Malaysia company help: answers by topic

For individual founders, certified passport and address copies are usually enough. Documents of a foreign corporate shareholder, such as its certificate of incorporation, often need to be notarised and legalised. Malaysia is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so an apostille alone may not be accepted; we confirm the route for your country first.

Certification and apostille

Source: Status table: Apostille Convention, Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH)

A private company name ends with “Sendirian Berhad” or “Sdn. Bhd.”. SSM rejects names that are identical to existing ones or that it considers undesirable, and some words need approval from another authority. We search your three choices on SSM's system before filing.

Source: FAQs on Companies Act 2016, Part C: incorporation, directors and secretaries, Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM)

Because the fee depends on the role you need and the risk of your activity. The director is a real officer with legal duties, is recorded with SSM and has to be comfortable with the business. If you or a colleague already live in Malaysia, you do not need this service at all.

Resident director service

Typically the SSM company profile, the constitution if you adopted one, a board resolution naming the account signatories, and identity documents for directors and main shareholders. Many banks also want a business plan and to meet the signatories. We prepare the pack; the bank decides and sets its own list.

Business account support

Often, yes. Several Malaysian banks ask account signatories to attend a branch meeting, although some accept a resident director as signatory or run video checks. Plan the trip for after the company is registered and the documents are ready, so one visit is enough.

Business account support

Within 3 months of starting business, it submits an estimate of its tax payable (form CP204) to HASiL. Instalments then start from the sixth month of the basis period. A company that has not started operating does not need to submit an estimate.

Accounting and tax filing

Source: Submission of estimated tax payable (CP204), Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (HASiL)

Form C, the company income tax return, is due within 7 months after the end of the accounting period, and any balance of tax is paid by the same date. It is based on the company's accounts, which are audited unless the company is exempt. We plan the audit so it finishes in time.

Accounting and tax filing

Source: Tax payment (companies), Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (HASiL)

Only if it makes taxable goods or provides taxable services above the registration threshold, which for most businesses is MYR 500,000 of taxable sales in 12 months (confirm with your specialist). Some services have a different threshold. We check your activity against the current rules at the planning stage.

Source: MySST: sales and service tax, Royal Malaysian Customs Department

The company updates its register and notifies SSM through MyCoID within 14 days of the change. At least one director must still ordinarily reside in Malaysia after the change, or SSM will not accept it. The licensed secretary prepares the resolution and lodges the notice.

Corporate changes

Source: Companies Act 2016 (Act 777), Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM)

If it has stopped business and has no assets or liabilities, apply to SSM to strike it off under section 550 of the Companies Act 2016. The application fee is MYR 100, and you first need clearance from HASiL and other agencies owed money (confirm with your specialist). A company with assets or debts is wound up instead.

Company closure

Source: Application to strike off a company, section 550, Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM)