declare income tax

How To Register As A Taxpayer For The First Time In 2023

It’s that time of the year again! The very (in)famous income tax filing season is here and if it’s your first time, you might be a little more lost than excited.

Here’s our checklist to guide you through the many documents, steps and forms you need to navigate through to get your income tax filing done and dusted.

Take note that e-Filing starts from March 1 every year! Minimum salary to pay income tax in Malaysia is RM34,000 per year (after EPF deductions) or RM3,000 per month before deductions.

There are two types of filing: e-filing which as the name suggests, is done electronically and manual filing, which requires you to print out the income tax form and fill it manually.

Obviously, e-filing is more convenient, simple and user-friendly. The best part? It will calculate your income tax automatically, making the whole process less painful.

Now, before you can register and declare your income tax, you need to make sure you have the following documents on hand.

Document checklist

All you need to do is check off the items in the checklist below one by one, and the best time to start gathering your receipts, documents and necessary details is right now.

Latest salary statement (EA/EC form) or payslip.
Identification card (IC)/ police IC/ army IC/ international passport.
Marriage certificate (if applicable).
Visit http://edaftar.hasil.gov.my/ to fill up the registration of income Tax File (You will need to upload a copy of your IC here).
Upon approval, visit LHDN branch near you to obtain your PIN number. During the Movement Control Order (MCO), request for your e-filing PIN number can be done using the LHDN customer feedback form.
Reference number (MyKad, Passport, Marriage, or Tax reference number).
Income statement (EA form, dividends, rental, pension, royalties, etc.)
EPF statement.
Receipts to claim reliefs, rebate, and exemptions.
Visit LHDN’s official website to do your taxes.
Choose the right income tax form (If you are an individual with non-business income, choose Income Tax Form BE (e-BE), and choose assessment year 2020. )
Carefully fill in your tax reliefs, tax rebates and tax exemptions.
Double-check all the information, declare, sign and send!
Retain the proof of purchase or spending for the items you are claiming for up to seven years.

Common Tax Reliefs

Check one by one if you are eligible to apply for these tax reliefs. Don’t miss anything!

Yes No Reliefs
Education expenses

(Degree at Masters or Doctorate level for acquiring law, accounting, Islamic financing, technical, vocational, industrial, scientific or technological skills of qualification, Degree at Masters or Doctorate level for acquiring any skills or qualifications)

Medical expenses

(For serious diseases for self, spouse or child, Complete medical examination for self, spouse or child, medical expenses for parents)

Lifestyle expenses

(Purchase of books, journals, magazine, printed newspaper and other similar publications, personal computer, smartphone or tablet, sports equipment for any sports activity as defined under the Sports Development Act 1997 (excluding motorised two-wheel bicycles) and gym memberships for self, spouse or child and payment of monthly bill for internet subscription)

Childcare expenses

(Breastfeeding equipment, ordinary child relief, child care fees to a child care centre or a kindergarten )

Insurance and other policies

(Life insurance, EPF, deferred annuity and PRS, insurance premium for education or medical benefit, SOCSO)

Disability

(Disabled individual, child, wife, husband and basic supporting equipment)

Children’s Education

(Education for unmarried child of 18 years and above for pre-tertiary and tertiary education in and outside Malaysia, additional exemption for disabled child pursuing higher education, net saving in SSPN’s scheme)

General

(Self & dependent, alimony payments)

Check how much income tax you’ll pay with the latest tax rates and compare it to what you have paid last year with iMoney’s Malaysia Income Tax calculator

And don’t forget, as announced in the Budget 2023, now the personal income tax rate for the income brackets between RM35,000 and RM100,000 will be reduced by 2%.

For a more detailed and step-by-step guide on e-Filing, visit iMoney’s Malaysia Income Tax e-Filing Guide.

Read iMoney’s extensive list and explanation on tax relief here.

And, for everything there is to know about personal income tax in Malaysia, head to The Definitive Guide To Personal Income Tax In Malaysia.

Happy e-Filing your taxes!

This article was first published in February 2020 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.

Leave your comment