GST. One of the hot topic in the politic
'world'. Some say it is good for the economic, some say it is bad for lower
class and some even say that it is just the same as the old goverment tax. So
really, what is GST that managed to turn people's world upside down.
What is GST?
GST (Goods & Services Tax), which is
also known as VAT or the value added tax in many countries is a multi-stage
consumption tax on goods and services.
GST is levied on the supply of goods and
services at each stages of the supply chain from the supplier up to the retail
stage of the distribution. Even though GST is imposed at each level of the
supply chain, the tax element does not become part of the cost of the product
because GST paid on the business inputs is claimable.
Hence, it does not matter how many
stages where a particular good and service goes through the supply chain
because the input tax incurred at the previous stage is always deducted by the
businesses at the next in the supply chain.
GST is a broad based consumption tax covering all sectors of the economy i.e
all goods and services made in Malaysia including imports except specific goods
and services which are categorized under zero rated supply and exempt supply
orders as determined by the Minister of Finance and published in the
Gazette.
The basic fundamental of GST is it's self-policing features which allow the
businesses to claim their input tax credit by way of automatic deduction in
their accounting system. This eases the administrative procedures on the part
of businesses and the Government. Thus, the Government's delivery system will
be further enhanced.
GST is a broad based consumption tax covering all sectors of the economy i.e all goods and services made in Malaysia including imports except specific goods and services which are categorized under zero rated supply and exempt supply orders as determined by the Minister of Finance and published in the Gazette.
The basic fundamental of GST is it's self-policing features which allow the businesses to claim their input tax credit by way of automatic deduction in their accounting system. This eases the administrative procedures on the part of businesses and the Government. Thus, the Government's delivery system will be further enhanced.
GST Mechanism - Standard Rated
Retailer (You) is not GST registered
GST 6%
|
- You can't claim back for the RM9,000 of GST you paid to your wholesaler.
- You can't charge GST on consumer.
Scope and Charge
GST is to be levied and charged at the proposed rate of 6% on
the value of the supply. GST can be levied and charged only if the business is
registered under GST.
GST
shall be levied and charged on the taxable supply of goods and services made in
the course or furtherance of business in Malaysia by a taxable person. GST is
also charged on the importation of goods and services. A taxable supply is a
supply which is standard rated or zero rated. Exempt and out of scope supplies
are not taxable supplies.
GST
is to be levied and charged at the proposed rate of 6% on the value of the
supply. GST can be levied and charged only of the business is registered under
GST. A business is not liable to be registered of its annual turnover of
taxable supplies does not reach the prescribed threshold.
Therefore,
such businesses cannot charge and collect GST on the supply of goods and
services made to their customers. Nevertheless, businesses can apply to be
registered voluntarily.
Types of Supply
1.
Standard-rated supplies
Standard-rated
supplies are taxable supplies of goods and services which are subject to a
proposed rate of 6%. A taxable person who is registered under GST has to
collect GST on the supply and is eligible to claim input tax credit on his
business inputs in making taxable supplies.
2.
Zero-rated supplies
Zero-rated
supplies are taxable supplies of goods and services which are subject to GST at
zero percent rate. In this respect, businesses do not collect any GST on their
supplies but are entitled to claim credit on inputs used in the course of
furtherance of the business..
3.
Exempt supplies
Exempt
supplies are supplies of goods or services which are not subject to GST. In
this context, businesses do not collect any GST on their supplies and are not
entitled to claim credit on his business inputs.
4.
Supplies not within the scope of GST
Supplies
which do not fall within the charging provision of the GST Act include
non-business transactions, sale of goods from a place outside Malaysia to
another place outside Malaysia as well as services provided by the Government
sector.
Why GST instead of other higher tax ?
GST is a better and fairer tax system
compared to SST (Sales & Service Tax) as GST will :
1.
Lower business cost
Under
the current system, some business pay multiple taxes and higher levels of
tax-on-tax (cascading tax). With GST, businesses can benefit from recovering
input tax on raw materials and incurred expenses, thus reducing costs.
2.
Increase global competitiveness
Prices
of Malaysia exports will become more competitive on the global stage as no GST
is imposed on exported goods and services, while GST incurred on inputs can be
recovered along the supplies chain. This will strengthen our export industry,
helping the country progress even further.
3.
Enhance compliance
The
current SST has many inherent weaknesses making administration difficult. GST
system has in-built mechanism to make the tax administration self-policy and
therefore will enhance compliance.
4.
Reduces red tape
Under
the present SST, businesses must apply for approval to get tax-free materials
and also for special exemption for capital goods. Under GST, this system is
abolished as businesses can offset automatically the GST on inputs in their
returns.
5.
Equity
With
GST, taxes are leveled fairly among all the businesses involved, whether they
are in the manufacturing, wholesaling, retailing or service sectors.
6.
Fair pricing to consumers
GST
eliminates double taxation under SST. Consumers will pay fairer prices for most
goods and services compared to SST.
7.
Greater transparency
Unlike
the present sales tax, consumers would benefit under GST as they will know
exactly whether the goods they consume are subject to tax and the amount they
pay for.
Not Subject to GST
We
do not pay GST on goods / services which are:
·
Zero-rated supplies
·
Exempt supplies
Zero
Rated Supplies
These are taxable supplies that are subject to a zero rate. Businesses are
eligible to claim input tax credit in producing these supplies, but cannot
charge output tax to the consumer.
Exempt
Supplies
These are non-taxable supplies that are not subject to GST. Businesses are not
eligible to claim input tax credit in producing these supplies, and cannot
charge output tax to the consumer.
These are taxable supplies that are subject to a zero rate. Businesses are eligible to claim input tax credit in producing these supplies, but cannot charge output tax to the consumer.
Exempt Supplies
These are non-taxable supplies that are not subject to GST. Businesses are not eligible to claim input tax credit in producing these supplies, and cannot charge output tax to the consumer.
Benefit to Consumers
Suppliers,manufacturers,wholesalers
and retailers are able to recover GST incurred on inputs. This reduces the cost
of doing business, thus enabling fairer prices for consumers.
Certain basic goods and services are not subject to GST for socio-economic objectives. These include basic foods, residential accommodation, education, health services, public transportation, and domestic consumption of water supply and electricity up to a certain limit.