Understanding Corporate Tax Filing is important and let's dive deeper into it. The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) mandates the following entities to file their corporate income tax:
Business entities incorporated or registered under the Companies Act 1967 or any prevailing law in Singapore. Typically, such entities bear the designations 'Pte Ltd' or 'Ltd' as part of their names.
Foreign companies registered in Singapore, including branches of foreign companies.
Foreign companies incorporated or registered outside Singapore.
It is important to note that sole-proprietorship's or partnerships are not classified as companies. Tax obligations for sole-proprietorship's or partnerships are to be fulfilled through individual income tax filings.
How to Determine Your Taxable Income
Companies are taxed based on the income earned in the preceding financial year. For the tax assessment year 2023, income generated in the financial year 2022 will be taxed. Most companies end their financial year on 31 December, but some may choose alternative year-end dates. It's important to inform IRAS if your company's financial year-end differs from 31 December or extends beyond 12 months.
In Singapore, companies are taxed at a standard rate of 17% of their chargeable income, which is the income after deducting tax-allowable expenses. Capital allowances and reliefs may further reduce the taxable income and tax liability.
Tax Filing for Sole-Proprietorships or Partnerships
Sole-proprietors and partnership owners are responsible for filing their taxes as part of their individual income tax. To facilitate this process, they must maintain accurate records and accounts of all business transactions, supported by relevant documents like invoices and receipts.
At the end of the accounting period, owners must compile a statement of accounts, including profit and loss accounts and balance sheets, to ascertain business income and expenses.
Owners typically receive a filing notification or Income Tax Return (Form B or B1 or P) from IRAS by March each year. Upon receipt, they must submit either a 2-line or 4-line Statement for tax filing. The 2-line Statement is for businesses with revenue under S$200,000 for the YA, while the 4-line Statement is for those exceeding this threshold. In the 2-line Statement, businesses declare revenue and adjusted profit/loss, while the 4-line Statement requires additional information such as revenue, gross profit/loss, allowable business expenses, and adjusted profit/loss.
Filing a GST F5 return directly to IRAS using Xero
File your GST F5 return directly with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) from Xero.
Any GST owed to IRAS must be paid separately.
Xero transmits the amounts on the GST F5 return to IRAS, excluding the individual transactions.
To file a GST F5 return from Xero, you must have the adviser or standard and view reports user role.
Any GST owed to IRAS must be paid outside of Xero.
If you are due a GST refund, it will be received outside of Xero.
Singapore is well-known as a top business destination, thanks to its strong economy and attractive tax benefits. Because of this, many business owners and investors see it as a great place to set up a business. If you’re thinking about starting a physical or online business in Singapore, you’ll need […]
All companies registered in Singapore must appoint a company secretary who is a resident of Singapore. If the company has only one director, that person cannot also be the company secretary. However, if there are multiple directors, one of them can serve as the company secretary. Although the Singapore Companies […]
Non-profit charities are organizations that exist to help the public. They are created solely for charitable purposes and usually get their funding from donations, either from individuals or businesses. The money they receive is used for activities that help those in need, as well as for their everyday operations. Because […]
What is InvoiceNow? InvoiceNow lets you send invoices directly from one financial system to another in a structured digital format through the Nationwide E-delivery network, based on Peppol. This enables automation, making invoicing smoother and speeding up payments. Both small businesses and large companies can benefit from faster invoice processing […]
The difference between bookkeeping and accounting is similar to the difference between a nurse and a doctor. Both bookkeepers and accountants work towards the same goals, and while their tasks can overlap, they have different responsibilities. To someone unfamiliar with the field, bookkeeping and accounting might seem like the same […]
Singapore is well-known as a top center for economic activities and a key gateway for businesses looking to expand into other ASEAN cities. Its stable politics, flexible immigration rules, and advanced technology are some of the benefits of starting a business there. According to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing […]
Let’s explore how accountants can leverage AI to provide better services and value to their clients by using sing AI with Xero to improve your accounting practice. What is Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Accounting? Artificial intelligence (AI) is a set of technologies that mimic human thinking to perform tasks. It includes: Machine learning:Software […]
Before starting a company in Singapore, business owners need to meet the minimum requirements for incorporation. The process is online and applies to both local and foreign entrepreneurs. The first step is choosing a suitable business structure. A private limited company (Pte Ltd) offers more benefits than a sole proprietorship. […]
Get up to 50% funding support with the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) when you use Xero through an approved PSG vendor. What is the Productivity Solutions Grant? The Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) is a joint initiative by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Enterprise Singapore. It helps companies adopt […]
In Singapore, small and medium businesses play a crucial role in the economy and contribute to its diverse business environment. Understanding this importance, it's essential for these businesses to consider professional accounting services. This article explores why professional accounting services are crucial for small businesses in Singapore. It covers the […]