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GST Implication From Customer Accounting

by Mighty Glory Corporate Solutions | 26 Oct 2019 | Bookkeeping, GST, News, Rules and Regulations

Starting from 1 January 2019, customer accounting for prescribed goods is mandatory required under the GST regulations. This is applicable to the supplies of certain prescribed goods acquired by a GST-registered customer intended for business use, provided that it is (a) a local sale of prescribed goods with a GST-exclusive value of over S$10,000 and (b) not an excepted supply.

Customer accounting transfers the responsibility of GST accounting from the seller (or supplier) to the buyer (or customer). The changes are aimed to counter non-reporting and other fraud schemes where the supplier or seller absconds with the collected GST.

Under the Customer Accounting (CA) scheme, the sellers are not allowed to charge and collect GST from their customers. They are, however, required to issue a customer tax invoice that reflects the customer’s GST registration number and a statement to inform the customer of his/her GST accountability, and the application of CA in that purchase. The seller will also have to report the transaction in his GST returns.

What are the Prescribed Goods?

The application of CA is limited to the prescribed goods, which include but are not limited to the following:

Mobile Phones – Examples include smartphones, Blackberry, or tablets that can transmit and receive calls and messages over a cellular network. The purchase of a mobile phone is, however, excluded from customer accounting if it comes with a post-paid mobile subscription plan by a local telecommunication service provider. Satellite phones, walkie-talkies, smartwatches, mobile landlines, phones over 17.5 cm in screen size, and smartphone accessories such as chargers, screen protectors, and batteries are not included in the CA scheme.
Memory Cards – This category includes memory sticks, Secure Digital (SD) cards and CompactFlash. The exclusions are solid state drive (SSD), thumb drive, dual in-line memory module (DIMM), random access memory (RAM), portable external hard disk, hard disk drive (HDD), and other smart cards with embedded chips such as ATMs, SIM cards, and credit cards.
Off-the-Shelf Software – The software included in this category are those that are not specifically customized for the customer. Such software is stored in a CD or similar storage device; or the product can be accessed through a product or license key, activating or other similar code which is provided as part of the purchase. Prescribed goods for CA include software sold in physical boxed packaging like anti-virus, accounting, gaming, design tools, etc. Pre-installed software is not prescribed for CA. Software back-ups stored in CD or similar storage device, Xbox Live, software downloadable from the internet (whose key or code for access is provided via email), and PlayStation Plus are examples of software not qualified for CA.

‘Excepted Goods’ which are not subject to CA, are the supplies of goods made under:

Gross Margin Scheme – The computation of GST is based on the gross margin, not the full value, of the goods supplied. This scheme is applicable if (1) the primary business activity is dealing with used goods and (2) the second-handed goods are purchased free of GST.
Approved Third Party Logistics (3PL) Company Scheme – Under certain conditions, no import duty or GST is applicable on the supplies of goods from the overseas customers of these approved logistics companies.
Approved Refiner and Consolidator Scheme – Either the approved refiner or consolidator can enjoy the certain GST benefits, which are specially designed to ease cash flow and relieve indirect taxability on refining activities for investment precious metals (IPM).
A deemed taxability arising from the transfer or disposal of goods at no cost.

When to Apply Customer Accounting

To apply CA, the following conditions must be met;

The customer must be a GST-registered person;
The purchase of prescribed goods is conducted in the ordinary course of a business; and
The value of the prescribed goods exceeds S$10,000.

Connect with us today to learn more about customer accounting and how this may affect and/or apply to your business. We look forward to helping you identify your business and personal needs, and providing you with efficient and holistic solutions.

Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) Levy Concession

by Mighty Glory Corporate Solutions | 30 Sep 2019 | News, Taxation

Businesses in Singapore are required to adhere to accounting regulations set by ASC or the Accounting Standards Council. Compliance with accounting standards is important to ensure transparency and reliability of a business’ financial information. Transparency and reliability of financial information enable comparability of global financial data and smooth functioning of international capital markets. The increasing number of businesses in Singapore is another compelling reason for entities to adhere to a uniform financial standard. As a business, it can be time-consuming, exhausting and even downright intimidating, to maintain your seemingly infinite financial records. Hiring an accounting firm is one of the best ways to manage your business’ financial data. With a reputed accounting service provider, you will have an expert to take care of the financial aspects of your business. You can focus more on your core business knowing that your financial matters will be taken care of duly in compliance with the law. An accounting firm will also ensure a robust accounting system, which will give you a reliable and actionable financial base to make business decisions.

Expertise of an accounting firm is the key to your business success

With Mighty Glory Corporate Solutions, you get a wide range of accounting services delivered by a team with substantial industry experience. We offer a deposit-free accounting service with complete client confidentiality and a transparent fee structure. If you are in search of a professional accounting firm, then you may want to explore the services such firms offer. Here are some types of services that an accounting firm usually offers business: Singapore citizens, needing domestic care, can get support from Singapore government through the foreign domestic worker (FDW) levy concession. FDW employers who meet the criteria can qualify for a S$60 monthly concessionary rate.

The following are the employer qualifications for the FDW levy concession:

One has to be a Singapore citizen.
Living with a child under 16 years old.
Living with an elderly person 67 years old and above.
Living with a person with disability (PWD) who needs help with at least one daily living activity such as showering, dressing, feeding, or toileting.

Applications for the FDW levy concession must be submitted by qualified individuals. If you have a minor or elderly relative or family member and is qualified for the levy concession, you can follow this link to apply online. The application for FDW levy concession for a PWD is coursed through the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC). Please follow this link for your PWD application. Please collect the information of the employer, foreign domestic worker and the eligible person (i.e. the person who needs care) to complete the form and application. No application is necessary if you need the foreign domestic worker for your care or your child’s. If you or your spouse is a Singapore citizen, the levy concession will automatically start on your 67th birthday or upon your child’s birth and will continue until his or her 16th birthday provided that he or she is a Singapore citizen, or on the date your child is granted the Singapore citizenship. The FDW levy concession is granted for one FDW per eligible person, with a maximum of two FDW per household. The monthly concessionary rate can be as much as S$120 for FDWs hired to care for an eligible person who needs permanent assistant on at least three daily living activities.

Conclusion

Effective 1 September 2019, the FDW levy concession coverage will include employers needing domestic care for an extended family member or a friend living with them, provided the eligible person is a Singapore citizen, as opposed to the previous limitations of the levy to immediate family members. All existing qualifications applied to immediate family members will also apply to the expanded FDW levy concessions. Connect with us today to discuss more on the other personal tax reliefs and how we can incorporate them to your personal individual income tax. We look forward to helping you identify your business and personal needs and provide you with efficient and holistic solutions.

Introduction And Impact Of SORA On Corporate Borrowers

by Mighty Glory Corporate Solutions | 24 Sep 2019 | Finance, News

On August 30, The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced the transition of the interest rate benchmark from SOR to SORA. The USD reliant Swap Offer Rate (SOR) will cease to be relevant upon the imminent discontinuation of the USD Libor or the London Inter-bank Offered Rate. The Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) and the Singapore Foreign Exchange Market Committee (ABS-SFEMC) studied several replacement options and concluded on the viability of SORA.

What is SORA?

The Singapore Overnight Rate Average (SORA) is an interest rate benchmark pegged on actual transactions. It is the weighted average rate of all overnight cash transactions brokered in Singapore from 9:00 am to 6:15 pm and is published daily on the MAS website at about 6:30 pm.

Why is there a need to transition?

The UK regulatory authorities recently announced the discontinuance of the USD Libor by the end of 2021. This will take away one of the major inputs in the computation of SOR. The volume-weighted average forex rate of USD and SGD is another SOR factor that is looked into as extraneous and causes extreme volatility of rates.

Are there any options aside from adopting SORA?

Aside from adopting SORA, ABS-SFEMC is also looking into two other options – reforming SOR and enhancing SIBOR. Reforming SOR would mean replacing USD Libor with another component. In the US, the Alternative Reference Rate Committee (AARC), endorsed the recommended alternative, the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR). The SOFR is published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York at about 8:00 am and is the overnight measure of the cost of borrowing money. However, producing forward-looking benchmarks using SOFR is too complex. Furthermore, SOFR is not intended for the derivatives market and is not expected to be in use until late 2021.

Enhancing the SIBOR is looked into as another option to SOR. The SIBOR (Singapore Interbank Offered Rate) reflects the rate at which banks are willing to lend and is already in use in various financial products, but not on derivatives. However, due to the structural shifts in banks’ sources of funding and derivatives markets towards overnight interest rates benchmark referencing, this option proves to be unsustainable.

Why is SORA the recommended option?

SORA is liquid and deeply reflects the daily trends and conditions of the SGD money markets. Using SORA as a benchmark is aligned with global trends and the transition will result in significant synergies in the global trading capabilities of derivatives. This will put the SGD market ahead in the global trends, encourage and apply best practices and keep domestic derivatives competitive and attractive in the global markets. Daily SORA has been published by the MAS since July 2005, providing accurate data for historical analyses on prices, risks, and market trends.

What happens to legacy SOR contracts?

Existing SOR contracts which will expire after 2021 will remain as is for now. However, expect your bank to notify you regarding the transition in due time. They will provide alternative loan packages that will replace the current SOR-referenced contract to be applied to its remaining term.

How will the transition impact corporate borrowers?

The transition from SOR to SORA is deemed favorable to corporate borrowers. The elimination of the USD/SGD forex factor in the interest rate computation will hugely improve the volatility of rates. The compounded 6-month SORA is more stable and lower than SIBOR, SOR and other benchmarks.

There will be no immediate impact before the end of 2021 and existing SOR referenced contracts will remain as is. MAS and ABS-SFEMC are keeping close tabs on the transition process, making sure the market functions continuously, with the least disruption and hassle to end-users as possible.

Ample communication and public information dissemination will be in place, while banks will be required to provide their clients with enough time, information, and guidance on loan restructuring and contract switching as necessary. Corporate service providers in Singapore such as accounting firms and business outsourcing firms will also be on hand to assist their clients in a smooth transition.

Connect with Mighty Glory today to know more about the transition and to discuss your financial contracts and options. We look forward to helping you with your business needs and in meeting your company compliance requirements in Singapore by providing you with the efficient and holistic solutions.

Return of Data Register Pte Ltd

by Mighty Glory Corporate Solutions | 23 Nov 2018 | News

Overview

Data Register Pte Ltd, a Singapore-registered company and previously known as the Company Register Pte Ltd was back again in 2018. The company sent fraudulent business letters to innocent business owners, demanding payments. Their letters were crafted to look legally official and even included the recipient companies’ details, which are registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).

Local organizations, which had unwittingly signed up to be part of its database, were subsequently asked to pay a yearly subscription fee of $490 for using the services. This resulted in 21,780 recipients inadvertently subscribing to the company’s services and paying the subscription fee. According to the authorities’ portals, Data Register is GST-registered with a live company status.

Starting from January 2014, ACRA investigated and found Data Register guilty of 500 charges of scamming and malicious practices, with another 604 charges taken into consideration. Even after ACRA started investigating the scam company, Data Register continued sending out payment letters to new subscribers and demanding payments from the previous subscribers. This elicited controversies that affected ACRA’s public standing and reputation. In June 2016, the company was ultimately fined with $200,000.

Data Register is Back

Data Register is apparently back after two years and a massive fine of $200,000. A sole proprietor reported her predicament with Data Register when the company returned in 2018.

She first received a letter and an email from the scam company in November 2013. The design, logo, and content of letter led her to believe that it was something official from ACRA. Hence, she followed the instructions, as printed on the scam letter.

After Data Register was punished in 2016, no correspondence was received. In July 2018, the sole proprietor got a new letter which demanded for the new subscription fee together with the past overdue. The modes of payments include cash, cheque and PayPal. The letter instructed to make the cheques payable to another entity called Singapore Data Register Pte Ltd. The Unique Entity Number (UEN) and registered office addresses for both companies, Data Register Pte Ltd and Singapore Data Register Pte Ltd, are different.

Business owners who were entangled with the scam company are advised to remain calm and ignore all correspondences from them.

The scam company also has its own registered domain.

Implementation Of CorpPass Replaces SingPass With Effect From 2018

by Mighty Glory Corporate Solutions | 25 Dec 2017 | News, Rules and Regulations

SingPass Update:

Businesses can still login to access statutory e-services with SingPass before 31 August 2018. On 1 September 2018, only users with a CorpPass account can access.

Original

Since 25 March 2017, all local businesses can use a new corporate digital identity (CorpPass) to access the Government-to-Business (G2B) digital services in Singapore.

With the increased digitalisation of businesses and platforms, a high volume of business transactions is being conducted through digital platforms with SingPass. However, there are security concerns over the sharing of SingPass login details with other individuals for transactions with statutory boards, such as ACRA, IRAS and CPF Board.

CorpPass allows for the conflation of such e-services – as a single corporate digital identity, it enhances the convenience and ease of management for businesses. For businesses that carry out transactions with multiple government agencies, CorpPass will remove the need for multiple login identities. Businesses can also allocate CorpPass’s various administrative roles to employees, allowing them to have a greater level of control and management.

Businesses have to obtain their CorpPass via online application. The use of SingPass will cease on 31 December 2017. From 1 January 2018 onwards, business entities can only transact with ACRA with the CorpPass accounts registered.

Do you have other related questions about CorpPass? Get in touch with Mighty Glory today, let’s discuss your business needs.

How Does The Increased Water Prices Affect Singapore’s Various Industries?

by Mighty Glory Corporate Solutions | 9 Mar 2017 | Case Studies, News

At the 2017 Singapore Budget, it was announced that water prices were to increase for the first time in 17 years by up to 30 percent. Although the government made a clear attempt to reassure the media that “the increase is estimated to be less than $25 per month for three-quarters of businesses”, it is clear that a price hike would have a big impact for industries that are extremely water-intensive

For Singapore, two industries that would most likely be affected the most is our wafer manufacturing and petrochemical industries. For example, Systems on Silicon Manufacturing Co. Pte. Ltd. (SSMC)’s manufacturing processes require a daily water usage equivalent to 6,500 4-room flats, and up to 130,000 cubic metres of consistently good quality water per month. Given that Singapore is currently the choice location for the world’s top wafer foundries and a key manufacturing location for electronics, it is important to know that the water price hike would have a direct impact on the costs of these businesses; and in turn severely affect Singapore’s global competitiveness in these industries.

The impact of the water price hike on non-domestic users (businesses)

Potable Water Prices

The key revisions to the water prices are:

A 30% increase in water price, phased over 2 years, starting from 1 Jul 2017.
Restructuring of the Sanitary Appliance Fee and the Waterborne Fee into a single, volume-based fee.

NEW Water Prices

Key revisions to the NEWater prices are:

From July 2017, there will be an increase in NEWater tariff and a 10% Water Conservation Tax imposed on NEWater.
The increase in Waterborne Fee will be phased over two years, in July 2017 and in July 2018.

Industrial Water Prices

Key revisions to the Industrial Water prices are:

The Industrial Water Tariff will be raised in one step from July 2017.
The Waterborne Fee increase will be phased over two years, in July 2017 and in July 2018.

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