General FAQs

Which are the CEA fees for which GST has been wrongly charged?
The affected CEA fees are:
- Application fee for the grant or renewal of an Estate Agent (EA) licence
- Application fee for the grant or renewal of registration of a Real Estate Salesperson (RES)
What is the Application Fee for EA Licence for?

This fee is payable to CEA for the purpose of processing an Estate Agent (EA) licence application or renewal.
How much is the Application Fee for EA Licence?

The EA Licence Application Fee is $120. This fee was increased from $100 previously to $120 with effect from 1 January 2024.
What was the GST amount per transaction for Application Fee for EA Licence?

The GST amount ranged from $7.00 to $10.80 per transaction (depending on the prevailing GST rate at the time).
What is the Application Fee for RES Registration for?

This fee is payable to CEA for the purpose of processing a Real Estate Salesperson (RES) registration application or renewal.
How much is the Application Fee for RES Registration?

The Application Fee for RES Registration is currently $50.
What was the GST amount per transaction for Application Fee for RES Registration?

The GST amount fee ranged from $3.50 to $4.50 per transaction (depending on the prevailing GST rate at the time).
How long has CEA been collecting GST for the affected fees?

CEA collected GST for the two affected fees for EA licences and RES registrations with validity period from 1 January 2011 to 13 February 2024.
When will CEA reach out to affected taxpayers?

CEA will progressively send notices to current and former EAs as well as current and former RESs from 14 February 2024 to inform them that the GST wrongly charged will be refunded, with interest. These notices describe how the refunds for affected taxpayers will be effected.
When will CEA cease collection of GST for the affected fees?

CEA has stopped charging GST for the two affected fees with effect from 14 February 2024.
What is the refund time period? Will CEA refund the GST amount for fees collected before 1 January 2019?

CEA will refund the wrongly charged GST for fees collected from 1 January 2019 to 13 February 2024. For fees collected prior to 1 January 2019, CEA will make proactive refunds where records are available.
How do I check my eligibility and status for a refund?

You may login to CEA’s e-Services and proceed to the “GST Refund” module, available from end March 2024, to check the details and status of your GST refund. In addition, RESs (current and former) will be able to check whether your EAs (current and former) have submitted the details on who had borne the Application Fee for RES Registration to CEA.

Please allow up to 3 working days for the status of your GST refund to be updated.
If I am eligible for a refund, how long will CEA take to process and issue the refund?

CEA seeks your patience and understanding as we will need time to process and pay the refunds. You may login to CEA’s e-Services and proceed to the 'GST Refund' module that will be available from end March 2024 to check the details and status of your GST refund. In addition, RESs (current and former) will be able to check whether your EAs (current and former) have submitted the details on who had borne the Application Fee for RES Registration to CEA.

Please allow up to 3 working days for the status of your GST refund to be updated.
Will I receive a notification from CEA after the refund has been made?

Once CEA effects the GST refund, CEA will send out a notification to you and you may login to CEA’s e-Services and proceed to the 'GST Refund' module that will be available from end March 2024 to check the details and status of your GST refund. Please allow up to 3 working days for the status of your GST refund to be updated.

Please contact CEA from 1 July 2024 if you believe you are eligible for a refund but have not received it by then.
What is the window period for refund requests?

Taxpayers should approach CEA by 31 December 2024 if they wish to seek a refund for GST wrongly charged, and have not received the GST refund by then.
I missed the window period for refunds. Will CEA consider my request for a refund?

After the refund window of 31 December 2024, you may submit an enquiry via CEA’s website or call us at 1800-643-2555 for assistance.
How is the refund amount calculated?

The refund amount is calculated based on the GST wrongly charged, with interest.
I was refunded when I should not have been/I was refunded the wrong amount/I have questions about the refunded amounts. What should I do?

You may inform CEA by submit an enquiry via CEA’s website or call us at 1800-643-2555.