SINGAPORE – A Singapore Airlines (SIA) pilot has been sentenced to six months in prison after pleading guilty to four counts under the Income Tax Act.
In a press release on April 21, the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) said 51-year-old Andrew Soo Cheng Ai would also have to pay penalties totaling S$181,996.
Soo failed to declare rental income from two properties in Balestier Road and Kim Yam Road. He failed to declare rental income from these properties amounting to S$89,715 – resulting in tax avoidance of S$15,354.
The investigation revealed that he made false statements in his income tax return on Form B1 for the assessment year 2014 with the intention of evading taxes.
In addition, during the audit, Soo gave false answers to IRAS’s request for details of his rental properties. Had his false statements been accepted by IRAS, this would have resulted in tax avoidance of S$35,310.
The pilot also created and submitted several fictitious invoices and documents to IRAS to support his inflated expense claims for his rental properties for 2013 and 2014. “Following investigations by IRAS, it was found that these invoices and documents were fictitious and, if accepted by IRAS, would have resulted in tax avoidance of $7,500,” IRAS said.
“IRAS takes non-compliance and tax evasion very seriously. Those who intentionally evade taxes will face severe penalties. The agency will not hesitate to bring the offenders to justice. Offenders face penalties of up to four times the amount of tax evaded. Imprisonment may also be imposed,” IRAS warned in the statement.
The agency called on all companies and individuals to fully cooperate during IRAS audits and investigations.
Anyone found guilty of tax evasion by the IRAS will face a penalty of three times the amount of underpaid tax, a fine of not more than S$10,000 and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years.
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