Singaporeans Should Likely Brace for Tax Hikes

  • Economists in survey predict tax announcement next week
  • Rapid aging pressuring government for bigger revenue boost
Commuters cross a road at night in the central business district of Singapore, on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015. Singapore's third quarter unemployment rates are scheduled to be released on Oct. 29 by the Ministry of Manpower.Photographer: Sam Kang Li/Bloomberg
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It looks increasingly a done deal that Singaporeans should brace for big tax changes in this year’s budget.

All 12 economists in a Bloomberg survey conducted Jan. 22-31 said they expect tax hikes of some kind to be announced when Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat gives his budget speech on Feb. 19. The government has already prepared Singaporeans for the change, arguing it needs higher revenue to pay for healthcare and social services as the population ages rapidly, as well as infrastructure plans.