Navigating Malaysia’s Transfer Pricing Landscape (2023)

Fairness and transparency in taxation.

Oct 15, 2023 | Tax

20-Minute read

In an increasingly globalized business landscape, multinational corporations often engage in cross-border transactions. To ensure fair taxation and prevent profit shifting, transfer pricing rules have become a crucial aspect of international taxation. Malaysia, like many other nations, has recognized the importance of transfer pricing and has recently introduced new rules to address the complexities of this practice. In this article, we will delve into the world of transfer pricing in Malaysia, explore the recent changes, and understand their implications for businesses.

Malaysia is an active participant in international initiatives, such as the OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project, to align its transfer pricing rules with global standards.

Understanding Transfer Pricing

Transfer pricing refers to the pricing of goods, services, or intellectual property transferred between related entities, often within the same multinational group. The main aim of transfer pricing is to establish prices for such transactions that would be equivalent to those negotiated between unrelated parties, thereby ensuring fair taxation and preventing profit shifting.

Example of transfer pricing in Malaysia

This could involve a local subsidiary of a multinational company and its parent company, which is based in a foreign country. Let’s consider a simplified scenario:

Company X Scenario:

  • Company X is a multinational corporation with a subsidiary in Malaysia.
  • The Malaysian subsidiary manufactures electronic components.
  • The parent company, based in a country with a lower corporate tax rate than Malaysia, assembles these components into finished products.

In this scenario, transfer pricing comes into play when the Malaysian subsidiary sells the electronic components to the parent company for assembly into finished products. The transfer price at which these components are sold between the subsidiary and the parent company must be determined in accordance with Malaysia’s transfer pricing regulations. Here’s how it works

  • The Malaysian subsidiary must set the transfer price for the electronic components based on the “arm’s length principle.” This means the price at which the components are sold should be similar to what unrelated companies would charge for the same components in a comparable transaction.
  • To comply with transfer pricing rules, the Malaysian subsidiary maintains detailed documentation, including information about the pricing methodology used, comparable transactions, and the reasons for choosing a particular pricing method.
  • If the parent company pays the Malaysian subsidiary too low a price for the components (potentially reducing the subsidiary’s taxable income in Malaysia), it could trigger transfer pricing adjustments by the tax authorities in Malaysia, leading to penalties and interest on the underpaid taxes.
  • On the other hand, if the parent company pays an excessively high price for the components (potentially shifting profits to the Malaysian subsidiary), it could raise concerns about profit shifting and trigger a transfer pricing review.

Companies in Malaysia need to carefully navigate these regulations, ensuring they adhere to the arm’s length principle and maintain proper documentation to avoid disputes with the tax authorities.

It’s important to note that this is a simplified example, and real-world transfer pricing scenarios can be much more complex, involving various types of transactions, methods, and extensive documentation to comply with regulations.

Malaysia’s New Transfer Pricing Rules for 2023

Malaysia has introduced new transfer pricing rules, which came into effect in 2023, aimed at aligning its practices with international standards and addressing the challenges posed by the ever-evolving business environment. Some key features of the new rules include:

  1. Country-by-Country Reporting (CbCR): Multinational groups with a global revenue threshold exceeding MYR 3 billion are required to submit CbCRs. This report provides an overview of the group’s economic activities, including profits and taxes paid, in each jurisdiction where they operate.
  2. Master File and Local File: The introduction of a Master File and Local File framework necessitates comprehensive documentation on the group’s operations, transfer pricing policies, and pricing of intra-group transactions. This provides tax authorities with a better understanding of a company’s global and local operations.
  3. Value Chain Analysis: Malaysia’s transfer pricing rules require businesses to conduct a value chain analysis. This helps identify key value drivers in the business, making it easier to assess transfer pricing arrangements.
  4. Advance Pricing Arrangements (APAs): APAs offer the opportunity for businesses to proactively engage with the tax authorities to agree on acceptable transfer pricing methods. This helps reduce uncertainty and the risk of transfer pricing adjustments.
  5. Penalties for Non-Compliance: The new rules introduce stiffer penalties for non-compliance, including substantial fines and interest on tax underpaid as a result of transfer pricing adjustments.
  6. Amendments to Documentation Deadline: The deadline for preparing and maintaining transfer pricing documentation has been extended to six months after the financial year-end, giving businesses more time to comply.

Implications for Businesses

The new transfer pricing rules in Malaysia have far-reaching implications for businesses, both local and international:

  • Increased Compliance: Companies must invest in comprehensive documentation and compliance procedures to ensure they adhere to the new rules.
  • Greater Transparency: With CbCRs, businesses are now more transparent about their global operations, making it easier for tax authorities to assess their activities.
  • Reduced Disputes: APAs can help minimize disputes with tax authorities by pre-agreeing on acceptable transfer pricing methods.
  • Enhanced Risk Management: Value chain analysis can aid businesses in identifying and managing their transfer pricing risks more effectively.

Final Words

Transfer pricing is a critical aspect of international business operations, and Malaysia’s new rules for 2023 demonstrate the country’s commitment to ensuring fair taxation and preventing profit shifting. Businesses operating in Malaysia, whether local or international, must adapt to these changes by enhancing their compliance procedures, promoting transparency, and proactively managing their transfer pricing risks. These new rules signal Malaysia’s alignment with international standards in an ever-changing global business environment, reinforcing the importance of robust transfer pricing practices.

For further insights into transfer pricing in Malaysia or professional assistance, feel free to reach out. Our team is well-versed in navigating the complexities of transfer pricing regulations and can provide tailored solutions to ensure compliance and strategic alignment with your business operations. Contact us for comprehensive support and expert guidance in managing your transfer pricing matters effectively.

Oct 15, 2023 | Tax

20-Minute read

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For more information on the latest Malaysian transfer pricing rules set out by LHDN, please click here.

Case Study: In Malaysia, transfer pricing case studies include the Sandakan Edible Oils case, where the taxpayer prevailed due to the importance of a proper benchmarking analysis, and the Procter & Gamble Malaysia case, which emphasized the need for robust transfer pricing documentation and aligning practices with the company’s operations. These cases underscore the significance of compliance with transfer pricing regulations in the country.

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​For more information on the latest Malaysian transfer pricing rules set out by LHDN, please click here.

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