IRBM Newsletter July 2021

Beware taxpayers!

Look like the tax authority will focus on the following tax issues in July IRB official newsletter

1. Digital business

2. Tax clearance letter (TCL)

Digital business

Digital business refers to economic activities that use digital technology. Any business transaction conducted through digital technology is considered as a digital business, even if the payment and delivery related to the transaction is physically conducted.

Individuals or companies that engage in digital businesses in Malaysia are subject to the Income Tax Act 1967. Examples of the digital business sectors are:

a) Retail: dropship, agents, stockists and others

b) Healthcare: sale of healthcare products

c) Advertising: Bloggers, Instafamous, Youtubers, Live Streamers

Tax clearance letter (TCL)

Tax Clearance Letter (TCL) is a certificate issued by the IRBM to employers related to the income tax of employees, who are about to cease an employment / retire / want to leave Malaysia or employees who have died. For individuals who receive income other than employment, the heir or appointed executor is responsible for making a tax settlement in the event of the taxpayer's death.

The employer must inform the IRBM not less than 30 days before the date of termination / retirement / the employee is expected to leave Malaysia, or not later than 30 days after being notified of the employee's death.

The employer also must withhold any part of the money that will or can be paid to the employee until receiving the TCL from the IRBM.

The application for tax clearance can be made via:

a) e-SPC via the MyTax link (by employers only)

b) Manual submission to the IRBM branch that handles the relevant

individual tax file, using the following application forms:

i) CP22A: For private employees

ii) CP22B: For civil servants

iii) CP21: Employees who will leave Malaysia