tourist tax in malaysia

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Malaysia Tourism Tax: What You Need to Know in 2024

Updated on : Sep 9th, 2024

The Malaysian Tourism Tax Bill was passed in the Senate on 27 April 2017 and t he TTx has been in effect since 1 September 2017. All accommodation providers have to collect TTx from tourists staying at their premises. The tax at a rate of MYR10 per room, per night has been required to be collected by the accommodation operator and then paid to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD).

The ambit of the law has been significantly widened under the new amendments which were effective from Jan 1, 2023 and now any digital platform whether located in Malaysia or outside Malaysia, on providing services relating to online booking of accommodation in Malaysia shall be liable to be registered for Tourism Tax in Malaysia.

What is the Tourism Tax in Malaysia?

The Tourism Tax in Malaysia, also known as TTx, is a tax charged for all foreign passport holders staying at accommodation premises in Malaysia.  It is collected by the operators of these premises and is charged at a fixed rate of RM10.00 per room per night.

Malaysian nationals and permanent residents are excluded from the tax

Who is responsible for collecting and remitting tourism tax in Malaysia?

As per the  policy update issued by the Malaysian government, the responsibility for charging, collecting, accounting, and remitting tourism lies on Digital Platform Service Providers (DPSPs) like Agoda and Booking.com for all online bookings, irrespective of whether the DPSP or the hotel operator receives the payment. 

The hotel operators are liable to collect and remit TTx only for offline bookings

However, the policy has granted a grace period from 1 April 2023 TO 31 December 2025. During the grace period, the policy eases the compliance burden on DPSPs based on the booking and payment nature. Here's how it works:

• If a booking is made online, but payment goes directly to the hotel operator: The responsibility for collecting and remitting TTx falls on the operator.
• If both booking and payment are done online through the DPSP: Only, then does the responsibility to collect and remit tourism tax lie with the DPSP.

Who has to pay Tourism Tax?

The tourism tax is a consumption-based tax.  Foreign tourists staying at accommodation premises in Malaysia are ultimately liable to bear the burden of Tourism tax in Malaysia. However, it is collected by the accommodation operation or digital platform service provider (DPSP) and remitted to the government on behalf of the tourist. 

How to Pay?

• Tourists, upon payment to DPSPs (Digital Platform Service Providers) submit proof of TTx payment. In cases where proof is provided, registered operators are relieved from collecting TTx directly from tourists. However, if tourists fail to provide proof, DPSPs must collect the TTx amount and account for it to the RMCD.
• From 2023, DPSPs that facilitate the online booking of accommodations in Malaysia (“online travel platform operators e.g. Airbnb, OYO, etc.”) to collect tourism tax (TTx) and remit the tax to the RMCD.
• The deposit of Tourism tax in Malaysia is completely digital using their customer website MyTTx.

Key Highlights:

• MyTTx is an online submission and payment system for tourism tax (TTx).
• It is available 24 hours daily and accessible anywhere.
• The system can be accessed through any latest browser and is best viewed at 1024 x 768 resolution or higher.

When to Pay?

• Operators have to file a return every three months to account for the tourism tax (“TTX”) received. Note: If the operator is GST registered, the operator must file a tourism tax return in the same taxable period in which the operator files his/her GST returns (i.e. monthly or quarterly).
• The deadline to make payments of tax is clarified by stating that payment is due “not later than” the last day of the month following the end of each taxable period.

Benefits of  Malaysian Tourism Tax

Tourism Tax comes with several advantages that contribute to the sustainable development of the tourism industry and the overall growth of local economy.

• Revenue Generation: The primary purpose of the Tourism Tax is to generate revenue for the Government to develop and enhance tourism-related infrastructure and services. This includes the development of tourist attractions, accommodation facilities, transportation networks, and other amenities that enhance the overall visitor experience.
• Promotion of Tourism: The funds from the Tourism Tax can be allocated to marketing and promotional activities aimed at attracting more tourists to Malaysia. This helps in boosting the country's image as a desirable tourist destination on a global scale.
• Cultural Preservation: Tourism Tax revenue can be invested in projects aimed at preserving and promoting Malaysia's rich cultural heritage. This may involve the restoration of historical sites, supporting traditional arts and crafts, and organizing cultural events that showcase the country's diverse cultural tapestry.
• Job Creation: A thriving tourism industry leads to increased demand for services, creating job opportunities across various sectors. The revenue generated from the Tourism Tax indirectly contributes to employment generation, benefiting local communities and individuals.
• Balance Over Tourism:   The tax is becoming popular as a tool to battle the pressing issue of over-tourism in countries where both, indigenous nature and culture is at risk.  It allows the government to monitor and manage the tourism sector effectively, ensuring compliance with standards and regulations set to maintain the industry's integrity.

TTx is here to stay

As Malaysia continues to position itself as a premier tourist destination, the Tourism Tax plays a pivotal role in sustaining its ecosystem. Navigating TTx is a necessity for a primarily tourist driver economy. It needs involvement of all stakeholders DPSPs, tourists, and the RMCD to make the system better and smoother every day.

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Malaysian Tourism Tax FAQs

Home > Partner Help > Your reservations > Malaysian Tourism Tax FAQs

Last updated: 11 days ago | 8 min read time

Malaysian Tourism Tax FAQs (CN)/简体中文

Malaysian Tourism Tax FAQs (HK)/中文 (香港)

Malaysian Tourism Tax FAQs (TW)/繁體中文

Malaysian Tourism Tax FAQs Japanese/日本語

Malaysian Tourism Tax FAQs Korean /한국어(대한민국)

Malaysian Tourism Tax FAQs Thai/ไทย

Malaysian Tourism Tax FAQs (MY)/Malay

This article will explain the Malaysian Tourism Tax and answer FAQs.

• Effective 1st Jan 2023 – 31 Dec 2025, Digital Platform Service Providers (DPSPs or Platform) are liable to collect and charge TTx from any tourists for reservations that are i) made through the DPSP’s platform and ii) where payment is made to a DPSP (such as Agoda) and remit such TTx to the Malaysian Customs Department. If payment of TTx has been made to the platform, then the accommodation premises should not collect the TTx again, provided proof of payment of TTx can be furnished; otherwise the accommodation premises shall collect TTx. For bookings where payment is made to accommodation premises in Malaysia directly (pay at property), it is the accommodation premise’s obligation as a registered operator to collect and remit TTx to Malaysian Customs Department.
• Starting on 1 Jan 2026, the government may choose to alter or continue with these rules.
• For more information, please visit myttx.customs.gov.my .
• a) Malaysian nationals (holders of a MyKad card)
• b) Permanent residents of Malaysia (holders of a MyPR card).
• If the property is listed and booked as one unit, then the Tourism Tax of RM10/room/night will be imposed to the unit only, so for 1 night, the applicable TTx = RM 10.
• If the property is listed on platform as three separate units (one bedroom per listing), then TTx shall be imposed on each of the rooms. So, if three rooms are booked for 1 night, the TTx would be RM 10/room/night x 3= RM 30.
• Q: Will this affect existing bookings, especially for Pay at Hotel existing bookings? A: Guests who are tourists have been subject to pay TTx since September 2017 when staying at any accommodation premises in Malaysia; this is normally collected by the operator i.e. accommodation premises operator. However, starting from 1 Jan 2023 and continuing until 31 Dec 2025, bookings made through platforms providing reservation services such as Agoda are liable to collect and charge TTx for any bookings made on the platform in which the platform collects the payment from bookers. If a traveler has made a booking on Agoda before 1 Jan 2023, and where TTx is applicable, the TTx must be collected by the property and remitted to the RMCD. For bookings of Malaysian properties made on Agoda on and after 1 Jan 2023 and continuing until 31 Dec 2025, Agoda as the platform is required to collect TTx if the payment for the booking is collected by Agoda. Agoda will endeavor to collect TTx on most bookings and issue a document as proof of TTx payment to the booker. However, for Pay Property bookings, TTx needs to be collected by the property from the booked guest at check-in.
• If the payment model “Pay to Agoda”, “Merchant Commission” and TTx applies – TTx is INCLUDED in the price and is collected by Agoda.
• If the payment model is “Pay to Agoda”, “Merchant Commission” and TTx doesn’t apply — TTx is NOT collected.
• If the payment model is “Pay at Hotel” and TTx applies — Malaysia Tourism Tax is INCLUDED in the price and collected by the property.
• If the payment model is “Pay at Hotel” and TTx doesn’t apply — Malaysia Tourism Tax is NOT collected.
• Q: How do I verify that TTx has been collected by Agoda? A: Agoda will issue to bookers proof of TTx collection (if collected by Agoda), unless TTx needs to be collected by the property as explained above.
• Q: My property did not register for Tourism Tax, does this apply to me? A: To determine whether you should be registered for TTx or not, please consult your business advisor or seek RMCD’s further guidance. The exemption from TTx for certain property types (Item 3, Tourism Tax Exemption Order 2017) e.g. homestay/kampungstay operator, operator with 4 accommodation rooms or less, does not apply when the reservation is made through a DPSP’s platform. Even if you are exempt from TTx, TTx would still be applicable when a booking of your property is made on Agoda by a qualified tourist.
• Q: If a tourist books accommodation through Agoda then subsequently extends their stay directly with the accommodation premise operator, who is liable to collect the TTx for the additional stay period? A: For tourists who book accommodation through a platform and extend their stay, the accommodation premise operator will collect any TTx for the additional stay. Platforms such as Agoda should not be liable to collect the TTx for the additional stay period, unless the additional stay period is booked using the online platform. Source: GUIDE ON TOURISM TAX (DIGITAL PLATFORM SERVICE PROVIDER) as of 13 Aug 2021.
• Q: If I have other questions on the Malaysian Tourism Tax, who should I contact? A: Please contact our Accommodation Service Team via the Need Help? button in YCS.
• Q: In case of a dispute by a customer, what should I do and who should I contact? A: Please contact our Accommodation Service Team via the Need Help? button in YCS.
• Q: Upon check in, I found that the guest is a foreign tourist, but the booking was made by a local. In this case, what should I do? Should I collect the tax and remit to RMCD? A: Yes. You should collect the applicable TTx in such case and remit to RMCD.
• Q: Is the guest still entitled to a TTx refund if the booking is non-refundable, but it is a no-show? A: TTx will in all cases be refunded to the booker if the stay at the premise does not take place. For more specific cases see below:
• If a full refund is triggered (cancellation on refundable booking) => Agoda refunds the entire amount. TTx will be refunded in full.
• If a booking is cancelled with 100% charge (cancellation on non-refundable booking) => Agoda keeps the original amount not related to TTx. Payment to the property should not be affected. However, TTx should be refunded to the booker.
• If a booking is cancelled with partial charges=> TTx will be refunded to the booker.
• If the booking is amended => Applicable tourism tax will be recalculated based on the new room nights of the amended booking. The amendment voucher should indicate the new value of tourism tax that has been paid.

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Tourism Tax Policy and Amendments to Service Tax Policy

• Home ›
• Insights ›

Useful resources

• MyTTx Portal – TTx Policy No. 1/2021
• MySST Portal – Service Tax Policy

The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (“RMCD”) has uploaded a Tourism Tax Policy to recap the exemption of Tourism Tax announced by the Government earlier as well as amendments to two Service Tax Policies on its official portal.  Please click on the above header links for a copy each of the policies. 

Set out below are the salient points:- 

Tourism Tax Policy No. 1/2021

• The exemption of Tourism Tax for the period from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 has been further extended until 31 December 2021. 
• Accommodation operators are still liable to submit TTx-03 Return to account and pay the Tourism Tax received from foreign tourists for accommodation provided before the exemption period or any Tourism Tax where payment has not been received from tourists within twelve calendar months that become due in the taxable period. 
• The amount of Tourism Tax exempted must be stated in Column 7 of the TTx-03 Return i.e. the amount exempted for each night per room. 
• During the exemption period, Tourism Tax should be recorded as “exempt” or “NIL” or “RM0.00” in the invoice issued to foreign tourists. 

Amendment (No.2) to Service Tax Policy No. 9/2020

• Registered accommodation premise operators are exempted from charging Service Tax from 1 March 2020 to 31 December 2021.
• Service Tax is exempted for services occurring on 31 December 2021 and ending 1 January 2022. 

Amendment to Service Tax Policy No. 2/2019

• Subject to meeting conditions, Service Tax exemption on imported taxable services for companies in Labuan effective 1 September 2019 is now extended to 31 December 2021. 

Our highlights are intended to provide a general overview of the key proposed tax changes and should not be used or relied upon as a substitute for detailed advice or as a basis for formulating business decisions.

Should you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to email or contact any of our Executive Directors, Directors, Associate Directors or Managers whom you are accustomed to dealing with or who are responsible for the tax affairs of your organization.

The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.