GST Guide For Property Developer (2nd Edition)

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GST: Guide for Property Developer

IRAS e-Tax Guide

GST: Guide for Property Developer

(Second Edition)

GST: Guide for Property Developer

Published by

Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore

Published on 1 Jan 2018

First edition on 6 Feb 2015

Disclaimers: IRAS shall not be responsible or held accountable in any way for any damage, loss or

expense whatsoever, arising directly or indirectly from any inaccuracy or incompleteness in the

Contents of this e-Tax Guide, or errors or omissions in the transmission of the Contents. IRAS shall not

be responsible or held accountable in any way for any decision made or action taken by you or any

third party in reliance upon the Contents in this e-Tax Guide. This information aims to provide a better

general understanding of taxpayers’ tax obligations and is not intended to comprehensively address

all possible tax issues that may arise. While every effort has been made to ensure that this information

is consistent with existing law and practice, should there be any changes, IRAS reserves the right to

vary its position accordingly.

means, including photocopying and recording without the written permission of the copyright holder,

application for which should be addressed to the publisher. Such written permission must also be

obtained before any part of this publication is stored in a retrieval system of any nature.

GST: Guide for Property Developer 
 
 
Table of Contents Page 
 
Aim ........................................................................................................... 1 
At a glance ............................................................................................... 1 
Glossary ................................................................................................... 2 
Basic GST Concepts on property transactions .................................... 4 
Liability to register for GST .................................................................... 6 
Supplies made in the course of property development ....................... 7 
Input tax claims relating to property development ............................ 10 
Input tax claims relating to construction of mixed development ...... 11 
De-registration for GST ......................................................................... 15 
Contact Information .............................................................................. 16 
Updates and Amendments ................................................................... 17 
Annex A – Illustration of the application of DC formula ........................... 18 
Annex B –Illustration of the application of Longer Period Adjustment .. 20 
 
  

GST: Guide for Property Developer

1 Aim

1.1 This guide explains the GST treatment on the supplies made in relation to

the sale of properties by you as a developer and the claiming of GST on the

construction of properties.

1.2 For the GST treatment on the lease of properties, please refer to our e-Tax

guide on "GST: Guide for Property Owners and Property Holding

Companies".

2 At a glance

2.1 The sale of a non-residential property is subject to GST while that of a

residential property is exempt from GST. If you are registered for GST, you

have to charge GST on the sale of non-residential properties and account for

the GST as output tax in your GST returns. Where the sale relates to a

property approved for mixed-use (i.e. residential and non-residential use),

GST is chargeable on that part of the property that is approved for non-

residential use while the part of the property that is approved for residential

use is exempt from GST.

2.2 You may claim the GST incurred on the construction of non-residential

properties. Input tax incurred on the construction of residential properties is

not claimable. Where input tax is incurred on the construction of a mixed

development comprising both non-residential and residential properties, you

can claim only the portion of input tax relating to the construction of the non-

residential properties.

GST: Guide for Property Developer

3 Glossary

3.1 Completed properties

For the purpose of this guide, completed properties refer to properties that

have obtained the Temporary Occupation Permit (“TOP”).

3.2 Developer

The developer refers to the person who owns the land on which the property

is constructed.

3.3 GST

GST is a tax on the supply of goods or services made in Singapore by a

taxable person in the course or furtherance of any business carried on by

him and on the importation of goods into Singapore.

3.4 Input tax

Input tax refers to the GST paid/payable on:-

(i) supplies of goods and/or services; and

(ii) importation of any goods into Singapore

where the goods or services are used or to be used by a taxable person for

the purpose of his business.

3.5 Invoice

Invoice includes any document that serves as a bill for payment for supplies

made by a GST-registered supplier. An example would be a debit note.

3.6 Output tax

Output tax refers to the GST charged on taxable supplies of goods and/or

services made in Singapore.

3.7 Properties under development

For the purpose of this guide, properties under development refer to

properties that have not obtained the Temporary Occupation Permit (“TOP”).

3.8 Tax invoice

Tax invoice refers to an invoice that is required under section 41 of the GST

Act. For more information on tax invoice, please refer to our e-Tax guide on

“GST: General Guide for Businesses”.

3.9 Time of supply

Time of supply will determine when a taxable person is required to charge

and account for GST on the supply of goods and/or services made.

GST: Guide for Property Developer

3.10 Temporary Occupation Permit (“TOP”)

When the building works are completed, the applicant and the Qualified

Person shall apply to the Commissioner of Building Control for a Certificate

of Statutory Completion (“CSC”) or a Temporary Occupation Permit (“TOP”).

The building can only be occupied when a CSC or TOP is granted.

GST: Guide for Property Developer

4 Basic GST Concepts on property transactions

4.1 All transactions involving the sale and lease of non-residential properties are

subject to GST. If you are registered for GST, you have to charge GST on

the sale and lease of such properties and account for the GST as output tax

in your GST returns.

4.2 For the sale of a completed non-residential property, you would normally

receive an option fee, followed by a deposit when the option is exercised.

You will have to account for GST on both the option fee and the deposit at

the earlier of when payment is received or when an invoice is issued. When

the property is transferred to the buyer, you have to account for GST on the

remaining sum at the earliest of the following events:

(i) when payment is received;

(ii) when an invoice is issued;

(iii) when the title of the property is transferred upon legal completion; or

(iv) when the property is made available to the buyer for occupation.

4.3 The issuance of any type of invoice will be an event that triggers the time of

supply. This includes a tax invoice as well as any document that serves as a

bill for payment for supplies made by a GST-registered supplier. An example

of such a document would be a debit note.

4.4 In general, documents such as sales order, pro-forma invoice, statement of

accounts and letter/statement of claims are not considered as invoices for

GST time of supply purposes. This is because these documents are often

not billing for payments and would therefore not be treated as invoices based

on normal commercial practices.

4.5 For more details, please refer to the e-Tax Guide on “GST: Time of Supply

Rules”.

4.6 For the sale of a property under development, you would normally collect

progressive payments from time to time according to the schedule of

payments specified in the agreement. The property is usually made available

to the buyer for occupation after the issuance of Temporary Occupation

Permit (“TOP”). You have to account for GST on each progressive payment

at the earlier of the following events:

(i) when payment is received for each progressive payment; or

(ii) when an invoice is issued for each progressive payment.

4.7 Once the property is made available or transferred to the buyer, you have to

account for GST on the remaining sale proceeds (regardless of whether the

remaining sum for the property has been received in full) at the earliest of

events (i) to (iv) in paragraph 4.2.

GST: Guide for Property Developer

4.8 On the other hand, if you are selling or leasing residential properties, you

cannot charge nor collect GST on the sale or lease because they are exempt

from GST. If you are registered for GST, you have to report this supply as an

exempt supply in your GST return.

4.9 For GST purposes, a residential property refers to:

(a) a vacant land which is zoned “Residential” in the Master Plan under

the Planning Act (Cap. 232) and the land is approved for residential

or condominium development; or

(b) a vacant land or land with existing building (which is required by the

Government or such relevant public authority

to be demolished)

which is supplied by the Government or such relevant public authority

and approved exclusively for residential or condominium development;

a building which is used or to be used principally for residential

purposes, but not if the land or part is one supplied by the Government

or such relevant public authority and is not approved exclusively for

residential or condominium development and the building on the land

or part is required to be demolished

4.10 All other types of properties that do not fall within the definition of residential

properties above are non-residential properties.

4.11 If your transaction involves land with a building or structure on it, whether this

property is a residential or non-residential property depends on the approved

use

of the building or structure during the relevant period in which the supply

occurs. The zoning of land is disregarded in this instance. If the building or

structure is not used or to be used principally for residential purposes, you

should charge GST on the sale of this property.

4.12 More information on the types of residential and non-residential properties

can be found in our e-Tax guide on "GST: Guide for Property Owners and

Property Holding Companies".

4.13 If you are registered for GST, you can claim GST incurred on the purchase

of land and development of non-residential properties as your input tax if the

properties are:-

(a) used for the conduct of your business;

(b) let out for the purpose of business; or

Relevant authority refers to any public authority as approved by the Minister or such other person

as the Minister may appoint.

As shown in the ‘Written Permission”, “Temporary Permission” or “Provisional Permission” issued

by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (“URA”) or letters issued by the Housing & Development

Board (“HDB”), Singapore Land Authority (“SLA”) or Jurong Town Corporation (“JTC”).

GST: Guide for Property Developer

lease.

4.14 Your business must be making wholly taxable supplies upon which you

charge and account for GST. The input tax claimable includes the GST

incurred on the purchase of property, conveyance expenses, construction

and development costs, professional fees, etc.

5 Liability to register for GST

5.1 You have to be registered for GST if your taxable supplies exceed S$1 million

in the past four quarters ending March, June, September or December. If you

are currently making taxable supplies and expect to make taxable supplies

exceeding S$1 million in the next 12 months, you are also required to register.

More information on when to register for GST and when the GST registration

liability arises can be found in our e-Tax guide on "GST: Do I need to

5.2 The sale and lease of a residential property is an exempt supply. If you are

not registered for GST and are selling or leasing a residential property, you

do not need to register even if the price exceeds $1 million.

5.3 The sale and lease of a non-residential property is a taxable supply. If you

are not registered for GST and are developing a non-residential or a mixed

(residential and non-residential) development for sale or lease, you will need

to monitor your liability for registration.

5.4 Generally, when you enter into a contract to sell a non-residential property

which is your business asset, you will expect to make a taxable supply of the

property within the next 12 months. Hence, if the property’s sale price and

the value of any other taxable supplies derived from other business activities

that you will be conducting in the next 12-month period are expected to

exceed $1 million, you have to register for GST. You have to come forward

to apply for registration within 30 days from the date you confirm the supplies

will be made.

5.5 The provision of estate management and maintenance services is a taxable

supply regardless of whether the properties are residential. Therefore, if you

are involved in managing the maintenance fund and in the running of the

completed development as required under the Building Maintenance and

Strata Management Act before a management corporation is formed, you

have to register for GST if the value of the maintenance or service charges

and sinking funds that you expect to collect exceed $1 million per year. The

maintenance fund account is not a legal entity and hence, it cannot be

considered separately for GST registration purposes.

GST: Guide for Property Developer

6 Supplies made in the course of property development

6.1 Do I have to charge GST on reimbursements of expenses?

6.1.1 Sometimes you may claim reimbursements from your main contractor for

clerk-of-works' overtime, loan of workers, use of utilities on site, etc. As these

are supplies made by you to your main contractor, you have to charge and

account for GST on these reimbursements.

6.2 Do I have to charge GST on “counter-supplies”?

6.2.1 To enjoy the advantage of bulk purchase, you may buy some materials such

as cement and steel and supply them to your main contractor for use on the

project. The supply made by you to your main contractor is commonly

referred to as a “counter-supply”. For GST purpose, you cannot deduct the

value of these materials from the amount of progressive payments due to

your main contractor. These supplies are made by you to your contractor.

They are separate from the construction work that your main contractor

supplies to you under the contract. Hence, you have to issue tax invoices on

these supplies and charge your contractor GST on these supplies

accordingly.

6.3 Do I have to charge GST on rectification of defects?

6.3.1 When the purchasers take possession of the properties after the issuance of

TOP, there may be defects in the new units that need rectification. Under the

contract, the main contractor is required to carry out such rectification works

during the defect liability period. However, if the main contractor does not

perform the rectification works, you may engage another contractor to do the

job and subsequently deduct such costs from any payment due to the main

contractor. At times, the purchaser may engage his own contractor to do the

rectification and claim compensation for the costs or deduct the amount from

any payment due to you. You in turn deduct such amount from any payment

due to the main contractor. In either situation, you are making a supply of

rectification works to the main contractor. You have to charge and account

for GST on the amount you have claimed or deducted from the main

contractor.

GST: Guide for Property Developer

Example 1

A main-contractor, MC1 Pte Ltd, was engaged by a GST-registered developer, D1

Pte Ltd, to construct a two-storey residential property at Hillview. Under the

agreement, MC1 Pte Ltd was required to rectify any defects in the property during

the defect liability period.

D1 Pte Ltd subsequently sold the property to a purchaser, P1 Pte Ltd.

Upon the issuance of TOP, P1 Pte Ltd took over the possession of the property and

notified D1 Pte Ltd of the defective works in the property within one week from the

date of TOP.

Scenario (a)

D1 Pte Ltd hired a GST-registered sub-contractor, SC1 Pte Ltd, to rectify the defects

in the property and deducted the amount charged by SC1 Pte Ltd from the payment

due to MC1 Pte Ltd.

In this case, D1 Pte Ltd is making good the defects that should have been done by

MC1 Pte Ltd. Therefore, D1 Pte Ltd has to charge GST on the payment deducted

from MC1 Pte Ltd, which is the consideration for the supply of rectification works.

Supply of

construction services

Supply of property

Onward supply the

rectification works to

MC1

Supply of rectification works to D1

MC1 Pte Ltd

(Main

contractor)

D1 Pte Ltd

(Developer)

P1 Pte Ltd

(Purchaser)

SC1 Pte Ltd

(Sub-contractor)

GST: Guide for Property Developer

Scenario (b)

P1 Pte Ltd hired a GST-registered sub-contractor, SC1 Pte Ltd to rectify the defects

in the property and deducted the amount charged by SC1 Pte Ltd from the balance

payment due to D1 Pte Ltd. D1 Pte Ltd in turn deducted the amount from the balance

payment due to MC1 Pte Ltd.

In this case, P1 Pte Ltd is making good the defects that should have been done by

D1 Pte Ltd. Therefore, P1 Pte Ltd has to charge GST on the amount deducted from

the payment due to D1 Pte Ltd, which is the consideration for the supply of

rectification works.

Similarly, D1 Pte Ltd is making good the defects that should have been done by

MC1 Pte Ltd. Therefore, D1 Pte Ltd will have to charge GST on the amount

deducted from the payment due to MC1 Pte Ltd, which is the consideration for the

supply of rectification works.

Scenario (c)

P1 Pte Ltd claimed compensation from D1 Pte Ltd for the defective works in the

property.

As there is no actual work done by P1 Pte Ltd to receive the compensation, P1 Pte

Ltd does not have to charge GST on the compensation received from D1 Pte Ltd.

6.4 Do I have to charge GST on maintenance funds?

6.4.1 Before the formation of the management corporation (“MC”), you may collect

maintenance charges from the purchasers of the units that have been sold

(“sold units”) and put them into the maintenance funds. The maintenance

Supply of

construction services

Supply of property

Compensation sum $X

MC1 Pte Ltd

(Main contractor)

D1 Pte Ltd

(Developer)

P1 Pte Ltd

(Purchaser)

Supply of

construction services

Supply of property

Onward supply the

rectification works to

MC1

Supply of rectification works to P1

MC1 Pte Ltd

(Main

contractor)

D1 Pte Ltd

(Developer)

P1 Pte Ltd

(Purchaser)

SC1 Pte Ltd

(Sub-contractor)

Onward supply the

rectification works to

GST: Guide for Property Developer

charges in respect of the units that have not been sold (“unsold units”) will

be borne by you as a developer. As a GST-registered developer, you have

to charge and account for GST on the maintenance charges payable by the

purchasers of the sold units as well as that payable by yourself in respect of

the unsold units.

6.4.2 After the formation of the MC, you will transfer the balance money in the

maintenance funds to the MC. This transfer of balance money in the

maintenance funds to the MC will not attract GST since GST has already

been accounted for by you.

7 Input tax claims relating to property development

7.1 Can I claim input tax on maintenance charges and marketing fees incurred

on the unsold non-residential units?

7.1.1 You may claim the GST incurred on the maintenance charges payable

to the maintenance funds for the unsold units if it is directly attributable

to taxable supplies made or to be made and if all the other conditions

for claiming input tax are satisfied.

7.1.2 Similarly, if you have incurred GST on the fees charged by property

agents for marketing the sale or lease of unsold non-residential units,

you may claim the GST incurred if it is directly attributable to taxable

supplies made or to be made and if all the other conditions for claiming

input tax are satisfied.

7.2 Can I claim input tax on the purchase of land?

7.2.1 Where the land is purchased for non-residential development, you are

allowed to claim the GST incurred on the purchase of the land for the making

of taxable supplies.

7.2.2 If the land is purchased for residential development, you are not allowed to

claim the GST as it is incurred for the making of exempt supplies. However,

an exceptional relief is granted for you to claim the GST incurred on land

purchased for residential development under regulation 41(1) of the GST

(General) Regulations.

7.2.3 For more details, please refer to our e-Tax guide on "GST Incurred on

Purchase of Land for Residential Development".

7.3 Can I claim input tax if a non-residential building is converted to residential

use?

7.3.1 You may buy a non-residential building and decide to convert it to residential

use. If the building is not demolished, you can claim the GST incurred on only

GST: Guide for Property Developer

the land cost. This relief is provided for under regulation 41(2) of the GST

(General) Regulations.

7.4 Do I have to return the input tax previously allowed to me?

7.4.1 You have previously been allowed input tax on the purchase of a non-

residential building. If you plan to demolish the building for a residential

development because the land has been rezoned as "Residential", you do

not have to repay to the Comptroller the input tax previously allowed to you.

7.4.2 However, if you plan to only convert the existing building to residential use,

you are required to repay to the Comptroller the input tax which you have

previously claimed.

8 Input tax claims relating to construction of mixed development

8.1 How do I claim input tax on purchases incurred in a mixed development?

8.1.1 If you are constructing a mixed development of residential and non-

residential properties, you can only claim the GST incurred attributable to the

non-residential part of the building. You have to segregate your purchases

into the following categories:-

(a) those directly for the construction of the non-residential part of the

development;

(b) those directly for the construction of the residential part of the

development;

development. Such costs are termed as common costs.

The GST incurred in category (a) is claimable in full. The GST incurred in

category (b) cannot be claimed at all. The GST incurred in category (c) is

termed as residual input tax. You can claim only a portion of it based on the

apportionment formulae as shown in paragraph 8.3 below.

8.1.2 However, if your quantity surveyor is able to identify every cost item in the

development and allocate each item to the ultimate supply (i.e. either

residential or non-residential), there will be no common cost. Hence, you do

not have to apply the apportionment formulae for residual input tax.

8.2 What are the common costs incurred for the residential and non-residential

part of the development?

8.2.1 Examples of common development cost items are site clearance, temporary

site offices, driveway and piling for a mixed-use building, as well as

professional fees payable to the architect and quantity surveyor. Common

overheads for the mixed development include the site office running costs,

costs of show units and marketing costs.

GST: Guide for Property Developer

8.3 How to apportion residual input tax?

8.3.1 During the development stage, all residual input tax shall be apportioned by

the development charge (DC) formula as shown below:

Formula:

GFA3 (Non-residential4) x DC Rate5 (Non-residential)

Residual Input Tax

[GFA (Non-residential) x DC Rate (non-residential)] +

[GFA (Residential) x DC Rate (Residential)]

8.3.2 Where there are more than 2 components in different use groups with

different DC rates in a mixed development, the DC formula has to be modified

to take into account all use groups. Please refer to the working example of

input tax apportionment in Annex A.

8.3.3 After TOP has been issued, if you have any remaining progressive billings

from the main contractor and professionals, you will continue to use the DC

formula to apportion the residual input tax for construction costs.

8.3.4 If you undertake a mixed development jointly with other developers, you may

also apply the DC formula (based on the GFA for the entire development) to

apportion the residual input tax to determine the recoverable residual input

tax.

8.3.5 As for administrative overheads and marketing costs incurred after TOP, the

residual input tax shall be apportioned based on the ratio of taxable supplies

to total supplies (referred to as the “ratio formula”) as shown below. You have

to apply the ratio formula from the accounting period in which TOP is

obtained.

Ratio Formula:

Value of taxable supplies6

Residual input tax

Value of total supplies7

GFA – the current Gross Floor Area approved by the URA.

For common areas, apportionment has to be performed to allocate these common areas into non-

residential and residential portions.

DC Rate – the rate for the time being specified in Part II of the First Schedule to the Planning

(Development Charges) Rules corresponding to the appropriate geographical sector of the building

and the use group as specified in Part I of the First Schedule to the Planning (Development

Charges) Rules within which such purpose falls.

You may add Regulation 33 exempt supplies to the numerator if you are not a Regulation 34 trader

and you satisfy Regulation 35 of the GST (General) Regulations. Please refer to our e-Tax guide

on “GST: Partial Exemption and Input Tax Recovery” for more information on Regulations 33, 34

and 35. For a mixed property developer, the value of your exempt supplies from the sale/lease of

the residential units in each accounting period would most likely exceed the limit under Regulation

35. If so, you cannot claim input tax incurred on your Regulation 33 exempt supplies (if any) and

you cannot add your Regulation 33 exempt supplies (if any) to the numerator of the ratio formula.

Total supplies = Standard-rated supplies + Zero-rated supplies + Exempt supplies. You may deduct

from the denominator the value of exempt supplies approved by the Comptroller as incidental

exempt supplies.

GST: Guide for Property Developer

8.3.6 The residual input tax recovery rate computed using either the DC formula

or ratio formula must be rounded off to the nearest whole number.

8.3.7 In situations where there will be more than one TOP issued for the

development, you can apply the ratio formula to apportion the residual input

tax after you have obtained all the TOPs for the development.

8.4 Which GFA shall I use?

8.4.1 You should adopt the latest gross floor area ("GFA") approved by Urban

Redevelopment Authority to compute the portion of residual input tax

claimable. However, as a concession, if there are subsequent changes in the

GFA, you do not have to make retrospective adjustments for input tax claims

already made.

8.4.2 If you receive a new written permission (“WP”) during your prescribed

accounting period, the GFA to be used for that period will be based on the

approved GFA in the new WP.

8.4.3 If there is more than one building in a development, you can aggregate the

GFA of all the buildings to compute the portion of residual input tax claimable.

8.4.4 If you undertake more than one development at the same time, you will have

to attribute the residual input tax incurred. If the residual input tax can be

attributed to a single development, you will have to apply the GFA of that

development to compute the portion of recoverable residual input tax. If the

residual input tax cannot be attributed to a specific development and is

incurred for the purpose of the business, you can aggregate the GFA of all

your developments to compute the recoverable residual input tax.

8.5 How do I claim the input tax on construction costs relating to the carparks?

8.5.1 If the GFA submitted to URA does not include the carpark areas, you can

apportion the construction costs of carparks by the number of carpark lots.

8.5.2 You can claim the portion of input tax incurred on the number of carpark lots

reserved for the office and shop tenants, but not those specifically reserved

for residents.

8.5.3 As for the unreserved carpark lots, you should treat the cost as common

costs and claim a portion of the cost based on the DC formula.

8.5.4 The following example illustrates how you can claim input tax relating to the

construction of basement carparks.

GST: Guide for Property Developer

Example 2

A GST-registered developer, D2 Pte Ltd has incurred GST on the construction of

carparks in respect of a mixed development comprising office, retail outlets and

residences.

Based on the development plan, 40 carpark lots are reserved for the office tenants

and the remaining 60 lots at Basement 1 are to be used by shoppers, office/retail

tenants, residents and visitors of the residents.

100 carpark lots at Basement 2 are reserved for the residents. When determining

the amount of input tax to be claimed in respect of the non-residential

development, apportionment should be performed using the number of carpark

lots. As the 60 lots at Basement 1 are unreserved carpark lots, D2 Pte Ltd should

treat the costs to construct Basement 1 as common and claim a portion of the input

tax on the construction costs based on the DC formula.

Basement 1 40 lots reserved for office tenants

60 lots for shoppers / office & retail tenants / residents / visitors to

residents

Basement 2 100 lots reserved for residents

Construction costs relating to the 2 basement carparks

(e.g. excavation, concrete works, waterproofing, sawn formwork)

$1.6 million

Total number of carpark lots on basements 1 and 2

200

Input Tax directly attributable to

the making of taxable supplies

(Office tenants)

$1.6 million

7% GST

200

$22,400

Residual Input Tax

$1.6 million

7% GST

200

$33,600 (to be apportioned using DC formula)

8.6 Can I defer residual input tax claims until when I make taxable supplies?

8.6.1 If you do not make any taxable supply in any prescribed accounting period

after TOP has been granted, you can claim input tax incurred in relation to

the non-residential properties only. You cannot claim any portion of residual

input tax incurred on common administrative overheads and marketing costs

because there is no taxable supply made and the recovery rate derived from

the ratio formula is zero. You cannot defer the claims to the next accounting

period.

GST: Guide for Property Developer

8.7 Do I need to make a longer period adjustment?

8.7.1 Before TOP is granted, you will apply the DC formula to apportion all the

residual input tax. If the DC rate or GFA changes, as a concession, you do

not have to perform longer period adjustment to re-compute the input tax

claimable.

8.7.2 However, after TOP has been granted, you will apply the ratio formula to

apportion the residual input tax incurred on common administrative

overheads and marketing costs. As your supplies fluctuate from quarter to

quarter, the residual input tax recovery rate varies. Hence, you are required

to make a longer period adjustment on the residual input tax after the end of

every longer period to make adjustments to the input tax provisionally

allowed (please refer to paragraph 8.8 for the definition of longer period).

8.7.3 You will use the ratio formula to re-compute the residual input tax claimable

for each longer period. The difference in the amount claimable for the longer

period and the amount previously claimed during the longer period (whether

an over-claim or under-claim) should be adjusted in the first GST return

immediately after the longer period.

8.7.4 Please refer to Annex B for an illustration of a longer period adjustment.

8.8 How to determine longer period?

8.8.1 For the purpose of adjusting the residual input tax relating to a mixed

development, the first longer period shall be taken to commence from the

accounting period in which TOP was obtained to the end of your tax year. All

subsequent longer periods shall correspond to your tax years. Your tax year

commences from 1 Apr, 1 May or 1 Jun, depending on the prescribed

accounting period allocated to the company.

For example:

Your Prescribed Accounting Periods:

Your Tax Year covers:

Jan-Mar, Apr-Jun, Jul-Sep & Oct-Dec

1 Apr to 31 Mar of subsequent year

Feb-Apr, May-Jul, Aug-Oct & Nov-Jan

1 May to 30 Apr of subsequent year

Mar-May, Jun-Aug, Sep-Nov & Dec-Feb

1 Jun to 31 May of subsequent year

9 De-registration for GST

9.1 If you have a non-residential property on which input tax has been allowed

and claimed on its purchase, you have to deem a supply on this property

when you de-register from GST. You have to account for output tax at the

prevailing GST rate based on the open market value of the property. The

deemed supply must be accounted in your final GST return, GST F8.

GST: Guide for Property Developer

10 Contact Information

For enquiries on this e-Tax guide, please contact:

Goods & Services Tax Division

Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore

55 Newton Road

Singapore 307987

Tel: 1800 356 8633

Fax: (+65) 6351 3553

Email: gst@iras.gov.sg

GST: Guide for Property Developer

11 Updates and Amendments

Date of

amendment

Amendments made

1 Jan 2018

 Amended paragraphs 4.2, 4.3 and 4.6 to reflect

the amendments to the time of supply rules with

effect from 1 Jan 2011.

 Amended paragraphs 4.9 and 7.4.1 on the

definition of residential properties.

 Inserted paragraph 7.1 on eligibility of input tax

claims incurred on maintenance charges and

marketing fees.

 Updated examples in Annexes A and B.

 Editorial amendments.

GST: Guide for Property Developer

Annex A – Illustration of the application of DC formula

ABC Development Pte Ltd

is developing a mixed-use building consisting of both

residential and non-residential units. The details of the development are as follows:

(a) Proposed Development: Erection of a 10-storey building comprising hotel,

shops, offices and residential units

(b) Master Plan: Land Zoning - Commercial and Residential

DC Sector - 113

Period

(w.e.f.)

Non-residential DC Rate

Residential DC Rate10

Shops and offices

(Use Group A)

Hotel

(Use Group C)

Residential units

(Use Group B2)

1 Mar 2016

7560

4060

3570

1 Sep 2016

7560

4060

3920

(d) Approved Gross Floor Area: Non-residential (hotel) = 4500m2

Non-residential (shops, offices) = 5500m2

Residential = 8500m2

Total = 18500m2

(e) Input Tax Incurred on Construction Costs:

Quarter ended

Input Tax Attributable to

Residual

Input Tax

($)

Taxable Supply

($)

Exempt Supply

($)

31 Mar 2016

600,000

400,000

50,000

30 Sep 2016

800,000

500,000

15,000

Calculation of the Recovery Rate

for Residual Input Tax

(Application of DC Formula per paragraph 8.3.1)

(i) For prescribed accounting periods from 1 Jan 2016 to 30 Jun 2016

(4500 X 4060) + (5500 X 7560)

X 100%

(4500 X 4060) + (5500 X 7560) + (8500 X 3570)

= 66% (rounded off to nearest whole number)

Assume that ABC Development Pte Ltd’s GST filing cycle begins on 1 Jan, 1 Apr, 1 Jul and 1 Oct.

DC rates are updated every 1 Mar and 1 Sep of the year. The DC table that is operative at the end

of each prescribed accounting period must be used.

Assume it is a non-landed residential building. Thus, the DC rate for use group B2 is used.

The computed residual input tax recovery rate must be rounded off to the nearest whole number

as provided for under regulation 29(4) of the GST (General) Regulations.

GST: Guide for Property Developer

(ii) For prescribed accounting periods from 1 Jul 2016 to 31 Dec 2016

(4500 X 4060) + (5500 X 7560)

X 100%

(4500 X 4060) + (5500 X 7560) + (8500 X 3920)

= 64% (rounded off to nearest whole number)

Based on the above, ABC Development Pte Ltd is allowed to claim 66% of the residual

input tax incurred in the periods from 1 Jan 2016 to 30 Jun 2016 and 64% of the residual

input tax incurred in the periods from 1 Jul 2016 to 31 Dec 2016.

Calculation of Total Input Tax Recoverable

(i) For prescribed accounting period from 1 Jan 2016 to 31 Mar 2016

Residual Input Tax Recoverable

66% X $50,000

$33,000

Total Input Tax Recoverable

$600,000 + $33,000

$633,000

(ii) For prescribed accounting period from 1 Jul 2016 to 30 Sep 2016

Residual Input Tax Recoverable

64% X $15,000

$9,600

Total Input Tax Recoverable

$800,000 + $9,600

$809,600

GST: Guide for Property Developer

Annex B –Illustration of the application of Longer Period Adjustment

ABC Development Pte Ltd

has developed a mixed-use building consisting of both

residential and non-residential units and obtained TOP for the building on 15 Aug

2016. The company only makes taxable supplies from the sales of the commercial

units and its exempt supplies relate only to the sales of the residential units. The tax

year of ABC Development Pte Ltd is 1 Apr 2016 to 31 Mar 2017. The first longer

period after TOP is 1 Jul 2016 to 31 Mar 2017.

Supplies made in the Tax Year

Period ending

30 Jun 2016

30 Sep 2016

31 Dec 2016

31 Mar 2017

Total

(For Longer Period)

Standard-rated supplies

$ 250,000

$ 400,000

$ 550,000

$ 950,000

Zero-rated supplies

Exempt supplies

$ 650,000

$ 800,000

$ 750,000

$2,200,000

Total Supplies

$ 250,000

$ 650,000

$1,200,000

$1,300,000

$3,150,000

Residual Input Tax

Period ending

30 Jun 2016

30 Sep 2016

31 Dec 2016

31 Mar 2017

Total

(For Longer Period)

(A) Construction Costs

(i) Before apportionment

$20,000

$15,000

$25,000

$40,000

Residual Input Tax Recovery Rate

computed based on DC Formula

under regulation 29(2)(d)(ii) 13

66%

64%

66%

(ii) Residual Input Tax claimable

(After apportionment)

$13,200

$9,60014

$16,500

$26,100

(B) Non-Construction Costs

(i) Before apportionment

$5,000

$3,500

$7,000

$4,500

$15,000

Residual Input Tax Recovery Rate

computed based on Ratio Formula

under regulation 29(2)(d)(i) 15

N.A. *

33%

42%

30%

(ii) Residual Input Tax

provisionally allowed

(After apportionment)

$3,300 *

016

$2,310

$1,890

$ 4,200

Total Residual Input Tax

provisionally claimed

in GST returns: (Aii) + (Bii)

$16,500

$9,600

$2,310

$18,390

$30,300

Assume that ABC Development Pte Ltd’s GST filing cycle begins on 1 Jan, 1 Apr, 1 Jul and 1 Oct.

Refer to Annex A for computation of recovery rates for periods ending 30 Jun 2016, 30 Sep 2016

and 31 Dec 2016.

Allowable Residual Input Tax on construction costs after TOP continues to be apportioned using

the DC formula.

Application of Ratio Formula per paragraph 8.3.5 whereby the recovery rate is calculated using:

(standard-rated supplies + zero-rated supplies) / total supplies.

Allowable Residual Input Tax on non-construction costs have to be apportioned using the ratio

formula for the period in which TOP is obtained, and for subsequent periods.

TOP 15 Aug 2016

First longer period after TOP

GST: Guide for Property Developer

* Before obtaining TOP, all residual input tax (including those incurred on general

overheads) must be apportioned using the DC formula, provided that there are no other

types of supplies in addition to the construction of the mixed development. Hence, the

residual input tax claimable in the period ending 30 Jun 2016 is $3,300 (being $5,000 X

66%).

Application of Longer Period Adjustment on Non-Construction Costs

(1)

Taxable Supplies

$ 950,000

= 30% (rounded off to nearest whole number)

Total Supplies

$3,150,000

(2)

Allowable Residual Input Tax

on Non-Construction Costs

= 30% x ($3,500 + $7,000 + $4,500) = $4,500

(3)

Additional input tax to be claimed in

the GST return immediately

following the end of the longer period

i.e. in the period ending 30 Jun 2017

$4,500 – ($2,310 + $1,890)

$300 (Under-claimed)

GST Guide For Property Developer (2nd Edition)

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