Tax treatment

12
Tax Treatment on
Islamic Finance 
in Malaysia
Generally, there is no specific tax legislation governing Islamic financial instruments. However the 
Income Tax Act 1967 (the Act) has made certain provisions on Islamic transactions as identified 
below:
Malaysian Tax Legislation
SECTION
PROVISION IN THE ACT
Section 2(7)
“any reference in this Act to interest shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to gains 
or profits received and expenses incurred, in lieu of interest, in transactions 
conducted in accordance with the principles of Syariah”
• 
In this context, the profits (equivalent to interest as riba is not allowed 
under Shariah principles) derived from Islamic financial transactions 
will have equal treatment as in a conventional financing arrangement 
i.e. interest for tax purposes.
Section 2(8)
“Subject to subsection (7), any reference in this Act to the disposal of an 
asset or a lease shall exclude any disposal of an asset or lease by or to 
a person pursuant to a scheme of financing approved by the Central 
Bank, the Securities Commission, the Labuan Financial Services Authority 
or the Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission, as a scheme which is 
in accordance with the principles of Syariah where such disposal is strictly 
required for the purpose of complying with those principles but which will 
not be required in any other schemes of financing”
• 
This implies that the Act allowed Islamic financing to continue without 
any tax issues relating to asset transfer or lease. 
Section 6A(3)
“A rebate shall be granted for the year of assessment for any zakat, fitrah 
or any other Islamic religious dues payment of which is obligatory and 
which is paid in the basis year for that year of assessment and evidenced 
by a receipt issued by an appropriate religious authority established 
under any written law”
Section 18 [Part III]
“Insurance” includes a takaful scheme pursuant to the Takaful Act 1984. 
“Premium”, in relation to insurance, includes contributions or instalments 
payable under a takaful scheme pursuant to the Takaful Act 1984.

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