Malaysia personal income tax guide for 2017

PREPARING and filing your income tax in Malaysia can be a challenging and anxiety-inducing experience every year for most people, but it doesn’t have to be if you understand how income tax works in this country.

Do you know how your tax is calculated? Are you aware that Malaysia adopts a progressive income tax rate system, which means that you only pay the higher rate on the amount above the rate? Do you know what the differences between tax exemptions, tax reliefs, tax rebates and tax deductibles are? How can you get higher income tax return?

If you have no clue what the answers for these questions are, plus many other income tax-related questions, you will have no idea how to plan your taxes well. Without planning, you won’t be able to maximise on the tax reliefs available, and get the tax savings you are eligible for.

Well, it is never too late to find out. With this simple and easy-to-understand Malaysia income tax guide 2017, you will be filing your tax like a whiz before April ends.

WHAT IS CHARGEABLE INCOME?

First of all, you need to know what is considered income by Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri (LHDN). Is it just the monthly salary you get from your employer, or does it also include other types of income?

With effect from year 2016, an individual who earns an annual employment income of RM25,501 (after EPF deduction) has to register a tax file. These are the types of income that are taxable:

These are the types of income that are taxable:

Business or profession Employment Dividends Interests (except bank deposit interests) Discounts Rent collected Royalties Premiums Pensions Annuities Perquisites, which includes bill claims, company credit cards, loans from company, sponsored club memberships, sponsored child tuition fee, personal driver and any benefits offered by your employer that could be converted into cash.