Do I need to file a tax return if I am out of work/unemployed? 3 cases will be taxed by the tax bureau

Do I need to file a tax return if I don't have a job?

If you have already filed a tax return, even though you are not currently employed, it is recommended that you continue to file your tax return or you will be tracked down in the future.

• Since this is just a tax return, filing a tax return does not necessarily require paying taxes.
• If you file a tax return, your personal information will be clear and the authorities will not go to you.
• When filing tax returns in Malaysia, you only need to fill in RM0 for income on Form BE.

If you haven't worked before, but are now working and have income, the company has given you an EA form and you must file a tax return.

Do I need to file taxes without a job?

If you have filed tax returns before, even though you are not currently working, it is recommended that you continue to file your taxes or you will be tracked down in the future.

• Since this is just a tax return, filing a tax return does not necessarily require paying taxes.
• If you file a tax return, your personal information will be clear and the authorities will not go to you.
• If you were not employed before, but are now working and have income, the company has given you an EA form and you must file a tax return.

3 cases of tax recovery letter from the tax bureau

Besides intentional tax evaders who will receive an official letter, there are 3 other situations that can lead to taxation:

1) For example, worked in 2012 and registered with the tax office, but did not file a tax return due to insufficient wages.

• Tax returns are not filed until wages meet the standard in 2014, and the government will pursue documents from 2012 and 2013.

2) Also, some people don't file taxes or file when they lose their jobs.

• They don't continue to file their taxes until they find a job.
• Therefore, it is now necessary to submit relevant documents to prove that they were unemployed at the time.

3) The last case is to go abroad to work after registering an account and have not filed taxes for many years.

• If you are in these situations, you can submit the relevant documents and pay the back taxes.

In fact, these people may not have intentionally evaded taxes.

• They may have simply neglected to file with the tax office every year, so now they are being pursued by the tax office for years.
• Taxpayers who receive a letter from the tax office should not take it lightly, because once they fail to pay their taxes, they will not only be blacklisted by the immigration office, but also will not go abroad, and the most serious case will be brought to court. .
• In addition to having to pay taxes, tax evaders will face penalties of 30% to 40% of the understated amount.

Filing your taxes every year is a civic duty

Once an account is registered with the tax office, annual tax returns are required.

• After filing tax returns for work abroad, please remember to file tax returns in Malaysia as well.When filing tax returns in Malaysia, you only need to fill in the income of RM0.
• Even if you don't have a job, you should submit the relevant documents to avoid being taxed.
• Some people have registered accounts with the tax office, but they fail to fulfill their civic duty every year.
• They have received a letter from the tax office because of tax arrears and the only solution is to face it.

Check if tax is paid?

Of course, first check if you have paid your taxes?

If you don't have one, you must seek help from a tax officer.

Failure to file a regular annual tax return will be blacklisted

Once there is no regular tax return, they will be blacklisted and the person concerned cannot go abroad until all taxes are paid.

Find out if you have been blacklisted by USCIS due to tax issues?

If you are concerned that you are unfortunately a "tax evader" and cannot successfully leave the country, you can check your status by visiting the Immigration Service website.

• You can view the results by going to the website and entering your ID number.
• If you are unfortunately unable to travel abroad, you must pay all taxes according to the instructions on the website before leaving the country.

Summarize the 3 major situations of being "taxed"

1) Once entered the society and registered with the tax office, the salary is not up to the standard and the form is not submitted.Submit the form and restore the tax office paperwork before wages are up to par.

2) For example, when working in 2011, all documents were submitted. Unemployment in 2012 was not submitted, and after finding a job, the tax return was continued, and the Inland Revenue Department will pursue the 2012 tax documents.

3) Previously registered an account with the tax office, but after leaving the country, did not file a tax return.

• Note: Only those who have registered an account.

more malaysiaLifeFor tax knowledge, please click the link below to browse ▼

🔗Do Malaysians need to file tax returns when working abroad? Knowledge on overseas income tax

🔗How do self-employed people file taxes in Malaysia? Apply for Income Tax and fill in e-filing

🔗How to file tax in Malaysia? Malaysian Inland Revenue Board Income Tax Website 2026 Steps

🔗2019 tax deduction items: Unifi purchase of phone, PTPTN donation to support parents tax deduction

🔗Malaysia 2026 electronic tax filing deadline exceeds the time limit for late tax filing penalties