The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has published several Updated GST e-Tax Guides and other guidance considering the increase in the GST rate from 7% to 8% effective 1 January 2023 and other amendments. The updated GST e-Tax Guides and a summary of the changes for each are as follows:

GST: Guide for Retailers (Fifth Edition)

• Updated paragraphs 3.3, 5.2, 6.2, 14.3, 20.2.1 for the following:
  • to remove reference to GST rate.
  • provide clarity on how GST should be computed.
• Updated paragraphs 3.2 and 3.3 to clarify the price display requirements.
• Updated paragraph 12.2 to be clear that for returned goods, GST should be adjusted at the rate that was originally charged.
• Updated paragraphs 13.3.3 and 13.3.4 to be clear that for rebates granted for past purchases for which GST was charged at the preceding rate, the supplier should charge GST at the prevailing GST rate on the full value of the next purchase.
• Inserted paragraph 13.3.5 to include rebate used to offset future purchases scenario.

GST: Guide on Exports (Eighth Edition)

• Updated paragraph 8.1 to remove mention of physical endorsement on the export permit in view of Customs' cessation of physical endorsement of HCES permits.
• Updated paragraph 8.2 to cover all sales to tourists.

GST: Guide on Reimbursement and Disbursement of Expenses (Fifth Edition)

• Amended/inserted paragraphs 7.13, 7.14, 7.18 to 7.24, footnotes 14 to 16 and Examples 31 to 32A in Annex 2 relating to the revised GST treatment on motor car expenses.

GST: GST and the Gold Jewellery Industry (Fourth Edition)

• Updated paragraph 3.6.3 to remove example and be clear that value and GST charged on workmanship fee to be reported as standard-rated supplies and output tax in GST return.
• Updated paragraph 4.1.1 and insert footnote 4 to highlight changes following the cessation of physical endorsement of HCES permits.

GST: Guide for Motor Vehicle Traders (Sixth Edition)

• Removed paragraph 6.4 of fifth edition on GVR and CEVS rebate. Paragraph 6.2 provides the GST computation method when the selling price includes regulatory charges, incentives, vehicular schemes surcharges or rebates.
• Revised section 9 on Gross Margin Scheme and section 11 on Sale of Vehicle Bodies to provide better clarity on the conditions to be met before the Gross Margin Scheme can be applied on sales transactions.
• Revised paragraph 10.2 on Discounted Sale Price Scheme to provide better clarity on when the scheme is to be applied.
• Edited paragraph 14.2 on the evidence to be maintained for deposits collected for the bidding of COE.

GST: Guide on Hand-Carried Exports Scheme (Sixth Edition)

• Updated the following sections to highlight changes to the HCES process and operational procedures following the cessation of physical endorsement of HCES permits:
  • paragraphs 3.1 to 3.4, 4.2.3, 4.4.1, 4.5.2, 5,
  • footnote 11 and
  • FAQs 4, 8 to 12, 14, 15, 19, 20 and 21
• Added Q16 on how to set up NTP account to the list of Frequently Asked Questions.
• Inserted footnote 6 to refer to Customs Notice on Cessation of physical endorsement.
• Updated Appendix 1 to be specific that the list of documents to be maintained by HCES exempted suppliers are for hand-carried exports via Singapore Changi Airport.

Further to the updated e-Tax Guides, the IRAS has also updated its webpage guidance on Conditions for Claiming Input Tax. This includes revised GST treatment of motor car expenses and the removal of COVID-19 related medical expenses following changes to the COVID-19 measures.