SST on cameras, smartphones reduced from 10% to 5%

KOTA KINABALU: The camera and smartphone are the latest items to have their Sales and Service Tax (SST) reduced from 10% to 5% starting yesterday.

The tax was lowered following requests and appeals from those in the industry, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said.

Earlier, Federation of Commercial Photographic Society president Kuan Tan said the implementation of the SST would affect the development of the local sector.

“There are a lot of other tax exemptions and reductions. You have to familiarise yourself with SST,” Lim said during the second dialogue on SST here.

He said industries including manufacturers and hotels could claim many tax exemptions.

On a request by Malaysian Inter­national Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sabah chairman Datuk Seri Wong Khen Thau to have the SST (10% sales) and (6% service) reduced by half for Sabah, Lim said they would look into this.

He said there were also items such as rice which was tax-exempted only in Sabah.

“Everyone can give us suggestions and proposals. We will look at how we can improve the implementation of SST,” he said.

Lim said the government needed to collect tax no matter how much the people detested it as it was necessary to run a country.

“SST is so much easier on consumers and businesses as compared to GST, so please understand and help us,” he said.

Also present during the dialogue was Customs Department director-general Datuk Seri T. Subromaniam.

Those with questions on SST can call the Customs hotline or search for answers in the Customs Department and SST-related websites.

The public can also call Customs officials at 016-802 8018 or 013-854 0888 during office hours for more information.