Privacy Statement
Find out how Tax Academy of Singapore collects, uses, and protects your personal data in line with the Personal Data Protection Act.
1. Introduction
The Tax Academy of Singapore ("Tax Academy", "TA", "we", "us" or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy, confidentiality and security of personal data entrusted to us.
As a not-for-profit institution established by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) in collaboration with industry partners, Tax Academy advances professional education, research, knowledge exchange and capability development in taxation and related fields.
In carrying out our activities, we collect, use, process, store and disclose personal data for purposes connected with our educational, professional, institutional and operational activities.
We are committed to handling personal data responsibly and in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 of Singapore ("PDPA"), its subsidiary regulations and other applicable laws and requirements.
This Privacy Statement explains how we manage personal data across the Tax Academy ecosystem, the purposes for which such data may be used, the circumstances under which it may be disclosed, and the measures we take to safeguard it.
2. Scope of this Privacy Statement
This Privacy Statement applies to personal data collected through or in connection with Tax Academy's activities, services, facilities and digital platforms, including but not limited to:
a. Websites and digital platforms
Tax Academy's corporate website (www.taxacademy.sg (opens in new tab));
Tax Academy Portal (www.taxacademyportal.com (opens in new tab));
TaxTOC, our on-demand learning and professional knowledge platform;
Online learning management systems, participant dashboards, assessment platforms and digital resources;
News, publications, professional networks, alumni communities and research platforms;
Registration, payment, subscription, feedback and support systems; and
Other websites, applications and digital services operated or authorised by Tax Academy.
b. Educational and professional activities
Structured tax programmes, professional courses and examinations;
Seminars, webinars, conferences, workshops, masterclasses and networking sessions;
In-person, virtual and hybrid events, including those conducted through Zoom, Zoom Events and related technologies;
Jointly organised programmes with local and international partners;
Research, professional development and industry engagement initiatives; and
Alumni activities, professional communities and institutional collaborations.
c. Physical facilities and event technologies
Tax Academy of Singapore Hub and other venues used for Tax Academy activities;
Classrooms, hybrid training rooms, meeting rooms and event facilities;
Audiovisual, livestreaming, video conferencing and recording systems;
Event registration, attendance verification and venue management systems; and
Other facilities and technology-enabled services used in Tax Academy's operations.
d. Other interactions
This Privacy Statement also applies to interactions involving our employees, trainers, speakers, participants, alumni, partners, sponsors, volunteers, suppliers, service providers, job applicants and other stakeholders, where relevant.
Where a third party independently operates a platform, venue or service, its own privacy statement may also apply.
3. Personal Data We May Collect
The nature and extent of personal data collected depend on the relevant activity, service or interaction.
Such information may include:
a. Personal identification and contact information
Full name, preferred name and salutation;
Email address, telephone number and mailing address;
Nationality, country of residence and other relevant demographic information;
National identification, passport or other identification details, where specifically required and permitted by law; and
Other information reasonably necessary for identity verification, registration or administration.
b. Professional and organisational information
Employer, organisation or institution;
Job title, designation and professional responsibilities;
Industry, professional specialisation and years of experience;
Professional memberships, qualifications and certifications;
Educational background and learning interests; and
Other information relevant to professional development, training eligibility or stakeholder engagement.
c. Programme and learning information
Programme and event registrations;
Course enrolments, participation history and attendance records;
Assessment results, examination grades, assignments and submissions;
Certificates, transcripts, continuing professional education records and completion status;
Learning progress, access entitlements and course completion information;
Learning materials accessed, video viewing activity and engagement history; and
Programme applications, deferments, requests, feedback and other administrative records.
d. Financial and transaction information
Billing names and addresses;
Payment records, transaction references and invoice details;
Course fees, subscriptions, refunds and other financial transactions;
Sponsorship, funding and payment arrangements; and
Other information reasonably required for financial administration, accounting, auditing and regulatory purposes.
Payment transactions may be processed through authorised third-party payment service providers. Tax Academy does not necessarily receive or retain complete payment-card credentials.
e. Digital and technical information
When you access our websites or digital services, we may collect:
Internet Protocol (IP) addresses;
Browser, device and operating-system information;
Login and authentication records;
Website usage, page views and navigation information;
Cookies, session identifiers and related technologies;
Learning engagement, content access and viewing histories;
System activity, access and security logs; and
Other information necessary for system administration, analytics, troubleshooting and cybersecurity.
f. Event participation and audiovisual information
During programmes, events and other activities, we may collect:
Photographs, video footage and audio recordings;
Images, likenesses, voices and recorded presentations;
Livestream and hybrid-room recordings;
Questions, comments and audience interactions;
Chat messages, poll responses, survey responses and Q&A submissions;
Recordings, transcripts, captions and summaries of sessions; and
Participation, attendance and engagement information generated through virtual-event platforms.
g. Communications and voluntarily submitted information
We may retain information submitted through correspondence, surveys, feedback forms, support requests, professional networking functions, publication submissions and other communications.
We will seek to limit the collection of personal data to information reasonably necessary for the relevant purposes.
4. How We Collect Personal Data
Tax Academy may collect personal data directly from you when you register for an event, enrol in a programme, create an account, make a payment, participate in an activity, use our digital platforms, communicate with us or otherwise engage with our services.
We may also obtain personal data from authorised third parties, including:
Employers and sponsoring organisations registering participants;
Joint event organisers and collaborating institutions;
Professional associations and accreditation bodies;
Trainers, speakers, contractors and authorised service providers;
Payment processors, registration platforms and digital service providers; and
Government agencies, including IRAS, where the collection and disclosure are authorised or otherwise permitted by law.
We may combine information collected through different Tax Academy systems to maintain accurate records, improve service delivery and provide a more integrated user experience, where such use is permitted under applicable law.
5. Purposes for Collecting, Using and Processing Personal Data
Tax Academy may collect, use and process personal data for the following purposes, where applicable and permitted by law.
5.1 Programme and Event Administration
Processing registrations and applications;
Verifying eligibility and identity where necessary;
Managing enrolments, attendance and participation;
Organising classes, assessments, examinations and events;
Administering examinations, results, certificates and professional development records;
Communicating programme information, changes and important notices;
Providing learner support, technical assistance and administrative services;
Maintaining programme histories and participant records; and
Supporting accreditation, professional recognition and reporting requirements.
5.2 Digital Learning and Platform Operations
Creating and managing user accounts;
Providing access to learning resources, recordings, assessments and digital content;
Managing subscriptions, purchases and content entitlements;
Tracking learning progress and completion;
Maintaining learning histories, bookmarks, preferences and other user-selected features;
Recommending relevant programmes, events and resources;
Improving search, navigation, accessibility and personalisation; and
Maintaining the functionality, reliability, security and accessibility of our digital services.
5.3 Internal Administration and Organisational Operations
Tax Academy may use personal data for legitimate and reasonable internal administrative, operational, governance and business-improvement purposes, including:
Workforce and resource planning;
Financial management, budgeting, invoicing and reconciliation;
Revenue reporting and programme financial analysis;
Internal auditing, compliance and institutional reporting;
Operational planning, quality assurance and service improvement;
Programme evaluation, curriculum planning and development;
Customer relationship management and stakeholder engagement;
Management reporting and strategic decision-making;
Assessing programme participation, enrolment patterns, completion outcomes and demand;
Identifying opportunities for process improvement, automation and digital transformation;
Evaluating the effectiveness of outreach, communications and marketing initiatives;
Developing new services, partnerships and educational offerings; and
Investigating operational incidents, protecting our systems and managing organisational risks.
Where appropriate, Tax Academy may aggregate, anonymise or de-identify information for statistical analysis, research, management reporting and organisational planning.
We may analyse historical participation data and professional interests to better understand the needs of the tax community, identify emerging areas of demand and improve the relevance of our programmes.
Such activities will be undertaken in accordance with the PDPA and relevant requirements governing the collection, use and disclosure of personal data.
5.4 Marketing, Communications and Professional Outreach
Tax Academy may use personal data, where permitted under applicable law, to:
Inform individuals about relevant programmes, seminars, conferences and other activities;
Provide updates on Tax Academy initiatives, publications, services and partnerships;
Promote TaxTOC and other digital learning offerings;
Share professional insights, research findings, newsletters and institutional announcements;
Invite participation in alumni, industry and professional networking activities;
Conduct surveys, engagement initiatives and outreach campaigns;
Evaluate marketing effectiveness and improve communications; and
Support the promotion and development of Tax Academy's programmes, services and institutional activities.
Where consent is required, we will obtain the appropriate consent before sending marketing communications or using personal data for the relevant marketing purposes.
Individuals may unsubscribe from optional electronic marketing communications using the relevant unsubscribe mechanism or by contacting Tax Academy.
Administrative, transactional and service-related communications necessary for participation in our programmes or use of our services may continue independently of marketing preferences.
6. Photography, Video and Audio Recordings
6.1 Recording of Tax Academy Activities
Tax Academy may photograph, film, livestream, audio-record, transcribe or otherwise document programmes, events and activities organised, hosted, supported or conducted by Tax Academy.
These activities may include seminars, conferences, courses, examinations where appropriately authorised, workshops, networking sessions, institutional visits, ceremonies, receptions, interviews, presentations and other professional or educational engagements.
Such recording may take place at physical venues, through virtual-event platforms, within hybrid rooms or through other audiovisual and digital technologies.
6.2 Use of Photographs, Video and Audio Recordings
Photographs, video footage, audio recordings and other audiovisual materials captured by or on behalf of Tax Academy may be collected, retained, reproduced, edited, adapted, transcribed, captioned, published, distributed, broadcast and otherwise used by Tax Academy for its educational, promotional, institutional and operational purposes, where permitted by applicable law.
These purposes include, but are not limited to:
Marketing, advertising, publicity and promotional campaigns;
Publishing event highlights, photographs and video recaps;
Promoting Tax Academy's programmes, services, facilities and initiatives;
Producing educational materials, recorded lectures, podcasts and professional resources;
Publishing content on Tax Academy's websites, Tax Academy Portal, TaxTOC and other authorised platforms;
Distribution through newsletters, publications, brochures, annual reports, presentations and social media;
Livestreaming and making selected event recordings available for subsequent viewing;
Institutional reporting, documentation and stakeholder communications;
Research, professional knowledge exchange and learning-content development;
Maintaining records and archives of Tax Academy's history, programmes, activities and achievements;
Supporting future events, educational collaborations and related institutional initiatives; and
Other reasonable purposes connected with Tax Academy's activities that have been appropriately notified and are permitted by law.
Such materials may be published through platforms operated by Tax Academy or authorised third-party channels, including professional networking, video-sharing and social media platforms.
Tax Academy may also permit authorised partners and collaborating organisations to use relevant materials for joint educational activities, event reporting and publicity, subject to applicable legal requirements and appropriate arrangements.
6.3 Notice and Consent
Tax Academy will provide appropriate notices concerning photography, filming, recording and related uses, including through registration materials, event communications, venue notices or announcements, as appropriate.
Where consent is required under applicable law, Tax Academy will obtain the necessary consent before collecting, using or disclosing identifiable audiovisual materials for the relevant purposes.
Additional consent or appropriate authorisation may be sought for interviews, testimonials, featured promotional content or other uses where required.
Individuals who have concerns about appearing in photographs or recordings may contact Tax Academy before or during an event so that reasonable arrangements can be considered, where practicable.
Certain activities, including livestreamed presentations, audience participation and recorded sessions, may involve unavoidable recording or transmission. Applicable participation conditions and recording arrangements will be communicated where appropriate.
6.4 Recordings of Virtual and Hybrid Events
Events conducted through Zoom, Zoom Events, Zoom Rooms and other virtual or hybrid technologies may involve the recording or processing of:
Participants' names and displayed profiles;
Video and audio contributions;
Questions, discussions and chat messages;
Poll and survey responses;
Attendance and engagement data; and
Recordings, transcripts, subtitles and other session-generated content.
Tax Academy may use these materials for programme administration, attendance verification, educational content development, event evaluation, knowledge sharing, publicity and other appropriately notified and lawful purposes.
Where an event is livestreamed or made available for subsequent viewing, participants should be aware that their contributions may form part of the recorded or transmitted content.
6.5 Limitations and Individual Requests
The collection or use of audiovisual materials remains subject to the PDPA, other applicable laws, relevant contractual arrangements and any rights or permissions required from speakers, presenters or other affected individuals.
Recordings made for restricted purposes, including confidential discussions or examination supervision, will not automatically be treated as available for general publicity.
Requests concerning the future use or removal of identifiable images or recordings may be submitted to Tax Academy. We will assess such requests in accordance with applicable law, contractual obligations, technical feasibility and the circumstances of publication.
Where materials have already been distributed or published through third-party channels, complete removal of all copies may not always be practicable.
7. Disclosure and Sharing of Personal Data
Tax Academy may disclose personal data to authorised persons or organisations where reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Statement and where consent has been obtained or another lawful basis applies.
Such parties may include the following.
7.1 Founding, Governing and Public-Sector Stakeholders
Personal data may be shared, on a need-to-know basis, with:
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS);
Relevant Government ministries, statutory boards and public agencies;
Tax Academy's governing bodies, committees and authorised representatives; and
Other relevant institutional stakeholders exercising legitimate oversight, reporting or governance functions.
Such disclosures may support programme administration, professional development initiatives, governance, oversight, audit, institutional reporting, collaboration or other appropriately notified and lawful purposes.
Disclosure to IRAS or other public-sector bodies will be limited to information reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose and subject to applicable laws and confidentiality obligations.
This Privacy Statement does not authorise unrestricted disclosure of personal data or override any statutory confidentiality requirements.
7.2 Partnering and Collaborating Organisations
Where reasonably necessary, Tax Academy may share relevant personal data with organisations involved in jointly organised activities, including:
Professional bodies and industry associations;
Universities, academic institutions and research partners;
Training partners, accreditation and certification bodies;
Joint event organisers and institutional collaborators;
Sponsors, exhibitors and authorised event partners; and
Other organisations supporting Tax Academy's educational, research or professional activities.
Such sharing may be required for programme administration, attendance verification, certification, joint event management, reporting, professional development or other appropriately notified purposes.
Where a partner seeks to use personal data independently for its own direct marketing or unrelated purposes, any consent or other lawful basis required under the PDPA must be established.
7.3 Technology and Service Providers
Tax Academy may engage service providers to support its operations, including:
Cloud hosting, data storage and database services;
Authentication and identity management services;
Learning management and digital content platforms;
Webinar, video conferencing and event registration providers;
Payment gateways, banking and accounting service providers;
Email, messaging and communications platforms;
Website analytics, cybersecurity and technical support providers;
Professional advisers, auditors and other authorised contractors; and
Other providers supporting Tax Academy's lawful activities.
These providers may process personal data as necessary to deliver their services, subject to appropriate contractual, security and confidentiality arrangements.
7.4 Other Permitted Disclosures
Personal data may also be disclosed where necessary to comply with applicable laws, regulatory requirements, lawful requests, court orders or legal proceedings; investigate suspected misconduct or security incidents; or protect the rights, safety and legitimate interests of Tax Academy and others, as permitted by law.
Tax Academy will not disclose personal data to third parties for unrelated purposes without the required consent or another lawful basis.
8. Cookies, Website Analytics and Digital Tracking
Tax Academy's websites and digital platforms may use cookies, session identifiers, analytics tools and related technologies.
These technologies may be used to:
Enable essential website and platform functionality;
Authenticate users and maintain secure sessions;
Remember user preferences and settings;
Understand website traffic, visitor behaviour and user journeys;
Measure programme interest, content engagement and marketing effectiveness;
Improve website performance, accessibility and user experience;
Personalise relevant content and recommendations; and
Detect suspicious activity, prevent unauthorised access and maintain system security.
Some information may be collected automatically when you browse or interact with our digital services, even where you do not create an account or directly provide your identity.
Users may manage certain cookies through browser settings and any cookie controls made available on the relevant platform.
Disabling essential cookies may affect the availability or functionality of certain services.
Tax Academy will provide additional notices or obtain consent for particular tracking activities where required by applicable law.
9. Data Analytics, Automation and Artificial Intelligence
Tax Academy may use data analytics, automation and artificial intelligence-assisted technologies to support the delivery, administration and improvement of its services.
Such activities may include:
Analysing enrolment, attendance and learning outcomes;
Identifying patterns in programme demand and participant engagement;
Improving programme recommendations and content discovery;
Supporting administrative workflows and operational efficiency;
Automating routine data processing, classification and reporting;
Generating transcripts, captions and summaries of educational content;
Improving the searchability and accessibility of learning resources;
Supporting research, evaluation and institutional planning; and
Detecting system anomalies, preventing misuse and supporting cybersecurity.
Where these processes involve personal data, Tax Academy will apply relevant data protection requirements, appropriate safeguards and human oversight proportionate to the associated risks.
Tax Academy may use aggregated or appropriately anonymised information to conduct research, evaluate performance and develop improved services.
Any proposed use of identifiable personal data for materially different purposes, including the training of external general-purpose AI models where applicable, will be separately assessed and subject to additional notification, consent or other requirements where necessary.
10. Protection and Cybersecurity of Personal Data
Tax Academy recognises the importance of protecting personal data against unauthorised access, collection, use, disclosure, copying, modification, disposal and other similar risks.
We adopt a risk-based approach to data protection and cybersecurity governance, taking reference from:
The Personal Data Protection Act 2012 and applicable guidance issued by Singapore's Personal Data Protection Commission;
Applicable internal governance, information security, data protection and risk management policies; and
Recognised industry standards and security practices appropriate to the nature and sensitivity of information processed.
Our security arrangements may include, as appropriate:
Role-based access controls and least-privilege principles;
Secure authentication and account management;
Encryption and appropriate security protections for stored and transmitted data;
Security monitoring, logging and access reviews;
Segregation of administrative and user access;
Secure system development, vulnerability assessment and patch management;
Appropriate backup, recovery and business continuity measures;
Vendor assessment and third-party risk management;
Staff awareness, confidentiality and responsible data-handling practices; and
Incident response, investigation and remediation procedures.
Where a data breach occurs, Tax Academy will assess the incident and undertake necessary containment, remediation and notification in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
While reasonable safeguards are applied, no information system or transmission method can be guaranteed to be completely free from security risks.
11. Overseas Storage, Processing and Transfer of Personal Data
Tax Academy collaborates with organisations and individuals in Singapore and internationally.
Some of our technology providers, digital platforms or authorised service providers may process or store information outside Singapore.
Where personal data is transferred overseas, Tax Academy will take appropriate steps to comply with the PDPA's Transfer Limitation Obligation and applicable requirements, including ensuring that transferred personal data receives a standard of protection comparable to that required under the PDPA.
This may involve appropriate contractual arrangements, security safeguards, due diligence and other relevant measures.
12. Accuracy and Retention of Personal Data
Tax Academy takes reasonable steps to ensure that personal data used for administrative, educational, professional and other relevant purposes is accurate and complete.
Individuals are encouraged to update their information through the relevant Tax Academy platform or by contacting us when their details change.
We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, for legitimate business or legal purposes, or as otherwise required or permitted by law.
Different types of records may be retained for different periods depending on their purposes and applicable requirements.
For example, academic records, certification histories, financial documents and institutional records may require longer retention than temporary event registration records.
Audiovisual materials may be retained for educational, archival, institutional or appropriately notified promotional purposes, subject to applicable laws and periodic review.
When personal data is no longer required for a legitimate business or legal purpose, we will cease retention or take reasonable steps to securely delete, destroy or anonymise it.
13. Access, Correction and Withdrawal of Consent
Subject to the PDPA and applicable exceptions, individuals may request:
Access to personal data held by Tax Academy and information concerning its use or disclosure;
Correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal data; and
Withdrawal of consent for the collection, use or disclosure of personal data for particular purposes.
Requests should be submitted to Tax Academy through the contact details provided below.
We may request reasonable information to verify the identity and authority of the requesting individual before processing a request.
Tax Academy will assess and respond to requests within the timeframes required under applicable law and will inform individuals where additional time or information is reasonably necessary.
Withdrawal of consent will be given effect upon reasonable notice, subject to applicable legal and contractual restrictions and any relevant exceptions.
Please note that withdrawing consent may affect our ability to provide certain services, maintain optional platform features or administer participation in relevant activities.
Withdrawal of consent does not necessarily require the deletion of information that Tax Academy is legally or otherwise permitted or required to retain.
14. Marketing Preferences and Communications
Tax Academy respects individuals' preferences concerning optional marketing and promotional communications.
You may unsubscribe from marketing emails using the unsubscribe link provided in the communication or by contacting Tax Academy.
Where applicable, we will comply with the relevant provisions of the PDPA, including requirements governing specified marketing messages and the Do Not Call Registry.
Requests to discontinue optional marketing communications will be processed within a reasonable period and in accordance with applicable law.
Unsubscribing from marketing communications will not prevent Tax Academy from sending necessary transactional, programme-related, account security or other service communications.
15. Third-Party Websites, Platforms and Services
Tax Academy's websites, digital platforms and communications may contain links to third-party websites, video-sharing services, payment platforms, research resources and other external services.
These services may be operated independently and subject to their own privacy statements, security practices and terms of use.
Tax Academy is not responsible for the independent privacy practices of external organisations that are not acting under our direction or control.
Users are encouraged to review the relevant privacy statements of such third-party providers.
16. Changes to this Privacy Statement
Tax Academy may review and update this Privacy Statement periodically to reflect changes in our operations, digital platforms, services, partnerships, legal requirements and data protection practices.
The latest version will be published on our official website or other relevant digital platforms.
Material changes affecting the collection, use or disclosure of personal data will be communicated, and additional consent obtained where required by applicable law.
The date of the latest update will be indicated at the beginning of this Privacy Statement.
17. Contact Information and Data Protection Officer
For enquiries, feedback, requests for access or correction, withdrawal of consent, or concerns regarding the handling of personal data, please contact:
Tax Academy of Singapore
Attention: Data Protection Officer
Email: tax_academy@iras.gov.sg
Website: www.taxacademy.sg (opens in new tab)
Tax Academy Portal: www.taxacademyportal.com (opens in new tab)
You may also contact Tax Academy through our official website's feedback and enquiry channels.
Tax Academy will review and address privacy-related enquiries and concerns in accordance with applicable laws and our internal data protection procedures.
Tax Academy of Singapore
Committed to responsible data governance, secure digital learning and trusted professional engagement.