KUALA LUMPUR, 29 July 2017:
The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) yesterday put out an apology after an IRB letter to demand for arrears from a taxpayer – who was wrongly listed as deceased – went viral in social media.
IRB admitted in a media statement the error in the data form and its negligence in determining the status of the taxpayer.
“On further investigations, IRB found the taxpayer is still alive and would like to apologise to the taxpayer for the mistake.”
The agency also clarified a letter of apology would be sent to the taxpayer and appropriate actions would be taken to prevent such oversight from happening again.
An auxiliary policeman, Amran Mohamed, 45, was shocked after receiving the letter from the agency which sought his next-of-kin to settle an arrears of RM1,728.50 – apart from stating his status as deceased.
According to IRB, it was currently assessing the remaining taxpayers on whether they still have arrears as stated in the letter or otherwise and this would be updated according to the status of the taxpayer after detailed assessment had been made.
The statement also clarified that under Section 74 and Section 106 of the Income Tax Act 1967, the agency has the authority to demand for the outstanding tax from the legitimate beneficiary of any deceased individual.
“If the beneficiary is unable to pay the arrears in one lump sum, IRB will advise the beneficiary to visit IRB office on payment by instalment”
The statement also clarified the income of a deceased individual earned until the day of his death would still be subjected to tax – even though it would be made in the name of a legitimate representative.
“For example, in 2015, A passed away on 1 June 2015. As such the income earned from 1 Jan 2015 to 31 May 2015 will be assessed as tax on the income of A for 2015 and the assessment will be made in the name of the representative or beneficiary of A.”
According to the statement, any income earned after the death date would not be considered as income of the deceased and would instead be considered as individual inheritance income and would be assessed in the name of the beneficiary or administrator.
The tax on the beneficiary or administrator would be the same as the rate for an individual.
If the deceased has credit, IRB said the beneficiary could claim repayment or extra credit by producing documents such as the death certificate, grant of probate and Borang Am 80 if the taxpayer did not have assets.
The beneficiary will also be responsible to clear any outstanding arrears owed by the deceased from the previous year.
However if the beneficiary could not settle the outstanding tax, IRB could arrange for discretionary payment.
– Bernama