The Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) has issued RM4.4 billion in additional tax assessments as of 30 June as it steps up efforts to tackle tax evasion and other forms of serious tax non-compliance.

Speaking at the 26th National Tax Conference, LHDN chief executive officer Datuk Dr Abu Tariq Jamaluddin said the additional assessments resulted from the tax authority’s audit and compliance activities targeting cases involving tax evasion and aggressive tax planning. These assessments are issued when LHDN determines that more tax is owed after reviewing a taxpayer’s tax returns or financial records. 

The tax authority is also relying more on artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen its compliance efforts. According to Abu Tariq, AI has enabled LHDN to process and analyse more than 1.6 billion e-Invoices, helping it identify transaction patterns more quickly, improve compliance risk detection and support more data-driven decision-making.

AI To Support Stamp Duty Assessments

LHDN is also developing an AI-powered system to support the Self-Assessment Stamp Duty System (STSDS), which was introduced on 1 January 2026.

According to Abu Tariq, the tool will help taxpayers identify the correct category and type of instrument, determine the applicable stamp duty and reduce classification errors. It is also expected to improve assessment accuracy while making the compliance process faster and more efficient.

Taxpayers who disagree with an additional tax assessment can appeal through LHDN’s Dispute Resolution Department. Abu Tariq said every assessment is reviewed at the branch, state and headquarters levels before it is issued to ensure decisions are made transparently and in accordance with the law.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for the latest money tips and updates.

Christina Chandra

Christina writes about personal finance with an eye for making the complicated feel straightforward. She is drawn to the everyday money decisions people face and genuinely enjoys finding the clearest way to explain them. Between articles, she is probably napping, on a hiking trail, or terrorising her sister’s cats.

About THE AUTHOR

Christina Chandra

Christina Chandra

Christina writes about personal finance with an eye for making the complicated feel straightforward. She is drawn to the everyday money decisions people face and genuinely enjoys finding the clearest way to explain them. Between articles, she is probably napping, on a hiking trail, or terrorising her sister's cats.

See all articles

•