Tourists fined S$3,000 for cheating on GST
By Mustafa Shafawi | Posted: 14 July 2011 1128 hrs
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SINGAPORE: Two tourists were each fined S$3,000 for cheating on the Tourist Refund Scheme.
The Indian nationals did so by conspiring to retain 11 pieces of "Goods and Services Tax (GST) refunded" jewellery in Singapore.
The jewellery involved was worth more than S$18,000, with GST exceeding S$1,000.
If they can't pay the fine, they would have to spend three weeks' in jail.
Investigations are ongoing for a Singaporean man involved in the scam.
The Tourist Refund Scheme is for tourists to claim a refund of the GST paid on the goods that are brought out of Singapore.
Tourists must personally hand-carry the purchased items for inspection, get the refund claim form endorsed by Singapore Customs officers and then bring the goods out of Singapore.
Other persons receiving or in possession of such goods after the refund claim form has been endorsed by Singapore Customs would be committing an offence under the GST Act.
- CNA/cc
