Singaporean man found guilty of evading GST, to serve 43 months in jail for failing to pay SGD 3.6 million fine

A Singaporean man will serve a 43-month jail time period after he defaulted on SGD 3.6 million fine, which was slapped on him for evading obligation and Goods and Services Tax (GST) on 983 imported motor automobiles.

As per a joint statement by Singapore Customs and (*43*) Transport Authority, Tan Lye Khim, the accused, imported the automobiles between November 2018 and October 2020.

The 47-year-old man has been recognized as the only proprietor of Smartcar Auto. He was fined by the State Courts on 2 January 2024.

The launch acknowledged that Tan pleaded guilty to two costs below the Customs Act for fraudulent evasion of obligation amounting to about SGD 769,207 for the imports of 974 motor automobiles.

“Another two costs of fraudulent evasion of GST amounting to about $323,067 involving the identical motor automobiles, and two costs of fraudulent evasion of obligation and GST for the imports of 9 automobiles, with a complete evaded quantity of about $6,092, had been considered throughout sentencing,” the joint assertion learn.

The accused additionally pleaded guilty to one cost of giving incorrect info below part 11(9) of the Road Traffic Act in relation to the worth of 746 motor automobiles.

“Two extra costs for giving incorrect info below part 11(9) of the Road Traffic Act in relation to the values of 228 motor automobiles and 9 motor automobiles respectively had been considered throughout sentencing. The incorrect info resulted in a shortfall of $5,190,893 of ARF,” the discharge acknowledged.

Several others below investigation

An investigation revealed that in 2016, Tan got here in contact with two Singaporean males, aged 43 and 48. The duo requested him to arrange Smartcar to import automobiles. Fort this Tan acquired SGD 5,000 a month, in addition to an annual lump sum fee starting from SGD 100,000 to SGD 225,000 for his function.

“Smartcar is a entrance firm for the 2 males, with one of them managing Smartcar’s day by day operations. Tan was conscious that Smartcar was arrange to import motor automobiles with suppressed values to evade obligation and GST,” it acknowledged.

“A 31-year-old feminine Singapore Permanent Resident was employed to help in putting orders and liaising with abroad suppliers, making funds to suppliers, getting ready and submitting motorized vehicle values imported by means of Smartcar to Singapore Customs for evaluation,” the assertion added.

Legal proceedings towards the 43-year-old and 31-year-old are ongoing. Investigations are additionally ongoing for the 48-year-old man.