Notification of Goods and Services Tax (GST) Rate Change

In Budget 2022, the Minister for Finance announced that the GST rate will be increased from:

• 7% to 8%, with effect from 1 Jan 2023; and
• 8% to 9%, with effect from 1 Jan 2024. 

Following this, we wish to inform you that Chubb Insurance Singapore Limited will be charging Goods and Services Tax (GST) as per the guidance below.

The GST rate chargeable will be the prevailing rate at the time of supply. The time of supply will be the earlier of:

• when an invoice in respect of the supply is issued; or 
• when a payment in respect of the supply is received under Sections 11, 11A, 11B and 11C of the GST Act. 

IRAS has provided an e-tax guide that explains the general transitional rules applicable to transactions spanning the rate change. In summary: 

Transitional rules apply to supplies that span the rate change date which may affect the GST rate chargeable. A supply spans a GST rate change when one or more of the following events take place wholly or partially on or after 1 Jan 2024:

(i) the issuance of invoice;

(ii) the receipt of payment; and/or

(iii) performance of services (in the context of insurance business, this is interpreted as policy period of insurance.)

For supplies spanning the rate change date, the transitional rules will apply to determine the GST rate chargeable on the supply as per summary below:

If full payment is received or the supply is fully performed before 1 Jan 2024, the supply is subject to 8% GST. In all other circumstances, part or full value of the supply will have to be adjusted to 9% GST. A credit note will be issued for the initial invoice charged at 8% and a new tax invoice will be issued for applicable revised GST rate based on the transition rules from IRAS. 

You may refer to Appendix 1 for illustrative examples.

You may refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page for answers to some of the most common questions pertaining to the GST rate change.

Should you need further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact your Chubb representative.