Only 2 in 5 Singaporean taxpayers need to file returns in 2013

The rest are eligible for No-Filing Service.

According to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), tax filing will be a non-event for the majority of taxpayers as more than 1.13 million (or nearly 60%) of the 1.92 million taxpayer base are eligible for the No-Filing Service (NFS).

First introduced in 2007 to 45,000 taxpayers, the NFS has grown in scale to benefit 25 times as many taxpayers this year.

IRAS said taxpayers who have been informed by IRAS of their eligibility for NFS this year will not need to file a tax return, unless they have additional income to declare or changes to make to their personal reliefs.

The remaining 40% of taxpayers who are not on NFS would have received a letter or SMS notification informing them to file via myTax.iras.gov.sg by 18 April 2013. "These taxpayers will have to file a tax return this year, even if their employers have sent their salary details to IRAS under the Auto-Inclusion of Employment Income Scheme," said IRAS.

IRAS also noted that as announced in the 2013 Budget Speech, all individuals who are tax resident in Singapore will enjoy a personal income tax rebate for Year of Assessment (YA) 2013. However, they do not need to apply for the personal income tax rebate. IRAS will automatically grant the rebate to all eligible taxpayers and reflect the amount in their Notices of Assessment (i.e. tax bill).

IRAS also reminds all taxpayers, including sole proprietors and partners, to file their income tax returns by 18 April 2013, or to send in their paper returns by 15 April 2013. We also encourage all taxpayers to file early to avoid the last-minute rush and penalties for late filing.

If anyone is unsure whether he needs to file a tax return, he can either SMS filetax <space> NRIC/FIN to 91164900 or go to IRAS web page https://www.iras.gov.sg/irasHome/doihavetofiletax.aspx, said IRAS.