To achieve parity in GST treatment for all services consumed in Singapore, the Finance Minister announced in Budget 2018 that imported services will be subjected to GST with effect from 1 January 2020 in the following regimes:
- Business-to-business (“B2B”) imported services will be taxed by way of a reverse charge mechanism.
- Business-to-customers (“B2C”) imported digital services will be taxed through the overseas vendor registration model. Overseas suppliers may need to register for GST and account for GST on the supply of imported digital services.
From 1 January 2020, consumers and businesses who buy imported services from suppliers based overseas which have no establishments in Singapore will have to pay goods and services tax (GST). GST will be levied on two types of services: business-to-business (B2B), such as marketing services, accounting services and IT services; and business-to-consumers (B2C), including video and music streaming services, apps and online subscription fees.
This workshop aims to provide participants with an understanding of the following:-
- Reverse Charge mechanism and compliance requirements
- Features of the overseas vendor registration regime
Taxing Imported Services by way of Reverse Charge
- Reverse Charge mechanism
- Persons who would be subjected to reverse charge
- Scope of imported services
- GST treatment / Accounting for GST
- Reporting requirements
Taxing Imported Services by way of an Overseas Vendor Registration Regime
- Business-to-Consumer (B2C) supplies of digital services
- Scope of digital services
- When is an operator of electronic marketplace regarded as the supplier?
- GST treatment / Accounting for GST
- GST registration requirements for overseas suppliers and overseas electronic marketplaces