Taxpayers continued to enjoy the convenience of e-Filing their tax returns this year.

925,000 taxpayers e-Filed their tax returns by the due date of 18 Apr this year, a record high of 97%. Including 31,000 taxpayers who filed paper returns and 740,000 taxpayers who were on No-Filing Service, the overall filing rate this year is about 94%.

More Employees to Benefit from Auto-Inclusion Scheme (AIS)

This year, 1.2 million taxpayers enjoyed a simplified filing experience as their employers were part of the AIS, which meant that these taxpayers already had their employment and income information pre-filled in their tax returns. From 2013, IRAS will extend the AIS to include employers with 15 or more employees. With this extension, the salary information of another 100,000 taxpayers will be directly transmitted to IRAS. These taxpayers will not need to submit their salary information when they file their returns next year.

Many Self-Help Options Available

To simplify the tax filing process, IRAS has introduced various self-help initiatives over the years. One of the more popular self-help services this year was the “Filetax” SMS Mobile Service which allows a taxpayer to check if he is required to file this year, or whether IRAS has received his tax return. About 36,000 taxpayers made use of the service this year, an increase of 16% compared to last year. With more self-help options available to taxpayers, the total number of calls to the IRAS helplines saw a drop of 42,000, from 387,000 last year to 345,000 this year.

GIRO Your Tax and Win Cash!

IRAS will issue the Notices of Assessment (NOAs) to taxpayers from May onwards. Taxpayers who are not on GIRO have up to 1 month from the date of the NOA to pay their taxes.

We would like to encourage taxpayers to sign up for GIRO now and enjoy the benefits of paying their taxes by GIRO. This is the most convenient payment method and taxpayers can spread their payment over 12 interest-free instalments to ease cash flow. There will be no need to wait in queues at payment kiosks or be concerned about late payment penalties. Taxpayers on GIRO also receive their tax refunds faster as the amounts can be credited directly to their bank accounts.

This year, taxpayers have one more reason to pay by GIRO – they stand to win cash prizes totalling $115,000, with a top prize of $30,000, in the “GIRO Your Tax” Lucky Draw to be held on 19 May 2012 at Ion Orchard. We strongly encourage taxpayers to sign up for GIRO before 30 Apr 2012 to qualify for the May lucky draw. Taxpayers may sign up for GIRO through the following modes:

1. Any AXS station (for DBS/POSB customers);
2. Online internet GIRO application (for DBS/POSB or OCBC customers);
3. Complete the payment voucher that comes together with your tax bill (for DBS/POSB, UOB, OCBC and HSBC customers); or
4. Complete a GIRO application form. The form with return address can be downloaded from www.iras.gov.sg > Quick links > Forms > GIRO Application Forms.

Realise the benefits and convenience of GIRO, and stand a chance to win big at our lucky draws. The 2013 Grand Draw carries a top prize of $50,000. The longer one stays on GIRO, the higher the chances of winning!

We would like to assure taxpayers that paying tax by GIRO does not mean losing control over one’s money. A taxpayer who pays by GIRO retains full control over his money at all times because he can call IRAS to change his GIRO arrangement at any time, if he wishes to do so. He can also access e-Services at myTax Portal ( https://mytax.iras.gov.sg) to check his instalment plan and tax balance.

Have not filed? Act now to avoid penalties!

IRAS would like to remind taxpayers who have not filed their tax returns to do so immediately. A late filing penalty of up to $1,000 will be imposed for late filing unless taxpayers have been granted an extension to do so. Taxpayers who need assistance may contact our officers on 1800-356 8300 or email us at email IRAS via Contact Info > Email Us at www.iras.gov.sg.

Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore