HTL Chartered Accountant Johor Bahru Malaysia

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Transfer Pricing

Many businesses assume that transfer pricing rules apply only to large multinational groups with cross-border transactions. In Malaysia, however, related-party transactions—including those involving SMEs and domestic companies—can fall within section 140A of the Income Tax Act 1967, the Income Tax (Transfer Pricing) Rules 2023 [P.U.(A) 165/2023] and the Malaysian Transfer Pricing Guidelines 2024. LHDN published the Guidelines on 24 December 2024 for years of assessment 2023 onwards, with detailed requirements for the arm’s-length principle and contemporaneous transfer pricing documentation.
Failure to comply can result in:

With the Malaysian Inland Revenue Board (IRB) tightening enforcement, businesses must ensure that their transfer pricing practices meet arm’s length standards to avoid financial and legal consequences.

Finance team reviewing transfer pricing data

How HTL Can Help

At HTL, we provide expert transfer pricing advisory services to ensure businesses stay compliant while minimizing tax risks.

We offer:

Transfer Pricing Planning

Structuring related-party transactions to align with arm’s length pricing and optimize tax efficiency.

Transfer Pricing Documentation (TPD) Preparation

Ensuring businesses meet compliance requirements by preparing comprehensive reports.

Audit Support & Risk Management

Assisting businesses during IRB audits, addressing queries, and mitigating potential adjustments or penalties.

Benchmarking Analysis

Conducting independent benchmarking studies using reliable databases to justify pricing and support documentation.

Group-Wide Transfer Pricing Policy Development

Helping groups standardize and document their transfer pricing approach across entities to ensure consistency and defendability.

Professionals analysing financial data on a laptop

Why Work with HTL?

Professionals analysing financial data on a laptop

Comprehensive Compliance Support

We help you prepare contemporaneous transfer pricing documentation that meets the latest Malaysian regulatory requirements, ensuring your business remains compliant.

Avoid Costly Penalties

Comprehensive and timely documentation reduces the risk of adjustments and penalties during tax audits.

Maximize Tax Efficiency

We structure related-party transactions to achieve optimal tax outcomes without compromising compliance.

Trusted Expertise

Our team brings years of experience in tax advisory and transfer pricing audits, delivering practical and strategic solutions.

Tailored Solutions for Your Business

We understand that every business is unique and provide personalized advice suited to your group’s structure and industry.

Common Transfer Pricing Issues

We Help Businesses Avoid

These practices can trigger audit risks and non-compliance penalties. At HTL, we help ensure your transactions are properly structured, documented, and defendable.

Talk to Our Experts Now

Get Transfer Pricing solutions tailored to your business

At HTL, we simplify complex transfer pricing requirements and help you stay compliant while managing tax risk. Whether you’re a growing SME or part of a larger group, our team can scope the documentation, prepare defensible support and assist with LHDN queries.

Transfer Pricing FAQs

Quick answer: Malaysian transfer pricing rules can apply to both domestic and cross-border related-party transactions. Documentation scope depends on the transaction type, annual values and the exemptions and thresholds in the Malaysian Transfer Pricing Guidelines 2024.

Does my Malaysian company need transfer pricing documentation?

A Malaysian taxpayer with related-party transactions must apply the arm’s-length principle. Whether it must prepare full CTPD, minimum CTPD or is exempt from CTPD depends on the transaction type, value and the specific exemptions in the Malaysian Transfer Pricing Guidelines 2024.

Do transfer pricing rules apply to transactions between Malaysian related companies?

Yes. Domestic related-party transactions can fall within Malaysia’s transfer pricing rules. Certain domestic transactions may qualify for a CTPD exemption, but the conditions must be checked carefully and supporting records should still explain the transaction and pricing.

What transactions count as controlled transactions?

Common controlled transactions include sales or purchases of goods, management and shared services, royalties and other intangibles, rentals, cost allocations, guarantees, loans, advances and other financial assistance between related parties.

Does my company need full or minimum CTPD?

Full CTPD generally applies where gross business income exceeds RM30 million and annual cross-border controlled transactions are at least RM10 million, or controlled financial assistance exceeds RM50 million. Taxpayers outside the full-scope thresholds may prepare minimum CTPD unless an exemption applies; permanent establishments prepare full CTPD.

What information does HTL need to quote for transfer pricing documentation?

Provide the financial year, group and ownership structure, audited accounts, related parties, transaction types and annual values, whether transactions are domestic or cross-border, intercompany agreements, prior documentation and any LHDN correspondence.

Can transfer pricing documentation be prepared only after LHDN requests it?

CTPD should be prepared contemporaneously rather than started only after a request. If documentation is incomplete, urgent remediation may still help, but the business must not backdate records and meeting the statutory response deadline can be difficult.

How long do I have to submit CTPD after an LHDN request?

The Malaysian Transfer Pricing Guidelines 2024 require CTPD to be submitted within 14 days after a written request from LHDN. Businesses should therefore keep agreements, invoices, calculations, benefit evidence and benchmarking support ready before an audit begins.

What penalties or surcharge can apply in a Malaysian transfer pricing audit?

From YA 2023, failure to furnish CTPD within 14 days of a written notice is an offence. If convicted, the fine is RM20,000 to RM100,000, or imprisonment for up to six months, or both. If no prosecution is instituted, LHDN may impose a RM20,000 to RM100,000 penalty for each YA. A surcharge of up to 5% may also apply to a transfer pricing adjustment.

Official references: LHDN — Transfer Pricing · Malaysian Transfer Pricing Guidelines 2024 · Transfer Pricing Tax Audit Framework 2025

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