06/04/2026

BIZ & FINANCE MONDAY | APR 6, 2026

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Maximising tax reliefs and optimising deductions

Bursa to remain cautious amid West Asia conflict KUALA LUMPUR: Trading on Bursa Malaysia is expected to remain cautious and range-bound this week, as the local bourse continues to be confined within the 1,680–1,740 range driven by the West Asia conflict, said an economist. IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said the sell-off has stabilised, but upside remains capped, suggesting investors are holding positions rather than adding risk. “Current levels, still below key moving averages, indicate that the market has moved past the panic phase but has yet to enter a convincing recovery, leaving positioning cautious and conviction limited,”he told Bernama. He said investors should remain balanced and not overreact to headlines on West Asia developments, as underlying risks remain unresolved. “This is particularly important as elevated energy prices begin to feed into inflation expectations, reducing the likelihood of near-term rate cuts, while tighter global liquidity continues to limit the strength of any rebound. “Against this backdrop, the 1,725 1,730 zone is the key threshold, but any break above must be sustained,“ he said, adding that until then, Bursa Malaysia should still be viewed as consolidating rather than recovering. For the week just ended, Bursa Malaysia traded mostly lower, tracking the regional market performance amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. On a Friday-to-Friday basis, the FBM KLCI eased 17.15 points to 1,695.50 from 1,712.65 a week earlier. On the index board, the FBM Top 100 Index declined 86.38 points to 12,251.12 while the FBM Emas Index slipped 73.10 points to 12,392.16. T7 Global wins FPSO transportation and installation contract KUALA LUMPUR: Energy solutions provider T7 Global Bhd’s wholly-owned subsidiary Tanjung Offshore Services Sdn Bhd has received a letter of award from Vestigo Petroleum Sdn Bhd for its provision of offshore transportation and installation campaign for FPSO Berantai. Under the scope of work, Tanjung Offshore will undertake the disconnection and transportation of FPSO Berantai from its offshore field, including towing the vessel to a designated dry dock facility for maintenance works. Upon completion of the dry docking works, the FPSO will be transported back to the offshore field, followed by the reconnection and commissioning of all associated systems to restore full operational capability in accordance with industry safety and environmental standards. Executive director, Tan Kay Zhuin said: “This milestone reinforces our proven ability to deliver a wide range of offshore projects, backed by solid technical expertise and execution excellence. T7 Global remains focused on expanding its presence in the energy sector and creating sustainable, long-term value for its stakeholders.”

subsidiary, TSR Bina Sdn Bhd has been awarded a flood mitigation project along the East Coast Expressway (Phase 1), Package 3B, with a total contract value of RM34 million. The project was awarded by AFA Construction and Engineering Sdn Bhd and forms part of ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure resilience and improve flood management systems along key transportation corridors in Malaysia. In a statement, the company said the scope of works includes, among others, upgrading and construction of drainage systems, earthworks, culverts, and associated civil engineering works aimed at mitigating flood risks along the designated stretch of the expressway. The project is scheduled to commence in April 2026 and is expected to be completed in fourth quarter 2027. Upon completion, the project is anticipated to significantly improve water flow management, reduce flood occurrences, and enhance the overall safety and reliability of the expressway for motorists. Executive director Lim Dian Ping said: “This project reflects TSR’s proven track record and technical expertise in AS Malaysia enters the individual tax filing season, taxpayers are encouraged to move beyond last minute submissions and adopt a more strategic approach to their tax filings. Filing an income tax return is not merely a statutory obligation but it is also an opportunity to optimise one’s tax position within the tax law framework. Personal tax returns for the tax/calendar 2025 has to be electronically filed by May 15, 2026, if you are sole proprietor carrying on a business you need to file electronically by July 15, 2026. Declaring all sources of income Key starting point is ensuring that all sources of income are properly reported. For most individuals, employment income forms the bulk of earnings. This includes not only salaries and bonuses, but also allowances, benefits-in-kind (BIK), and perquisites provided by employers. Reporting supplementary and freelance income Many Malaysians earn supplementary income through freelancing, consulting, or online businesses. Such income is taxable and must be declared accurately, as failure to do so may result in penalties during audits. Understanding rental income and allowable deductions Rental income is fully taxable, taxpayers can claim deductions on

for medical expenses covering serious illnesses, fertility treatments, vaccinations, and dental care. Expenses for parents and grandparents, including medical treatment and caregiving, are claimable up to RM8,000, while supporting equipment for disabled family members qualifies for relief up to Education and skill development reliefs Individuals can claim up to RM7,000 for approved education and professional courses. Contributions to the Skim Simpanan Pendidikan Nasional (SSPN) are also eligible for relief of up to RM8,000. Family support and childcare reliefs Family support reliefs include childcare fees of up to RM3,000 for registered centres, as well as relief for breastfeeding equipment for children aged two years and below RM1,000. development reliefs Lifestyle reliefs allow claims of up to RM2,500 for purchases of books, journals, magazines, newspapers, personal computers, smartphones or tablets, internet subscription fees, and personal development course fees. An additional RM1,000 is available for sports-related Lifestyle and personal RM6,000.

loan interest, assessment, quit rent, insurance, and routine repairs. It is important to distinguish between revenue and capital expenses— renovations, extensions are not deductible. If you own multiple rental properties, losses from one can be offset against income from another, but such losses cannot be carried forward. New dividend tax rules for YA 2025 Dividends received by individuals from Malaysian companies are generally tax-exempt. However, starting from 2025, dividend income exceeding RM100,000 will be subject to a 2% tax. Family reliefs Malaysia’s tax relief system remains the individual relief of RM9,000. Additional reliefs are provided for family responsibilities, including spouse relief of RM4,000, with higher deductions applicable for disabled spouses or individuals (RM7,000). Taxpayers may claim RM2,000 per child under 18, while those pursuing higher education may qualify for reliefs of up to RM8,000 per child. Additional relief is available for disabled children (RM8,000), reflecting continued support for families with special needs. Healthcare and medical expense reliefs Taxpayers can claim up to RM10,000

expenses,

including

gym

memberships equipment.

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sports

Financial security and protection reliefs Reliefs for financial security include contributions to (EPF) and life insurance premiums up to RM7,000. Additional reliefs include education and medical insurance (RM4,000), Private Retirement Scheme (PRS) contributions (RM3,000), and SOCSO (RM350). Property and green incentive reliefs For first-time homeowners, tax relief is available on housing loan interest ranging from RM5,000 to RM7,000, depending on eligibility. Taxpayers can claim up to RM2,500 for expenses on electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities and green home equipment. documentation and planning Proactive tax planning helps taxpayers optimise income timing and maximise eligible reliefs. Maintaining proper documentation such as receipts and invoices is essential, as unsupported claims may be disallowed during audits, leading to additional taxes and penalties. This article is contributed by Thannees Tax Consulting Services Sdn Bhd managing director SM Thanneermalai (www.thannees.com). Importance of proper

TSR Capital secures RM34m flood mitigation project KUALA LUMPUR: TSR Capital Bhd’s wholly-owned construction

TSR Capital continues to focus on strengthening its construction portfolio.

It added that it also strengthens the group’s visibility of future revenue streams while supporting its strategic objective of expanding its footprint in infrastructure and civil engineering projects. TSR Capital said it continues to focus on strengthening its construction portfolio by leveraging its technical capabilities, operational efficiency, and industry experience.

standards of quality, safety, and environmental compliance. “This award also reinforces our position in the infrastructure segment and provides us with further momentum to pursue similar opportunities moving forward.” TSR Capital said the RM34 million contract is expected to contribute positively to TSR’s order book and earnings.

delivering infrastructure and civil engineering works. Flood mitigation remains a critical component of Malaysia’s infrastructure development, and we are proud to contribute towards initiatives that enhance environmental sustainability and public safety.” He added that they are committed to executing this project efficiently and to the highest