How to file income tax in Malaysia for beginners: Step-by-step e-Filing guide

How to file income tax in Malaysia (without the panic) 💻

If you’ve read our article, Income tax in Malaysia for beginners: How to get started, you already understand:

• 📌 Whether you need to file income tax
• 📌 What MTD/PCB means
• 📌 The difference between tax reliefs and rebates
• 📌 The income tax deadline in Malaysia

Now it’s time for the main event — actually filing your income tax return through LHDN e-Filing.

Let’s walk through it step by step.

⏰ Tax deadline alert: Filing Borang BE for YA 2025? The income tax deadline is 30 April 2026, with a short e-Filing grace period into mid-May. Don’t leave it to 11:59pm.

Step 1: Login to MyTax portal for e-Filing

Visit the MyTax portal and log in.

To access e-Filing:
👉 Click “ezHasil Services” > “e-Filing”

Make sure you select the correct Year of Assessment: YA 2025.
Remember, you’re declaring income earned in the previous year.

Step 2: Choose the correct tax form (Borang BE vs Borang B)

This part matters.

📄 Borang BE‍

For salaried employees with no business income.

📄 Borang B‍

For individuals with business income.

Most young working adults will file using Borang BE.

Step 3: Confirm your personal details

Check carefully:

• 🪪 Name
• 🪪 IC number
• 🏠 Address
• 🏦 Bank account number

Wrong bank details = delayed tax refund.

Step 4: Enter your statutory income/ employment income

Refer to your EA Form and input:

• 💼 Total annual salary
• 🎁 Benefits (if any)
• 💰 Allowances
• 🏦 EPF contributions

Some fields may be pre-filled — always double-check.

Step 5: Declare other income (if applicable)

Include:

• Freelance income
• Side hustle earnings
• Rental income
• Commission

The system will automatically calculate your aggregate income (total income earned for the year).

Step 6: Tax deductions

Next, calculate any tax deductions you are entitled to.

There are also other details within this section. Fill only which are relevant to you.

Step 7: Claim your income tax reliefs and rebates

This is where you legally reduce your chargeable income. Check list of claimable tax reliefs for YA 2025.

Common relief categories for young adults:

• 👤 Personal relief
• 🏦 EPF & insurance
• 💻 Lifestyle (gadgets, books, sports equipment)
• 📱 Internet subscription
• 🎓 Education fees
• 🏥 Medical expenses

After entering your reliefs, the system calculates your chargeable income.

Your chargeable income determines your tax rate and total tax payable.

You can also apply any eligible tax rebates, which act as a direct reduction on your final tax bill.

Step 8: Review everything carefully

Before you hit submit:

• Re-check income figures
• Confirm PCB amount
• Review relief claims
• Verify bank details
• Check your final tax summary

If the final amount shows a negative balance, that usually means you’ve overpaid via MTD/PCB — and you’ll receive a refund.

Step 9: Submit and download acknowledgement slip

Once submitted:

• Save your acknowledgement receipt
• Screenshot confirmation page
• Keep digital records

You’re officially done. 🎉

Step 10: Pay your tax or get a refund 💸

After you submit your return, LHDN will calculate whether:

• ➕ You need to pay additional tax, or
• 💰 You’re entitled to a tax refund.

If you’ve been paying MTD/PCB every month and your reliefs reduce your final tax, you may receive money back. Refunds are typically credited to your bank account within 30 working days.

If you still owe tax, make sure to pay before the deadline. Payment can be made online via the LHDN portal or at an LHDN branch.

*Disclaimer: Taken from LHDN as of 2nd March 2026.

Summary

Here’s a clearer breakdown of how your final tax payable amount is calculated:

1. Start with your total taxable income (Step 1), also known as aggregate income.‍
2. Subtract tax deductions to get your total income.‍
3. Subtract any tax reliefs to arrive at your chargeable income.
4. ‍Apply the relevant tax rate to the chargeable income to calculate your tax payable amount.‍
5. Subtract any tax rebates to determine your final tax payable amount.

You’ve just handled one of the biggest adulting milestones. 💪✨