Abstract:
A new dimension to the determination and computation of stamp duties payable in corporate transactions has been introduced due to the additional conveyance duties (“ACD”) regime. For companies with significant residential property holdings, liability to pay ACD potentially extends to all transactions involving the issuance, transfer or cancellation of equity interests. This article considers the impact of ACD on several common corporate transactions in Singapore, addressing the risks practitioners may face in being blindsided by potential tax liabilities. Besides highlighting potential pitfalls, this article explores the use of advance rulings and preferring debt financing over equity financing for tax optimisation.