Late Payment of Stamp Duty

You are required to stamp a document before you sign it. However, if you have signed a document and stamped it within the following time frame, no penalty will be charged: 

Within 14 days after signing the document if it is signed in Singapore or

Within 30 days after receiving* the document in Singapore if the document is signed overseas

*For electronic documents, they are treated as received in Singapore in any of the following scenarios:
(a) the electronic document is retrieved or accessed by a person in Singapore; or
(b) the electronic document is stored on a device (including a computer) and brought into Singapore; or
(c) the electronic document is stored on a computer in Singapore.

Actions will be taken against taxpayers who do not pay their Stamp Duty on time or fail to pay altogether.

A Demand Note will be issued to inform taxpayers of the penalties when the payment of Stamp Duty is not made by the due date.

Delay in Payment Not Exceeding 3 Months

A penalty of $10 or an amount equal to the duty payable, whichever is greater, will be imposed for late payments not exceeding 3 months.

Delay in Payment Exceeding 3 Months

 A penalty of $25 or 4 times of the duty payable, whichever is greater, will be imposed for late payments exceeding 3 months.

Taxpayers who receive a Demand Note should pay the Stamp Duty and the penalty by the due date stated in the Demand Note to avoid further enforcement actions such as additional penalties or summons.

A penalty of 5% per annum calculated on a daily basis on duty payable for Voluntary disclosures which qualify under IRAS’ Voluntary Disclosure Programme (PDF, 963KB).

After the Due Date in the Demand Note

If the Stamp Duty continues to remain unpaid, other actions to recover the moneys may include:

1. Appointing agents like your bank, employer, tenant or lawyer to pay the moneys to IRAS;
2. Issuing a Travel Restriction Order (TRO) to stop you from leaving Singapore; and/or
3. Taking legal action

Release of Agent Appointment

Agents will only be released from the appointment after the Stamp Duty and penalties have been paid, or when payment has been arranged with IRAS.

For banks appointed as agents, requests for release cannot be processed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. Any request for release of bank after 2pm on weekdays can only be processed on the next working day.

Travel Restrictions

If a Travel Restriction Order (TRO) is issued, you will be stopped from leaving Singapore at the Immigration exit checkpoints. 

The TRO will be withdrawn upon full payment of the Stamp Duty and penalties due. To process release of the TRO, you are required to produce the proof of payment to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have a valid pass to remain in Singapore. If extension of time is required to resolve your tax matters with IRAS, please approach the ICA to extend your stay in Singapore.

Please note that IRAS is unable to withdraw the TRO on weekends and Public Holidays.