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Handling Personal Income Tax: What to Do When Receiving Your Tax Return for the First Time?

When to receive the tax return

If you are receiving a tax return for the first time and are unsure of what to do, here's an explanation: The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) usually sends out tax returns to taxpayers on the first working day of May each year. However, if you're a newcomer in the workplace, you might not receive the tax return in May, as your tax profile might not have been set up yet. The IRD generally sends out tax returns within five months after receiving the IR56E form filled by your employer or the salaried tax notice submitted by you.

Ways to submit your tax return

Using a physical form

You should submit the form within one month of receiving it. You need to fill in your assessable income, allowances, and tax deductions on the 'Individual Tax Return (BIR60)'. Although you don't need to submit income and expense proof when filing your taxes, the IRD advises taxpayers to keep relevant documents for six years for auditing purposes. If you wish to object to the assessment result, you need to submit document records as evidence.

Filing taxes online

You can use the 'eTax' platform. Filing taxes online has the advantage of an additional month's extension. The data submitted online is broadly similar to that on the physical tax return form. On the online platform, you can assess your tax amount in real-time, check outstanding tax payments, past tax filings and payments records, and update personal information.

Methods to pay your taxes"

You can pay your taxes through the following methods:

Payment by Phone Service (PPS)
Internet banking
Credit card
Automated Teller Machine (ATM)
Faster Payment System (FPS)
Convenience stores
Mail
In-person tax payment