Singapore Updates Regulations for Voluntary Disclosure of GST Errors

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The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore has released new information relating to the regulations for correcting errors made in submitted GST F5/ F7/ F8 forms.

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is defined as a multi-stage tax payable by all the intermediaries in the production and distribution chain, with the tax burden ultimately borne by the end consumer.  GST is a much broader tax than a sales and service tax; it operates on a negative concept, and all goods and services are therefore subject to GST unless specifically exempted.

With respect to GST F5 forms, taxpayers will be able to adjust for errors made if they meet both of criteria below:

  • The Net GST amount in error (i.e. output tax error – input tax error) for all the affected prescribed accounting periods is not more than S$1,500.
  • The total non-GST amounts in error for (each of) the affected accounting period(s) is not more than five percent of the total value of supplies declared in the submitted GST return. In the case where there was no supply made in the affected accounting period, the five percent rule applies to the total value of the taxable purchases.
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A GST F7 form can be filed if a business wishes to claim a refund due to an over-accounted output tax or under-claimed input tax in its GST return. However, if the business is not sure of the correct GST treatment and needs to clarify the GST treatment before filing the GST F7 form, the following information must be provided to the IRAS:

  • Description of the error or issue involved.
  • Breakdown of the amount of GST to be refunded for all affected accounting periods.

It should be noted that a business can be penalized up to 200 percent of the tax undercharged for the submission of incorrect GST returns. In addition, the business may be liable to a fine and its employees subject to a term of imprisonment. Fraud cases are subject to even harsher treatment. However, the IRAS may reduce the penalties imposed if the business voluntarily discloses past errors and omissions. The qualifying conditions for such treatment can be found in the IRAS Voluntary Disclosure Programme.

In order to make a voluntary disclosure, a business must send an electronic request for a GST F7 form to the myTax Portal. The GST F7 form must be e-filed within 14 days from the date of the initial request. The IRAS also states that businesses should correct any errors in their past GST returns within five years from the end of the relevant accounting period.

The full GST error guide can be found here.

In addition, the IRAS has released an updated version of its e-Tax Guide on GST: and Assisted Self-Help Kit (ASK) Annual Review Guide. The new guide is intended to function as a self-assessment package that will facilitate the voluntary compliance of GST-registered businesses.

Related-Reading-Icon-Asean LinkRELATED: Malaysia Continues to Streamline its Goods and Services Tax

According the IRAS, the five percent late payment penalty will be waived if businesses voluntarily disclose their past errors within one year from the filing date of their last GST return (certain conditions may apply).

The Self-Help Kit can be found here.


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