As part of Malaysia's effort to enhance revenue collection and align with current economic developments, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD) has announced new guidelines for Service Tax (SST) affecting five major sectors: Construction Work, Rental/Leasing Services, Education Services, Private Health-related Services, and Financial Services. These changes will come into effect starting 1 July 2025. Here's a comprehensive overview for businesses and individuals impacted by the updated tax regime. 📅 Effective Dates 1 July 2025: Construction, Rental, Education, Financial (Phase 1), and Health-related services become subject to SST. 1 August 2025: Health-related services – transitional period begins. 1 September 2025: Financial Services Phase 2 expansion. 📊 Key SST Rates and Registration Thresholds Sector SST Rate Registration Threshold Construction 6% RM1.5 million/year Rental/Leasing 8% RM500,000/year Education 6% RM60,000 per student/year Private Health Services 6% RM1.5 million/year Financial Services 8% RM500,000/year (except card fees) 🔹 Construction Services Taxable: Commercial buildings, infrastructure, ports, mixed-use developments Facility management during construction Not Taxable: Pure residential construction Federal/State government and local authority projects Other Notes: Retention sums: taxable when released Liquidated damages (LAD): not taxable B2B exemption if subcontractor and contractor are registered Transitional rules for ongoing projects 🔹 Rental and Leasing Services Taxable: Commercial property rental, machinery, vehicles Import of lease services Not Taxable: Residential property Financial leases, hire-purchase Offshore leasing Exemptions: B2B exemption (subleasing use) Fixed-term or low-value contracts (< RM500k/year) 🔹 Education Services Taxable: Private institutions charging > RM60,000/year per student Higher education and language centres serving non-Malaysians Not Taxable: Malaysian citizens, OKU holders Preschool and special needs education Short courses (under 3 months/20 hours) Note: Imported education services are taxable; scholarships do not exempt the institution from tax if fees exceed the threshold. 🔹 Private Health-Related Services Taxable: Services to non-Malaysians in: Private hospitals and clinics (medical, dental, ambulance, etc.) Traditional/complementary medicine (e.g., Malay, Chinese, Indian, chiropractic) Allied health (e.g., physiotherapy, radiography, psychology) Not Taxable: Services to Malaysian citizens Services by public hospitals and exempt university medical centres Other Notes: Service tax applies where service is rendered to foreigners Location rules: services within/between Designated or Special Areas may be exempt Transitional guidance applies for services crossing 1 August 2025 🔹 Financial Services Taxable (Phase 1 - 1 July 2025): Loan/credit facilities, Islamic financing Insurance and takaful (certain policies) Investment advice, fund management, brokerage, underwriting Expanded Scope (Phase 2 - 1 Sept 2025): Fee-based financial services not explicitly listed Not Taxable: Interest/profit from loans Late payment charges Basic banking (ATM, account maintenance) Services linked to exports, offshore assets Intra-group transactions Services to the Government Imported Services: Malaysian businesses receiving services from overseas must self-account for tax 📣 What Businesses Should Do Review all services provided against SST thresholds Register via MySST if thresholds are exceeded Issue tax invoices with correct tax codes Apply for exemptions (B2B, government, residential, special areas) Comply with transitional rules and maintain proper accounting 📖 Final Thoughts The new SST measures reflect a significant evolution in Malaysia's tax framework, impacting a wide range of industries. Whether you're in construction, education, leasing, finance, or healthcare, understanding your obligations is crucial. Timely registration and record-keeping will be essential to ensure compliance and avoid penalties when these changes come into force starting 1 July 2025. 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