GST refunds made easier

SINGAPORE - Tourists can look forward to a hassle-free refund experience here from mid next year.

The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) is partnering Global Blue to develop a new electronic tourist refund system that will remove the need for form filling by tourists at the point of purchase. It will also make it easy for tourists to claim Goods and Services Tax (GST) refunds at Changi Airport.

The Iras views the paper-based tourist refund system as burdensome and inconvenient for both tourists and retailers at the point of purchase because of the need to fill refund claim forms.

At the airport, tourists have to queue at different counters, which include Singapore Customs counters and refund counters operated by the central refund agencies, to make their refund claims.

The new electronic Tourist Refund Scheme, when fully implemented, will be a major improvement over the current paper-based system.

Tourists can enjoy a consistent experience when they buy from different retailers and expect a faster clearance process at the airport checkpoints.

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