Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr. Heng Swee Keat introduced tax
changes in his Budget Statement for the Financial Year 2020.
Income tax in Singapore is calculated on the preceding year. For example, income of a company with a financial year ending on 30 June 2019, will be taxed in the Year of Assessment (YA) 2020.
The following is an overview of Singapore’s recent tax changes proposed in Budget 2020:
1. YA 2020 Corporate Income Tax Rate and Rebate
Singapore’s Corporate Income Tax Rate (CIT) of 17% remains unchanged as it is viewed as competitive next to Hong Kong’s 16.5%. Hong Kong has an effective tax rate of 8.25% on its 1st HKD 2 million (S$366,000) profits with Singapore scoring a close 9.2%.
A 25% CIT Rebate capped at $15,000 is granted for the YA 2020. A company having a chargeable income (CI) of S$455,441 and a partial income tax exemption on its first 200,000 of CI will reap a maximum of CIT Rebate of S$15,000.
* After partial tax exemption of S$102,500 on the 1st S$200,000 of CI and tax rebate.
2. Carry-Back Relief Scheme
For YA 2020, the Carry-Back Relief (CBR) Scheme has been enhanced to allow for qualifying deductions to be carried back up to the preceding 3 YAs (Up from the usual 1 YA). In other words, qualifying deductions may be carried back for YA 2017 to YA 2019 and capped at $100,000, subject to terms and conditions.
An election can be made on the enhanced or current CBR scheme for YA 2020 current year CA/losses. When one elects the enhanced CBR scheme, the order of set off is strictly against YA 2017 profits, followed by YA 2018 then YA 2019. Compared to YA 2017’s high CIT rebate of 50% versus the YA 2019’s 20%, it may be worthwhile to simply carry back to YA 2019 profits instead of YA 2017, depending on the CI for each YA.
Unless your CI is above S$446,618 in YA 2017, a S$100,000 carry back of YA 2020 QD to YA 2017 will not yield the maximum SS17,000 in tax refund.
3. Merger & Acquisition Scheme
The Merger & Acquisition (M&A) scheme, a strategy for growth and internationalisation), has been proposed to be extended to cover qualifying acquisitions (QA) made on or before 31 December 2025.
The M&A scheme provides the following benefits:
Since 2012, conditions requiring the ultimate holding company of an acquiring company to be incorporated and a tax resident of Singapore (i.e. SG UHS condition) have been waived on a case-by-case basis.
The M&A scheme is extended to QA made on or before 31 December 2025, with the following changes:
The proposed extension echoes the Government’s sentiment to encourage and propel local small and medium enterprises (SME) to grow overseas. The removal of SD relief should not impact local companies looking to grow via overseas acquisitions. This resonates with the Government’s move towards encouraging internationalisation of local SMEs. For SMEs acquiring local companies, the stamp duty will be 0.2% the purchase price or open market value of the share transfer, whichever is higher.
The SG UHC condition that will no longer be waived will limit this scheme to benefit local companies, in line with the Government’s intent.
4. S13Z Safe Harbour Rules: Non-Taxation of Gains on Disposal of Shares
Singapore does not have a capital gains tax. Nevertheless, gain on sale of shares may be considered revenue in nature and brought to tax unless IRAS is satisfied that the gain is capital in nature. To ascertain if the gain is revenue or capital in nature, IRAS normally looks to the ‘badges of trade’ test such as motive of the seller, length of period of ownership of the shares disposed, frequency of similar transactions, reasons for the disposal and means of financing the acquisition of the shares.
Section 13Z tax exemption scheme was introduced in Budget 2012 to lend certainty to non-taxation on gains from disposal of ordinary shares by companies, if the divesting company:
The investee companies can be incorporated in Singapore or elsewhere, listed or non-listed.
The scheme, which was due to lapse after 31 May 2022, does not apply to:
A proposal has been made for the scheme to be extended to disposals made on or before 31 December 2027.
The investee companies can be incorporated in Singapore or elsewhere, listed or non-listed.
However, with effect from 1 June 2022, the scheme will not apply to the disposal of unlisted shares in an investee company that is in the business of trading, holding or developing immovable properties located in Singapore or abroad. All other conditions and exclusions remain unchanged.
While it is understandable that Singapore real properties are not in the equation, it is not clear why overseas immovable properties are excluded moving forward. Real estate holding companies with foreign properties may already be subject to overseas taxes, not to mention Singapore income taxes now as well, unless the badges of trade tests are satisfied, and the gain is seen as capital.
Insurance companies will continue to face uncertainty over the tax treatment of share disposals unless the disposal is seen as being made on capital assets.
5. Double Tax Deduction for Internationalisation Scheme
Under the current Double Tax Deduction for Internationalisation Scheme (DTDi) scheme, businesses are given a 200% tax deduction on qualifying expenses (e.g. airfare, accommodation, meals of up to 2 employees per trip) incurred for market expansion and investment development activities capped at S$150,000 each YA on the following activities:
The DTDi scheme which was to have lapsed on 31 March 2020 has been enhanced and is now extended to 31 December 2025.
The expanded scope (i.e. new eligible expenses) takes effect for expenses incurred on or after 1 April 2020. Businesses will need to apply to Enterprise Singapore directly for these enhancements.
Overseas Business Development (New activity)
This is aimed at helping companies overcome challenges in the early stages of internationalisation.
Overseas Market Development Trips/Missions (Expanded scope)
