Event Program:

This one-day intensive course provides a crucial deep dive into the distinct legal and practical landscapes of tax planning, avoidance, and evasion in Singapore. Designed to move beyond theory, the program begins by establishing clear, foundational distinctions between these often-conflated concepts. It then progresses to explore practical, legitimate tax mitigation strategies before dedicating significant focus to the evolving legal framework governing tax avoidance, including landmark cases and recent legislative amendments. The session concludes with a sobering analysis of tax evasion, its severe penalties, and real-world case studies. Throughout the day, practical examples and case studies are interwoven to ensure participants can directly relate complex principles to real-life business and client scenarios.

Expanded Event Modules:

Module 1: Demystifying the Terminology

This foundational module establishes the critical legal and practical distinctions between the three core concepts. It will define tax planning (legitimate mitigation), tax avoidance (exploiting loopholes against legislative intent), and tax evasion (illegal concealment), setting the stage for understanding their differing legal consequences and ethical considerations.

Module 2: Legitimate Tax Planning in Action

Moving from theory to practice, this module explores actionable, compliant strategies for tax optimisation. Key areas include income and expense timing, leveraging double tax agreements (DTAs) and international tax structures, executing tax-efficient corporate reorganisations, and understanding the tax implications of overseas business expansion and foreign-sourced income remittance.

Module 3: Navigating the Evolving Anti-Avoidance Landscape

A deep dive into Singapore’s General Anti-Avoidance Rule (GAAR) under Section 33 of the Income Tax Act. This module analyses the provision’s recent amendments, its practical application by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), and guiding principles from key cases. Special focus is given to the post-AQQ legal developments and the pivotal doctrines established in the Wee Teng Yau case, which redefined the “benefit” test and purview of Section 33.

Module 4: The Severe Risks of Tax Evasion

This concluding module outlines the stark legal boundaries of evasion. It details the specific offences and penalties under the Income Tax Act, including hefty fines, imprisonment, and Wilful Penalty regimes. Through analysis of real-life prosecution cases, it highlights the red flags, investigative approaches of IRAS, and the severe professional and personal repercussions for non-compliance.

Key Takeaways:

· Clearly distinguish between legal tax planning, legally contestable tax avoidance, and criminal tax evasion.

· Identify and apply practical, compliant tax mitigation strategies for both domestic and international operations.

· Understand the scope and application of Singapore’s General Anti-Avoidance Rule (Section 33) post-amendment.

· Interpret the landmark Wee Teng Yau and AQQ rulings to assess the tax risks of complex arrangements.

· Recognize the severe financial, criminal, and reputational penalties associated with tax evasion.

Who Should Attend:

· Tax & Accounting Professionals: Tax Directors, Managers, Advisors, and Senior Accountants in practice or industry.

· Financial Leaders: CFOs, Finance Directors, and Controllers responsible for tax strategy and compliance.

· Business Owners & Executives: CEOs, Managing Directors, Partners, and Sole Proprietors making strategic decisions.

· Legal & Compliance Advisors: Lawyers and in-house counsel advising on corporate transactions and regulatory risk.

· Audit & Risk Professionals: Internal and external auditors needing to assess tax-related risks.

This workshop qualifies for 7.0 CPE hours in Other Areas (Category 5)