More power for taxmen to search persons, premises with changes to GST

Singapore

TAX enforcement officers may soon be able to forcibly enter premises, arrest without warrant or conduct body searches of suspects in order to investigate serious tax crimes, according to changes proposed to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act.

These enhanced powers are to counteract syndicates and recalcitrant taxpayers, who are becoming more active and are employing more sophisticated strategies for tax fraud, said the Finance Ministry in a statement on Thursday.