3 More Days To Sign Up Using Hard Copy Forms To Receive GST Credits On 1 July 2007

To receive their GST Credits on 1 July 2007, Singaporeans who wish to sign up using hard copy forms must send the completed forms to the CPF Board by 15 June 2007. Copies of the GST/1 forms can be obtained at any CC, CDC, SingPost office or CPF Service Centre.

2. Those who miss this deadline can still sign up through the GST Offset Package website at www.gstoffset.gov.sg or any DBS/POSB/UOB/OCBC ATMs by 25 June 2007 to receive their GST Credits on 1 July 2007. Thereafter, Singaporeans have up to 31 December 2007 to sign up to receive the 2007 payment of the GST Credits. The payment will be made to their accounts within 4 working days for applications done via the website or ATM, or 10 working days for applications through hard copy forms. Those requesting for cheque payment will receive their cheque within 15 working days.

3. Grassroots officials have been making house visits to assist low-income and elderly residents to sign up for their GST Credits and Senior Citizens' Bonus (if applicable). Those who need assistance to sign up may also approach officers at any of the 27 CitizenConnect Centres at Community Centres/Clubs and government offices who will assist them to sign up through the internet. A list of CitizenConnect Centres is attached at Annex A.

4. As of 11 June 2007, 86% or over 2 million of the 2.3 million adult Singaporeans who qualify for the GST Credits have already signed up. This includes about 570,000 of the 671,000 Singaporeans aged 55 and above who will also receive their Senior Citizens' Bonus together with their GST Credits on 1 July 2007. Of those who have signed up, about 48% did so via the internet, 45% via the ATMs, and 7% using hard copy forms.

5. For more information on the GST Offset Package, the public can visit www.gstoffset.gov.sg or call the CPF Board at 1800-2222-888.

MINISTRY OF FINANCE