Choosing a scholarship is like choosing a long-term partner. IRAS provides a nurturing and fun environment to work in where attention is devoted to our development. Where the workplace is like family and the people are caring, IRAS is a great place to be at. With exposure to the local and international tax arena, we are shaped to be tax experts and well-rounded individuals who contribute to the economic well-being of the nation.

Raine Lai Sian Ying, Manager (Corporate Tax – Small Corporations Branch)
B. Business Administration, NUS
Started work in 2007

I was particularly impressed by the way the IRAS embraced us into its community. As soon as they awarded us the scholarship, we were invited to the scholars' gathering where we were introduced to our mentors and buddies. It felt like they were warmly welcoming us into their big family. We are also constantly invited to functions like the IRAS Family Day and Dinner & Dance. I certainly am looking forward to interning at IRAS during my semester breaks to get to know my future colleagues better, and to have a feel of what it will be like to work at IRAS.

Chee Yen Yen Michelle
Final year student at NUS studying Law

Working in IRAS is like joining a huge family. You will feel assured, knowing that as you give your best in your area of work, IRAS will also be doing its utmost in taking care of your personal development and well-being. The office culture is all about working hard and playing hard.

Taking up an IRAS scholarship also means that you'll get many opportunities to hone your analytical, communication and management skills. You will be expected to learn fast, manage your time and work with colleagues of various levels to deliver quality work. Simply put, you will be groomed and challenged into realising your maximum potential.

At the end of the day, you'll get immense job satisfaction, knowing that what you do in IRAS plays an important part in nation building, and that you have made a difference in the lives of all citizens.

Yap Mia Kai, Manager (Infocomm Systems Architecture & Assurance Branch)
B. Computer Science, Cornell University
Started work in 2004

Being conferred the IRAS undergraduate scholarship is not just about an all expense paid for opportunity to study in NTU.

More importantly, it is the first step towards the career path I wish to embark on and follow through in the field of taxation. Taxation issues have always intrigued me and the scholars’ sharing sessions allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of IRAS prior to the commencement of my work.

During my first semester in NTU, I have met many wonderful peers from various walks of life. They spurred me on when I was facing a myriad of challenges and not forgetting, burnt the midnight oil together in dormitory.

Indeed, the IRAS scholarship was my choice- for the privilege to be part of the sincere team to contribute in shaping Our Taxes, Our Nation.

Au Huiyan, Tax Officer (Individual Income Tax – Self Employed Branch)
B. Accountancy, NTU
Started work in 2011

The IRAS scholarship was my gateway to the world. Besides the international exposure as a student living in London, I was able to explore parts of Europe by managing my finances and taking on internships with companies in London during school holidays. In a way, living far from my family and the cultural exposure in Europe helped me grow as I had to make decisions independently and work or interact with people from different cultures.

Like most scholarships, the IRAS scholarship comes with a bond. I have been back for a number of years and am currently in my third job posting and enjoying it. IRAS monitors the aptitudes and progress of its scholars very closely in order to help them find their niche. I have been very fortunately to have found mine within my third posting in IRAS, all thanks to the foresight of senior management.

As a "newbie" in the field of Corporate Taxation and Transfer Pricing, the learning curve is steep and I find the work challenging. Besides helpful colleagues who never fail to explain the more complex tax concepts, IRAS develops the professional aspect of me through courses taught by the best experts in the field of taxation and transfer pricing.

Kenny Yap Kai Sheng, Tax Specialist (Accredited) (Corporate Tax-Large Corporations Branch)
B. Econometrics, London School of Economics
Started work in 2005

It seems like eons ago when I was surfing various online scholarship applications.  A stint as a temporary staff in IRAS after A levels gave me a glimpse into its working environment. What “sealed the deal” was its friendly working environment. Everyone’s so generous with sharing their knowledge that taking on new responsibilities is a breeze (well, almost).
Since all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, and we, at the tax authority are no dull people, we strive for work life balance and infuse fun into work! Other than activities like yoga classes, inter department games, there are also opportunities to engage in community work.

In IRAS, colleagues are not just colleagues. As one of the songs composed for our musical (to commemorate 60 years of tax administration) goes, “Going to bed on Sunday, I can’t wait for Monday. To be with my friends at work is my job’s greatest perk.” Don’t take my word for it. You can experience it yourself.

Benjamin Franklin had said “The only things certain in life are death and taxes.”  This might sound like a taxpayer’s lament but I am sure you would agree with me that taxes are necessary to fund a society’s public goods. You too can play a part in contributing to nation building.

Ng Lin Yu Jocelyn,  On secondment at Ministry of Finance
B. Accountancy, NTU
Started work in 2005

As a junior college student, I developed a strong interest and passion in the study of economics. The IRAS undergraduate scholarship has given me the wonderful opportunity of pursuing this passion in an institution of academic rigor and intellectual freedom—University of California, Berkeley. I am excited to say that my time here only served to reinforce my decision of taking up the IRAS scholarship. Besides the academic opportunities that the scholarship has presented me with, I was also given the chance to gain exposure to work in IRAS and the field of taxation. A month-long attachment stint at IRAS this year introduced me to IRAS’s friendly work culture, emphasis on personal empowerment and its ability to reconcile work-life balance and strong work ethics among its employees.  I look forward to embarking on an exciting career in IRAS!

Xu Dingjiao, Tax Officer (Goods and Services Tax – General Branch)
B. Economics, University of California (Berkeley)
M. Statistics, Harvard University
Started work in 2011

A scholarship opens up many doors of opportunities and it is up to you to take the leap and walk through them. I feel that one of the good differentiating points of the IRAS scholarship is that HR and senior management are very supportive of their scholars and play an active role in encouraging them to explore their interests which may lie outside of school or work. I have just recently completed an exchange programme to France where I studied interesting modules like European history, cross cultural management and also brushed up my conversational French. It was immensely enriching and the whole experience of living and studying in a non-English speaking country helped to further strengthen my independent life skills and communication skills, especially during my backpacking days in Italy.

This people-oriented strategy at IRAS is definitely an attraction point for me and as an IRAS scholar, you can also look forward to fun events such as the IRAS Dinner & Dance, IRAS family day and annual scholars’ gathering while you are still pursuing your undergraduate studies to stay connected. I personally find that the IRAS scholarship is like the beginning of a long-term relationship - selecting a partner whom I believe will challenge me to develop to my best as a professional and well-rounded person.

If you believe in contributing to nation-building and economic development is part of what makes work meaningful everyday, the IRAS scholarship can be your beginning too.

Li Danwei
Final year student at NTU reading double degree in Accountancy and Business

I thank IRAS for offering the IRAS Scholarship to me as it has given me an exceptional opportunity to study abroad in one of the top universities in the world. Not only am I able to pursue my interest in Economics while receiving a world-class education, the overseas experience has also allowed me to grow personally. Personal growth comes in the form of learning to be independent as well as in experiencing the world. As UCL has a large number of international students, I am constantly being exposed to different cultures and different people. I also get to explore different parts of UK and even Europe.  These experiences have truly opened my eyes to the world.

I have recently completed my 6-week long attachment in IRAS during my summer holiday. Through this, I learnt a lot about the working culture and the career path as a scholar in the organization. IRAS is special because of the heavy emphasis placed on work-life balance and the wide variety of activities outside work that you can be involved in. I thoroughly enjoyed my attachment in IRAS as colleagues around me were all friendly and helpful. IRAS also takes great care of their scholars as each scholar is assigned a buddy and a mentor, creating a channel through which you can seek advice and form closer bonds with senior management.  Scholars are also given many opportunities to excel and display their leadership qualities. Last but not least, multiple job postings throughout your bond allow you to find your field of interest in taxation. I look forward to starting my career in IRAS.

Viola Wong
Postgraduate student at Yale University studying International and Development Economics