
No service tax on basic banking transactions under expanded service tax scope
KUALA LUMPUR: Member banks of Malaysia's banking associations will begin implementing the service tax on relevant financial services in phases from July 1, 2025, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Customs Department.
This follows the recent gazettment of the service tax legislations concerning the expansion of service tax scope, said the Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM), the Association of Islamic Banking and Financial Institutions Malaysia (AIBIM), and the Malaysian Investment Banking Association (MIBA).
The associations said the imposition of service tax on financial services would be in line with the legislation and relevant guidelines gazetted or issued by the Finance Ministry and the Customs Department.
"Service tax will be imposed at a rate of eight per cent on fee- and commission-based financial services.
"We assure banking customers that several exemptions and exclusions have been granted — for example, basic banking services for the public, including current and savings account-related charges, will remain exempt from service tax for both conventional and Islamic banking services," they added.
For further details, ABM, AIBIM and MIBA advise the public to refer to communications from their respective banks, which will be published via the banks' official channels. - BERNAMA

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Beauty services exempted as govt fine-tunes SST rollout
PETALING JAYA: The government will not proceed with the proposed inclusion of beauty services under the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST), following public concern and feedback from industry players. The Finance Ministry said the decision was made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who also holds the finance portfolio, after taking into account widespread sentiment ahead of the SST expansion taking effect on July 1. This means services such as manicures, pedicures, facials, and haircuts will remain exempt under the revised tax regime. The exemption is one of several adjustments announced by the Finance Ministry as part of efforts to fine-tune the tax structure and cushion its impact on the public and small businesses. 'The Madani government remains committed to ensuring that the SST revision is progressive and mitigates the impact on basic consumption items by the rakyat and the impact on small businesses,' the ministry said in a statement Friday (June 27). The revisions follow widespread feedback from both the public and industry groups. Hairdressers and beauty salon operators had voiced concern that taxing services like haircuts and facials would unfairly burden small businesses and lower-income consumers, with objections raised earlier this month. In a broader move to manage cost-of-living pressures, the government will also exempt selected imported fruits — apples, oranges, mandarin oranges and dates — from the Sales Tax. The ministry reaffirmed that essential food items such as rice, chicken, beef, vegetables, eggs, and various local fish — including selar (yellowtail scad), tongkol (longtail tuna) and cencaru (torpedo scad) — whether fresh, chilled or frozen, remain exempt from the tax. These fish are staple protein sources for many households due to their affordability and accessibility. To reduce the burden on small businesses, the annual sales threshold for mandatory Service Tax registration has been raised from RM500,000 to RM1mil for leasing, rental, and financial services. This means only companies generating over RM1mil in yearly sales from such services will be required to charge the 8% tax. For financial services, the tax applies specifically to fee- or commission-based activities. The ministry also reminded the public and stakeholders to refer only to verified information on the SST rollout, including official announcements, guidelines, FAQs and subsidiary legislation available through the Finance Ministry and Royal Malaysian Customs Department websites. Further enquiries can be directed to the Customs Department SST Call Centre at 1-300-888-500 or through the dedicated hotline numbers. The expanded SST will come into effect on July 1, 2025.

Barnama
6 hours ago
- Barnama
Maal Hijrah: Azmar Talib Honoured For Championing Islamic Economy In Melaka
MELAKA, June 27 (Bernama) -- A strong passion for economics and real estate, along with years of trusted service, has earned Datuk Azmar Talib the Melaka Tokoh Maal Hijrah 2025 award. The 65-year-old from Masjid Tanah received the Abu Bakar As-Siddiq Award in recognition of his contributions to Islamic economic development and efforts to modernise waqf and zakat management in the state. Azmar said he still has several ideas to help improve the economy of Muslims in Melaka, especially the asnaf group. 'Waqf (endowment made by Muslims for charitable or religious purposes) properties must be developed and managed efficiently to benefit the community and this is what I'm working on with JAIM and Tabung Haji,' he said after receiving the award during the state Maal Hijrah celebration at Masjid Al-Hakeem, Kampung Tehel here last night. The ceremony, officiated by Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam, was attended by state leaders and over 3,000 people. Azmar, who once served as CEO of TRX City Sdn Bhd, hopes more Muslims will go into business, following the Sunnah of the Prophet in building a strong economy. He said his current roles in the Melaka Islamic Religious Council (MAIM) and the State Economic Action Council (MTENM) allow him to help strengthen both the state's economy and Islamic affairs. 'We are still economically behind and often rely on aid because many of us work for others. I believe zakat and waqf assets should be better utilised through investments, and the returns can help Muslims start businesses,' he said. Azmar was one of 12 recipients of the Maal Hijrah 1447H/2025M awards.


New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- New Straits Times
No service tax on basic banking transactions under expanded service tax scope
KUALA LUMPUR: Member banks of Malaysia's banking associations will begin implementing the service tax on relevant financial services in phases from July 1, 2025, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Customs Department. This follows the recent gazettment of the service tax legislations concerning the expansion of service tax scope, said the Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM), the Association of Islamic Banking and Financial Institutions Malaysia (AIBIM), and the Malaysian Investment Banking Association (MIBA). The associations said the imposition of service tax on financial services would be in line with the legislation and relevant guidelines gazetted or issued by the Finance Ministry and the Customs Department. "Service tax will be imposed at a rate of eight per cent on fee- and commission-based financial services. "We assure banking customers that several exemptions and exclusions have been granted — for example, basic banking services for the public, including current and savings account-related charges, will remain exempt from service tax for both conventional and Islamic banking services," they added. For further details, ABM, AIBIM and MIBA advise the public to refer to communications from their respective banks, which will be published via the banks' official channels. - BERNAMA