Singapore: Reviews and audits | Research Credit Integrity Alliance

This page explains how IRAS selects and reviews research and development (R&D) and Enterprise Innovation Scheme (EIS) claims. It describes the rules only and makes no recommendation.

Summary

Stage	What IRAS does	Source
Selection	Profiles companies by complexity and risk to revenue, and reviews a small percentage of straightforward returns under compliance programs	IRAS1
R&D review	Evaluates the claim on the R&D Claim Form, asks for more information if needed, and may seek technical advice	R&D e-Tax Guide2
Technical advice	May consult IPOS International and refer cases to its Technical Advisory Panel	R&D e-Tax Guide2
EIS cash payout	Assesses and verifies the claim before paying, and may audit it afterwards	EIS e-Tax Guide3
Upfront certainty	Offers an R&D Assurance Framework for companies with larger R&D programs	IRAS4

How returns are selected

IRAS states that it "adopts a risk-based approach in reviewing" corporate income tax returns. Companies are profiled based on the complexity of their businesses and tax matters, and their risk to revenue.1

Straightforward tax affairs. Returns are generally accepted upfront with little or no adjustment. IRAS reviews "a small percentage" of these companies under its compliance programs, and a selected company can expect an enquiry letter by 30 September of the following year.1
More complex tax affairs. These companies are subject to more in-depth reviews of their yearly returns. Estimated assessments may be raised first, with final assessments issued after review.1

IRAS lists the EIS among the focus areas of its upcoming compliance programs and states that it "will conduct audit reviews of EIS applications", recovering any amounts found during audits to have been incorrectly disbursed.5

How an R&D claim is reviewed

The R&D e-Tax guide sets out the review process:2

IRAS first evaluates the claim on the information in the R&D Claim Form.
Where the information is insufficient, IRAS asks the taxpayer for more information or documents.
IRAS evaluates the claim, seeks technical advice where necessary, and informs the taxpayer of its decision.

Where appropriate, IRAS may consult IPOS International Pte Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, in its review of R&D claims.2

The Technical Advisory Panel

IRAS has set up a Technical Advisory Panel to advise it and enhance its ability to review R&D claims. IRAS publishes the names of the members on its website, and states that all members have given undertakings to keep taxpayers' information confidential.2 Cases are referred to the Panel where appropriate, including when:

the taxpayer specifically asks for a referral; or
IRAS rejects the claim after two rounds of review and the taxpayer wishes to pursue it.2

For a referred case, IRAS submits a summary of the project, the company's views, IRAS's evaluation, the company's supporting documents and the correspondence.4 The Panel may ask for further clarifications and may ask to meet the company. IRAS states that such a meeting "is solely for clarifications on R&D claims and is not an arbitration session".4 With the Panel's technical advice, IRAS makes the final decision on the claim.2

Outcomes reported by IRAS

IRAS has published one set of figures on R&D claim outcomes. It reported that in 2018 about 520 companies claimed enhanced R&D benefits, that small and medium enterprises made up 85 percent of R&D claims, and that, of the SME claims processed, 83 percent were granted full R&D benefits and another 6 percent were adjusted by IRAS on the approved expenditure.4 No more recent figures, and no figures for EIS claims, were found in the IRAS sources reviewed for this page.

The EIS cash payout

The cash payout is paid only after IRAS "has assessed and verified the claims".3 IRAS states that applications are generally processed within three months of receiving the completed application and any supporting documents requested.6 Payment does not prevent a later audit. If IRAS finds on audit that the business did not qualify, it will recover the payout.3

The R&D Assurance Framework

The R&D Assurance Framework gives upfront certainty on R&D claims for up to three Years of Assessment.7 A company may apply if it has:

a good internal evaluation process and supporting documentation;
at least five R&D projects undertaken in-house in Singapore in the year of application; and
qualifying R&D expenditure of at least $500,000 on those projects in that year.7

The company applies at least nine months before the filing deadline. IRAS selects up to five projects, or 20 percent of the total if higher, for detailed review, meets the company, and informs it of the outcome.4 IRAS continues to select sample projects for review in the second and third years, so companies must still keep detailed documentation of all projects.4

IRAS's powers

The Comptroller and authorized officers have full and free access to buildings, places, documents and computers for any purpose of the Income Tax Act 1947, may make copies and extracts, and may take possession of documents in defined circumstances.8 The Comptroller may also require a person who objects to an assessment to provide particulars and produce books and documents, and may summon and examine witnesses.9

Sources

Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, After Filing Form C-S/ Form C-S (Lite)/ Form C (last updated 29 May 2026), section "Tax Assessment Process". https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/corporate-income-tax/form-c-s-form-c-s-(lite)-form-c-filing/after-filing-form-c-s-form-c-s-(lite)-form-c (accessed 11 October 2026). Back
Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, IRAS e-Tax Guide: Research and Development Tax Measures (Eighth Edition, published 30 January 2026), paragraphs 13.1 to 13.6 and footnote 23. https://www.iras.gov.sg/docs/default-source/e-tax/research-and-development-tax-measures-etax-guide_6th-edition.pdf?sfvrsn=1f38a2e8_27 (accessed 11 October 2026). Back
Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, IRAS e-Tax Guide: Enterprise Innovation Scheme (Third Edition, published 31 August 2026), paragraphs 6.9 and 6.10. https://www.iras.gov.sg/docs/default-source/e-tax/etaxguide_cit_enterprise-innovation-scheme.pdf?sfvrsn=3a36afd3_12 (accessed 11 October 2026). Back
Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, Research & Development (R&D) Tax Measures (last updated 13 August 2026), sections "What Qualifies for R&D Tax Deductions", "Review Process", "Technical Advisory Panel" and "R&D Assurance Framework" (including FAQs). https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/corporate-income-tax/income-deductions-for-companies/business-expenses/research-development-(r-d)-tax-measures (accessed 11 October 2026). Back
Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, Getting Companies to Comply (last updated 17 July 2026), section "Upcoming Areas of Focus for Compliance", item 1. https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/corporate-income-tax/corporate-income-tax-compliance/getting-companies-to-comply (accessed 11 October 2026). Back
Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, Enterprise Innovation Scheme (EIS) (last updated 23 September 2026), section "When will I receive the EIS Cash Payout". https://www.iras.gov.sg/schemes/disbursement-schemes/enterprise-innovation-scheme-(eis) (accessed 11 October 2026). Back
Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, IRAS e-Tax Guide: Research and Development Tax Measures (Eighth Edition, published 30 January 2026), paragraphs 14.1 and 14.2. https://www.iras.gov.sg/docs/default-source/e-tax/research-and-development-tax-measures-etax-guide_6th-edition.pdf?sfvrsn=1f38a2e8_27 (accessed 11 October 2026). Back
Attorney-General's Chambers, Income Tax Act 1947 (Singapore Statutes Online, current version), section 65B(1). https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/ITA1947?ProvIds=pr65B- (accessed 11 October 2026). Back
Attorney-General's Chambers, Income Tax Act 1947 (Singapore Statutes Online, current version), section 76(5). https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/ITA1947?ProvIds=pr76- (accessed 11 October 2026). Back