JUST weeks into 2026, early signals from the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) indicate a year defined by tighter digital enforcement such as the rollout of stamp duty self-assessment and the long-awaited improvements in tax refund administration. Strengthening e-invoice implementationA core priority for IRB in 2026 is the continued full-scale implementation of e‑invoicing. Shining a spotlight on tax refund timelinesAmid these various policy and enforcement priorities, a key focus of the first dialogue was improvements in tax refund administration – an issue consistently raised by taxpayers and businesses over the years. A year of acceleration and engagementAs Malaysia’s tax administration continues its digital transformation, IRB’s priorities for 2026 reflect a careful balance between facilitation and enforcement. The renewed focus on timely tax refunds, coupled with IRB’s commitment to resolving pre-2023 outstanding tax refund cases, represents a meaningful step toward a more reliable and effective framework.

Source: The Star February 23, 2026 00:28 UTC