Singapore GST Services
Simplifying corporate tax, compliance and incentives for businesses in Singapore
Key GST numbers every Singapore company director needs to know
GST registration in Singapore is one of the most misunderstood compliance obligations a growing company faces. Many directors only think about it when they are already past the threshold — by which point late registration penalties are already accumulating. Terra Advisory Services helps Singapore companies get GST right from the start, whether that means registering at the right time, filing quarterly returns accurately, or making a strategic decision about voluntary registration.
The current GST rate is 9%, which took effect on 1 January 2024. Once your company is GST-registered, you charge this on your taxable supplies, claim back the GST you pay on business expenses, and file a return with IRAS every quarter. Getting the mechanics right matters — errors attract audits and penalties.
This page covers when your company must register, how voluntary registration works, what the quarterly filing process looks like, and exactly what Terra Advisory Services handles for you. If you have just incorporated a Singapore Pte. Ltd., read the registration section carefully — the rules catch many new founders off guard.
Do You Need to Register for GST in Singapore?
Two tests determine whether registration is mandatory. Missing either one is a common and costly mistake.
GST registration in Singapore is mandatory once your company crosses the S$1 million taxable turnover threshold. There are two ways this threshold is triggered, and you need to watch both of them.
The Retrospective Test
At the end of each calendar year, look back at your taxable turnover for the past 12 months. If it exceeded S$1 million, you must register. You have 30 days from the end of that calendar year to apply. So if your turnover crossed S$1 million by 31 December, your registration deadline is 30 January of the following year.
The Prospective Test
This one catches more companies by surprise. If at any point during the year you have reasonable grounds to expect that your taxable turnover in the next 12 months will exceed S$1 million — for example, you just signed a major contract — you must register within 30 days of that realisation. You do not wait for the year to end.
What Counts as Taxable Turnover?
Taxable turnover includes the value of all standard-rated and zero-rated supplies your company makes in Singapore. It does not include exempt supplies (such as financial services and residential property rentals) or out-of-scope supplies. For most trading and services companies, taxable turnover is essentially your revenue from Singapore customers.
Voluntary GST Registration — Is It Worth It for Your Company?
Registering before you hit S$1 million can make financial sense. But it is not right for every business.
Even if your turnover is below S$1 million, you can apply to register for GST voluntarily. The main reason companies do this is to recover the GST they pay on their business expenses — known as input tax. If your company spends significantly on GST-bearing costs (office rent, equipment, professional services), recovering that 9% adds up quickly.
| Factor | Voluntary registration makes sense | It may not be worth it |
|---|---|---|
| Your customers | Mostly GST-registered businesses — they can claim back the GST you charge | Mostly end consumers — they cannot claim back GST, so your prices effectively rise 9% |
| Your expenses | High GST-bearing costs — office, equipment, services | Mainly salaries and exempt costs — little input tax to recover |
| Your revenue trajectory | Approaching S$1M — better to register now and build systems | Well below S$1M with no near-term growth expected |
| Administrative burden | You have accounting systems in place | You are not yet tracking invoices and expenses systematically |
There is one important condition with voluntary registration. IRAS requires voluntary registrants to remain registered for at least two years. You cannot register, claim back input tax on a large purchase, and then immediately deregister. Terra Advisory Services will help you assess whether voluntary registration works in your favour before you commit. For companies looking to reduce their overall Singapore tax burden further, see our guide to available tax incentives.
GST Filing — How the Quarterly F5 Return Works
Once registered, you file a GST F5 return every quarter. Here is exactly what that involves.
Most GST-registered companies in Singapore file on a quarterly basis. Your accounting period is set when you register — typically January to March, April to June, July to September, and October to December. The filing deadline is one month after the end of each accounting period.
The GST F5 return summarises your output tax (the GST you charged customers) and your input tax (the GST you paid on business expenses). The difference is what you pay to — or, in some cases, claim back from — IRAS. Terra Advisory Services prepares and submits this return on your behalf through the myTax Portal.
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1Compile your records Gather all sales invoices and purchase invoices for the quarter. Every figure on the F5 return must be supported by documentation. Terra Advisory Services works from your accounting records, so this step is straightforward when bookkeeping is up to date.
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2Calculate output and input tax Output tax is the total GST charged on your taxable supplies. Input tax is the GST paid on your allowable business purchases. Not all input tax is claimable — for example, GST on private car expenses and club memberships is blocked.
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3Prepare and review the F5 return The F5 form has 15 boxes covering total supplies, output tax, input tax, and the net GST payable or refundable. Terra Advisory Services prepares the return and reviews it before submission to catch any errors.
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4Submit and pay The return is filed through myTax Portal. Payment is due at the same time. Companies on GIRO have their payment deducted automatically — which also gives a three-day GIRO deduction grace period. Late payment attracts a 5% penalty on the outstanding GST.
What Terra Advisory Services Handles for Your GST
Registration, filing, deregistration and IRAS liaison — all covered.
GST Registration
We handle your GST registration application with IRAS — mandatory or voluntary. We advise on the right accounting period, prepare the application, and liaise with IRAS through to approval. You receive your GST registration number ready to use.
Quarterly F5 Return Filing
We prepare and submit your GST F5 return every quarter. We calculate your output and input tax from your accounting records, review every box on the form, and file before the deadline. You receive a copy of each return for your records.
Input Tax Review
Not all input tax is recoverable. We review your expense categories to make sure you are claiming everything you are entitled to — and nothing you are not. Overclaiming input tax is an IRAS audit trigger. Underclaiming costs you money.
IRAS Correspondence
If IRAS raises a query, requests a GST audit, or issues a revised assessment, Terra Advisory Services handles all correspondence on your behalf. You do not need to navigate IRAS's processes directly.
Voluntary Registration Advisory
Voluntary registration is not always the right move. We assess your specific situation — customer profile, expense structure, revenue trajectory — and give you a clear recommendation before you commit to the two-year minimum period.
GST Deregistration
If your taxable turnover falls below S$1 million and you want to deregister, the process involves a final return, accounting for GST on business assets, and formal cancellation with IRAS. We handle the full deregistration process for you.
Frequently Asked Questions — GST Registration Singapore 2026
Your company must register for GST if your taxable turnover exceeded S$1 million in the past 12 months (retrospective test), or if you have reasonable grounds to expect it will exceed S$1 million in the next 12 months (prospective test). In both cases, you have 30 days to apply for registration. IRAS sets out both tests in detail on its website. Late registration attracts a penalty of up to 10% of the GST that should have been collected.
Yes. Voluntary GST registration is available to any Singapore company that makes or intends to make taxable supplies. The main benefit is the ability to claim back input tax on your business expenses. However, you must remain registered for at least two years after voluntary registration. It is worth assessing carefully — if most of your customers are end consumers rather than GST-registered businesses, adding 9% GST to your prices may make you less competitive. Terra Advisory Services will help you run the numbers before you decide.
Most GST-registered companies in Singapore file quarterly. The deadline is one month after the end of each accounting period. So for a company on a January-to-December calendar year, the four deadlines are 31 January, 30 April, 31 July, and 31 October. Both the GST return and the payment are due on the same date. Filing late or paying late each attract separate penalties from IRAS.
Input tax is the GST your company pays on its business purchases and expenses. You can claim it back on your quarterly F5 return — but only for expenses that are directly related to making taxable supplies. Some input tax is blocked regardless: GST on private cars (and related expenses), club memberships, and medical expenses for employees (unless the company is obliged to provide medical treatment under law) cannot be claimed. Getting this right is important — IRAS audits input tax claims closely.
IRAS imposes a 5% late payment penalty on any GST not paid by the due date, with an additional 2% per month if it remains unpaid. For late filing without payment, IRAS may also issue an estimated assessment. Repeated late filing can result in IRAS revising your accounting period or taking enforcement action. Terra Advisory Services tracks every deadline for all companies we manage — missed GST filings do not happen under our watch.
Not necessarily. Services supplied to overseas customers may qualify as zero-rated supplies under Singapore's GST rules — meaning GST is charged at 0% rather than 9%. This means you do not collect GST from the overseas customer, but you can still claim back your input tax on related expenses. The zero-rating rules are detailed and depend on where the customer belongs and whether the services directly benefit someone in Singapore. Terra Advisory Services will confirm the correct GST treatment for your specific service model. If your company also makes payments to overseas contractors or non-resident directors, separate withholding tax obligations may apply.
The three are closely linked. Your GST returns are prepared from the same bookkeeping records as your monthly accounts and your corporate tax computation. When Terra Advisory Services handles all three together, the numbers are consistent and nothing falls through the gaps. Errors in your GST returns often surface first in your accounts — having one firm manage everything means discrepancies are caught early.
Related Compliance Services
GST does not sit in isolation. It connects directly to your accounting, corporate tax and annual filing obligations. Terra Advisory Services covers all of them.
Corporate Tax Services
ECI filing, Form C-S, tax computation and IRAS liaison
Accounting Services
Monthly bookkeeping and management accounts
Financial Statement Compilation
Unaudited statements prepared for ACRA filing
Annual Compliance
AGM, annual return and ACRA filing obligations
Let Terra Advisory Services Handle Your GST
Registration, quarterly F5 filing, input tax review and IRAS liaison — all in one engagement. No missed deadlines. No surprises.
Important Notice
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal, immigration, financial, or professional advice. While Terra Advisory Services Pte. Ltd. endeavours to keep the content accurate and current, Singapore government policies, regulations, fees, and procedures may change at any time without prior notice.
For the most up-to-date and authoritative information, please refer directly to official government sources, including the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Ministry of Manpower (MOM), and other relevant agencies.
Any reliance you place on the information on this website is strictly at your own risk. Terra Advisory Services Pte. Ltd. shall not be held liable for any loss, damage, or inconvenience arising from the use of this content. For advice tailored to your specific circumstances, please contact a Terra Advisory Services professional.