The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the relationship between taxpayers and tax authorities. Recognizing its core role in responding to the crisis, the tax authorities have strengthened its business continuity by embracing technologies to accelerate the shift away from paper-based systems towards managing data and related insights more effectively.

At a recent KPMG regional conference, a dialogue session was held with Datuk Mohd Nizom Sairi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Tax Operations) of the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRBM).

The session covered Datuk Mohd Nizom’s views of the relationship between the taxpayers and IRBM and how it will evolve going forward.  He also shared the major changes wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as some key areas focused by the tax authorities in conducting tax audit and investigations in Malaysia.

Based on this conversation and KPMG’s dealings with the IRBM, the key points tax leaders should take note of include:

  • Compliance and documentation will be key, even during the Covid-19 era;
  • IRBM is open to engaging with taxpayers on any arising tax issues and tax payments;
  • Technology will continue to be leveraged in selecting cases for tax audit and investigations

View the recorded video of the dialogue session with IRBM in full: