Effective 7 October 2026, IRAS has enhanced its “Due Dates and Requests for Extension” guide for Goods and Services Tax (GST) filing, addressing persistent taxpayer queries on GIRO deduction timelines, extension request criteria, and refund processing. The updated page explicitly states that GST returns (Form GST F5) are due one month after the end of each prescribed accounting period (quarterly or monthly), with payment due by the same deadline. For GIRO payers, deductions occur on the 15th of the month following the due date (or next working day), providing a de facto grace period. Extension requests must be submitted electronically via myTax Portal at least 7 days before the due date and are granted only for valid reasons such as system outages, natural disasters, or documentary evidence delays. Refund timelines are standardized: 7 working days for GIRO refunds and 14 working days for cheque refunds after return processing.
Key Takeaways
- GIRO Deduction Certainty: The 15th-of-following-month deduction rule eliminates confusion; businesses must ensure sufficient funds by 14th to avoid 5% late payment penalty on unpaid tax.
- Extension Criteria Codified: IRAS now publishes specific acceptable grounds: (a) IRAS system unavailability >4 hours on due date, (b) force majeure events gazetted by government, (c) third-party document delays with supporting correspondence.
- Refund Method Impact: Businesses are strongly encouraged to maintain GIRO for refunds; cheque refunds take double the time and risk postal delays, with no interest payable on delayed refunds.
Disclaimer: This article is compiled and summarized by the AI based on publicly available information and is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute any form of formal tax advice, legal opinion, or basis for performance. Please consult a qualified professional tax advisor or legal counsel for tax advice.
Source: Read Official Announcement