Nearly 2.1 million S'poreans to receive GST Voucher

SINGAPORE: Close to 2.1 million adult Singaporeans will receive letters from the government from Monday to inform them of the amount that they will receive this year under the GST Voucher (GSTV) scheme.

The Finance Ministry says the GSTV is a permanent scheme introduced in Budget 2012 to help lower- and middle-income households offset their GST expenses.

About S$440 million in GST Voucher -- Cash and Medisave -- will be given out on 1 August.

Most Singaporeans will not have to take any action to receive their GST Voucher.

However, a small number of eligible Singaporeans who have not signed up for a previous government payout, such as the 2011 Growth Dividend or 2007-2010 GST Credits, will have to sign up by 18 July to receive their payout on 1 August.

They can do so via the following channels:
(a) Online: www.gstvoucher.gov.sg (sign up by 18 July); or
(b) Physical sign-up form: Available at any community centre, Community Development Council or CPF Service Centre (sign up by 16 July).

Those who sign up after 18 July will receive their payout after 1 August. They have up to 31 December 2012 to sign up for their 2012 GSTV payout.

In addition, about S$180 million in GSTV - U-Save will be credited to the utilities accounts of 800,000 HDB households in July.

This will be the first payment of a half-yearly U-Save payout under the GSTV scheme.

The GSTV - U-Save will be paid out in January and July each year. There is no need to sign up for the GSTV - U-Save.