GST registration & filing

Taxable turnover is usually tested in two ways:

• Retrospective test: taxable turnover for a calendar year, 1 January to 31 December, over S$1,000,000. This is not any rolling past 12 months. Registration is usually required between 1 January and 30 January of the following year.
• Prospective test: if you can reasonably expect taxable turnover in the next 12 months to exceed S$1,000,000, you usually apply within 30 days of that forecast.
• A business that is not required to register can still consider whether voluntary registration suits it.

Cross-border supplies, imported services and some special businesses can follow other rules and should be checked separately. Taxable turnover is not simply every bank receipt or all revenue.

GST registration is the application to become a GST-registered business. GST filing is the later return of the relevant supplies and tax for each prescribed period. Registering does not mean there is nothing left to file.

GST F5 is the regular GST return. It reports the relevant supplies, purchases, output tax and input tax that qualifies for credit. It is not a corporate tax return, and it does not replace the company’s annual filings.

GST filing and payment are usually due one month after the end of the relevant period. The exact cycle is the one IRAS assigns and notifies. GIRO deductions, where they apply, are confirmed separately. A nil return may still be required when there was no business in the period.

Company name and UEN, a description of the business, turnover records, and contracts or orders that support expected transactions. If you are already registered, registration details, filing periods, sales and purchase listings, tax invoices and earlier returns are also useful. What is needed depends on the business. You do not have to upload every sensitive file at the first enquiry.

The scope and fee for GST registration and ongoing filing are confirmed from what you actually need. Ask us first, then decide how to proceed.