Message from Tax Academy Chief Executive Officer

Tax Academy CEO, Mr Dennis Lui, giving the welcome address at Tax Academy's 20th Anniversary Conference

Tax is changing rapidly. What was once seen mainly as a technical compliance function is now closely connected with business strategy, investment decisions, technology, trade, sustainability and geopolitics.

For Singapore to remain a trusted, competitive and forward-looking business hub, we need a strong tax ecosystem. This means having professionals who are technically competent, commercially aware, internationally connected and ready to respond to new developments.

Tax Academy of Singapore was established in 2006 with a clear purpose: to serve as a knowledge hub for tax education and capability building. Today, that mission remains highly relevant. The demands on tax professionals have only grown. Pillar Two, transfer pricing, tax certainty, GST, e-invoicing, digitalisation and artificial intelligence are reshaping the way tax is understood, administered and practised.

Tax Academy’s role is to help the tax community stay credible, current and capable.

We do this through a wide range of structured tax programmes, seminars, conferences, customised training and thought leadership platforms. Our programmes support learners at different stages of their professional journey — from foundational tax knowledge to advanced specialist capabilities. We also bring together expertise from the public sector, private sector, academia and international organisations, creating a community of practice that strengthens Singapore’s tax capabilities.

In 2025, Tax Academy delivered more than 100 programmes to close to 10,000 participants, supported by more than 100 trainers from IRAS, the Big 4 international accounting firms, law firms, industry and academia. This reflects both the breadth of our work and the trust placed in Tax Academy by the tax community.

We are also expanding our reach and relevance. Tax is no longer only for tax professionals. Business leaders, legal professionals, financial advisers, SME owners and public officers all need a stronger understanding of tax issues. Tax Academy will continue to develop practical and targeted programmes for these wider audiences.

Partnerships are central to our next phase. We will continue to work closely with IRAS, professional bodies, universities, industry partners and international institutions to bring high-quality learning and global perspectives to Singapore. Through initiatives such as the Singapore Tax Academy Research Initiative with Singapore Management University Yong Pung How School of Law, we also aim to support research, thought leadership and informed policy conversations.

Technology will be another key enabler. We will continue to strengthen digital learning, hybrid delivery and the thoughtful use of artificial intelligence in tax education. The TA-Xcellence Hub at Revenue House will provide flexible, modern spaces for training, events, examinations, hybrid learning and professional exchange.

As Tax Academy enters its next chapter, our ambition is clear. We will build on our strong foundations to become an even more dynamic platform for tax education, capability development, collaboration and thought leadership.

Tax Academy will continue to serve Singapore by growing a tax ecosystem that is technically strong, internationally connected and prepared for the future.

Mr Dennis Lui
Chief Executive Officer, Tax Academy of Singapore
Deputy Commissioner (Indirect Taxes, Law & Investigation Group), Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore