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Tax Refunds

Generally, tax credits of at least $15 are automatically refunded without the need for taxpayers to submit a claim. Refunds made via GIRO can be received as early as 7 days from the date the tax credit arises while those made via cheques may take up to 30 days. IRAS will pay interest on refunds made after 30 days from the date the tax credit arises unless the refund relates to circumstances where automatic refund of tax credits will not be made.
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Checking for Tax Credits and Unclaimed Monies

To check whether you have any tax credits with IRAS:

  • Refer to the Statement of Account sent together with the Income Tax Notice of Assessment
  • Log in to myTax Portal with your IRAS Unique Account (IUA), SingPass or CorpPass and select "View Account Summary" from "Account" on the top menu to check your account balance.

If you disagree with your income tax assessment, you may file your objection using Object to Assessment e-Service at myTax Portal.

To check whether you have any published unclaimed credit with IRAS, please see Unclaimed Tax Refund.

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    How Refunds are Given

    Tax credits may be refunded via GIRO, cheque, bank draft or telegraphic transfer. A new mode of refund via PayNow is available for GST refunds with effect from 8 Sep 2020.

    Refunds via GIRO

    This is the fastest and most convenient way to receive your tax refund.

    Taxpayers who/ which pay taxes through GIRO from their own bank account will receive refund to the same bank account as early as 7 days from the time credit is due to them.

    Direct credit authorisation to bank account in Singapore

    You may request for refund of the tax credit you have within IRAS via Direct Credit Authorisation if you maintain a bank account in Singapore.

    Please complete and send the online authorisation form available in the links below if you wish to receive your refund via Direct Credit Authorisation.

    For SingPass Login, please click here

    For CorpPass Login, please click here

    If you do not have SingPass/CorpPass, please click here

    Refunds via PayNow (For GST refunds only with effect from 8 Sep 2020) New

    You may sign up for PayNow Corporate by linking your UEN/NRIC/FIN to your bank account via internet banking and enjoy the benefits of receiving GST refunds fast via PayNow. For assistance in signing up PayNow Corporate, please approach your bank.

    Click here to learn more about PayNow Corporate and the list of participating banks.

    After the bank account is linked to your UEN/NRIC/FIN, you will receive the GST refund in your bank account within 7 days from the date the credit arose. If you have signed up for both GST GIRO and PayNow Corporate, the refund will be credited to the GIRO bank account.

    Refunds via Cheque

    Those without GIRO arrangement will receive their refund by cheque.

    For Property Tax, where the property is owned by more than two persons, the refund will be issued to the first named owner in the Notice of Transfer.

    For GST, those without GIRO arrangement and PayNow will receive their GST refund by cheque. This may take up to 30 days from the date the credit arose. 

    Refund cheques which you received from IRAS should be deposited into your bank account within three months from the date of issuance of the cheque. You may deposit this cheque into your bank account overseas for clearing but charges such as commissions and bank fees may be payable.

    Refunds via Telegraphic Transfer/ Bank Draft

    Taxpayers without a Singapore bank account may request for refund via Telegraphic Transfer or Bank Draft by submitting the Telegraphic Transfer/Bank Draft request form below.

    Telegraphic transfer/bank draft to foreign bank account

    If the currency requested is not available, the default currency will be US dollars. There will be bank charges or exchange rate differences and such charges will be borne by you.

    For SingPass Login, please click here

    For CorpPass Login, please click  here

    If you do not have SingPass/CorpPass, please click here

     

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    When Automatic Refunds Will Not Be Made

    Taxpayers will not be given automatic refunds when the tax credit is less than $15 or when instructions have been given to retain the tax credit for future tax offset. Click on "More circumstances" to view more scenarios where automatic refunds will not be made.  

    More circumstances

    1. Outstanding Taxes/Penalties

    When the taxpayer has outstanding taxes or penalties the tax credit will be used to offset the outstanding liability.

    2. Advance Payment of Tax Assessment

    When the taxpayer has made an advance payment in anticipation of a tax assessment.

    3. Credit Due to GIRO Deductions

    When the tax credit is a result of GIRO deductions for your provisional instalment plan and the tax assessment has not been finalised for that Year of Assessment.

    4. GST Returns Not Filed

    When the taxpayer has one or more outstanding GST returns not filed.

    5. Under Audit or Investigation

    When the taxpayer is under audit or investigation by the Comptroller.

    6. Prior Refunds Unsuccessful

    When prior attempts to refund the credit have been unsuccessful.

    7. Failure to Furnish Details for Refund

    When the taxpayer has failed to comply with any of the requests by IRAS to furnish necessary information to effect the refund.

    8. Insufficient Information

    When IRAS lacks sufficient information to effect a refund to you.

    9. No Reply to Assessment Enquiries

    When the taxpayer has not replied to any outstanding assessment enquiries which may have impact on the tax position.

    10. Company Dissolved

    When the company has been dissolved and any credit in the company's account with IRAS will be handed over to the Insolvency and Public Trustee's Office (IPTO).

    The shareholders of the defunct company can approach IPTO to claim the credit. Charges will be imposed by IPTO for the processing of the claim. For procedures on how to make a claim, see IPTO's website. 

    11. Bankruptcy

    When an individual has filed for bankruptcy, any credit with IRAS will be handed over to the Insolvency and Public Trustee's Office (IPTO). The individual can approach the Official Assignee for more information.

    12. Overpayment of Withholding Tax

    When there is overpayment of Withholding Tax under Section 45 of Income Tax Act remitted to the Comptroller of Income Tax.

    Refund claims need to be filed by the local payer who remitted the tax or non-resident whose income was liable to tax. Upon agreement by IRAS that a refund is due, IRAS will inform the local payer or non-resident and the credit will be refunded 30 days from the date IRAS agrees that there was an overpayment of tax.

    13. Claims Approved After Sale of Property

    There will be no automatic refund to ex-owners of a property for credits that arise from claims approved after the sale of a property.

    Refunds to the ex-owners will only be processed upon ex-owners' request within the time period stipulated in the letter sent by IRAS to the ex-owner.

    14. Other Circumstances

    When there are any other circumstances that may not permit the credit to be refunded by IRAS.

    Request for refund when tax credit less than $15

    If you would like the tax credit to be refunded, please  email or write in to us. Your request will be processed within 30 days. When you email or write, please state:

    • You are requesting for a refund;
    • Your Full Name/ Company's Name/ Property Address;
    • Tax Reference number (e.g. NRIC/ FIN/ ROC/ Property Tax reference);
    • Amount of credit balance due;
    • Contact number; and
    • Email address (if any).
    Request to retain credit balance

    If you wish to retain the credit to offset future taxes, please write to us with the following information:

    a. Your Full name/ Company's name/ Property address;

    b. Tax reference number (e.g. NRIC/ FIN/ ROC/ Property tax reference);

    c. Confirm your intention to retain the credit to offset future taxes; and

    d. Return the refund cheque (if available)

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    Interest on Late Refunds

    Tax Refunds Other Than Goods and Services Tax Refunds

    IRAS will pay interest if the refund is not made within 30 days from the date the tax credit arises or the date we received the required information/documents supporting your refund request (where applicable). For circumstances where credits will not be refunded automatically, no interest is payable.

    Example: Late Refund of Tax Credit

    The tax assessment was finalised on 15 Jul and you have a tax credit of $5,000 to be refunded. IRAS is considered to be late if we do not make a refund by 14 Aug.

    If the credit is refunded on 30 Aug, interest will be paid on the principal sum of $5,000 for the period 15 - 30 Aug (16 days) as follows:

    $5,000 x 5.5% x 16/365 = $12.05

    IRAS will refund $5,000 together with the late refund interest of $12.05.

    Goods and Services Tax (GST) Refunds Arising from Input Tax Exceeding Output Tax

    The refund due date for GST is one month and three months (after the date IRAS receives the GST returns) for monthly and quarterly prescribed accounting periods, respectively.  Generally, IRAS will pay interest when the GST refund is not made by the due date unless:-

    • you have outstanding GST returns not filed;
    • you are under audit by the Comptroller and have not complied with his requests for information; or
    • you have outstanding taxes or penalties.

    Regardless of your filing frequency, the Comptroller will pay interest if the refund is not made within three months after you have filed the outstanding GST return(s), complied with the Comptroller’s request for information and paid any outstanding taxes and penalties.

    However, where before the expiry of the period within which the Comptroller is required to make the payment of refunds, the Comptroller reasonably suspects that the refunds relate to any input tax on any supply made to you which was part of a Missing Trader Fraud arrangement, you will be notified by the Comptroller of the retention of GST refunds. Your GST refunds will be withheld until the Comptroller is satisfied that there is no such an arrangement. The Comptroller will pay interest if the refund is not made within one month after the day on which the Comptroller is satisfied that you are entitled to the input tax claims.New

    Example 1: Late Refund of GST Filed Monthly

    IRAS receives the GST return for the month of June on 15 Jul and you have a tax credit of $5,000 to be refunded. IRAS is considered to be late if we do not make a refund by 15 Aug.

    If the credit is refunded on 30 Aug, interest will be paid on the principal sum of $5,000 for the period 16 - 30 Aug (15 days) as follows:

    $5,000 x 5.5% x 15/365 = $11.30

    IRAS will refund $5,000 together with the late refund interest of $11.30.

    Example 2: Late Refund of GST Filed Quarterly

    IRAS receives the GST return for the period Apr - Jun on 31 Jul with a GST refund claim of $80,000. IRAS is considered to be late if we do not make a refund by 31 Oct.

    If the credit is refunded on 3 Nov, interest will be paid on the principal sum of $80,000 for the period 1 - 3 Nov (three days) as follows:

    $80,000 x 5.5% x 3/365 = $36.16

    IRAS will refund $80,000 together with the late refund interest of $36.16.

    Example 3: Where Comptroller Requests Information

    The following example applies only for refunds submitted on or after 1 Jan 2012.

    IRAS receives the GST return for the period Jan - Mar on 30 Apr with a GST refund claim of $40,000. IRAS requests information during an audit on your refund claim. You reply to us with the full information on 1 Jun.

    IRAS is considered to be late if we do not make a refund by 1 Sep. If IRAS refunds the $40,000 on 4 Sep, interest will be paid on the principal sum of $40,000 for the period 2 - 4 Sep (three days) as follows:

    $40,000 x 5.5% x 3/365 = $18.08

    IRAS will refund $40,000 together with the late refund interest of $18.08.

    Example 4: Where the Comptroller reasonably suspects that the refunds relate to any input tax on any supply made to you which was a part of a Missing Trader Fraud arrangementNew

    IRAS receives the GST return for the period Jan - Mar on 30 Apr with a GST refund claim of $65,000. You reply to us with full information on 1 Jun.

    Normally, IRAS is considered to be late if we do not make a refund by 1 Sep, since you have complied with IRAS’ request for information.

    However, as IRAS reasonably suspects that the underlying purchase for which you are claiming input tax was a part of a Missing Trader Fraud arrangement, no late interest is payable even if the refund is not made by 1 Sep. A notification letter will be issued to inform you of the retention of GST refunds by the Comptroller.

    Interest Rate for Late Refunds

    The interest rate is 5.5% per annum. This interest rate is subject to annual review and determined by the Ministry of Finance.

     

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    Contact for Refund Matters

    Mail:  
    55 Newton Road
    Revenue House
    Singapore 307987

    Email Us

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