Singapore updates guidance for platform workers, covering record-keeping, filing Form B/B1, pre-filled income from intermediaries, and eligibility for direct assessment or no-filing services.
Singapore’s Inland Revenue Authority has released updated guidance on the tax obligations of platform workers. This includes:
Basic guide for platform workers
The basic guide serves as a checklist for platform workers, including individuals such as taxi drivers, private-hire car drivers, and delivery riders. A critical part of managing these obligations is keeping proper records and accounts; platform workers must retain their accounting records and supporting documents for at least five years.
Filing responsibilities of platform workers
Platform workers are generally responsible for filing Form B or B1 to report their earnings. This process involves understanding the specific tax treatment of platform work income to ensure accurate reporting. Digital services are available to assist with this, including tools to file income tax returns and search for commission-paying organisations.
Pre-filling of income for self-employed persons and platform workers
To simplify the tax process, income information can be automatically transmitted to IRAS. This pre-filling occurs when:
- Intermediaries (such as taxi or private-hire car companies) submit income records for the self-employed individuals they work with.
- Commission-paying organisations use digital services to submit commission records electronically to IRAS.
Keeping proper records and accounts
It should keep proper records and accounts for 5 years so that the income earned and business expenses claimed can be readily determined. You must be able to support your records and accounts with invoices, receipts, vouchers and other supporting documents.
Direct notice of assessment (D-NOA) or No-filing service (NFS)
If you have been officially informed of your eligibility for the Direct Notice of Assessment (D-NOA) or the No-Filing Service (NFS), you are not required to file a tax return for that year. In these cases, IRAS will send your tax bill directly based on the information they already have.
