For businesses operating in Singapore, interacting with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) is a fundamental part of the journey. In the past, this process often involved complex paperwork, manual calculations, and in-person queues. Today, that experience has been completely transformed.
As a core pillar of Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative, IRAS has evolved into a “digital-first” authority. It has strategically leveraged technology, data analytics, and AI to make tax compliance simpler, more seamless, and more efficient for every company, from large enterprises to the newest startups.
This guide explores the key digital services offered by IRAS, how they are reshaping tax compliance, and what this transformation means for your business.
Key Takeaways
- Digital-First by Default: IRAS has shifted from paper-based filing to a fully digital ecosystem. All business tax filings are now done online.
- myTax Portal is the Central Hub: The IRAS myTax Portal is the single, secure gateway for businesses to manage all their tax affairs, from filing returns to making payments.
- Automation Reduces Errors: Digital services like the Auto-Inclusion Scheme (AIS) and pre-filled forms use data from various sources to reduce manual data entry and minimize human error.
- AI and Data Analytics: IRAS uses technology not just for audits, but to provide “nudges” and reminders to help businesses file correctly the first time.
- Seamless Integration: Modern accounting software can now integrate directly with IRAS via APIs, allowing businesses to file tax returns from their own systems.
- Benefits for Business: This digital transformation saves time, improves accuracy, enhances transparency, and frees up valuable resources for businesses to focus on growth.
The Core of the Transformation: The IRAS myTax Portal
The myTax Portal (mytax.iras.gov.sg) is the cornerstone of Singapore’s digital tax system. It’s a 24/7, one-stop platform for all your tax-related needs, accessed securely via your company’s CorpPass (Singpass for Business).
For a business, this portal is your primary touchpoint with IRAS for:
- Filing Corporate Income Tax (Form C-S/C): Submitting your company’s annual tax returns.
- Filing GST Returns (GST F 5): Submitting your quarterly GST reports.
- Making Payments: Paying your tax liabilities instantly using methods like PayNow or bank transfer.
- Viewing Correspondence: Accessing all your digital letters, Notices of Assessment (NOA), and account statements in one place.
- Applying for Schemes: Applying for government-disbursed business grants and schemes, such as the Wage Credit Scheme.
Key Digital Initiatives Simplifying Business Tax Compliance
IRAS’s digital services go far beyond just online forms. They create an interconnected ecosystem that automates and simplifies the process.
1. Auto-Inclusion Scheme (AIS) for Employment Income
Under the AIS, businesses with a certain number of employees are required to submit their employees’ salary information directly to IRAS electronically.
- Business Benefit: This automates a key part of employer obligations. It also simplifies tax season for your employees, as their income information is automatically pre-filled in their personal tax returns, reducing inquiries to your HR department.
2. Pre-filling of Tax Forms
IRAS leverages data from across government agencies to pre-populate sections of your tax returns. For example, data from the CPF Board on salary contributions can be used to pre-fill parts of your corporate tax return. This saves time and significantly reduces the chance of manual entry errors.
3. Seamless Software Integration (ACAP)
IRAS has developed APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) that allow third-party accounting software (like Xero, MYOB, etc.) to connect directly to its systems.
- Business Benefit: If you use compatible software, your accountant can prepare and file your company’s tax returns directly from the accounting platform, without ever having to log in to the myTax Portal. This creates a truly seamless “books-to-filing” workflow.
4. AI-Driven Nudges and Proactive Assistance
IRAS uses AI and data analytics to improve compliance. The system can now identify common mistakes and provide real-time “nudges” or alerts during the e-filing process to prompt you to double-check an entry that seems unusual. This proactive approach helps businesses avoid errors before they submit, rather than facing audits and penalties later.
Did You Know?
IRAS was one of the first tax authorities in the world to introduce a fully digital tax filing system for businesses.
Today, corporate tax filing in Singapore is 100% electronic, with IRAS no longer accepting
paper-based Form C-S/C submissions.
How a Modern Payment Platform Complements IRAS’s Digital Vision
IRAS’s digital transformation simplifies the reporting of your income. A modern payment platform, like Razorpay, simplifies the collection and reconciliation of that income.
When your business uses a unified payment platform, you create a “single source of truth” for all your revenue.
- Automated Data for Filing: At the end of a tax period, instead of manually adding up sales from different bank accounts and payment terminals, you can export one consolidated report.
- Clean Records: This report details all sales from PayNow, cards, and digital wallets, making it easy to calculate your total revenue for Corporate Tax and your total sales (Output Tax) for **GST filing.
- Efficiency: This seamless flow—from a customer payment, to your platform’s dashboard, to your accounting software, and finally to IRAS—is the essence of a fully digital business.
Ready to Streamline Your Business Payments?
Accept payments seamlessly, manage your finances efficiently, and provide a secure checkout experience.
Discover how a modern payment platform can support your growth in Singapore.
Conclusion
IRAS’s digital services have fundamentally transformed tax compliance in Singapore from a manual, paper-based chore into a streamlined, data-driven process. By embracing platforms like the myTax Portal and integrating their own digital tools, businesses can significantly reduce their administrative burden. This digital transformation frees up valuable time and resources, allowing entrepreneurs to focus less on compliance and more on what they do best: growing their business.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Singapore Businesses
What is the myTax Portal?
The myTax Portal is the secure, 24/7 online platform provided by IRAS for all individuals and businesses in Singapore to manage their tax-related matters. All official filing and correspondence are handled through this portal.
What is CorpPass and do I need it?
CorpPass (now part of Singpass for Business) is the single digital identity required for all businesses and other entities to transact with government agencies in Singapore, including IRAS. You must have a CorpPass account, linked to your company’s UEN, to log in to the myTax Portal.
How do IRAS’s digital services help with my GST filing?
GST filing is done entirely through the myTax Portal. IRAS simplifies this by providing a clear, step-by-step online form (GST F 5). For businesses on certain accounting systems, IRAS can also pre-fill some data, making the process faster and more accurate.
What is the Auto-Inclusion Scheme (AIS) for Employment Income?
The AIS is a system where employers submit their employees’ income information to IRAS electronically each year. IRAS then uses this data to automatically pre-fill the employees’ personal tax returns. It is mandatory for businesses with 5 or more employees.
