Artists urged to manage taxes early, association offers help

The Malaysian Artists Association (Karyawan) is strongly encouraging artists in the country to address their income tax declarations early, aiming to prevent the accumulation of debt. Karyawan President Datuk Freddie Fernandez highlighted the association's willingness to provide assistance, stressing that the initiative to register with the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) must originate from the artists themselves.

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Every citizen, regardless of their background, has the same responsibility to declare income if it reaches RM60,000 per year.

Fernandez explained that all citizens, regardless of their profession, have a duty to declare their income if it reaches RM60,000 per year. For those uncertain about the procedures, Karyawan remains open to offering further information. He underscored the importance of registering and obtaining a tax number if income criteria are met.

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Tax declaration is a citizen's responsibility. We can help, but most artists choose to keep their income secret for privacy reasons, and we respect that right.

"Tax declaration is a citizen's responsibility," Fernandez stated. He acknowledged that many artists prefer to keep their income private, a right the association respects. Concerns about the amount of tax payable often lead to reluctance, but Fernandez pointed out that LHDN has discretion regarding payment methods. He recalled past seminars organized for artists with LHDN representatives, noting low attendance, possibly due to fear of payment obligations, even when income levels might not yet be taxable.

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Don't worry. LHDN actually has discretion and consideration if you don't have enough money to pay all at once.

Regarding a potential special tax deduction system for artists, Fernandez deemed it challenging without full cooperation from production companies or employers. He worried about potential discrepancies if companies claimed deductions that were not actually made. Consistency in individual tax payments is crucial, he advised, urging artists not to wait until the tax amount becomes unmanageable before seeking solutions. Karyawan is prepared to help artists manage their taxes proactively.

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Artists need to manage their taxes early and contact us if they need help.