MOF mulls greater powers for property tax investigation

Singapore

AMONG the three amendments the Ministry of Finance (MOF) is looking to make to the Property Tax Act is one that will give the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) more enforcement and investigative powers.

On Thursday, MOF issued a statement saying that it is conducting a public consultation on the draft Property Tax (Amendment) Bill 2017, and is seeking feedback from stakeholders.

One of its proposed amendments seeks to "provide clarity and to enhance the information gathering powers of the Comptroller of Property Tax, the Chief Assessor and the officers authorised by either of them".

The change will allow these tax authorities to require people to attend personally before them to provide information, and to be examined orally for investigation if they appear to be acquainted w…