How Does Monthly Tax Deduction (MTD/PCB) Work In Malaysia?

How Does Monthly Tax Deduction (MTD/PCB) Work In Malaysia?

Monthly Tax Deduction (MTD or PCB, Potongan Cukai Bulanan) was introduced in January 1995, is a system of tax recovery where employers make deductions from their employees’ remuneration every month in accordance with the PCB deduction schedule. This is mandatory, in that neither the employer nor employee has any choice in the matter.

PCB is a mechanism in which employers deduct monthly tax payments from the employment income of their employees. Most people, however, are quite confused with the PCB and income tax filing. Many are shocked to find out the amount of tax they would have to pay after all the calculation because they assume that PCB is the final tax.

PCB is not final tax

Intended to reduce the employee’s burden to pay in one lump sum, the PCB deduction is normally not enough to cover the actual tax payable by tax payees. These deductions are intended to reduce the employee’s burden by making monthly tax payment in advance to LHDN. However, tax payees still need to file the returns.

PCB and Exemption from Filing a Tax Return

You are still obligated to pay tax even though you pay PCB every month, unless you meet the conditions below, in which you may not need to file a tax return.

Conditions:

• Your only source of income is your employment income;
• You have been working for 12 months in the calendar year with the same employer;
• Your employer has been deducting PCB from your salary, correctly;
• Your employer is not paying any of your taxes; and
• You have not opted for a joint assessment with your spouse.
• If any of those conditions are not met, then you must file a tax return.
• If you meet the above conditions and have not submitted a tax return by the deadline for submission (April 30th) you will be deemed to have made an election not to submit a return.

Benefits of filing a tax return

There are benefits of to file a personal income tax return. In the case that if you have somehow underpaid your taxes for the year, filing a tax return will save you trouble down the road. Imagine this, you still owe LHDN tens of thousands tax when you are about to retire! On the other hand, you may have overpaid taxes and filing a tax return will allow you to claim a tax refund.