Tax exemption status currently enjoyed by religious institutions

suppadmin | January 11, 2017

We welcome the recent government announcement to clarify to the issue of the amendment of paragraph 13(1) Schedule 6 of the Income Tax Act 1967 which had recently created some confusion among the parties affected.

The issue has now been clarified and resolved during a meeting held on 9 January, between the Second Finance Minister with representatives from religious institutions.

The meeting was also attended by Inland Revenue Representative, along with senior officers from the Ministry of Finance.

The Minister provided an explanation on the government’s intention behind the amendment, which in principal, is not intended to revoke tax exemption status that is currently enjoyed by religious institutions.

The Minister has agreed to issue an exemption order soon under section 127 of Income Tax Act 1967 to exempt all income of religious institutions that are registered under The Registry of Societies Malaysia or under any written law that governs these institutions.

The prerequisite to register and qualify for the exemption would be in line with the government’s assumption, and intention, that religious institutions are well managed and not abused by irresponsible parties.

Men and women of the Faith are responsible to their beliefs and are invariably generous when contributing to their respective houses of worship as well as religious groups and institutions. They have strong faith that these donations, contributions, in whatever forms, will be used for the good of the respective religions they profess to.

Sebastian Ting