Undertaker Sentenced to Jail, Fine, and S$340,000 Penalty for Tax Offences
Singaporean undertaker Tee Siew Gim, aged 64, faced the consequences of his actions on Monday, January 6. He was handed a 21-week jail sentence, a staggering S$340,000 penalty, and an additional S$3,000 fine for severe tax offences that shook the funeral industry.
Investigation and Prosecution
Tee, the partner of Hock Hin Undertaker, a long-standing business since 1965, found himself in a web of deceit when the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) began probing the funeral industry back in 2019. The investigation revealed that Tee had significantly underreported his income in tax returns for the years 2018 and 2019, with the intent to evade taxes willfully.
In 2018, Tee declared an income of S$146,673, a far cry from the actual S$374,646, resulting in a tax undercharge of S$43,705.78. The following year, Tee reported S$162,862 while earning S$443,177, leading to a tax undercharge of S$57,924.46.
Collaboration in Tax Evasion
Tee was not alone in his wrongdoings. He was found guilty of aiding individuals like Tan Ah Kiew and Tee Siew Kheng in evading substantial amounts of taxes through manipulative means. His actions were a part of a more extensive network of deceit that affected not only his business but also unsuspecting individuals.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Despite pleading guilty to the charges against him, Tee had to face the repercussions of his actions. His defense lawyer, Tan Jun Yin, pleaded for leniency in his sentencing, citing his efforts to repay the outstanding taxes and requesting the court to allow him to pay the penalty in installments due to financial constraints.
As the court deliberated on his fate, the human aspect of the story unraveled, showcasing the impact of financial mismanagement on both the individual and the community. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of honesty and integrity in financial dealings, especially in industries as sensitive as funeral services. Tee’s journey from a respected undertaker to a convicted tax evader sheds light on the consequences of monetary greed and the price one pays for dishonesty in the eyes of the law.