Initially slated to expire by 31 December 2020, the deadline for this exemption was extended three times until its finalised date due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the ministry, a total of 868,422 units of vehicles have been sold so far throughout this duration, with Malaysians benefitting from sales tax exemption amounting to RM4.7 billion. However, the Ministry of Finance adds that there are a total of 264,000 units of passenger cars that are booked within the exemption period that are still undelivered. This is due to numerous factors that have affected vehicle assembly lines across the world, including the pandemic, war in Ukraine, and the global chip shortage – the latter of which have also caused several key players in the automotive and also tech industries to fall short on meeting consumer demands.
— Ministry of Finance🇲🇾 (@MOFmalaysia) June 20, 2022 In light of this, Zafrul reveals in the same statement that the government has decided to extend the deadline for new vehicle registrations to 31 March 2023, allowing consumers to still benefit from the SST exemption incentive for car bookings made before 30 June this year. The minister explains that this extension would act as a midpoint solution to balance the interests of consumers and the country’s tax revenue. The latter of which, he adds, needs to be increased post-pandemic in order to ensure the welfare of Malaysians and the country’s economic well-being continue to be preserved. Meanwhile, as announced by Zafrul during the tabling of Bajet 2022 in October of last year, purchase of electric vehicles are fully exempted from import duty, excise duty and sales tax, as well as receiving 100% road tax exemption. In addition, an income tax relief of up to RM 2.500 is also granted to individuals for the purchase, installation, rent, hire, and subscription fees for EV charging facilities. (Source: Ministry of Finance [Twitter])
