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Specific business sectors

  • Your supply of advertising service attracts GST unless it qualifies for zero-rating as an international service under section 21(3) of the GST Act. The GST treatment for advertising services is based on the nature of services.
  • Zero-rating of supplies relating to aircraft and the Approved Import GST Suspension Scheme (AISS)
  • Where the supply qualifies as an international service under Section 21(3) of the GST Act, you may zero-rate the supply of service (i.e. charge GST at 0%).
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  • GST Relief for Importation of Medicinal Products and Therapeutic Products for Clinical Trials Generally, all goods imported into Singapore are subject to GST. GST relief is however granted for medicinal products (including pharmaceutical products) imported into Singapore so long as they are for local clinical trials.

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  • You need to account for GST on the supply of construction services in Singapore. If the construction services qualify as international services under Section 21(3) of the GST Act, you may zero-rate the supply.
  • Consultancy services (e.g. legal, accounting, engineering service) and other similar professional services are subject to GST.  However, if the services qualify as international services under Section 21(3) of the GST Act, they can be zero-rated. For a complete list of international services under Section 21(3), please refer to Providing international services.

  • Explains how GST should be charged on electronic commerce transactions of physical goods, and services supplied over the internet including digital services.

    ·         Physical goods supplied over the internet

    ·         Services / digital services supplied over the internet

    ·         Overseas Vendor Registration (OVR) regime

    ·         Belonging status of customers

    ·         Common e-commerce items

       o    Sale of computer software and maintenance services

       o    Sale of virtual items in online games

    ·        Advertising services over the internet

    ·        Web-hosting services

    ·        Server co-location services

    Generally, the medium through which the transaction occurs does not alter the taxability of the transaction. Hence, the same GST rules apply for supplies of goods and services made in Singapore regardless of whether they are made via the internet or an electronic network (including electronic marketplaces) or through traditional means. 

  • A supply of electricity in Singapore, whether in the wholesale market or retail market, is a standard-rated supply of goods.
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  • GST treatment of transportation, handling and storages services; related reimbursements/disbursements; and imports on behalf of customers.
  • GST for supplying goods you manufacture, tools/machines used in manufacturing, importing goods, replacing goods, etc.
  • Zero-rating of supplies relating to ships, scope of section 21(3)(p) including management of ships, and the Approved Marine Customer Scheme.
  • You must charge GST on the selling price of the motor vehicle less regulatory fees (e.g. COE). For sale of second-hand vehicles, you may use the Gross Margin Scheme (subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions) or the Discounted Sale Price Scheme to account for the GST.
  • The Ministry of Law, through the Registry of Pawnbrokers, oversees the registration and regulation of pawnbrokers in Singapore.

  • The sale and lease of properties in Singapore are subject to GST except for residential properties. GST is also chargeable on the supply of movable furniture and fittings in both residential and non-residential properties. Real estate agents must charge GST on the brokerage fees received from the real estate agencies. 

    From 1 Jan 2020, GST-registered businesses which procure services from overseas suppliers (“imported services”) that fall within the scope of reverse charge will have to account for GST on the value of imported services if they are not entitled to full input tax or if they belong to a GST group that is not entitled to full input tax credit. 

     

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  • You are required to charge GST on local telecommunication services. Where the supply qualifies as an international service, you may zero-rate the supply of service (i.e. charge GST at 0%).
  • You need to charge GST to your customer for the services. For services which qualify as international services under Section 21(3) of the GST Act, you may zero-rate your supply of service (i.e. charge GST at 0%).
  • A digital payment token refers to any cryptographically-secured digital representation of value that is used or intended to be used as a medium of exchange.
  • You are required to charge and account for GST on your local supplies of goods and services.