The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has revamped its web site (iras.gov.sg) to present information in simpler language and to make it easier for members of the public to access and retrieve tax information.

Launched on 1 March 2008, the new web site is part of IRAS’ efforts to encourage self-help, reduce taxpayer contacts and promote taxpayer education and voluntary compliance.

In developing the new web site, IRAS invited various groups of taxpayers to participate in focus group discussions conducted by external consultants. Before its launch, the agency also tested out the new web site structure with taxpayers and made improvements based on their suggestions.

The new web site makes it easier for members of the public to access and retrieve tax information.

The web site features a search engine for taxpayers to find what they need quickly and easily. Other enhancements include:

• Making it easy for taxpayers to explore information by using drop-down bars to provide additional information on the same page instead of pop-up windows,
  
  
• Helping taxpayers go back to the pages they accessed earlier by capturing their navigation trail at the top of the page,
  
  
• Making the navigation process consistent so taxpayers become familiar with the location of common items such as search bars and quick links on every page, and
  
  
• Using labels that are simple and easy to understand, with information classified from a taxpayer's perspective.

In addition, frequently used resources are grouped under the "Quick Links" section, for the benefit of frequent visitors to the IRAS web site such as tax agents and researchers. An email template has also been provided to guide taxpayers in providing specific information that is required for their queries.