KUCHING: As tax filing season gets underway, individual and corporate taxpayers are being reminded to meet the Inland Revenue Board’s (IRB) deadlines to avoid penalties.
With enhanced digital services and updated guidelines introduced this year, authorities are urging taxpayers to prepare early, ensure accurate reporting and take advantage of available e-Filing tools ahead of the closing date.
For accountant Noraziyan Othman, filing early was a deliberate choice.
“I have already filed my 2025 tax returns. I chose to complete it earlier to avoid last-minute congestion and to allow time in case there are any errors that need correction,” she told Sarawak Tribune.
As a first-time taxpayer, Noraziyan admitted she initially found some of the terms and sections in the form confusing.
However, she described the e-Filing system provided by the IRB as user-friendly, with clear guidelines.
“After reading the instructions carefully, the filing process became much easier and more organised,” she added.
She also made early preparations by gathering essential documents such as her income statement, EA Form and relevant tax relief receipts, which helped speed up the process and reduce the risk of mistakes.
Noraziyan said she was motivated to file early in anticipation of a possible tax refund ahead of Hari Raya.
“If eligible, receiving the refund before Hari Raya would certainly help with financial preparations for the festive season,” she said.
Meanwhile, senior executive Haziq Karem has yet to submit his returns but plans to do so soon before the April deadline set by IRB.
“As a first-time taxpayer, I found the e-Filing system relatively simple and user-friendly. The instructions were clear and helped me fill in the information systematically,” he said.
Although he experienced some initial confusion, Haziq said the guidance provided within the system, along with advice from friends, made the process smoother.
Like Noraziyan, he prepared in advance by compiling income statements, tax relief receipts and records of claimable expenses to ensure a faster and more accurate submission.
He, too, is keen to file early in hopes of receiving any eligible refund before Hari Raya to assist with financial planning and festive expenses.
Taxpayers and employers are advised to take note of key deadlines for the 2026 Tax Season (Year of Assessment 2025) to remain compliant with IRB regulations.
Employers must distribute EA Forms to all employees by Feb 28, 2026. Companies are required to submit Form E and C.P.8D by March 31, 2026.
The deadline for Form E e-Filing, which includes the standard one-month grace period typically granted by LHDN, falls on April 30, 2026.
Meanwhile, employees without business income must submit Form BE via MyTax by April 30, 2026, while those filing online are given an additional 15-day grace period, making May 15, 2026 the final deadline.
