INCOME TAX EVASION (Figures)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr D. S. Marshall asked the Financial Secretary to give figures of the number of persons who have left the Colony without paying their Income Tax, and the total amount of Income Tax due by them, giving the breakdown for each year since the coming into force of the Income Tax Ordinance.

Mr T. M. Hart: Sir, since the Income Tax Ordinance came into force, 1,827 persons have left Singapore without paying their income tax. The total amounts due from these persons are as follows: Year of Tax unpaid Assessment $ 1948 130,446 1949 262,433 1950 133,286 1951 157,434 1952 121,854 1953 123,419 1954 124,892 1955 44,696 1956 to date 13,547 --------- 1,102,007 ---------

I should also say, Sir, that since the introduction of income tax in the colony, tax amounting to $129 million has been collected from resident individuals.