Tan Ching Yee appointed new chairman of IRAS

THE Ministry of Finance (MOF) has appointed Tan Ching Yee, incoming permanent secretary for finance, as chairman of the board of Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) with effect from May 1, 2016.

Mrs Tan will succeed Peter Ong Boon Kwee, who has served as IRAS's chairman since October 2009. Mr Ong will be taking on a new appointment as permanent secretary of strategy in the Prime Minister's Office, while concurrently retaining his appointment as the head of the Civil Service.

According to an MOF release on Friday, IRAS has reviewed many rules and launched multiple initiatives to make taxpaying effortless and hassle-free under Mr Ong's leadership.

It is stated in the same release that Singapore is now one of the top five tax jurisdictions recognised for its ease of paying taxes, and that Singapore remains the world's easiest place to do business.

Mrs Tan, who has previously held various appointments at the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Education, will also be appointed as permanent secretary for special duties in the Prime Minister's Office.