KUALA LUMPUR: Pest control business owners want clear guidelines on the sales and service tax (SST) expansion.
The Malaysia Pest Control Association (MPCA) says its members have been getting mixed messages from the government when they asked about the SST expansion.
“The nature of our industry is complex and multifaceted as it spans general pest control, vector management, hygiene, fumigation and more across diverse sectors including residential, commercial, industrial and government contracts,” MPCA president Regine Lim said at Wisma MCA here yesterday.
“We seek clear and practical guidelines from the Customs Department and the Finance Ministry to eliminate uncertainty and allow proper compliance moving forward.”
Strata Owners Association of Malaysia chairman Datuk Theng Book, who also spoke on behalf of the affected businesses, said they were unsure whether they had to register with the government as part of the SST expansion.
“You check with official A, they will say, no need. Then, when you check with official B, they say it’s better to do so.
“The government keeps on changing (the requirements) but (the authorities) themselves are unsure which industry needs to pay,” he said.
He said business owners who registered would have to pay the 8% tax, and this would be reflected in their charges to customers, while those who did not register would have an edge over the competition.
However, they may find themselves facing action and fines if they fail to register, he added.
MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong, during a press conference, called for a delay in the expansion of SST while proper guidelines are drawn up.
The planned expansion of the SST will see the sales tax imposed on non-essential items, including imported premium items such as salmon and avocados.
It will be broadened to include business-to-business commercial transactions, particularly fee-based services that were previously exempted.
