Image of shopping in Orchard Road courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board.
From August 19 onward, tourists who want to claim a tax refund on their Singapore shopping can do so with far less sweat and trouble. The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has just upgraded the previous paper-only system with a quicker, more automated system: the Electronic Tourist Refund Scheme (eTRS). As per the official site:
eTRS, which connects multiple Central Refund Agencies and retailers on a single platform, enhances the tourists' experience by offering tourists a consistent refund claim process and hassle-free shopping experience in Singapore. Tourists no longer need to fill up different refund forms issued by the retailers at each retail shop. The current eligibility conditions for tourist refund shall still apply under the eTRS.
To show just how simple the process is, check out the IRAS' idiot-proof how-to guide on Youtube.
More on the eTRS and the old refund scheme in our article: Tax-Free Shopping in Singapore. Don't miss our other articles on shopping in Singapore: Money in Singapore, a Gallery of Shopping Centers in Singapore, and a run-down of the Great Singapore Sale.
(Thanks to the Australian Business Traveler for the heads-up.)