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MIAnew - QE - Part 2 - Examination Syllabus - Taxation

TAXATION

OBJECTIVE
To equip candidates with the knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts, principles and current tax practices in Malaysia as well as the ability to solve practical problems and to be familiar with aspects of other relevant legislation.

INTRODUCTION
This paper is designed to develop an understanding among candidates of the concepts and principles of personal, business and corporate income taxation, taxation of specialised entities, withholding taxes, etc. Besides these, legislation relating to real property gains tax and investment incentives will also be covered.

Candidates are expected to display an in-depth understanding of the impact of all major taxes on the transactions of individuals, companies and special undertakings and be able to identify, discuss and advice on the tax issues in a particular situation as well as planning opportunities to minimise potential tax liabilities.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successfully completing the examination, candidates at the minimum should be able to:

Explain how the Malaysian Tax System operates.
Determine the taxability of receipts and deductibility of expenses in accordance with the tax legislation.
Prepare the computation of tax liability for individuals, companies, trusts, partnerships, estates, clubs, co-operative societies and other specialised businesses.
Explain the major tax incentives available to investors.
Prepare computations of and advice individuals and companies on issues relating to real property gains tax as a result of the disposal of chargeable assets.
Explain the application of exemptions and reliefs and provide advice on minimising or deferring tax liabilities.

SYLLABUS WEIGHTAGE

Syllabus Content Area

Weighting

General Introduction
Principles of Taxation

15%

Personal Taxation
Deceased persons, Estate and Trust Bodies
Partnerships

20%

Business / Corporate Taxation
Relief on capital expenditure

25%

Investment Incentives
Withholding Taxes
Indirect Taxes (Sales Tax and Service Tax)
Cross Border Activities

15%

Specialised Industries
Real Property Gains Tax
Tax Planning & Avoidance

25%

Total

100%

EXAMINATION FORMAT
A 3-hour written paper comprising 5 to 6 compulsory questions.

SYLLABUS CONTENT

NO CONTENT LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE
A GENERAL INTRODUCTION  
1
An Introduction to the Malaysian Tax System

-

Objectives of taxation
- Direct and Indirect taxes
- Basis of charge/ what is taxable/ who is taxable
- Basis period/ Basis year/ Year of assessment
- Tax rates
A
2
Tax Administration – Assessment and Collection

-

Organisational structure
- Power and authority of the Director General of the Inland Revenue Board
- Filing of tax returns and collection of taxes
- Self- assessment system
- Appeals
- Responsibility of taxpayers and employers
- Tax audits and tax investigations
A
3
Basis of Assessment – Commencement, Cessation and Change of Accounting Dates

-

Basis periods
- Commencement and cessation of operations
- Change of accounting dates
A
B
PRINCIPLES OF TAXATION

-

Distinction between trade and non-trade activities
- Distinction between revenue and capital receipts and its assessability.
- Distinction between revenue and capital expenditure and its deductibility.
- Format of arriving at chargeable income
A
C PERSONAL TAXATION  
1
Scope of charge and residence status

-

Scope of charge
- Importance and determination of residence status
A
2
Employment Income

-

Definition of employment / Derivation
- Distinction between employment and profession
- Gross employment income
- Treatment of benefits
- Adjusted income
- Basis Period
- Exemptions
A
3
Non-Business Sources of Income
Dividend, interest, discounts, rent, premiums, royalty and other income sources
- Derivation
- Basis periods
- Exemptions
- Adjusted income
- Statutory income
A
4
Computation of tax liability

-

Determination of aggregate income
- Determination of total income
- Personal reliefs
- Determination of chargeable income
- Tax rates
- Rebates
- Determination of income tax payable/repayable
A
D
BUSINESS/ CORPORATE TAXATION

-

Business source
- Adjusted income
- Statutory income
- Calculation of chargeable income
- Tax rates
- Imputation system for corporations
A
E RELIEF ON CAPITAL EXPENDITURE  
1
Capital Allowance on Plant, Machinery and Industrial Buildings

-

Definition of Plant, Machinery and Industrial buildings
- Qualifying expenditure
- Eligibility for capital allowances
- Date when the expenditure is incurred
- Types of allowances
- Residual expenditure
- Plant and machinery bought on hire purchase
- Disposals
- Controlled transfers
B
2
Agriculture/ Forest Allowances

-

Qualifying agricultural expenditure
- Qualifying forest expenditure
- Computation of allowances
- Disposals
B
3
Mining/ Prospecting Expenditures

-

Qualifying expenditure
- Determination of allowances
- Disposals/ recoveries
B
F
INVESTMENT INCENTIVES
Incentives under Promotion of Investments Act 1986

-

Pioneer status
- Investment Tax Allowance
- Export incentives
- Infrastructure Allowance
- Double Deductions
- Other incentives
B
 
Incentives under Income Tax Act 1967

-

Reinvestment Allowance
- Double Deductions
- Approved Service Projects
- Other special deductions including acquisition of proprietary rights and acquisition of a foreign company
- Other incentives / exemptions (including operational headquarters, regional distribution centres and regional procurement centres)
 
 
Labuan Offshore International Financial Centre

-

Trading and non-trading activities
- Tax rates
- Exemptions
 
G
WITHHOLDING TAXES

-

Types of income
- Derivation
- Exemptions
- Rate of tax
- Penalties for non-compliance
B
H
INDIRECT TAXES (SALES TAX AND SERVICE TAX)

-

Scope of charge
- Licensing requirements
- Rate of tax
- Filing of returns
- Penalties
B
I
CROSS BORDER ACTIVITIES

-

Double taxation agreements i.e. main articles in such agreements
- Meaning of Permanent Establishment
- Taxation of employees and exemptions
- Withholding taxes
- Trading in/ with Malaysia
- Double tax relief
B
J
PARTNERSHIPS

-

Existence of a partnership
- Calculation of provisional adjusted income
- Divisible income and adjusted income of partners
- Changes in partnership accounting dates