Undertaker to pay $529k penalty over tax-related offences

Roland Tay Hai Choon, known as an undertaker who arranges free funerals for murder victims and the poor, was fined and penalised on Sept 5 for making incorrect tax returns.

- Andrew Wong

The 77-year-old had under-declared his income from his businesses for three years, resulting in a total of $250,312.49 in income tax being undercharged. He had also failed to register his businesses for goods and services tax (GST) when required, resulting in $286,963 of unaccounted tax.

On Sept 5, Tay, who had been charged in 2022 and out on $80,000 bail since, pleaded guilty to three counts of making incorrect tax returns and one charge of failing to register for GST.

District Judge John Ng then meted out a $3,000 fine for each of the four charges, to be paid by Tay on the same day, failing which he would have to serve a threemonth jail term.

The undertaker must also pay the taxman a total penalty of $529,321.28. This is the mandatory penalty for his four offences.