital solutions will be expanded to cover:

  1. Online collaboration tools;
  2.  Virtual meeting and telephony tools;
  3. Queue management systems; and
  4. Temperature screening solutions.

The list of digital solutions for PSG can be found on the Tech Depot
(www.smeportal.sg/content/tech-depot/en/home.html).

SMEs that are looking for visitor registration and contact tracing tools can access free trials provided by the tech industry (https://www.imda.gov.sg/bizgodigital).

Stabilisation and Support Package (SSP) - Course fee subsidy

Current Treatment

SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) provides course fee subsidies (70% to 90%) and absentee payroll for a wide range of approved courses to support employers in sending their employees for training.

New Treatment

Under the Stabilisation and Support Package (SSP), SSG is providing 90% course fee subsidies and absentee payroll (AP) rates for employers in sectors directly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak (i.e. air transport, tourism, retail, and food services), when they sponsor their workers for eligible courses. 

These enhancements will last for three months.

SG Together Enhancing Enterprise Resilience (STEER)

STEER supports funds set up by the Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs) or industry groupings, with the aim of helping businesses tide over the  hallenges arising from COVID-19, and to push on with transformation efforts in preparation for economic recovery. 

Current Treatment

Under the programme, Enterprise Singapore matches S$1 for every $4 raised by such industry-led funds, up to S$1 million per fund.

New Treatment

From 1 April 2020, Enterprise Singapore will match S$1 for every S$2 raised by such industry-led funds, up to S$1 million per fund.

E-invoicing Registration Grant

Current Treatment

Not applicable

New Treatment

Businesses registered on the nationwide e-invoicing network on or before 31 December 2020 will receive a one-time grant of S$200. Businesses can register through more than 50 Peppol-ready accounting and ERP solutions. Once registered on the nationwide e-invoicing network, businesses will be able to send and receive einvoices through the network.

Businesses incorporated on or before 25 March 2020 and
registered on the network on or before 31 December 2020 will automatically receive their grant via PayNow Corporate.

There is no need to apply for the grant.

Advanced Digital Solutions

IMDA and Enterprise Singapore will provide up to 80% funding support for enterprises to adopt advanced digital solutions from 1 May 2020 to 31 December 2020.

Current Treatment

Not applicable

New Treatment

Examples include:

  1. Advanced security and facilities management systems for buildings – cluster guarding, digital concierges, sensors and analytics for energy management and predictive maintenance, smart toilet systems, and mobile robots for security and/or cleaning. These solutions will help enterprises balance the need to minimise physical contact among staff, with the increased demand for security, cleaning and maintenance. It will also help to integrate security,
    cleaning and maintenance for more seamless facilities management.
  2. Integrated Business-to-Business (B2B) systems to facilitate end-to-end
    transactions between buyers and sellers. These would help enterprises transit from  manual/paper transactions to electronic transactions by covering interlinked transactions such as e-procurement, e-invoicing, e-payments, and inventory management.

Enterprise Financing Scheme – SME Working Capital Loan

Current Treatment

Maximum loan quantum: S$600,000

Maximum repayment
period: 5 years

Government’s risk-share: 80%.

Interest rate: Subject to assessment by Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs)

Principal Payment Deferment: Not Applicable

New Treatment

Maximum loan quantum: S$1,000,000

Maximum repayment
period: 5 years

Government’s risk-share: 80%.

Interest rate: Subject to assessment by Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs)

Principal Payment Deferment: SMEs may request for deferment of principal repayment for 1 year, subject to assessment by PFIs

Enterprise Financing Scheme – Trade Loan

The Enterprise Financing Scheme – Trade Loan supports Singapore-based enterprises’ trade financing needs, which include the financing of short-term import, export, and guarantee needs.

Current Treatment

Maximum loan quantum: S$5,000,000 per borrower group,

Maximum repayment
period: 1 years

Government’s risk-share: 70%.

Interest rate: Subject to assessment by Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs)

New Treatment

Maximum loan quantum: $10,000,000 per borrower group,

Maximum repayment
period: 1 years

Government’s risk-share: 80%.

Interest rate: Subject to assessment by Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs)

Loan Insurance Scheme (LIS)

The Loan Insurance Scheme helps SMEs secure short-term trade loans by having commercial insurers co-share loan default with Participating Financial Institutions. A portion of the insurance premium paid by SMEs to insurers is supported by the Government.

Current Treatment

Maximum loan quantum insured: Subject to assessment by Commercial Insurers and
Participating Financial Institutions

Maximum insured period:  1 year

Government’s subsidy on
insurance premium: 70%

New Treatment

Maximum loan quantum insured: Subject to assessment by Commercial Insurers and
Participating Financial Institutions

Maximum insured period:  1 year

Government’s subsidy on
insurance premium: 80%

Temporary Bridging Loan Programme (TBLP)

The Loan Insurance Scheme helps SMEs secure short-term trade loans by having commercial insurers co-share loan default with Participating Financial Institutions. A portion of the insurance premium paid by SMEs to insurers is supported by the Government.

Current Treatment

Sector Coverage: Tourism enterprises

Maximum loan quantum: S$1,000,000
previously

Maximum repayment
period:  5 years

Government’s risk-share: 80%

Interest rate: Capped at 5% per annum

Principal Payment Deferment: Not applicable.

New Treatment

Sector Coverage: All sectors

Maximum loan quantum: S$5,000,000 per borrower group

Maximum repayment
period: 5 years

Government’s risk-share: 80%

Interest rate: Capped at 5% per annum

Principal Payment Deferment:  Enterprises may request for deferment of principal repayment for 1 year, subject to assessment by PFIs

Government fees and charges

Current Treatment

Not applicable

New Treatment

All government fees and charges are freeze. i.e. No incremental of fees and charges.

All agencies will continue to collect fees and charges.

 

Temporary Relief Fund

Current Treatment

Not applicable

New Treatment

Some families may require help urgently may apply for Temporary Relief Fund in the month of April, to provide them with immediate financial assistance.

This will be available at Social Service Offices and Community Centres.

SGUnited Traineeships programme

Current Treatment

Not applicable

New Treatment

Workforce Singapore (WSG) will co-share manpower costs with enterprises that offer traineeships targeted at local first-time jobseekers this year.

*Will be updated when MOM release details.

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Singapore Budget 2020 affecting companies

Jobs Support Scheme ("JSS")​

Current Treatment​

Not applicable

New Treatment​

Employers will receive an 8% cash grant on the gross monthly wages of each local employee (applicable to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents only) for the months of October 2019 to December 2019, subject to a monthly wage cap of $3,600 per employee.   

Employers do not need to apply for the JSS. The grant will be computed based on CPF contribution data.   

Employers can expect to receive the JSS payment from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) by 31 July 2020.

Wages paid to business owners will not be eligible for the grant. 

Enhancement to Wage Credit Scheme ("WCS")​

Current Treatment​

Under WCS, the Government will co-fund a part of wage increases given to Singaporean employees earning a gross monthly wage of up to $4,000.

  • 2013 to 2015: 40% cap at $4,000
  • 2016 to 2018: 20% cap at $4,000
  • 2019: 15% cap at $4,000
  • 2020: 10% cap at $4,000

Employers do not need to apply for the WCS. The grant will be computed based on CPF contribution data. 

Payouts will be given to employers by 31 Mar of the payout year.

New Treatment​

The monthly wage ceiling will be raised from $4,000 to $5,000 for qualifying wage increases given in 2019 and 2020.

  • 2013 to 2015: 40% cap at $4,000
  • 2016 to 2018: 20% cap at $4,000
  • 2019: 20% cap at $5,000
  • 2020: 15% cap at $5,000

Government co-funding levels will also be raised for 2019 and 2020 qualifying wage increases by five percentage points, to 20% and 15% respectively. 

Corporate Income Tax ("CIT") Rebate ​

Current Treatment​

YA2019: 20% of tax payable, capped at $10,000

New Treatment​

YA2020: 25% of tax payable, capped at $15,000

Automatic extension of interest-free instalments of 2 months for payment of CIT on Estimated Chargeable Income (“ECI”) filed within 3 months from the companies’ financial year-end (“FYE”)​

Current Treatment​

Tax payable on first ECI e-Filed within

  • 1 months from year end: 10 months
  • 2 months from year end: 8 months
  • 3 months from year end:  6 months
  • After 3 months from year end: No instalments allowed

New Treatment​

Tax payable on first ECI e-Filed within

  • 1 months from year end: 12 months
  • 2 months from year end: 10 months
  • 3 months from year end:  8 months
  • After 3 months from year end: No instalments allowed

Increase the number of YAs for which the current year unabsorbed capital allowances (“CA”) and trade losses for a YA (collectively referred to as “qualifying deductions”) may be carried back ​

Current Treatment​

“Qualifying Deductions” (“QD”) can be carried back for one YA immediately preceding that YA in which the CAs are granted or the trade losses incurred capped at $100,000.

New Treatment​

“Qualifying Deductions” (“QD”) for YA2020 can be carried back for three YA  (i.e YA2017) capped at $100,000.

Provide an option to accelerate the write-off of the cost of acquiring plant and machinery (“P&M”) ​

Current Treatment​

A taxpayer who incurs capital expenditure on the acquisition of P&M in the basis period can claim Capital Allowances (CA) over

Section 19A

  • 100% Write-Off in One Year
  • Write-Off Over Three Years

Section 19

  • Write-Off Over the Prescribed Working Life of the Asset

New Treatment​

A taxpayer who incurs capital expenditure on the acquisition of P&M in the basis period for YA2021 (i.e. financial year (“FY”) 2020) will have an option to accelerate the write-off of the cost of acquiring such P&M over 2 years.

The rates of accelerated CA allowed are as follows:

a) 75% of the cost incurred to be written off in the first year (i.e. YA2021); and,
b) 25% of the cost incurred to be written off in the second year (i.e. YA2022).

Provide an option to accelerate the deduction of expenses incurred on renovation and refurbishment (“R&R”)​

Current Treatment​

A taxpayer which incurs qualifying expenditure on R&R during the basis period for the purposes of its trade, profession or business can claim Section 14Q deduction  over three consecutive YAs starting from the year in which the R&R expenditure is incurred, i.e. 1/3 of the R&R expenditure can be claimed in each of the three YAs.

The amount of R&R costs that qualify for tax deduction as a business expense is capped at $300,000 for every relevant three-year period, starting from the year in which the R&R costs are incurred.

New Treatment​

A taxpayer which incurs qualifying expenditure on R&R during the basis period for YA2021 (i.e. FY2020) for the purposes of its trade, profession or business will have an option to claim R&R deduction in 1 YA (i.e. accelerated R&R deduction).

The amount of R&R costs that qualify for tax deduction as a business expense is capped at $300,000 for every relevant three-year period, starting from the year in which the R&R costs are incurred.

Extend the Mergers & Acquisitions (“M&A”) scheme​

Current Treatment​

Under the M&A scheme, an M&A allowance will be granted to a company that acquires another company during the period 1 Apr 2010 to 31 Dec 2020 (both dates inclusive). The M&A allowance will be allowed on a straight line basis over five years and the allowance cannot be deferred. Companies must meet certain conditions to remain eligible for M&A allowance for each Year of Assessment (YA) during the five-year write-down period.

  • 1 Apr 2016 to 31 Dec 2020:  The M&A allowance is 25% of the value of acquisition, , subject to a maximum amount of $10 million for all qualifying share acquisitions in the basis period for each YA. Maximum M&A allowance for each YA will be reached with an acquisition of $20 million in that YA.
  • 1 Apr 2015 to 31 Mar 2016: The M&A allowance is 25% of the value of acquisition, , subject to a maximum amount of $5 million for all qualifying share acquisitions in the basis period for each YA. Maximum M&A allowance for each YA will be reached with an acquisition of $20 million in that YA.
  • 1 Apr 2010 to 31 Mar 2015: The M&A allowance is at 5% of the value of acquisition, subject to a maximum amount of $5 million for all qualifying share acquisitions in the basis period for each YA. Maximum M&A allowance for each YA will be reached with an acquisition of $100 million in that YA.

New Treatment​

The M&A scheme will be extended to cover qualifying acquisitions made on or before 31 December 2025.

The scheme will remain unchanged for acquisitions made on or after 1 April 2020, except for the following:

  1. Stamp duty relief will lapse for instruments executed on or after 1 April 2020; and
  2. No waiver will be granted for the condition that the acquiring company must be held by an ultimate holding company that is incorporated in and is a tax resident of Singapore. This will apply for acquisitions made on or after 1 April 2020.
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Singapore corporate tax exemptions caa 18 Feb 2020

Partial tax exemption for companies (from YA 2020)

Chargeable income % exempted from Tax Amount exempted from Tax
First $10,000 @75% =$7,500
Next $190,000 @50% =$95,000
Total $200,000 =$102,500

Tax exemption scheme for new start-up companies (where any of the first 3 YAs falls in or after YA 2020)

Chargeable income % exempted from Tax Amount exempted from Tax
First $100,000 @75% =$75,000
Next $100,000 @50% =$50,000
Total $200,000 =$125,000

Partial tax exemption for companies (YA 2010 to YA 2019)

Chargeable income % exempted from Tax Amount exempted from Tax
First $10,000 @75% =$7,500
Next $290,000 @50% =$145,000
Total $300,000 =$152,500

Tax exemption scheme for new start-up companies (where any of the first 3 YAs falls in YA 2010 to YA 2019)

Chargeable income % exempted from Tax Amount exempted from Tax
First $100,000 @100% =$100,000
Next $200,000 @50% =$100,000
Total $300,000 =$200,000
YA 2020 Companies will be granted a 25% Corporate Income Tax Rebate capped at $15,000. YA 2019 Companies will be granted a 20% Corporate Income Tax Rebate capped at $10,000. YA 2018 Companies will be granted a 40% Corporate Income Tax Rebate capped at $15,000
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Half day on 3 August 2018

In remembrance of our late founder, Mr Ng Kem San, who passed away on 27 July 2018, the office will be closed early on 3 August 2018 at 1pm.

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Singapore Budget 2018 affecting GST

GST on imported Services​

With effect from 1 Jan 2020, GST will be levied on imported services, via the following:

(a) Reverse charge regime for Business-to-Business (“B2B”) supplies of imported services; and

(b) Overseas vendor registration regime for Business-to-Consumer (“B2C”) supplies of imported digital services. 

Reverse Charge Regime​

Changes in GST Act due to Budget 2018 introduces the concept of Reversal Charge Regime and Reversal Charge (RC) Business. 

RC Business is a person who is subject to reverse charge.

If you are a GST-registered person who procures services from overseas suppliers, you are an RC Business when: 

(a) You are not entitled to full input tax credit; or 

(b) You belong to a GST group that is not entitled to full input tax credit.

Full input tax credit test

You would not be entitled to full input tax credit, if you fall under either of the following circumstances:

(a) You carry out non-business activities (i.e. provide free or subsidised services) ; or

(b) You fail the De Minimis Rule under regulation 28 of the GST (General) Regulations at the end of any prescribed accounting period, except if:

(1) You make only exempt supplies listed in regulation 33 of the GST (General) Regulations (“regulation 33 exempt supplies”) and the nature of your business is not one of those listed in regulation 34 of the GST (General) Regulations (“regulation 34 business”); or

(2) Any provision in the GST legislation grants you the right to claim your input tax in full.

The De Minimis Rule is satisfied if the total value of all exempt supplies made does not exceed:

(a) an average of S$40,000 a month; and
(b) 5% of the total value of all taxable and exempt supplies made in that period.

If you are a non-GST registered person who procures services from overseas suppliers, you would be liable for GST registration by virtue of the reverse charge rules if you satisfy the following conditions:

(a) Your imported services which are within the scope of reverse charge exceed S$1 million in a 12-month period (under either the retrospective or prospective basis); and

(b) You would not be entitled to full input tax credit if you were GST registered.

If a non-GST registered person becomes registered or liable for registration by virtue of the reverse charge rules, he must comply with the responsibilities and obligations of a GST-registered person.

Imported services​

RC Businesses must account for GST on all imported services other than:  

(a) services that fall within the description of exempt supplies under the Fourth Schedule to the GST Act; 

(b) services that qualify for zero-rating under section 21(3) of the GST Act had the services been made to them by a taxable person belonging in Singapore; 

(c) services that are directly attributable to taxable supplies (this exclusion is only applicable to RC Businesses that are not prescribed a fixed input tax recovery rate or on special input tax recovery formula); and 

(d) the salaries, wages and interest cost components, including their proportionate mark-up in accordance with transfer pricing policy, of cost allocations in inter-branch and intra-GST group transactions

Overseas vendor registration regime for Business-to-Consumer (“B2C”) supplies of imported digital services​

If you belong outside Singapore, you are required to register for GST in Singapore if you:

(a) have an annual global turnover exceeding $1 million; and

(b) make B2C supplies of digital services to customers in Singapore exceeding $100,000.

Once registered for GST, you are required to charge and account for GST on B2C supplies of digital services made to customers in Singapore.

If you are an electronic marketplace operator

Under certain conditions, whether you are a local or an overseas operator of an electronic marketplace, you may be regarded as the supplier of the digital services made by the overseas suppliers through your marketplace.

In such cases, you are required to include the value of these services to determine your GST registration liability. If you are liable for GST registration or are already GST-registered, you are required to charge and account for GST on B2C supplies of digital services made through your marketplace to customers in Singapore on behalf of the overseas suppliers, in addition to digital services made by you directly to customers in Singapore.

To ease extra-territorial compliance burden, if you are an overseas operator, you will be registered under a simplified regime, with reduced registration and reporting requirements.

Posted on

Singapore corporate tax exemptions caa 18 Feb 2018

Partial tax exemption for companies (from YA 2020)

Chargeable income% exempted from TaxAmount exempted from Tax
First $10,000@75%=$7,500
Next $190,000@50%=$95,000
Total $200,000 =$102,500

Tax exemption scheme for new start-up companies (where any of the first 3 YAs falls in or after YA 2020)

Chargeable income% exempted from TaxAmount exempted from Tax
First $100,000@75%=$75,000
Next $100,000@50%=$50,000
Total $200,000 =$125,000

Partial tax exemption for companies (YA 2010 to YA 2019)

Chargeable income% exempted from TaxAmount exempted from Tax
First $10,000@75%=$7,500
Next $290,000@50%=$145,000
Total $300,000 =$152,500

Tax exemption scheme for new start-up companies (where any of the first 3 YAs falls in YA 2010 to YA 2019)

Chargeable income% exempted from TaxAmount exempted from Tax
First $100,000@100%=$100,000
Next $200,000@50%=$100,000
Total $300,000 =$200,000

YA 2019
Companies will be granted a 20% Corporate Income Tax Rebate capped at $10,000.

YA 2018
Companies will be granted a 40% Corporate Income Tax Rebate capped at $15,000

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Singapore Budget 2018 affecting companies tax

Corporate Income Tax

Current treatment

For YA2018, CIT rebate is 20% of tax payable, capped at $10,000. 

New treatment

For YA2018, the CIT rebate will be enhanced to 40% of tax payable, with enhanced cap at $15,000. 

For YA2019, CIT rebate at a rate of 20% of tax payable, capped at $10,000.

Tax Deduction For Qualifying Expenditure On Qualifying Research And Development (“R&D”) Projects Performed In Singapore​

Current treatment

Businesses that have incurred qualifying expenditure on qualifying R&D projects performed in Singapore can claim the following: 

a) 150% tax deduction for staff costs and consumables incurred, and 

b) 100% tax deduction for other qualifying expenditure. 

New treatment

Businesses that have incurred qualifying expenditure on qualifying R&D projects performed in Singapore can claim the following: 

a) 250% tax deduction for staff costs and consumables incurred, and 

b) 100% tax deduction for other qualifying expenditure. 

Period: YA2019 to YA2025.

Tax Deduction For Intellectual Property (IP) Registration Cost

Current treatment

Businesses that have incurred qualifying expenditure on qualifying R&D projects performed in Singapore can claim the following: 

a) 150% tax deduction for staff costs and consumables incurred, and 

b) 100% tax deduction for other qualifying expenditure. 

New treatment

Businesses that have incurred qualifying expenditure on qualifying R&D projects performed in Singapore can claim the following: 

a) 250% tax deduction for staff costs and consumables incurred, and 

b) 100% tax deduction for other qualifying expenditure. 

Period: YA2019 to YA2025.

Tax deduction for costs on IP in-licensing​

Current treatment

100% tax deduction on such costs. 

Period: Until YA2020. 

New treatment

Increase in tax deduction from 100% to 200% for the first $100,000 of qualifying IP registration costs incurred for each YA. This change will take effect from YA2019 to YA2025.

Period: From YA2019 to YA2025

Double Tax Deduction for Internationalisation (“DTDi”) scheme ​

Current treatment

200% tax deduction , on qualifying market expansion and investment development expenses, subject to approval from IE Singapore or STB. 

No prior approval is needed from IE Singapore or STB for tax deduction on the first $100,000 of qualifying expenses incurred on the following activities for each YA: 

a) Overseas business development trips/missions;

b) Overseas investment study trips/missions; 

c) Participation in overseas trade fairs; and 

d) Participation in approved local trade fairs.

New treatment

200% tax deduction , on qualifying market expansion and investment development expenses, subject to approval from IE Singapore or STB. 

No prior approval is needed from IE Singapore or STB for tax deduction on the first $150,000 of qualifying expenses incurred on the following activities for each YA: 

a) Overseas business development trips/missions;

b) Overseas investment study trips/missions; 

c) Participation in overseas trade fairs; and 

d) Participation in approved local trade fairs. 

This change will apply to qualifying expenses incurred on or after YA2019. 

IE and STB will release further details of the change by April 2018.

Start-Up Tax Exemption ("SUTE") scheme​

Current treatment

A new company can, subject to conditions, qualify for, in each of the first three YAs: 

a) 100% exemption on the first $100,000 of normal chargeable income; and 

b) 50% exemption on the next $200,000 of normal chargeable income.

New treatment

A new company can, subject to conditions, qualify for, in each of the first three YAs: 

a) 75% exemption on the first $100,000 of normal chargeable income; and 

b) 50% exemption on the next $100,000 of normal chargeable income.

This change will take effect on or after YA2020 for all qualifying companies under the scheme. 

For example, if a qualifying company’s first YA is 2019, the current SUTE parameters will apply in YA2019 while the new parameters will apply in YAs 2020 and 2021.

Partial Tax Exemption (“PTE”) scheme​

Current treatment

All companies (excluding those that qualify for the SUTE scheme) and bodies of persons, can qualify for, in each YA: 

a) 75% exemption on the first $10,000 of normal chargeable income; and

b) 50% exemption on the next $290,000 of normal chargeable income.

New treatment

All companies (excluding those that qualify for the SUTE scheme) and bodies of persons, can qualify for, in each YA: 

a) 75% exemption on the first $10,000 of normal chargeable income; and

b) 50% exemption on the next $190,000 of normal chargeable income.

All other conditions of the scheme remain unchanged. 

This change will take effect on or after YA2020 for all companies (excluding those that qualify for the SUTE scheme) and bodies of persons. 

Tax Deduction for Qualifying Donations​

Current treatment

250% tax deduction for qualifying donations made to Institutions of a Public Character (“IPCs”) and other qualifying recipients 

Period: 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2018. 

New treatment

250% tax deduction for qualifying donations made to Institutions of a Public Character (“IPCs”) and other qualifying recipients 

Period: 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2021. 

Business and IPC Partnership Scheme (“BIPS”)​

Current treatment

A qualifying person can, subject to conditions, enjoy a total of 250% tax deduction on qualifying expenditure such as wages incurred by him in respect of 

a) The provision of services by his qualifying employee to an IPC during that period; or 

b) The secondment of his qualifying employee to an IPC during that period.

Period: 1 July 2016 to 31 December 2018 

New treatment

A qualifying person can, subject to conditions, enjoy a total of 250% tax deduction on qualifying expenditure such as wages incurred by him in respect of 

a) The provision of services by his qualifying employee to an IPC during that period; or 

b) The secondment of his qualifying employee to an IPC during that period.

Period: 1 July 2016 to 31 December 2021

GST on imported services​

Current treatment

GST is not applicable on imported services provided by an overseas supplier which does not have an establishment in Singapore.

New treatment

B2B imported services will be taxed via a reverse charge mechanism.

Only businesses that:

(i) make exempt supplies, or

(ii) do not make any taxable supplies need to apply reverse charge.

The reverse charge mechanism requires the local business customer to account for GST to IRAS on the services it imports. The local business customer can in turn claim the GST accounted for as its input tax, subject to the GST input tax recovery rules.

The taxation of B2C imported services will take effect through an Overseas Vendor Registration (OVR) mode.

This requires overseas suppliers and electronic marketplace operators which make significant supplies of digital services to local consumers to register with IRAS for GST.

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FRS 115 – Specific Area: Warranties

Warranties

FRS 115 provides more guidance on accounting for warranties.

It defines warranties by:

  • Service-type warranties: Warranties that provide the customer with a service
  • Assurance-type warranties: Warranties that provide a customer with assurance that the related product will function as the parties intended because it complies with agreed-upon specifications

Continue reading “FRS 115 – Specific Area: Warranties”

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FRS 115 – Specific Area: Franchise

Under a franchise, an entity promises to grant a license to use its intellectual property to a customer.

In addition to a promise to grant a licence to a customer, an entity may also promise to transfer other goods or services to the customer

If the promise to grant a licence is not distinct from other promised goods or services in the contract in accordance, an entity shall account for the promise to grant a licence and those other promised goods or services together as a single performance obligation.

If the promise to grant the licence is distinct from the other promised goods or services in the contract and, therefore, the promise to grant the licence is a separate performance obligation, an entity shall determine whether the licence transfers to a customer either at a point in time or over time. Continue reading “FRS 115 – Specific Area: Franchise”