http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/story/0,4136,173516,00.html?
PAY TAX
Foreign getai acts told
By Maureen Koh
August 18, 2008
Swan song? Some foreign getai acts like M'sia's Li Bao-en might not return next year if the takings aren't good. PICTURES: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS
EARLIER, the taxman went after hawkers who were rolling in dough on the quiet.
Now the taxman is casting its net to catch getai performers who are singing their way to the bank during the ongoing Hungry Ghosts season on the Chinese calendar.
And among those to be reeled in first are foreign entertainers who are cashing in on the getai fervour here.
At a dialogue hosted by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (Iras) on Tuesday, eight getai organisers were told to withhold 15 per cent of foreign performers' gross takings for the tax that they are liable to pay.
This tax is applicable to all foreign income earners who do not reside here.
A spokesman for Iras confirmed that getai organisers are required to withhold the tax from the artistes' payment and to remit it to the Iras by the following month.
The New Paper on Sunday understands the move is prompted by the earning power of some foreign performers, who can easily get up to $1,000 a night, or $30,000, in just 30 days here.
Those affected are already singing the blues. The tax on their income may not make it worth their while to sing at getai shows here, they said.
Taiwanese artiste Liao Lei, a regular performer, said: 'Some of us are doing this only part-time, so our takings can be irregular.
'What if we're paid only $100 for just one show? We would end up with nothing much after the 15 per cent cut.'
He felt that the taxman should consider a threshold for fees liable to tax - for example, make only earnings of more than $1,000 taxable.
A female singer from Malaysia, who did not want to be named, said: 'It doesn't make sense to have us pump up the heat on the scene here and to bear taxes.'
In recent years, getai organisers have opted for entertainers from Malaysia, Taiwan and China to win more business and attract the crowd.
Veteran organiser Roy Tan, 49, said: 'New faces add a fresh touch to the shows.
'And foreign talent sometimes provides more variety, such as when they sing in different languages.'
It also helped that the artistes were more amenable to lowering their fees - sometimes by as much as 20 per cent.
Local getai singers usually charge $100 to $600 for a 20-minute set of three to four songs.
Mr Aaron Tan, 32, who runs Lex(S) Entertainment Productions, said: 'I feel it's fair to tax foreign acts on their takings.
'After all, they come here for the sole purpose of raking in the cash.'
Mr Tan Chew Lee, from Cheong Xing Roadshow, was relieved that organisers were not saddled with the responsibility of paying the tax for the performers.
Low margins
The 59-year-old getai veteran said: 'The profit margin for running a show is already very low.
'It's only right that the foreign performers pay their own tax, rather than take more out from us.'
Among those that he regularly engages are Li Bao-en from Malaysia and Liao Lei.
Malaysian singer Fang Fang said: 'Of course we're not expecting the organisers to take on that responsibility.
'But some of us have other expenses to consider too, such as the costs of hiring a driver, accommodation and even costumes.'
She added: 'It's too early for me to tell, but if the sums don't add up in the end, it's unlikely that I'll want to return next year.'
But some other performers said they did not have an issue with the new rule.
Taiwanese artiste Hao Hao said: 'As they say, to each country, its own rules. I had to pay tax on my fee for a performance in Japan too.'
Singer Yuan Jin from China noted: 'If you want to perform here and earn some money, then just abide by the law.
'There's no point in kicking up a fuss. If you're not happy, then don't come here.'
PAY TAX
Foreign getai acts told
By Maureen Koh
August 18, 2008
Swan song? Some foreign getai acts like M'sia's Li Bao-en might not return next year if the takings aren't good. PICTURES: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS
EARLIER, the taxman went after hawkers who were rolling in dough on the quiet.
Now the taxman is casting its net to catch getai performers who are singing their way to the bank during the ongoing Hungry Ghosts season on the Chinese calendar.
And among those to be reeled in first are foreign entertainers who are cashing in on the getai fervour here.
At a dialogue hosted by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (Iras) on Tuesday, eight getai organisers were told to withhold 15 per cent of foreign performers' gross takings for the tax that they are liable to pay.
This tax is applicable to all foreign income earners who do not reside here.
A spokesman for Iras confirmed that getai organisers are required to withhold the tax from the artistes' payment and to remit it to the Iras by the following month.
The New Paper on Sunday understands the move is prompted by the earning power of some foreign performers, who can easily get up to $1,000 a night, or $30,000, in just 30 days here.
Those affected are already singing the blues. The tax on their income may not make it worth their while to sing at getai shows here, they said.
Taiwanese artiste Liao Lei, a regular performer, said: 'Some of us are doing this only part-time, so our takings can be irregular.
'What if we're paid only $100 for just one show? We would end up with nothing much after the 15 per cent cut.'
He felt that the taxman should consider a threshold for fees liable to tax - for example, make only earnings of more than $1,000 taxable.
A female singer from Malaysia, who did not want to be named, said: 'It doesn't make sense to have us pump up the heat on the scene here and to bear taxes.'
In recent years, getai organisers have opted for entertainers from Malaysia, Taiwan and China to win more business and attract the crowd.
Veteran organiser Roy Tan, 49, said: 'New faces add a fresh touch to the shows.
'And foreign talent sometimes provides more variety, such as when they sing in different languages.'
It also helped that the artistes were more amenable to lowering their fees - sometimes by as much as 20 per cent.
Local getai singers usually charge $100 to $600 for a 20-minute set of three to four songs.
Mr Aaron Tan, 32, who runs Lex(S) Entertainment Productions, said: 'I feel it's fair to tax foreign acts on their takings.
'After all, they come here for the sole purpose of raking in the cash.'
Mr Tan Chew Lee, from Cheong Xing Roadshow, was relieved that organisers were not saddled with the responsibility of paying the tax for the performers.
Low margins
The 59-year-old getai veteran said: 'The profit margin for running a show is already very low.
'It's only right that the foreign performers pay their own tax, rather than take more out from us.'
Among those that he regularly engages are Li Bao-en from Malaysia and Liao Lei.
Malaysian singer Fang Fang said: 'Of course we're not expecting the organisers to take on that responsibility.
'But some of us have other expenses to consider too, such as the costs of hiring a driver, accommodation and even costumes.'
She added: 'It's too early for me to tell, but if the sums don't add up in the end, it's unlikely that I'll want to return next year.'
But some other performers said they did not have an issue with the new rule.
Taiwanese artiste Hao Hao said: 'As they say, to each country, its own rules. I had to pay tax on my fee for a performance in Japan too.'
Singer Yuan Jin from China noted: 'If you want to perform here and earn some money, then just abide by the law.
'There's no point in kicking up a fuss. If you're not happy, then don't come here.'
