Influencers, Have You Paid Your Taxes?
Posted on March 23, 2020
You must be thinking do influencers pay tax? In recent years, becoming an influencer or an internet personality is becoming the norm with the Millennials and Gen Zs. So much so, that they can rake in profits and make it a full-time job. This means that you have to pay your income tax once you reach the taxable income of RM32,000 annually.
Here are some of the baby steps you can take to declare your income and taxes!
To register your tax file - You can either go to the nearest LHDN branch or register online by going to edaftar.hasil.gov.my
To declare income - Go to the nearest LHDN branch together with; (1) Profit and Loss account, (2) Bank statement and (3) Copy of SSM (if registered)
See that wasn’t too hard, was it? By the way, registering your tax file and declaring your income doesn’t mean that you have to pay your tax! So don’t worry.
Which expenses are tax-deductible and which are not?
Allowable:
Utilities (for business purposes only)
- The cost incurred from posting reviews on social media
- The cost incurred during the production of business income such as;
- Salaries/Wages
- Employee’s EPF/SOC
- Business Insurance (burglary/fire)
- Business premises rental
- Interest on business loans
Non-allowable:
- Domestic and private expenses such as personal electricity bill, water supply bill, children’s education fees, and depreciation)
- Purchases of personal assets (car, house, and furniture)
- Other costs for personal purposes
What can influencers write off on taxes?
As an influencer, your job can require a wide variety of expenses. These may include (but are not limited to):
- Computers, tablets, and smartphones
- Cameras and other filming equipment
- Editing software
- Trademark and copyright fees
- Stock photography subscriptions
- Advertising and marketing costs
- Website
- Emailing service
- Home office space and supplies
- Travel
- Mileage
Are gifts in kind are taxable?
This includes products given for reviews;
How much is the tax rate for each income bracket?
Income Tax Rate | ||||
Category | Chargeable income (annually) | Calculations(RM) | Rate (%) | Tax (RM) |
A | 0,000 - 5,000 | On the first 5,000 | 0 | 0 |
B | 0,5001 - 20,00 | On the first 5,000 Next 15,000 | 1 | 0 150 |
C | 20,001 - 35,000 | On the first 20,000 Next 15,000 | 3 | 150 450 |
D | 35,001 - 50,000 | On the first 35,000 Next 15,000 | 8 | 600 1,200 |
E | 50,001 - 70,000 | On the first 50,000 Next 20,000 | 14 | 1,800 2,800 |
F | 70,001 - 100,000 | On the first 70,000 Next 30,000 | 21 | 4,600 6,300 |
G | 100,001 - 250,000 | On the first 100,000 Next 150,000 | 24 | 10,900 36,000 |
H | 250,001 - 400,00 | On the first 250,000 Next 150,000 | 24.5 | 46,900 36,750 |
I | 400,001 - 600,000 | On the first 400,000 Next 200,000 | 25 | 83,650 50,000 |
J | 600,001 - 1,000,000 | On the first 600,000 Next 400,000 | 26 | 133,650 104,000 |
K | Exceeding 1,000,000 | On the first 1,000,000 Next ringgit | 28 | 237,650 …………... |
Tax Rate Table
The tax rate depends on your chargeable income. For further explanation on how to calculate chargeable income and how to refer to this table, please visit the nearest LHDN branch.
What category does influencer’s income falls under and why it is different from a salary?
The income that influencers received falls under the Other Gain category (file OG). You need to submit Form B (Resident Who Carries On Business).
Influencer’s income is different from salary because
- They do not have an EA form
- The income is not fixed
- There is no employee-employer relationship in the contract
- They are entitled to deduct their expenses from their income received in Malaysia
Are International Influencers being paid from Malaysia taxed? What’s the tax rate?
For non-resident influencers, their income falls under these categories
- If they come to Malaysia under contract with the client and receive payment from Malaysia, then their income is considered taxable
- If they conduct the business outside of Malaysia but received money from the client in Malaysia, then their income is not taxable
Founder of SushiVid, Foong Yuh Wen said “As a proud Malaysian and the CEO of an influencer marketing company, I feel that Malaysian influencers have progressed to reach sizable incomes in the past years. SushiVid is humbled to say we have paid over 2000 influencers in 4 years. I feel that it has been a long journey but the Income Tax Act is society’s way of admitting social media influencing is a profitable and professional career choice. Although influencer marketing is only at it’s budding stage, collectively if all our influencers pay RM1000 in income taxes a year, LHDN would be able to collect RM2,000,000! We could use it to further develop our country! This is the best part of starting a business - giving back to our country.”
SushiVid has taken it upon themselves to host a complimentary workshop in collaboration with Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri (LHDN). The event will be officiated by the Director of Corporate Communication, Mr Hishamuddin Mohamed.
LHDN officials will be present on the event day to lend a helping hand to influencers with their tax paying process and claims. Seats are open to the first 100 influencers to participate via Eventbrite. Click on the picture above to join the event for FREE!
Want more information about your taxes as an Influencer?
You can visit the LHDN and proceed to the department in charge - Bahagian Kesedaran Cukai Jabatan Khidmat Korporat
Or
Contact them at
Hasil Careline: 1-800-88-5436 or 603-89111100 (overseas)
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