Taxes in Singapore

[ecole]

I filed my Singapore tax forms through the mail on April 15th. So far, have not yet heard back and it is over 2 months. Is this normal? I would have expected to receieve my tax bill by now... should I be worried? Who should I contact to determine if the bill was "lost in the mail..." Honestly, I'd really rather not make a fuss if I don't have to, lest my tax case move to the front of the queue!!!

Another question: Since filing, I have learned that payments can be staged over time through GIRO. I thought this was only for future taxes ie payments against my next years' bill, not to pay off the current due tax bill. Can anyone clarify?

[headphones]

ecole,

I'm in a similar situation, though I don't think there's cause for concern.
I read somewhere on this board (can't find it now) that it often takes up to 10 months before you finally get the bill.

However, I would also like to know about the giro thing. I was under the impression that you can start using giro now to pay for next year's taxes - not to pay of the sins of the past.

Does anyone have any experience with the giro thing?

[ecole]

One of my fellow partners here has advised that he has already received his tax bill, and was able to arrange payment through GIRO for his last years' obligation. But, this doesn't seem quite right to me. Anyone know the facts???

[Fat Bob]

Don't worry too much, if you want to check you can ring them to see if they have it. Otherwise sit back and wait until the thing falls on your doorstep...and then laugh because it's a lot less than UK/Aus/USA!

[Fat Bob]

Just read the GIRO thing, yes, just download the form from the IRAS website (yahoo search Inland Revenue Singapore) and send it in....then you laugh even more when the small amount gets fragmented!

[nina]

We haven't got our tax bill yet either.  Now I am starting to get worried!!!

[Bewildered]

Don't worry. Give them (IRAS) a call on 1800 356 8300 with your EP number ready and check that (a) they received your return and (b) when your assessment will be issued.

[ecole]

If I call them, will they put my return at the top of the queue? It sounds like others are also awaiting the assessment, so my case is not strange or unusual... My gut feel is to just let sleeping dogs lie if others also have not yet received their assessments. I'm afraid of waking the beast!

[ok_lah]

It's OK - dun you worry about it.  I've been here six years and have found that they can take a little bit of time to get around to everyone.  If you dun hear anything by September, I would go to the tax office.  Remember they get about 3 million tax returns on one day - so if they did everything in a week, how could they justify their big gleaming office?  I gave them my GIRO last year, and now they are deducting my tax, although I haven't received a bill.  The tax rates are so good here though!

[Piglet's Mom]

It does take a while to have you taxes assessed here.  We have our taxes taken out through GIRO, much easier.  The taxes you pay out through GIRO are for the previous year and they will take out the total you own over  the remaining months (until next April) interest free.  The other thing is that they will calculate your next years taxes and start withdrawing monthly estimated taxes  after April 15, even if you haven't received your statement from IRAS.  Hope this helps.

[doh!]

It is a perfectly reasonable question for someone who is living in a country - especially a place where there is capital punishment.  In plenty of countries it is a taxpayers responsibility to ensure that their tax is up to date and the penalties can be quite harsh.

[Bobbydazzler]

Advise - don't bother calling the tax department as you will never never ever get through.

[blip]

but wouldn't it be  so totally embarrassing if you tried to leave the country for whatever reason, be it business, pleasure or to get the *** out of the country, and be escorted away to a little room for questioning after you try to get thru immigrations? call the IRAS number to check first i think...

[Bewildered]

I called the tax dept (IRAS) and got straight through first time. I spoke to a most helpful lady who told me my assessment would be issued in 2 days, and lo! there it was. I was expecting $4500 so when it came in at $230 I can tell you the rest of the day seemed much brighter.

[ecole]

Blip... yes, I am a foreigner and I am a guest in your country. I value the hospitality and services your country has afforded to me. However, I take deep offense to someone like you who doesn't even know the real person I am, insinuating that I would try to skirt a financial obligation. I have lived overseas many years in many different places, and have always faithfully and gratefully fulfilled my obligations to the country which has graciously allowed me to call it home, even if just for a few years. I can assure you I will do the same here in Singapore, as I have done so many times before. Why else would I post this notice in the first place?