Tax

Legal Alert
Malaysia

25 September 2008

In this issue:

2009 Malaysia Tax Update

Budget 2009

1.     Corporate Tax

1.1   Reduction of Co-operative Income tax

 

1.2   Increasing the limit for tax deduction on contribution

 

1.3   Deduction on expenses for recruitment of workers

 

1.4   Enhancing group relief

 

1.5   Tax Incentive for Small and Medium Enterprises ("SMEs")

 

1.6   Incentive for listing of foreign companies and foreign products in Bursa Malaysia

 

1.7   Improvement of Reinvestment Allowance

 

2.     Individual

2.1   Reduction of Income tax rates for residents

 

2.2   Tax reduction rates for non resident individuals

 

2.3   Tax exemption on interest from deposits

 

2.4   Review of income tax treatment on allowance, benefit in kind and perquisites.

 

3.     Islamic

3.1   Tax exemption on income of Corporate Advisors on the issuance and trading of Sukuk

 

4.     Tax Administration

4.1   Implementation of Advance Pricing Arrangement

 

4.2   Tax treatment on Bonus and Directors' fees

 

4.3   Provision to determine and collect tax on other income of non-resident

 

4.4   Withholding tax on technical fees

 

4.5   Self amendment for additional assessment of Income Tax

 

4.6   Widening the scope of appeal to Special Commissioners of Income Tax

 

4.7   Tax Treatment on Clubs

 

4.8   Tax treatment on Professional Associations

 

4.9   Tax treatment on cost of dismantling and removing assets as well as restoring the site

 

4.10 Application of Arm's length principle on business transaction carried out between related companies

 

5.     Incentives for Other Sectors

5.1   Enhancing tax incentive for rearing of chicken and ducks using closed house system

 

5.2   Tax incentives to enhance training in selected fields

 

5.3   Enhancing tax incentives for Hotels for Sabah and Sarawak

 

5.4   Tax incentive for Venture Capital Industry ("VCC")

 

5.5   Tax incentive for the Generation of Energy from Renewable Sources

 

5.6   Tax incentive for Energy Conservation

 

5.7   Tax incentive for Hybrid Cars

 

5.8   Stamp duty on Loan Agreements and Service Agreements

 

6.     Other Incentives and Proposals

6.1   Review of Road Tax on private vehicles owned by individuals and companies

 

6.2   Tax incentives for Bus and Taxi operators

 

6.3   Stamp duty exemption on Loan Agreement for residential properties

 

6.4   Tax incentive to enhance the use of Information and Communication technology ("ICT")

 

6.5   Tax incentive to enhance security control

 

6.6   Review on Excise Duty on Cigarettes

 

6.7   Import liberalization on selected products

 

7.     Conclusion