Public feedback urged on GST amendment bill

Tourist Refund Scheme is in the spotlight.

The Ministry of FInance today urged members of the public to provide feedback on the Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill.

 The draft GST (Amendment) Bill 2015 provides for three changes to existing tax policies and administration that arose from on-going reviews of Singapore’s GST system.

Under the changes, the Comptroller will be able to impose a Travel Restriction Order on a person who fails to repay a tourist refund wrongly claimed under the Tourist Refund Scheme.

Ineligible claimants will only be allowed to leave the country once they have repaid a wrongly-claimed tourist refund.

The MOF will also revise the definition of “aircraft” for the purpose of zero-rating supplies made in relation to an aircraft, and extend zero-rating to specific supplies made in relation to non-qualifying aircraft.

Lastly, the bill will clarify the scope of zero-rating in relation to merchandise for sale on board an aircraft or ship.

The public consultation on the draft GST (Amendment) Bill 2015 will be open from 13 July to 31 July 2015. Respondents may send their comments to the Ministry of Finance directly via the website, email, fax, or post.