A long queue formed outside the office of Assurity Trusted Solutions at International Plaza before 8.30am yesterday, April 17, 2017.
This was due to the hundreds of people who had put off registering the second factor authentication (2FA) for Singpass till a day before the deadline for e-filing income tax returns today.
The SingPass system allows Singaporeans to access more than 100 government e-services involving sensitive data, including the filing of taxes. The strengthened security through the 2FA was made mandatory last July. SingPass users were given time to register for it, with reminders from the media, Todayonline reported on April 18.
Singpass is being administered by Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech). In response to queries by Todayonline, GovTech said that the relevant government agencies, including itself, had been “constantly encouraging users to set up their 2FA in advance to avoid possible delays in transactions”.
“Besides the 30-day grace period that was given to users upon their first log-in from July 5, 2016, which (later) ended on Jan 15, 2017, there had also been extensive SMS reminders, print, radio, social media advertisements, as well as outreach via public roadshows.”
An Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore spokesperson said that the deadline for individual income tax e-filing is midnight today. If anyone is not able to receive their 2FA by the deadline, they may call Iras at 1800 356 8300 for help.
Assurity Trusted Solutions has a second office at PSA Building on Alexandra Road, unit 28-04. Those registering for 2FA may also head there to get it done.