Newsletter

BUDGET 2026

BUSINESSES

Tax exemption on foreign sourced income and gains

  • The tax exemption on foreign-sourced dividend income received in Malaysia by certain categories of taxpayers, will be extended to 31 December 2030. In addition, from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2030, this exemption will also apply to co-operative societies and trust bodies
  • The foreign-sourced income exemption for unit trusts (excluding Real Estate Investment Trusts and Property Trust Funds) will be extended to 31 December 2030.
  • The tax exemption on gains from the disposal of foreign capital assets received in Malaysia by certain categories of taxpayers, will be extended to 31 December 2030.

Deductions

  • Additional 50% tax deduction will be available once in two years for expenses incurred by MSMEs, including those contributing to the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF), on AI training recognized by MyMahir National AI Council for Industry (NAICI). Applications must be received by TalentCorp from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2027.
  • Double deductions for companies providing scholarships will be expanded to scholarships for students pursuing Sijil Teknik Vokasional and qualified professional certification courses, including in the fields of information and communications technology (ICT), engineering, accounting and finance. The household income of the student’s parents or guardians should not exceed RM15,000 per month. This applies from the year of assessment (YA) 2026 to YA 2030.
  • Double deductions for companies sponsoring training for persons with disabilities will be expanded to include care workers (who are not employees of the company) to undergo training programs in institutions recognized by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development. This applies for YA 2026 and YA 2027.
  • The further deduction for employers hiring senior citizens will be extended to YA 2030.
  • The income tax deduction of up to RM1.5 million for expenses incurred on listing on Bursa Malaysia’s Main Market, Access, Certainty, Efficiency (ACE) Market, and Leading Entrepreneur Accelerator Platform (LEAP) Market by technology-based companies and MSMEs will be expanded to include MSMEs in the energy and utilities sectors. Further, this deduction will be extended to YA 2030.
  • A special deduction equal to 10% of qualifying expenses will be given for renovation and conversion of commercial buildings into residential premises. The deduction is capped at RM10 million.
  • The scope of approved donations will be reviewed to include cash donations to Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for approved anticorruption education programs. This applies to applications received by the MoF from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028.
  • Tax deduction will be available for companies and individuals with business income contributing to Kampung Angkat and Sekolah Angkat MADANI programs under Sejahtera MADANI.
  • Deduction will be given for cash donations made to the Trust Account of the Department of Museums Malaysia.
  • The further deduction given on the remuneration of ex-convicts, attendees and former attendees of the Henry Gurney School, cure and care rehabilitation centers as well as non-government care centers registered under the Department of Social Welfare, will be expanded to include Prisoners Released on License under the Prisons Act 1995 as well as drug / substance dependents and misusers undergoing treatment and rehabilitation provided under the Drug and Substance Dependents and Misusers (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983. This is effective from YA 2026 to YA 2030.

Accelerated capital allowances (ACA)

  • ACA (20% initial allowance and 40% annual allowance) will be given on qualifying capital expenditure incurred from 11 October 2025 to 31 December 2026 for the purchase of:
    • Heavy machinery from local manufacturers
    • Plant and general machinery acquired from local manufacturers
    • ICT equipment and computer software
    • Consultation, licensing and incidental fees related to customized computer software development
  • ACA (20% initial allowance and 80% annual allowance) will be given on the cost of speed limiters for heavy vehicles, up to RM4,000 per unit, subject to the following conditions:
    • Speed Limitation Device (SLD) retrofit installation must be certified by a Verification Body recognized by the Road Transport Department.
    • Heavy vehicles must be manufactured before 1 January 2015 without existing SLD, limited to the following categories:
      • Goods vehicle > 3,500 kg Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
      • Passenger vehicles > 5,000 kg GVW and designed to carry > 8 passengers
  • Not applicable for SLD replacements
  • SLD installations must be carried out from 1 January to 31 December 2026.

New Investment Incentive Framework (NIIF)

  • The NIIF was initially announced in Budget 2025. The pilot phase is currently being implemented until the end of 2025, with full implementation for the manufacturing sector in Q1 2026 and for the services sector in Q2 2026.

Green Technology Investment

  • 100% Green Investment Tax Allowance will be given to companies using green technology products which are certified by MyHIJAU Mark. The budget speech suggests that these products must be sourced locally. Further details are expected in relation to this incentive.

Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRI) Sukuk and Bond Grant Scheme

  • The SRI Sukuk and Bond Grant Scheme will be revised as follows:
    • The grant allocation received from the Securities Commission (SC) for external review expenditure will be increased from 90% to 100% of the grant, subject to the existing cap of RM300,000.
    • The income tax exemption on the grant will be extended for an additional three YAs, from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028.
    • Expansion of eligible instruments to include sukuk and bonds that conform to the ASEAN Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance.
  • The above applies for new applications received by SC from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028.

Venture Capital

For Venture Capital Company (VCC)

  • A corporate tax rate of 5% will be imposed on statutory income from all sources, excluding interest income from savings or fixed deposits, or profits from Shariah-compliant deposits. The VCC must invest a minimum of 20% of its funds in local venture companies.
  • The tax incentive will be granted for a maximum period of 10 years or for the remaining life of the fund starting from the year the VCC obtains its first certification from SC. The VCC fund’s first certification by SC must be obtained no later than 31 December 2035.
  • The incentive will also apply to entities established under the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2012, and entities established under the Labuan Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2010 which have elected to be taxed under the Income Tax Act 1967 (ITA).

For Venture Capital Management Company (VCMC)

  • From YA 2018 to YA 2026, VCMCs enjoy 100% income tax exemption on income derived from the share of profits, management fees and performance fees. An appendix to the Budget speech states that from YA 2025 to YA 2035, such income will be subject to a 10% tax rate. It is unclear whether VCMCs which currently qualify for the full income tax exemption will instead be subject to this 10% tax rate for YA 2025 and YA 2026.
  • For individual shareholders of VCC:
    • Dividends paid, credited, or distributed by VCCs to individual shareholders will be exempted from income tax from YA 2025 to YA 2035.
    • This exemption does not apply to individuals who hold shares through nominees.

Other Incentives

  • The existing 100% ACA (on the first RM10 million of qualifying capital expenditure) and income tax exemption on qualifying capital expenditure for automation in the agriculture sector will be expanded to include closed-house chicken rearing systems. This applies to applications received by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2027.
  • The tax deduction application period for companies investing in subsidiary companies that commercialize non-resource-based R&D findings by public research institutions, public institutes of higher learning and private higher education institutions will be extended for five years. Applications must be received by the Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA) from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030.
  • 100% income tax exemption on incremental income of tour operators from inbound tourism packages in YA 2026 and YA 2027, subject to certain conditions.
  • Tax deductions of up to RM500,000 will be allowed for renovation and refurbishment expenses of business premises by tourism operators registered with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC). Deductions apply for qualifying expenses incurred from 11 October 2025 to 31 December 2027.

INDIVIDUAL TAX

Partnership distributions from Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

  • Income in the form of partnership distributions from LLP(s) received by individual partners exceeding RM100,000 per annum will be subject to tax, effective from YA 2026. This will apply to resident and non-resident individuals.
  • The applicable tax rate is 2% on chargeable income from LLP partnership distributions after allowing for deductions and reliefs.
  • If the individual also receives other types of income, the chargeable income from LLP partnership distributions shall be determined based on the following formula:
    • A / B x C = D, whereby
      • A = Partnership distributions received from LLP(s) (deemed as statutory income of the partner)
      • B = Aggregate income of the partner
      • C = Chargeable income of the partner
      • D = Chargeable income from LLP partnership distributions

Deductions and Reliefs

  • The following are all effective from YA 2026, unless stated otherwise.
  • A new tax relief of up to RM1,000 will be introduced for entrance fees to tourist attractions, and cultural and art programs. This relief will be applicable for YA 2026 only.
  • The annual tax relief of RM3,000 for fees paid to registered childcare centers or kindergartens for children up to six years of age, will be reviewed as follows:
    • The scope of the tax relief will be expanded to include fees for daily care centers and after-school transit facilities registered with the Department of Social Welfare.
    • The scope of the tax relief will also be expanded to include children up to 12 years of age.
    • The annual tax relief on medical treatment expenses for taxpayer, spouse and children will be reviewed as follows:
      • The scope of the tax relief for expenses incurred for specific vaccinations, limited to RM1,000, will be expanded to cover all vaccines registered and approved for use by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency, Ministry of Health.
      • The RM6,000 annual tax relief for expenses incurred for screening and detection, early intervention programs and ongoing rehabilitation treatment for children with disabilities aged 18 and below, will be increased to RM10,000.
  • The annual tax relief on life insurance premiums or takaful contributions of RM3,000 will be reviewed as follows:
    • The scope of the tax relief will be expanded to include children who are:
      • Aged below 18 and unmarried;
      • Aged 18 and above, unmarried and pursuing tertiary education; or
      • No age limit for unmarried children with disabilities.
        • The above eligibility criteria will also be applied to the annual tax relief on education and medical insurance premiums for children.
    • The annual tax relief for purchase, installation, rental and subscription fees for electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities and purchase of household food waste composting machines of RM2,500 will be reviewed as follows:
      • The scope of the tax relief will be expanded to include household food waste grinders and CCTV for home use.
      • The tax relief can be claimed on the above items once in either YA 2026 or YA 2027.
    • The scope of approved donations made by individuals to the Trust Account of the Department of Museums Malaysia will be expanded to include cash donations equivalent to the amount of the contribution.
    • The scope of approved donations eligible for income tax deduction equivalent to the amount contributed, up to 10% of aggregate income will be reviewed to include:
      • Cash donations to approved anti-corruption education programs organized by CSOs.
      • Cash contributions to the endowment funds established by public university teaching hospitals.

Employees Provident Fund (EPF)

  • The EPF withdrawal limit for the purpose of performing Hajj is increased from RM3,000 to RM10,000.

Stamp Duty

  • Monthly wage threshold for stamp duty exemption on employment contracts will be increased from RM300 to RM3,000. This applies to employment contracts executed from 1 January 2026.
  • Stamp duty exemption on instruments of transfer and loan agreements for the purchase of first residential home valued up to RM500,000 by Malaysian citizens will be extended for two years. This applies to sales and purchase agreements executed from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2027.
  • Stamp duty exemption on insurance policies or takaful certificates with low annual premium or contribution purchased by individuals or MSMEs will be extended for three years. This applies to insurance policies or takaful certificates issued from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028.
  • Stamp duty exemption on insurance policies or takaful certificates for Perlindungan Tenang products will be extended for three years. This applies to Perlindungan Tenang insurance policies or takaful certificates issued from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028.
  • Stamp duty exemption on contract notes for exchange-traded funds transactions will be extended for three years. This applies to contract notes executed from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028.
  • Stamp duty exemption on contract notes for buy-side structured warrant transactions will be extended for three years. This applies to buy-side structured warrants executed from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028.
  • Stamp duty on instruments of transfer of residential property to non-citizen individuals (except Malaysian permanent residents) and foreign companies will be increased from 4% to 8%. This applies to instruments of transfer executed from 1 January 2026.

BUDGET 2025

PERSONAL TAX RELIEF 2025

  • Childcare Relief
    • Individual income tax relief up to RM3,000 for childcare centres and kindergartens will be extended until year of assessment 2027.
  • Skim Simpanan Pendidikan Nasional Relief
    • The Skim Simpanan Pendidikan Nasional (SSPN) tax relief up to RM8,000 will be extended until year of assessment 2027.
  • Education and Medical Insurance Relief
    • Education and medical insurance relief will be increased to RM4,000.
    • Starting from the year of assessment 2025.
  • Private Retirement Scheme Relief
    • Deferred Annuity and Private Retirement Scheme (PRS)tax relief up to RM 3,000 will be extended until year of assessment 2030.
  • Disabled Individual Relief
    • Further tax relief for disabled individual will be increased to RM7,000.
    • Further tax relief for individual with a disabled spouse will be increased to RM6,000.
    • Further tax relief for individual with unmarried disabled children will be increased to RM8,000.
    • Starting from year of assessment 2025.
  • Housing Loan Interest Relief
    • Tax relief on the interest payments for the first residential home loan:
      • UP TO RM 500,000 – RM 7,000
      • ABOVE 500,000 TO 750,000 – RM 5,000
    • For the sales and purchase agreement executed from 1 January 2025 until 31 December 2027.
    • *Terms and conditions applied
  • 2% Dividend Tax on Individual Shareholders
    • Annual dividends income exceeding RM100,000 will subject to a 2% dividend tax.
    • Starting from year of assessment 2025
  • Domestic Food Waste Composting Machine Relief
    • Tax relief up to RM2,500 for electric vehicle (EV) charging facility will be expanded to include purchase of food waste composting machines for household use from year of assessment 2025 until 2027.
  • Foreign Sources Income by Individuals
    • The tax exemption on foreign source income (FSI) received by individuals in Malaysia will be extended until December 31, 2036. This extension is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to attract foreign investments and support Malaysian expatriates by providing favorable tax conditions​.
  • Medical Expenses Relief
    • Starting from the Year of Assessment 2025, tax relief for medical treatment expenses will be expanded to include costs for purchasing self-testing medical devices and fees for disease detection examinations conducted at clinics or hospitals. This relief is capped at RM1,000 and applies to expenses incurred for the taxpayer, their spouse, and children.
    • Starting from the Year of Assessment 2025, the tax relief for assessment and diagnosis, early intervention programs, and continuous rehabilitation treatment for children under 18 will increase to RM6,000. This enhancement aims to support families in managing the costs associated with necessary medical and therapeutic services for children, especially those with special needs or disabilities.
    • Starting from the Year of Assessment 2025, tax relief for medical expenses will be expanded to include a portion of medical payments made by taxpayers under medical and health insurance and takaful products that feature co-payment options. This relief is capped at RM10,000 and is designed to alleviate the financial burden of healthcare costs for taxpayers.
  • Sport Activities, Health and Elderly Care Relief
    • Individual Income Tax Relief
      • Sports Equipment and Activities: The existing tax relief for sports equipment and activities, capped at RM1,000, will now be extended to include expenses incurred by parents. This encourages parents to promote sports participation among their children.
      • Medical Check-up Expenses: The tax exemption for full medical check-up expenses for parents, also limited to RM1,000, will be expanded to cover vaccinations. This aligns with public health initiatives aimed at improving preventive care for the elderly.
      • Medical and Parental Care Expenses: The relief for medical treatment and special needs expenses will be broadened to include costs associated with the care of grandparents. This reflects a growing recognition of the importance of supporting multi-generational families and ensuring comprehensive care for elderly family members.
    • Individual Income Tax Exemption
      • Starting from the Year of Assessment 2025, the income tax exemption of up to RM3,000 per year currently given for childcare allowances provided by employers will be expanded to include elderly care. This means employees will now receive tax exemptions not only for childcare but also for care provided to their parents or grandparents. This is a great step forward in supporting both family and elder care, helping ease the financial burden on working individuals.
  • Exemption on Sport Reward
    • A tax exemption will be granted on cash prizes won by individual and team athletes through the Victory Prize Scheme (Skim Hadiah Kemenangan Sukan) provided by the government via the National Sports Council of Malaysia (Majlis Sukan Negara, MSN). This exemption aims to encourage and reward sporting excellence among Malaysian athletes.

CORPORATE TAX

  • Tax Incentives for Implementation of E-Invoicing
    • From the Year of Assessment (YA) 2024 to YA 2025, businesses will be able to benefit from accelerated capital allowances for the purchase of ICT equipment, software, and associated consulting fees. These allowances can be claimed within a two-year period, allowing businesses to recover their investments in digital tools and services more quickly.
  • Extension of Tax Deduction for Sponsorship of Smart Artificial Intelligence Driven Reverse Vending
    • To promote plastic waste recycling and boost recycling rates, tax deductions for sponsoring Smart AI-Driven Reverse Vending Machines will be extended for an additional two years. This extension will be in effect from January 1, 2025, until December 31, 2026.
  • Tax Incentive for Employers Implementing Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA)
    • Employers who submit applications to Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2027, will be eligible for an additional 50% tax deduction on expenses related to capacity building and software acquisition for implementing Flexible Working Arrangements (FWA). This deduction is capped at RM500,000 and can only be claimed once.
  • Tax Incentive for Hiring Women returning to work
    • Employers who submit applications to Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2027, will qualify for an additional 50% tax deduction on employment expenses for hiring women who are returning to the workforce. This deduction applies for up to 12 months.
  • Tax Incentive for Employers Providing Caregiving Leave Benefits
    • Employers who offer additional paid leave of up to 12 months to employees serving as caregivers will be eligible for an extra 50% tax deduction. This incentive is available from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027.
  • Tax Deduction on the Cost of Developing New Courses at Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs)
    • Starting from the Year of Assessment (YA) 2025 until YA 2030, private higher education institutions (PHEIs) are eligible for a tax deduction on the costs incurred in developing new courses, which can be claimed in the same assessment year. This deduction has been expanded to also cover the development of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses by private skills training institutions.
  • Benefits given to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector
    • Effective from the Year of Assessment (YA) 2025 to YA 2027, tax deductions will be available for the donation of new equipment and machinery to registered Public Skills Training Institutions (ILKA), polytechnics, or vocational colleges. This initiative aims to encourage businesses to contribute to the development of technical and vocational education by supporting these institutions with essential resources​. This tax incentive is part of a broader strategy to enhance skills training and workforce development in Malaysia, promoting collaboration between the private sector and educational institutions​.
  • Enhancement of TVET education and training opportunities by Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) through implementation of MADINI Training Program
    • Employers will be able to utilize the Human Resources Development Corporation (HRDC) levy to provide allowances of up to RM1,000 per year for graduates participating in skills training programs through HRD Corp. This initiative is designed to encourage employers to invest in the development of their workforce by supporting graduates as they gain essential skills and experience​. By leveraging HRDC levy in this manner, employers can enhance their training programs while fostering a skilled labor market that meets the needs of various industries.
  • Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) and Income Tax Exemption on Qualifying Capital Expenditure on Automation Equipment
    • The Malaysian government is implementing a tax incentive that offers Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) of 100% on qualifying capital expenditures related to automation equipment in the manufacturing, service, agriculture, and commodity sectors. This includes an income tax exemption on the same qualifying expenditure. This initiative aims to encourage companies to invest in advanced technologies, such as drones and artificial intelligence (AI), particularly in agricultural operations. By doing so, businesses can enhance productivity and efficiency while reducing their reliance on foreign labor​. These measures are part of the government’s broader strategy to modernize the workforce and enhance technological adoption across various industries.
  • Improvement of educational access for students from underprivileged family
    • Payments made to educators by institutions or organizations that have educational objectives and are approved under subsection 44(6) of the Income Tax Act will be considered welfare expenditure. This classification allows these payments to be deducted as expenses, thus reducing the taxable income of the institutions involved. This change aims to encourage organizations to invest in educational staff and improve the overall quality of education in Malaysia. By recognizing these payments as welfare expenditures, the government is fostering an environment that supports educators and promotes educational initiatives.
  • Expansion of Child Care Allowance to Include Elderly Care
    • Effective from the Year of Assessment (YA) 2025, employers will be able to claim further tax deductions on childcare allowances paid to employees, which will now also include allowances for elderly care, specifically for parents and grandparents. This change aims to support employees who are caring for both young children and elderly family members, acknowledging the increasing responsibilities many individuals face in balancing work and family care.
  • Double Deduction for Structured Training Programs (MySIP)
    • The double deduction on expenses incurred by companies participating in the Structured Training Program (MySIP) under Talent Corporation will be extended to include students undergoing structured training by industry regulatory bodies. This extension will remain in effect until the Year of Assessment (YA) 2030. This initiative is aimed at encouraging companies to invest in training programs that equip students with the necessary skills and experience, thereby enhancing their employability and bridging the skills gap in the workforce​. By providing these deductions, the government seeks to promote collaboration between industries and educational institutions, ensuring that training programs align with industry needs
  • Tax Incentive for Hiring Disabled Person (OKU) and Ex-Convicts
    • Employers who hire people with disabilities (OKU) and ex-convicts will receive an incentive of RM600 per month for a total of three months, managed by the Social Security Organization (SOCSO). This initiative aims to encourage businesses to provide employment opportunities for these groups, promoting inclusivity and social responsibility within the workforce​. The program is designed to ease the transition into the job market for individuals who may face barriers to employment, helping them gain valuable work experience while also supporting employers in their hiring efforts.

E-INVOICING

About E-Invoicing

An e-Invoice is a digital representation of a transaction between a supplier and a buyer. e-Invoice replaces paper or electronic documents such as invoices, credit notes, and debit notes.
An e-Invoice contains the same essential information as traditional document, for example, supplier’s and buyer’s details, item description, quantity, price excluding tax, tax, and total amount, which records transaction data for daily business operations.

Benefit of E-Invoice

The implementation of e-Invoice not only provides seamless experience to taxpayers, but it also improves business efficiency and increases tax compliance. Overall benefits include:

Overview of the e-Invoice Model

To facilitate transition to e-Invoice, taxpayers can select the most suitable mechanism to transmit e-Invoices to IRBM, based on their business requirements and specific situation.

There are two (2) options for the e-Invoice transmission mechanisms for taxpayers selection:

  1. MyInvois Portal
    • A portal hosted by IRBM
    • Accessible to all taxpayers at no cost
    • Also accessible to taxpayers who need to issue e-Invoice where Application Programming Interface (API) connection is unavailable

  2. Application Programming Interface (API)
    • An API is a set of programming code that enables direct data transmission between the taxpayers’ system and MyInvois system
    • Requires upfront investment in technology and adjustments to taxpayers existing systems
    • Ideal for large taxpayers or businesses with substantial transaction volumes

The figure below demonstrates an overview of the e-Invoice workflow from the point a sale is made or transaction is undertaken, and an e-Invoice is issued by the supplier via MyInvois Portal or API, up to the point of storing validated e-Invoices on IRBM’s database for taxpayers to view their respective historical e-Invoices.

E-Invoice Implementation Timeline

e-Invoice will be implemented in phases to ensure smooth transition. The roll-out of e-Invoice has been planned with careful consideration, taking into account the turnover or revenue thresholds, to provide taxpayers with sufficient time to prepare and adapt to the e-Invoice implementation.

Below is the e-Invoice implementation timeline:

2015 Monthly Tax Deduction from Remuneration (“PCB”) amendment

Please be informed that P.U.(A) 263/2014 Income Tax (Deduction From Remuneration)(Amendment)(No.2) RUles 2014 has been gazetted on 31 Dec 2014. Among the Statutory changes are as follow –

1. "Remuneration" means income in respect of gains or profits from an employment. Benefit in Kind (BIK) and Value of Living Allowance (VOLA) are subjected to PCB.

2. Employee shall be allowed to claim allowable deductions and rebates under the Act not less than twice in the current year by using TP1 form.

 

 

 

 

Deemed Interest on loans or advances to director

Effective from YA 2014, it is proposed that a Company is deemed to have gross income consisting of interest from loan or advances to directors.

The interest income is calculated based on the formula :-

1/12  x  A  x  B 

 

A      is the total amount of loan or advances outstanding at the end of the calendar month;

B      is the average lending rate of commercial banks published by the Central Bank at the end of the calendar month or

        where no such average lending rate, such other reference lending rate as may be prescribed by the Director General.

 

If a Company actual interest charged is higher than the total sum of deemed interest, the above formula is not applicable.