09/02/2022
It's time for February publication! 🙌🏼😄 We'll be referring to a Bloomberg article about the tax details that will be disclosed for the 2022 budget in February.
In his annual New Year’s address, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong signaled possible tax changes in the upcoming budget. He cited that this is to raise funds for social programs and expansion of the nation’s healthcare system as the economy is emerging from Covid-19. 🦠🏥
Due to covid-19, the financial hub predicts a 3% to 5% increase in gross domestic product in 2022, which is slower than in 2021. This is due to the fact that tourism, consumer spending, and construction are not expected to reach pre-Covid levels. Furthermore, in its fight to keep the economy afloat throughout the pandemic, the government has relied "heavily" on past reserves, resulting in a budget deficit for the past two years. With the economy slowly but progressively making a comeback, PM Lee plans to “start moving” on building back its national reserves through accumulating tax revenue from various sources. 💰💰
As a result, the proposed increase in the existing GST rate of 7% is likely to materialise, with the implementation date being brought forward to 2022. Other forms of taxation are also being considered by policymakers. 📈💵
Better-off citizens would contribute more, with everyone else contributing at least a little amount to share the burden. The government has set aside a S$6 billion ($4.4 billion) package to ensure that the GST hike does not affect the majority of Singaporean households, particularly the lower-income families. 😊💪🏻
Mr Lee is "quietly confident" that the country can cope with the impacts of the omicron variant and that the country is "greatly strengthened" compared to two years ago as a result of the increased vaccination campaign, which now includes young children. 💉💉
Interested to know more? 👀👀 Tune in on February 18 2022 for additional information on the next budget and visit here to find out more: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-31/singapore-s-lee-signals-new-tax-details-to-come-in-next-budget