Real Property Gains Tax

Real Property Gains are gains derived from disposal, sell, convey, assign, transfer, settle or alienate whether by agreement or by force of law which fall under chargeable asset. Every person whether or not resident is chargeable to Real Property Gains Tax (RPGT) on gains arising from disposal of real property, including shares in a real property company (RPC). All chargeable assets must be made during the year of assessment and all particulars must be furnished as requested.

RPGT Rates
 
Disposal Period Companies (%) Individuals (%) Individuals*, Companies* and Executor of deceased estate (%)
Within 3 years 30 30 30
In the 4th year 20 20 30
In the 5th year 15 15 30
In the 6th year onward 10 5 10

* Non-citizens, non-permanent residents and companies not incorporated in Malaysia


RPGT Base Year

The base year for the Real Property Gains Tax (RPGT) has been revised to Jan 1, 2013 for assets acquired before the date, from Jan 1, 2000 previously.

This was done during the tabling of Budget 2020, which is imposed on profit earned by homeowners and businesses by selling property. The shifting of the base year for the RPGT translates into lower tax payment, given the nature of appreciating property prices. Now that the base year has been shifted to Jan 1, 2013, sellers that intend to dispose of their property will have to pay tax based on the difference in the value of their property between 2013 and to-date, a figure smaller than the difference in price between 2000 and to-date.

Date of Disposal

The date of disposal is taken as the date of the written agreement of the disposal. In the absence of a written agreement, the date shall be taken as the earlier of full payment of the purchase consideration or the date when all things which are necessary for the transfer of ownership of the real property under any written law has been done. Where the disposal is subject to approval from the Government or State Government, the date of disposal is the date of such approval or if the approval is conditional, the date when the last condition is satisfied.

Exemptions

The following are some examples of exemptions from RPGT:

• an amount of RM10,000 or 10% of the chargeable gain, whichever is greater, accruing to an individual.
• gain accruing to an individual who is a citizen or a permanent resident in respect of the disposal of one private residence.
• disposal of assets in connection with securitisation of assets.
• disposal of assets to REITs and Property Trust Funds.
• disposal of low cost, medium low and affordable residential homes of RM200,000 and below, in the 6th and subsequent years.
• disposal of residential properties by Malaysian citizens during the period 1 June 2020 to 31 Dec 2021 (limited to 3 units per individual).

The following are some examples of transactions where the disposal price is deemed to be equal to its acquisition price:

• devolution of assets of a deceased individual.
• transfer of assets (owned by a citizen) between spouses.
• gifts made to the Government, State Government, local authority or approved charity.
• disposal of asset as a result of compulsory acquisition under any law.
• disposal of chargeable asset pursuant to a scheme of financing approved by the Central Bank of Malaysia, Labuan FSA, Malaysian Co-operative Societies Commission or the Securities Commission as a scheme which is in accordance with the principles of Syariah.

The following are some examples of transactions where the disposer is treated to have received no gain and suffered no loss from the:

• transfer of real property with prior approval of the Director General of IRBM by a company to companies in its same group to bring about greater efficiency in operation for a consideration consisting of not less than 75% in shares.

• transfer by way of gift between husband and wife, parent and child, or grandparent and grandchild, provided the donor is a citizen.




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