Overview of GST e-Filing Process

If you are making a net GST payment to IRAS, you may report the output tax and input tax in your GST return based on figures available to you e.g. GST figures that are already recorded in your accounting system or supplies / purchases listings, although it has not been fully reconciled or verified against third-party documents, import / export documents etc.

If you are claiming a net GST refund from IRAS, you cannot submit an estimate of your GST figures. Please submit a request for an extension of your filing due date (more information available above).

If you are making a net GST payment to IRAS, you may report estimated GST payable based on the figures declared in your GST return for the previous accounting period or same accounting period in the previous year. The figures declared in your past returns can be found in the GST F5 acknowledgement page, a copy of which is available on myTax Portal (Notices). 

Under this scenario, you will report your previous net GST payable amount (Box 8) as your estimated output tax amount (Box 6) in your current return.

No input tax claims (Box 7) should be made in your current return as your previous net GST payable amount has already factored in input tax claims. The examples below illustrate how to file your return under this scenario.

If you are claiming a net GST refund from IRAS, you cannot submit an estimate of your GST figures. Please submit a request for an extension of your filing due date (more information available above).  

Example 1: GST information not available and previous return’s figures are reflective of current period

Example 2: GST information not available but revenue for current period declined by 20%

You can also make adjustments to reflect your current business circumstances if it has changed significantly from the previous period. For example, if your local sales had declined by 20% in the Feb to Apr 2020 period due to the COVID-19 situation compared to Nov 2019 to Jan 2020 period, you can adjust your output GST figures downwards by 20%.

1. I am unable to complete my GST reporting by 11 Jun 2020 because my office is closed and I cannot access the accounting system and hardcopy records in office. Can I write in to request for a further filing extension?

No, we are unable to extend the GST filing and payment deadline further, unless you fall within the four scenarios above.  Please ensure that you file your payable GST return by 11 Jun 2020. If you are unable to complete your GST reporting by then, you can file an estimated GST return based on information available to you, on a best-efforts basis. Refer to the illustrations above as a guide. 

2. If I file an estimated GST return now and my subsequent GST F7 correction results in additional GST payment, will I be penalised?

No penalties will be imposed, as long as you file the GST F7 with complete corrections within 3 months of the extended filing due date (see table above). IRAS will not raise any queries or initiate audits on payable returns during these three months.

If the GST F7 is filed three months after the extended filing due date, you may qualify for the waiver of penalties under IRAS’ Voluntary Disclosure Programme if errors are disclosed voluntarily within 1 year, provided that you meet all the qualifying conditions.  E.g. Errors are disclosed before a query has been raised or an audit has been initiated by IRAS. 

3. Can I choose to file an estimated GST refund return if I cannot finalise the GST reporting figures by the extended deadline of 31 May 2020 and 30 Jun 2020, in respect of returns for the periods ending Mar 2020 and Apr 2020 respectively?

No, you cannot file a GST refund claim based on estimates.  We will not accept estimated GST refund claims. If you are seeking to claim a GST refund from IRAS, you must file your GST return accurately, i.e. your output tax reported is correct and all your input tax claims must be supported by valid documents, e.g. tax invoices. 

Even if you report your input tax claims accurately based on valid documents, your net refund claim will still be considered erroneous if you report output tax based on estimates. IRAS may impose penalties on the errors made.

You can approach us nearer to 31 May 2020 or 30 Jun 2020 to request for a further extension if you require more time to ensure the accuracy of your GST refund claims.  We will consider these requests on a case-by-case basis.

4. Can I simply copy all the figures in my previous GST return as estimates to report in my current return?

No, please follow the examples above on how you should complete the figures in your return if you are estimating your GST payable based on past return figures. As this is an estimated return, you should only complete Box 1 (Standard-rated supplies) and Box 6 (Output tax). No input tax claims should be made in Box 7.

5. As a Reverse Charge (RC) business or overseas vendor registered under OVR regime, how do I file the estimated GST return when there are no RC and OVR figures reported in our last return?

If you are a RC business, you will have to report your RC supplies in Box 14 of your GST return based on available information you have on hand or best estimates of your imported services. For example, you may rely on information in your accounting system to estimate the value of your RC supplies. Alternatively, you may rely on the value of imported services reported in your financial statements or management accounts of the preceding period and apply an adjustment factor of X% where appropriate if you expect an increase/decrease in the value for the current period.

You should then add the corresponding output GST on your RC supplies into your estimated output tax in Box 6 of the GST return. As with other businesses filing estimated GST returns, you should perform a self-review of your GST reporting (including RC supplies), and file a GST F7 to correct the reporting within three months of the extended filing due date (see table above). No penalties will be imposed on additional tax payable for this purpose.

If you are an OVR business, you may request for a further extension of the filing deadline on case-by-case basis (more information available above) since you are filing your first GST return.

6. Will a filing extension be given to GST returns for the period ending May 2020 which are due in June 2020?

GST returns for period ending May 2020 remain due in Jun 2020. No extensions will be granted. You must file your GST return accurately, i.e. your output tax reported is correct and all your input tax claims must be supported by valid documents, e.g. tax invoices.

1. Who needs to complete Box 14 and Box 15 in the GST F5 return?
   Box 14 is only applicable for reverse charge businesses (e.g. financial institutions, residential property developers) to report the value of their imported services subject to GST.
   
   Box 15 is only applicable for electronic marketplace operators supplying digital services subject to GST. These businesses can refer to Completing GST Return for more information.
2. If I am not a reverse charge business or electronic marketplace operator, what do I need to do for Box 14 and Box 15?
   No action is required for Box 14 and Box 15 if you are not a reverse charge business or electronic marketplace operator. Box 14 and Box 15 are set to the ‘No’ option by default since most GST-registered businesses are not required to complete these boxes.
   
3. I am filing my GST F5 return in Jan 2020 but why do I not see Box 14 and Box 15 in the return?
   As Reverse Charge (RC) and Overseas Vendor Registration (OVR) only take effect from 1 Jan 2020, Box 14 and Box 15 will only be included in the GST returns from periods ending on or after 1 Jan 2020.
   
   For example, you will see Box 14 and Box 15 in the GST F5 for the period 1 Nov 2019 to 31 Jan 2020, but not in the GST F5 for the period 1 Oct 2019 to 31 Dec 2019.

Complete the relevant form below to appoint or change the GST CorpPass Administrator for your business. Please send the completed form to IRAS at least 5 working days in advance.
- For GST-registered Sole-proprietor (appoint or change the second Administrator only)
- For Group/Divisional GST registration