Apple Malaysia joins other giants as best taxpayers in 2020

Apple Malaysia Sdn Bhd has joined seven other major cooperations in the country in a list of the country’s best taxpayers last year, indicating a trend of growth among computer companies in a year that saw a major shift to digitilisation.

The company is placed at seventh spot in a list topped by KLCC (Holdings) Sdn Bhd, Petronas LNG Sdn Bhd and Aeon Co (M) Bhd.

Others in the list are Nestle, Matric Concepts, Gas Malaysia and Nippon Paint.

The list was announced by Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz in a speech commemorating the 25th Tax Day, an annual time mark for the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN).

Also announced were five “Most Outstanding Hasilian 2020”, to recognise LHDN staff who excelled in their work.

They are Harris Ahmad Rosli, Arbasiah Ankong, Rasyidah Che Rosli, Iqbal Abdollah and Norhayati Mat Nor – Cawangan Pembayar Cukai Besar.

In his speech, Zafrul paid tribute to LHDN’s role during the pandemic, saying it was not only a revenue collector but also a critical part in ensuring the success of the government’s various rescue packages.

LHDN has been the key agency tasked with distributing cash under the government’s Sara Hidup Rakyat (BSH), Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN), Geran Khas Prihatin (GKP) and Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR).

“LHDN has shown that it is not only able to collect taxes from those eligible for taxation, but also ready to efficiently and effectively execute its responsibilities entrusted to it by the government,” said Zafrul.

LHDN collected a total tax collection of RM123.092 billion last year – RM1.392 billion or 1.14% more than the revised target of RM121.7 billion.

“This success proves that despite the Covid-19 situation, there are still industries that are not affected and which in fact even made a big profit from the effects of the pandemic,” Zafrul added.

“We are grateful that they have played a positive role, contributing in the form of taxes paid in order to stablise the country’s economy.”

LHDN has meanwhile set a target of RM143.9 billion for this year.