EPT will broaden national revenue base
KUALA LUMPUR: THE government should consider introducing an electronic payments tax (EPT) as a new source of revenue, economists said, as Malaysia prepares the 2027 Budget and seeks to strengthen its fiscal position without placing additional pressure on existing consumption taxes.
Malaysia's government may explore an electronic payments tax (EPT) as a new source of revenue, according to economists. With geopolitical uncertainty, the nation's economy has remained resilient, which supports revenue, but efforts to improve tax collection and broaden the revenue base remain crucial. Dr Geoffrey Williams, an economist from the Malaysia University of Science and Technology, suggested that Malaysia should consider an EPT as it can tap the rapidly expanding volume of electronic transactions in the economy.
He proposed that a one per cent EPT could generate RM28.8 billion, while a two per cent EPT could raise almost RM60 billion. Other experts, such as Samuel Tan, founder and CEO of Olive Tree Property Consultants, also supported the idea, highlighting that an EPT could be a simple mechanism with minimal disruption and cost to the business community.
However, the design of such a tax would be critical, as it needs to be broad-based, low-rate, and include appropriate safeguards to minimize the impact on smaller businesses and vulnerable households.
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