Preparing Company Tax Computation
What is a Tax Computation?
A tax computation is a financial document used to adjust a company’s accounting profit to arrive at the income that is taxable under Singapore law. These adjustments account for non-deductible expenses, non-taxable income, further deductions, and capital allowances, among other items.
Companies are required to prepare a tax computation annually before submitting their Form C-S, Form C-S (Lite), or Form C to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).
- Form C Filers must submit audited or unaudited financial statements, the tax computation, and supporting schedules.
- Form C-S and Form C-S (Lite) Filers are not required to submit financial statements and tax computations but must have them ready for IRAS upon request.
Types of Tax Adjustments
The taxable income reported may differ from the accounting profit due to differences in tax rules. Some business expenses may not be deductible, and certain income types may be exempt or taxed differently.
Common adjustments include:
- Deducting non-taxable income.
- Deducting investment income (e.g. interest, dividends, rental) that is taxed separately as non-trade income.
- Adding non-deductible (disallowable) expenses.
- Adding direct expenses related to non-trade investment income.
- Deducting Section 14N renovation and refurbishment expenses (if eligible).
- Adding net investment income after deducting directly related expenses.
- Deducting unutilised capital allowances from previous Years of Assessment (YAs), if applicable.
- Deducting current YA capital allowances on fixed assets.
- Deducting unutilised losses or approved donations carried forward from previous YAs.
- Deducting donations made to approved Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs), if applicable.
Even if there are no tax adjustments, companies filing Form C must still prepare a tax computation indicating ‘Nil’ adjustments.
Important Considerations When Preparing a Tax Computation
Change in Financial Year End
If your company changes its financial year end, you must notify the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) through BizFile+.
- If the change falls within the same YA, only one tax computation is required.
- If the change spans two YAs, separate tax computations for each YA must be prepared, allocating profits or losses accordingly.
Filing Deadlines:
- Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI): Due within 3 months from the end of the financial year.
- Form C, C-S, and C-S (Lite): Due by 30 November each year, giving companies at least 11 months to file after closing their accounts.
Singapore Financial Reporting Standard for Small Entities (SFRS for SE) Eligible companies may prepare financial statements using SFRS for SE. In most cases, this has minimal impact on the tax computation, though differences may arise in the treatment of financial instruments, property, plant and equipment, R&D costs, and borrowing costs.
WLP: Your Trusted Partner in Tax Compliance
Accurate and compliant tax computations are essential for sound financial management and regulatory compliance. For professional assistance, consider engaging WLP tax advisor to navigate Singapore’s tax requirements with confidence.