Capital gains tax and its implications

GAINS on sale of investments such as shares are generally not subject to any tax in Malaysia, other than gains on disposal of real property in the country or shares in a real property company where the Real Property Gains Tax is applicable at rates from 30% to 10% or 0%, depending on the ownership period and the profile of the seller.In Budget 2024, it was announced that the capital gains tax (CGT) would be introduced from March 1, on the sale of shares in unlisted Malaysian companies.

The CGT will be imposed on the disposal of unlisted shares by companies, limited liability partnerships, cooperatives and trust bodies (see table).