Consumer Mathematics: Taxation

Taxable income

Income after allowed deductions, on which tax is calculated using the given rates.

EnglishTaxable income
Bahasa MelayuPendapatan bercukai
中文应税收入

How it is used

Encik Rahman earns RM48,000 a year and qualifies for RM11,000 in total relief. His taxable income is RM48,000 − RM11,000 = RM37,000, and the tax is worked out on that RM37,000, not on the full RM48,000.

Where it shows up in SPM

In Consumer Mathematics (Taxation), Form 5. Usually a Paper 2 structured question: you are given annual income and a list of reliefs, told to find the taxable (chargeable) income first, then use a supplied rate table to compute the tax.

Don't confuse it with

Gross incomeGross income is the full amount earned before any relief; taxable income is what remains after reliefs are subtracted.
Tax reliefTax relief is the amount you subtract; taxable income is the result you get after subtracting all reliefs.

Open the chapter: Consumer Mathematics: Taxation →

Frequently asked questions

Do I calculate tax on my full salary or on taxable income?

Always on the taxable income. First subtract every allowed relief from your gross annual income, then apply the rate table to the smaller figure that remains.

Using the full salary is the most common mistake and loses method marks.

Is EPF contribution part of taxable income?

No. In these questions EPF is given as a relief, so you subtract it.

For example, income RM48,000 with EPF relief RM5,000 and other reliefs RM6,000 gives taxable income RM48,000 − RM11,000 = RM37,000.

Related terms

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