Puspakom is now required to get your Tax Identification Number whenever a vehicle inspection is arranged.
The Malaysian government is tightening their grip around lost tax revenue and one avenue they’re looking at is vehicle transactions which require vehicle inspections at Puspakom. The way they’re doing this is by requiring all who sign up for a vehicle inspection to provide their Tax Identification Number (TIN). This new rule comes into effect on 25 July 2024, so there’s very little room to escape the requirement. It’s likely the government has noticed individuals purchasing ‘high value’ vehicles in the used market while also paying lower than expected income tax without fully appreciating the difference between list price and transaction price. Still, it’s perfectly reasonable that they want to tighten up their grasp on who owns what in case they’re missing out on some potential tax income. While it’s a little inconvenient to get one’s TIN details, it’s not impossible and we’ll show you where you can find yours below.
What is a Tax Identification Number (TIN)?
A TIN, known as “Nombor Pengenalan Cukai” in Malaysia, is a unique identifier assigned to registered taxpayers by the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRBM). For individuals, the TIN is issued to all Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above. The structure of a TIN for individuals typically begins with “IG” followed by a set of numbers, such as IG115002000.
For corporate entities, the TIN structure varies based on the type of organization. For example, companies have a TIN starting with “C,” partnerships with “D,” and employers with “E.”
Puspakom’s New Requirement
Under the new guidelines, corporate customers must provide their TIN, company registration number, and Sales and Services Tax (SST) number. Individual customers are required to submit their identity card number and TIN.
To ensure smooth transactions, Puspakom advises all customers to have their TIN ready before making appointments at www.mypuspakom.com.my. This proactive step will facilitate efficient processing of transactions.
How to Find Your TIN
Malaysian taxpayers can easily locate their TIN through several methods:
- Check the front page of your individual income tax return.
- Log in to the MyTax Portal at https://mytax.hasil.gov.my and look under the “e-Daftar” menu.
- Use HASiL Live Chat or call the HASiL Care Line at +603-8911 1000 / +603-8911 1100 (for overseas callers).
- Visit your nearest HASiL Branch.
For individuals who cannot provide a TIN, the Malaysian National Registration Identity Card Number (NRIC) can serve as a functional equivalent.
Benefits of the E-Invoice System
The implementation of the e-invoice system is expected to bring multiple benefits, mostly for the Malaysian government:
- Enhanced transparency in financial and tax matters
- Reduction in revenue leakage
- More accurate compliance risk assessments
- Streamlined national taxation processes
For the latest information or assistance, customers can contact Puspakom’s customer service at 03-5101 7000.
In unrelated news, there has been no update as to Puspakom’s monopoly on the vehicle inspection business. In March, the Ministry of Transport announced that the monopoly would end in August 2024.
