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.
Prospective Registration: Extended Two-Month Grace Period to Begin Charging GST
From 1 July 2025, businesses registering under the prospective test are given a two-month grace period before they must start charging GST. Previously, registration took effect on the 31st day after the forecast date. Under the new rules, your effective GST registration date is two months from the date of your forecast — giving you more time to prepare your systems and invoicing before GST obligations begin.
For example: if you sign a contract on 1 September 2025 that triggers the prospective test, you must apply to register by 1 October 2025 — but your effective GST registration date is 1 November 2025. The 30-day application deadline is unchanged. Only the effective registration date has been extended. See IRAS for full details and worked examples.
Important: The 30-day application window runs from the date you form the reasonable expectation — not from when you discover the obligation. Late registration attracts a penalty of up to 10% of the GST that should have been collected during the period of non-registration. Terra Advisory Services monitors your revenue position and flags the threshold before it becomes a problem.
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.
- Compile 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.
- Calculate 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.
- Prepare 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.
- Submit 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 once its taxable turnover exceeds S$1 million. There are two tests: the retrospective test (look back at the past 12 months at year-end) and the prospective test (register within 30 days if you reasonably expect turnover to exceed S$1 million in the next 12 months). Under the prospective test, if your forecast date is on or after 1 July 2025, your effective GST registration date is 2 months from the forecast date — giving you a longer runway before you must start charging GST. The 30-day application deadline is unchanged.
Yes. Voluntary GST registration is available to any Singapore company regardless of turnover. The main benefit is recovering input tax on business expenses. However, voluntary registrants must remain registered for at least two years. Terra Advisory Services will assess whether voluntary registration makes financial sense for your specific situation before you commit.
Most GST-registered companies file quarterly. The GST F5 return is due one month after the end of each accounting period. For example, if your accounting period ends 31 March, the return and payment are due by 30 April. Companies on GIRO receive an additional three-day grace period for payment deduction.
Input tax is the GST your company pays on its business purchases and expenses. You can claim it back against the output tax you collect from customers — but not all input tax is recoverable. GST on private car expenses, club memberships, and certain entertainment costs is blocked. Terra Advisory Services reviews your expense categories to ensure you claim everything you are entitled to.
IRAS charges a 5% late payment penalty on any GST not remitted by the deadline. Continued non-payment attracts further penalties and interest. There is no general grace period for late filing — though companies on GIRO receive a three-day deduction grace period. Terra Advisory Services tracks all filing deadlines and submits returns before they are due.
Services supplied to overseas clients are generally zero-rated — meaning GST is charged at 0% rather than 9%. Zero-rated supplies still count as taxable supplies for registration threshold purposes, and you can still claim input tax on expenses related to those supplies. The zero-rating rules are detailed and depend on the nature of the service and the customer's location. Terra Advisory Services will confirm the correct GST treatment for your specific services.
GST and corporate tax use the same underlying accounting records, but they are separate obligations with different deadlines and rules. Accurate bookkeeping is essential for both — errors in your accounts flow through to both your GST F5 returns and your annual tax computation. Terra Advisory Services handles GST filing and corporate tax as part of an integrated engagement, so nothing falls through the gaps between the two.
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.