Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Audit & Assurance
With effect on 1 March 2010, MIA has issued the Recommended Practice Guide 7 (RPG 7) for charging professional audit and assurance services.
Why did the MIA issue this Practice Guide? Reasons are as follows:-
● Increased in compliance cost and time spent on each audit for ensuring continuous up-grading of skills and adherence to professional pronouncement due to higher auditing standards requirements.
● Increased in operating costs over the years
● Ensuring a reasonable level of remuneration will encourage the practitioners/auditors to maintain and upgrade the quality of service rendered.
● Ensuring practitioners/auditors’ have remained their professionalism and not affected by other competitors.
In order to uphold the spirit of the Competition Act (CA) 2010 and not breach any of its provisions, MIA has decided to withdraw the RPG 7 with effect from 1 June 2015. However this practice guideline will still become part of our auditors’ guidance in performance of and charging for their respective duties.
(i) Time-based billing
Time-based billing pre-supposes all information and knowledge is of equal value to all clients. It also discounted the value of research needed to satisfactorily discharge an assignment and the knowledge accumulated by the firm.
(ii) Value-based billing
Value-based billing takes cognizance of the knowledge and skills that a practitioner brought to bear on the assignment and the professional judgement that he was called upon to make. At the same time, the client who derived a certain value, be it functional value or emotional value, must be reflected by a fair and equitable fee payable.
It is important to highlight that an inefficient and poor accounting personnel will drive your audit fees much higher. For example, delay in responding to the audit queries or requests, improper way of recording the transactions. Thus, it is crucial for a company to have a qualified accounting personnel and extensive relevant experience.
2. Be Transparent And Active Communication With The Auditors
Be upfront and transparent with any issues you think the auditors should know about. Mutual respect for each other will go a long way in making sure your audit is efficient and effective. Timely communication at all levels ensures all parties are on the same page with respect to audit status, making the process as efficient as possible.
3. Be Organized And Preparations Throughout The Year
Be organized and prepare appropriate schedules of accounts, monthly reconciliations. Taking actions on auditors recommendations once they are known for improving your company internal controls, reduces your company’s auditing time spent and audit procedures due to strong internal control is in place. Consequently reducing your audit fees!
4. Ensure Your Provider Audits Top-Down
Auditors need to be able to see the big picture, and starting from trial balance or subsidiary level and working up will not allow them to do this, which can lead to over auditing, particularly in consolidated financial statements. Instead, ensure they are able to start at the top level consolidated numbers and can look down from there.
5. Complex And Unusual Transactions
To consult your auditors on those complex and unusual transactions are recommended. For example, transactions such as business acquisitions, discontinued operations, or others may be unusual and highly significant. Involving the auditors at the time of transaction will reduce time and year-end surprises.
6. Quick Response
Delay in responding to the auditors’ requests and queries will prolong the audit process and undoubtedly increase audit fees. Answering quickly and having documents readily available will promote an efficient cost effective audit.
7. Performing A Self-Audit
A Self-audit performed within the company before the auditors commence, will provide you an opportunity to correct some errors. Focusing on high risk areas, high value balances. This way, you are confident that the auditors will have the best “product” to work with, audit procedures will be reduced, and will lead to lower fees.
8. Prepare An Annual Summary
Presenting to your auditors an annual summary in a memo format of all the significant and new events occurred during the year, changes in personnel or corporate structure, variance analyses on revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities with explanations, will assist the auditor in effectively planning and executing the audit.
9. Treating Your Auditor As A Partner
Treating your auditor as a partner is a must. Take the opportunity to discuss with your auditors various issues or concerns other than the audit, such as tax compliance, business strategy, performance measurement, etc. An effective audit should conclude with an added value.
10. Think the long term
Frequent change in auditors would probably be the costliest business decision that will surely result in high audit fees. Investing the time to select an audit firm that “fits” with the company will not only help in reducing audit fees in the long term but can result in increased operating efficiency, improvement of the bottom line with the reduction of costs.
Your company has to be one of the following categories of private companies qualify for audit exemption:
(a) Dormant companies
(b) Zero-Revenue Companies
(c) Threshold-Qualified Companies
A dormant company is a private entity as defined by the Malaysian Accounting Standards Board (MASB) and the company is qualified for audit exemption if--
(a) it has been dormant from the time of its incorporation; or
(b) it is dormant throughout the current financial year and in the immediate preceding financial year.
● a company is dormant in a financial year if the company does not carry on business and there is no accounting transaction occurred;
● “Accounting transaction” means a transaction, accounting or other records of which is required to be kept under section 245(1) of the Companies Act 2016, excluding a transaction arising from any obligations that the company is required to abide by any laws to pay and its related costs to comply.
B. Zero-Revenue companies
A zero-revenue company is a private entity as defined by the Malaysian Accounting Standards Board (MASB) and the company is qualified for audit exemption if—
(a) it does not have any revenue during the current financial year;
(b) it does not have any revenue in the immediate past two financial years; and
(c) its total assets in the current Statement of Financial Position (FS) does not exceed RM300,000 as well as in the FS of the immediate past two financial years.
● “revenue” does not include credit entries for reversal of accounting entries arising from earlier entries, accounting entries related to taxation, reversal of provisions made earlier and gain on derecognition of property, plant, equipment and investment property in the Statement of Comprehensive Income;
● a company ceases to be inactive where there are revenue received or receivable; and
● any expenses incurred in maintaining the company is disregarded.
(C) Threshold-Qualified companies
A threshold-qualified company is a private entity as defined by the Malaysian Accounting Standards Board (MASB) and is qualified for an audit exemption if -
(a) it has revenue not exceeding RM100,000 during the current financial year and in the immediate past two (2) financial years;
(b) its total assets in the current Statement of Financial Position (FS) does not exceed RM300,000 and in the immediate past two (2) financial years; and
(c) it has, at the end of its current financial year and in each of its immediate past two (2) financial years end, not more than five (5) employees.
● revenue includes revenue receivable during the year.
(a) any member or members eligible to vote and holding in aggregate of not less than 5% of the total number of issued shares of the company or any class of those shares;
(b) not less than 5% of the total number of members eligible to vote in of the company; or
(c) the Registrar who directs the company to have its accounts audited.
There are three (3) categories of companies, namely dormant companies, zero revenue companies and threshold-qualified companies.
The annual periods’ commencement dates for these categories of companies are as follows–
(a) Dormant companies incorporated on or after 31 January 2017 – financial periods commencing 31 January 2017 where election not to audit its financial statements will be triggered for financial periods commencing on or after 31 January 2017.
(b) Dormant companies incorporated on or before 30 January 2017 – financial periods commencing 1 September 2017 where election not to audit its financial statements will be triggered for financial year ended 31 August 2018;
(c) Zero-revenue companies – financial periods commencing 1 January 2018 where election not to audit its financial statements will be triggered for the financial year ended 31 December 2018.
(d) Threshold-qualified companies – financial periods commencing 1 July 2018 where election not to audit its financial statements will be triggered for the financial year ended 30 June 2019.
Have a complete picture of how your business is working and where your company is most stable after auditing your company financial statements. Reducing the time spent on those stable areas and focusing on the weaker part of your company. Consequently, improve the business performance as a whole.
b. Additional Perspective To Ensure Compliance With Laws And Regulations
Ensuring your financial statements have full compliance with laws and regulations. Your auditors will also offer helpful suggestions, if there are any serious flaws in your systems. Conducting the audit early on, it could mean the difference between your company flourishing and struggling in the near future.
c. Improve Your Credit Rating and Trustworthiness
Possibilities for getting approval of loans will be increased if bankers have definite proof you have the resources to repay the loan. As investors’ perspectives, increased confidence in your financial statements will ensure their continued support in your company.
d. More Reliable
Provide reliability in your financial statements and assurance that everything in your business is going as planned and assist the tax official to be able to rely on your audited financial statements to reach their conclusions about your company taxation or any other matters from their area of interest.
e. Be Certain Where Your Company Will Be In The Future
With more information about your company on areas that need improvement and be certain on the areas that are in a smooth business process. Demand a closer look that requires more control to be placed in the current control system with additional care before those seemingly minor mistakes hurt the company.
f. Promote Accountability And Improvement From The Bottomline
Promoting accountability for the managers and employees in your company. Thus, your employees will focus more on dependable accounting and management. They will be able to improve themselves by correcting any flaws in their own work, so they can make their work even more reliable in the future.
Company Income Tax - (h) Investment Holding Company (IHC)
● Section 60F of ITA 1967 of an Investor Holding Company not listed on Bursa Malaysia; and
● Section 60FA of ITA 1967 for Investor Holding Companies listed on Bursa Malaysia
Company Income Tax - (g) Transfer Pricing
The selling price of a product that the parent company applies to the subsidiary may differ from the sale price of the independent party . This sale price is referred to as a transfer price.
Article 9, OECD On Income and On Capital Tax Convention Model - OECD defines related companies are:
A company that is directly or indirectly involved in the management, control or capital of a company; or
Both companies are under the same control
Section 139 of ITA 1967 provides that control is a controlling power of the company (directly or indirectly). Such authority is obtained by way of shareholding, voting power, power embodied in the procedure of the company or other document relating to the company.
Company Income Tax - (e) Tax Incentives
● No. 6/2012: Return on Investment Allowance
● No. 9/2017: Return on Investment Allowance Part I - Manufacturing Activities
● No. 10/2017: Part II Investment Allowance - Agricultural and Integrated Activities
Company Income Tax - (d) Claims Allowance
Tax deductions are provided in the form of Capital Allowance in lieu of depreciation expense for the purchase of assets used in the business, in determining the statutory income of a business source.
Capital Allowance is only given to the person making the Eligible Spend (PYL) on the assets used for his business purposes as provided under the Schedule 3 of the ITA 1967 and will only be deducted if claimed.
Capital Allowance is provided in the form of Initial Allowance (IA) and Annual Allowance (AA).
Initial Allowance (IA):
● Doing business within a basic period
● Perform PYL in basic period
● The asset is used for business purposes, and
● At the end of the base period (or if the asset is disposed of, at the time of disposal) he or she is the owner of the asset.
Annual Allowance (AA):
● Doing business within a basic period
● Perform PYL in basic period
● The asset is used for business purposes, and
● At the end of the base period, he is the owner of the asset and the asset is still used in his business
● No. 5/2014: Ownership and Use of Assets for the Purpose of EM Claims
● No. 12/2014: Eligible Plant And Machinery For EM Claims
● No. 6/2015: Eligible Expenditure And EM Calculations
Roads or buildings used for the purpose of producing timber. As a convenience, the bridge or pier built for the business is also eligible for the allowance given; or
Buildings provided for the purpose of welfare or living quarters for the purpose of producing timber.
● No. 8/2016: Industrial Building Part I
● No. 10/2016: Industrial Building Part II
Company Income Tax - (c) Unauthorized Spending
Company Income Tax - (b) Pre-business expenses
However, Schedule 4B of ITA 1967 and the Rules issued by the Minister of Finance namely PU (A) 61/1992, PU (A) 111/1995, PU (A) 160/1996, PU (A) 475/2003, PU (A) A) 472/2005, PU (A) 135/2006, PU (A) 65/2007, PU (A) 361/2008, PU (A) 401/2009 and PU (A). 76/2012 authorizes deductions for certain expenses incurred prior to commencement of operations or business.
● Expenditure authorized in accordance with the general provisions of Section 33 of ITA 1967
● Expenses allowed in accordance with specific provisions or deductions such as Section 34, Section 34A, Section 34B Section 34C, Section 35 of ITA 1967; and
● Expenses authorized by Income Tax Method or by order of the Minister of Finance or other provision
● Subsection 33 (1) of the ITA 1967, provides that all and purely expenditure incurred in generating gross income from a source may be allowed as deductions from such gross income. The provisions of Subsection 33 (1) of ITA 1967 should be read in conjunction with the provisions of subsection 39 (1) of ITA 1967 in determining adjusted income.
Company Income Tax - (a) Gross Business Income
Refund
30 business days from the date of submission of the form if the form is submitted on or before the deadline for submission by e-filing.
90 business days from the date of submission of the form if the form is submitted on or before the deadline for submission of the form submission.
Pay Income Tax
a) Online through the ByrHasil app: https://byrhasil.hasil.gov.my/ Payment via internet banking with FPX member banks. This service uses FPX as a Gateway for taxpayers. Users need to have an internet banking account with any bank participating in FPX. Payment via VISA, Mastercard and American Express credit cards issued in Malaysia.
b) Through IRBM collection agencies
Payment at the Agent Counter
Internet Payment
Payment via ATM
Payment via Tele-Banking
Pay Through Check Deposit Machine
Cash Deposit Machine
c) Payment may be made by post to Center Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu IRBM
● Income tax number
● Name and identification number
● Year of assessment
● Payment code
● Installment number
● Total payments
Payment receipts and bank slips must be kept for records and references.
● Not doing business: before or on April 30
● Doing business: before or on June 30
ways:
● Through Telegraphic Transfer (TT) / Interbank Transfer Giro (IBG) / Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT)
● Through Bank Draft
Private Retirement Scheme
Personal Income Tax (Including Business Owners)
Furthermore, you should gain maximum benefit from tax allowances and incentives, save time by letting tax consultants manage tax-related matters under the self assessment regime like computing tax, keeping accounting records on business for seven years, as well as paying the installments on tax estimates to the IRB.
Secondly, you can avoid or minimize tax penalties arising out of non-compliance with the tax laws and can capitalize on tax planning to minimize your tax liability.
Thirdly and also the key consideration would be the tax savings and costs to hire a tax consultant.
Generally, the fees range from RM 350 to RM 1,500 (excluding the bookkeeping fees, out-of pocket expenses, GST/service tax, applicable to individuals who have business income and are required to file Form P & Form B). It is important to note that the fee of having a professional prepare a statutory income tax return would depend on the type of income tax return forms, such as whether one is under employment or is an individual businessman, and the complexity of each case.If your income is derived from an employment source, it is very straightforward that you just use your chargeable income to deduct your tax reliefs. You may risk not doing a 100% accurate job, but if your tax savings are just a few hundred ringgit, it is difficult to justify the consultant’s fees.
However, if you own numerous properties, receive rental income and own business, your case becomes complicated. It would make more sense for you to look into hiring a personal tax consultant.
● Single status individuals earning over RM34,001 per year (after EPF deduction)
● Married and unemployed individuals who earn more than RM46,001 per annum
● Individuals who do business (even if they are at a disadvantage)
● New Employees Withdrawal Monthly Tax Deduction (PCB)
● Individuals with taxable income
● Individuals who sell / buy property.
1. online ( online ) via e-list http://edaftar.hasil.gov.my ; or
2. manual at the nearest Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRBM).
Application to register an income tax reference number can be made at the nearest
IRBM branch.
Documents Required For Registration
● A copy of the latest Salary Statement (EA/EC Form) or latest Salary Slip
● A copy of Identification card (IC) / police IC / army IC / international passport
● A copy of marriage certificate (if applicable)
You can also register an Income Tax reference number via e-Daftar, or you need any
assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Registration by e-Register:
● Passport for non-Malaysian citizens
● Business Registration Certificate (for individuals doing business)
Manually sign up:
● Form CP600
● Identity card (new identity card, military, police or passport)
● Business Registration Certificate (for individuals doing business)
● Income statement / salary slip
Submit an Income Tax Return Form (BNCP) either using a paper form or through an
e-Filing application;
● Report income and expenses, including deductions and rebates;
● Calculating income tax; and
● Keep records, documents and worksheets for seven (7) years for auditing
purposes.
● Dividend vouchers
● Insurance premium receipt
● Book purchase receipt
● Medical receipt
● Donation receipt
● Zakat payment receipt
● Birth certificate
● Marriage certificate
● Other supporting documents & Worksheet (if applicable)
Individuals not doing business , please complete:
● Form BE
➢ Employment Income and Other Income (Non-Business) for Individual Resident
● Form M
➢ Business Income, Employment and Other Income for Non-Resident Individuals
● BT Form
➢ Business Income, Employment and Other Income (Knowledgeable / Expert Employer) for Resident Individuals
● MT Form
➢ Business Income, Employment and Other Income (Knowledge Workers) for Non-Resident Individuals
Individuals doing business , please complete:
● Form B
➢ Business Income, Employment and Other Income for Resident Individual
● Form M
➢ Business Income, Employment and Other Income for Non-Resident Individuals
● BT Form
➢ Business Income, Employment and Other Income (Knowledgeable / Expert Employer) for Resident Individuals
● MT Form
➢ Business Income, Employment and Other Income (Knowledge Workers) for Non-Resident Individuals
Individuals not doing business: before or on April 30
Individuals doing business: before or on June 30
Employer:
Your employer is responsible for notifying IRBM within thirty (30) days prior to the date of termination. Employers will also need to complete the CP21 Form (Notice By Employer For Retired Employees) and submit it to the IRBM branch that handles your income tax file. The employer will have to withhold any payments due to you until the Tax Settlement Letter (SPC) is received.
Workers:
You will need to provide in writing (letter) together with relevant supporting documents to the IRBM branch which handles your income tax file in relation to your status of having no income in Malaysia due to / working abroad.
Beginning with the Assessment Year 2004, income received in Malaysia from outside Malaysia is tax exempt. Therefore, taxpayers whether resident or non-resident in Malaysia are taxed on income derived from Malaysia only (Paragraph 28 (1), Schedule 6 of the Income Tax Act 1967). If you have worked overseas and the work carried out in relation to the employment carried out in Malaysia, then the income earned from employment will be taxable in Malaysia. You can visit the IRBM Official Portal, www.hasil.gov.my >> Internal Links >> General Provisions >> No.1 / 2011 - Taxation of Malaysian Employees Sent Overseas for further review.
Individuals who conduct a Business, Employment and Other Income
➢ before or on June 30
Individuals receiving Employment Income and Other Income (not doing business)
➢ before or on April 30
in the year following a year of assessment.
Provided:
● Have taxable income for the year of assessment; or
● Has no taxable income for the year of assessment but has taxable income or has submitted to BNCP or has been required to submit BNCP for the year of assessment before the year of assessment.
● under 18;
● if above 18 years of age, must be full-time or undergoing training or articleship in a company or profession; or
● physical or mental disability registered with the Department of Social Welfare (relief for children physically or mentally disabled is RM6,000.00).
● "Religious authorities established under any written law" include the Zakat Collection Center and the State Islamic Religious Council.
● "Written Law" means the legal enactment or legal instrument in force in Malaysia.
Section 133 - Refers to tax deductions for one party only in countries that do not enter into a double tax evasion agreement with Malaysia and which calculations can be made in the HK-9 Form BE Guidebook.
● Has one source of income only under section 13 of ITA 1967, including Benefits In Kind (BIK) and Value of Living Accomodation (VOLA);
● The PCB is deducted under the Income Tax (Deductions from Remuneration) Rules 1994 or no PCB is deducted because income below the deduction rate (PCB zero);
● Serving the same employer;
● Taxes are not borne by employers; and
● Husband or wife makes separate assessment choices.
● Retire before age 55
If you retire before the age of 55, your pension is eligible for income tax until you are 55 years old. Please fill in the pension income in the Pension, annuity and other periodic payments.
● If someone receives more than one pension, only the highest amount of pension is tax-exempt. Refer to Paragraph 16 of Schedule 6 of the Income Tax Act 1967.
● Pension issues received are tax-free.
Example: Wife / husband pension (issue) on spouse's death. This pension is not taxable.
Employer’s Tax Responsibility
● e-PCB is for employers who do not have a computerized payroll system. Employers need to register as a user to allow employers to store employee information, calculate PCBs, submit employee PCB data and make payments either online or at the bank's payment counter.
● e-Data PCB is for use by employers with computerized pay systems. Employers will need to register as a user to allow employers to review the format and upload the CP39 text file online. This system helps employers send employees PCB data according to the specification and make payment. Employers can make payments either online or at the bank.
● e-CP39 is for employers who do not have a computerized payroll system. Employers have the option to sign in to the system as registered or unregistered users . Calculation of PCB amount can be done through PCB Schedule, Table e or PCB Calculator. Employers can make payments either online or at the bank.
Financial Process Exchange (FPX) on the IRBM Official Portal (ezHASIL) through the e-CP39 system.
Internet banking
CIMB Bank Berhad
In addition to CIMB Bank (IBG / RENTAS / Telegraphic Transfer (TT) / Cash Transfer)
Bank Counter or Automated Teller Machine (ATM)
CIMB Bank Berhad - Cash Only
In addition to CIMB Bank (IBG / RENTAS / Telegraphic Transfer (TT) / Cash Transfer)
Cheque deposit machine, and cash deposit machine at CIMB bank network only.
(Please make sure the PCB Account Number (14 digits) is written on the back of the check before being entered into the check receipt kiosk)
Please use the following code for IBG / RENTAS / Telegraphic Transfer (TT) transactions
CIMB Bank Berhad Bank Counter - Cash only
Automated Teller Machine (ATM) CIMB only
Cheque deposit machine, and cash deposit machine at CIMB bank network only.
In addition to CIMB Bank (IBG / RENTAS / Telegraphic Transfer (TT) / Cash Transfer)
* Please make sure your PCB Account Number (14 digits) is written on the
back of your check before being entered into the check receipt kiosk.