IT was the 14th Sales & Services Tax (SST) session across the nation and the 3rd in Penang where Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng was present to personally address the doubts of business owners on how the SST mechanism works.
The finance minister together with his advisor in the Finance Ministry Datuk Ooi Kok Seng, the Royal Malaysian Customs director-general Datuk Seri Subromaniam Tholasy, Penang Customs director Datuk Saidi Ismail and his deputy, Tan How Chai were at Eastin Hotel on Sept 9 to address the concerns of stakeholders, business owners and professional groups regarding the SST.
Many questions were raised which concerned mainly on exempted items under the SST which were patiently answered by Lim and his panel members.
Lim also specifically mentioned at a press conference held after the roadshow session that the sale of cigarettes and the sublet of food stalls at coffee shops do not count in the RM1.5 million threshold set by the Finance Ministry.
“When we mention coffee shops and food outlets, the RM1.5 million threshold we set for the collection of SST covers the food and drinks sold. It doesn’t include the sale of cigarettes or any other items say like tissue papers. The sale of cigarettes is calculated separately. And when this separated calculation reaches RM500,000, you will be taxed,” Lim said.
“The same goes to the sublet of food stalls at coffee shops. They are not considered as part of the sale of food and drinks (for the RM1.5 million threshold). It’s considered as rent and will be calculated separately for SST purposes,” he added.
Also present were assemblymen Heng Lee Lee (Berapit) and Jason H’ng (Jawi) as well as exco member Phee Boon Poh.
Story by Victor Seow
Pix & video by Darwina Mohd Daud