The government of Singapore is bolstering its coffers in preparation for an anticipated increase in social expenditure in the years to come in the increasingly aging city-state of Singapore. As a result, Singaporean families are preparing for a sales tax increase that will go into effect in the new year.
In the second step of a two-stage rate rise, the goods and services tax, charged on everything from groceries to diamond rings, will be hiked by one percentage point to 9% on Monday. This increase is the second part of the rate hike. The previous sales tax rate of 7%, which had been steady for the previous 15 years, was increased to 8% this year to reflect the new rate.
The increases come on top of the already growing costs of living, which has prompted politicians working against the government to demand a pause in the increase. Even though core inflation in Singapore has slowed to 3.2% in November from a peak of 5.5% in January and February, the central bank continues to anticipate that it will average between 2.5 and 3.5% in 2024.
The Singaporean government has stated that the tax increase is essential to strengthening the state’s finances as it prepares for an increase in the number of older adults in the country and growing healthcare expenditures. By 2030, it is anticipated that almost one-quarter of the population will be 65 or older.
Lawrence Wong, the Deputy Prime Minister, said in a legislative response in August that “delaying the GST increase will only store up more problems for the future, leaving us with less resources to take care of our growing fiscal needs.” This statement was made in response to a question from the assembly.
“The government has distributed an insurance package” worth more than S$10 billion ($7.55 billion) to households to provide them with financial relief. This package includes payments ranging from S$200 to S$800 that have been made to all adult Singaporeans this month.
Several shops have committed to not passing on the tax increases for now. The home furnishings giant IKEA has stated that it will absorb the 1% increase, but it has not specified when it will cease the campaign. On the other hand, the grocery chain FairPrice Group has stated that it will include an increase in 500 essential products, like rice and vegetables.
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