Business

Malaysia progresses in tax refund payments, hits record highs

Government confident of early settlement for 2023 assessment year, pledges timely refunds for individuals

Updated 4 months ago · Published on 23 Feb 2026 4:51PM

Malaysia progresses in tax refund payments, hits record highs
Liew expresses confidence that all 2023 assessment cases would be finalised ahead of schedule, in February 2026 - February 23, 2026

THE government has completed RM6.2 billion in tax refunds for the 2023 assessment year, covering 95,282 cases as of 18 February, Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong announced in the Dewan Negara today.

He expressed confidence that all 2023 assessment cases would be finalised ahead of schedule, in February 2026, surpassing the initial target set for the first quarter of the year. Refunds for the 2024 assessment year are also planned to be completed before the end of 2026.

“Simultaneously, refunds will continue to be processed regardless of the age of the case for all taxpayers, especially individual taxpayers, aside from companies,” he said during a question-and-answer session, responding to Senator Koh Nai Kwong on assurances that delays in processing excess tax refunds by the Inland Revenue Board would not recur, avoiding the need for ad hoc allocations.

Highlighting the government’s achievements, Liew noted that RM22.45 billion in tax refunds were settled in 2025 alone, marking the highest level in five years.

“When compared with the three most recent years (2023–2025), the MADANI Government has disbursed RM56 billion in refunds, 50 percent higher than the RM37 billion refunded between 2020 and 2022,” he said.

He added that all eligible tax refunds for the year 2022 and earlier had been fully processed by 2025, covering 3.7 million cases, compared with 2.7 million cases in 2024.

These figures underline the government’s commitment to efficient tax administration and timely reimbursement to both individual and corporate taxpayers, reinforcing fiscal confidence and public trust in Malaysia’s revenue system. - February 23, 2026

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