← All Guides

💚 How to Claim Your Income Tax Refund in Malaysia (2026 Guide)

The complete guide to your LHDN income tax refund — how long it takes, how to check the status on MyTax, update your bank account, and what to do if it's delayed.

Refund Method

EFT / DuitNow

Processing Time (e-Filing)

30 working days

Processing Time (Manual)

90 working days

Filing Deadline (Form BE)

30 April 2026

When do you get a refund? You get an income tax refund when the tax you've already paid (via PCB/salary deduction or estimated tax payments) is more than your actual tax liability for the year. You don't need to do anything extra to claim it — your refund is automatically calculated when you file your tax return (Form BE or Form B) on MyTax (mytax.hasil.gov.my). LHDN will pay the difference directly into your bank account.

The Refund Timeline — What Happens After You File

Once you submit your e-Filing, here's the typical sequence:

You submit your e-Filing on MyTax

Go to mytax.hasil.gov.my → e-Filing → Select Form BE (or Form B if you have business income) → Fill in your income, reliefs, and deductions → Submit. Your tax payable or refundable amount is calculated automatically.

LHDN processes your return (up to 30 working days)

LHDN reviews your submission. For e-Filing submitted on or before the deadline, processing must be completed within 30 working days (about 6 calendar weeks). For manually submitted forms, it's up to 90 working days.

Refund is paid via EFT or DuitNow

LHDN transfers the refund to the bank account you registered on MyTax. If you have DuitNow registered to your IC number, they may use that. If there's no valid bank account on file, you'll receive a cheque by post — this is slower. Always keep your bank account updated.

You receive the money (or a notice if delayed)

Most refunds arrive 3–6 weeks after filing. If more than 30 working days have passed, you are legally entitled to 2% compensation per Section 111D of the Income Tax Act 1967 — the government must pay interest on the late refund.

How to Check Your Refund Status

You can check your refund status anytime on the MyTax portal. No need to call LHDN unless you've been waiting unusually long.

Method 1: Check via MyTax Portal (easiest)

Log in to MyTax
Go to mytax.hasil.gov.my and sign in with your MyKad number (IC number) and password. First time? Register for a MyTax account using your IC number and a PIN sent by LHDN.
Go to "Services" → "Refund Status"
From your MyTax dashboard, click the Services tab, then select Refund Status. You'll see whether your refund has been processed, the date, and the amount. If the refund has been issued, the payment date and amount will be displayed.
Check e-Lejar for full payment history
The e-Lejar feature on MyTax shows your complete tax account statement — every payment made, every refund issued, and any outstanding balance. This is the most complete view of your tax history with LHDN.

What you'll see: Once your refund is processed, MyTax shows the refund amount, payment method (EFT/DuitNow/cheque), and the date it was issued. If it was issued more than 3 business days ago and hasn't arrived, contact your bank first — the money may already be there under a different transaction description.

Method 2: Call Hasil Care Line

If you can't access MyTax or have waited more than 30 working days without a refund, call:

Hasil Care Line: 03-8911 1000 (toll-free) — Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm
Have your IC number and the Year of Assessment (e.g. YA 2025 for the return you filed in 2026) ready
They can check your refund status and escalate if there's an issue

How to Update Your Bank Account for Refunds

The most common reason refunds are delayed or sent by cheque: LHDN has outdated or incorrect bank account details. Update your bank account via e-Kemaskini on MyTax before you file — it takes 2 minutes and prevents weeks of waiting.

Log in to MyTax at mytax.hasil.gov.my
Use your IC number and password. If you've forgotten your password, click "Forgot Password" and reset via your registered mobile number or email.
Navigate to "e-Kemaskini" (Personal Details Update)
From your dashboard, look for the e-Kemaskini service. This is the portal for updating all personal information including bank account details, address, and contact information.
Select "Bank Account" and enter your new details
Enter your bank name, account number, and account holder name (must match your IC name exactly). All major Malaysian banks are supported: Maybank, CIMB, Public Bank, RHB, Hong Leong, Affin, AmBank, Bank Islam, Bank Rakyat, BSN, and others.
Save and confirm
Review the details carefully before saving. An incorrect account number means your refund is paid to someone else — LHDN cannot reverse EFT payments if the account details on file were correct at the time of processing.

⚠ Important bank account rules: Your registered bank account must be a sole account in your own name (matching your IC name). Joint accounts and third-party accounts are not accepted. The name on your bank account must match your name as registered with LHDN.

Why Is Your Refund Delayed?

If 30 working days have passed and you still haven't received your refund, one of these is usually the reason:

🏦

Incorrect / Outdated Bank Account

The most common cause. Your bank account on MyTax is wrong, inactive, or belongs to someone else. Update via e-Kemaskini.

⚖️

Outstanding Tax Arrears

If you owe LHDN from a previous year, they will deduct the arrears from your refund before paying the balance. Check e-Lejar for any outstanding amounts.

🔍

Your Return Is Under Audit

LHDN may select returns for audit, which pauses the refund. If audited, you'll be notified. Keep all receipts and supporting documents for 7 years.

📅

Filed After Deadline

If you filed late, the 30 working day clock does not start until any late penalty is imposed and resolved. File before April 30 to avoid this.

✉️

Refund Sent by Cheque

If LHDN has no valid bank account on file, a cheque is mailed to your registered address. Update your bank account now — and your address if you've moved.

📋

Missing or Inconsistent Information

If your EA Form figures don't match what you declared, LHDN may request clarification. Ensure your employer's EA Form matches your e-Filing entries.

Late refund compensation: Under Section 111D of the Income Tax Act 1967, if LHDN fails to refund within the stipulated time (30 working days for e-Filing), you are entitled to 2% compensation on the late amount. This is paid automatically — you don't need to apply for it.

2026 Filing Deadlines (Year of Assessment 2025)

Form	Who Files It	Deadline (e-Filing)
Form BE	Resident individuals — employment income only	30 April 2026 (extended to 15 May)
Form B	Resident individuals with business income	15 July 2026
Form M	Non-resident individuals	30 June 2026
Form P	Partnership (returned by partners)	30 June 2026

Most employees file Form BE. If your only income is your salary (and possibly rental income, dividends, or interest), you use Form BE. The e-Filing window opened on 1 March 2026. Filing early = refund arrives earlier. There's no benefit to waiting.

Pro Tips to Get Your Refund Faster

1. File in March, not April

The 30-working-day clock starts when you submit. Filing in early March means your refund can arrive by late April. Filing on April 30 means waiting until June. Early filing also reduces the risk of being caught in the last-minute rush that can slow LHDN's processing.

2. Update your bank account before you file

Log in to MyTax now and check what bank account LHDN has on file. If you've changed banks, opened a new account, or never registered one, update it via e-Kemaskini before you submit your return. A missing or wrong bank account is the #1 cause of refund delays.

3. Claim all your reliefs — especially PCB and life insurance

Many people leave money on the table. Your salary deduction (PCB / Monthly Tax Deduction) is already counted — but make sure you've declared all eligible reliefs: EPF contributions (up to RM4,000), life insurance premiums (up to RM3,000), medical insurance, SSPN savings, broadband, sports equipment, and others. More reliefs = lower tax liability = bigger refund.

4. Check your EA Form against your payslips

Your employer must provide your EA Form (Borang EA) by 28 February. Before filing, cross-check the PCB total on your EA Form against your monthly payslips. Discrepancies will trigger a mismatch with LHDN and may delay your refund or trigger a review.

5. Keep receipts for 7 years

LHDN has up to 7 years to audit your return. Keep all receipts supporting your reliefs (medical bills, insurance premiums, education fees, donations) for 7 years. If you're audited, you'll need to produce them. Digital copies are accepted.

6. Declare everything — even if you overpaid

Some people under-declare to avoid scrutiny. This is counterproductive and illegal. If your PCB was correctly deducted but you didn't declare all reliefs, you've overpaid. Correct filing = maximum refund. LHDN's system cross-checks your declared income against employer-reported data — under-declaration is detected, not hidden.

Frequently Asked Questions

I've been waiting over 30 working days. What should I do?

First, check MyTax → Services → Refund Status to see if a refund was issued. If it was issued but hasn't arrived, check your bank account (the transaction may appear under an unfamiliar reference). If no refund has been issued, call Hasil Care Line at 03-8911 1000 and quote your IC number and Year of Assessment. They can tell you if there's an issue with your return, your bank account, or outstanding arrears.

Do I need to apply for a refund separately?

No. The refund is automatically calculated when you submit your tax return. If your PCB (salary deductions) exceeds your tax liability, LHDN will refund the difference. There is no separate application form or process — just file your return correctly and ensure your bank account is updated.

How do I know if I'm owed a refund before I file?

Add up your total PCB deductions from your monthly payslips (or check your EA Form — the PCB total is on there). Then estimate your tax liability using the MyTax e-Filing calculator. If PCB total > estimated tax = you're due a refund. Malaysia's income tax rates range from 0% to 30% depending on chargeable income.

My refund was sent by cheque. What do I do?

LHDN issues cheques to the mailing address on your MyTax profile when no valid bank account is registered. If your cheque hasn't arrived after 30 working days, first update your bank account in e-Kemaskini, then call Hasil Care Line to request a re-issuance. If the cheque was mailed to an old address, you'll need to update your address first.

Can I get my refund via DuitNow?

Yes. If you have a DuitNow account registered to your IC number (most Malaysians with e-wallets or online banking do), LHDN may process your refund via DuitNow. This is often faster than standard EFT. There's no additional setup required — LHDN checks if a DuitNow proxy is registered to your IC and uses it if available.

LHDN deducted from my refund. Why?

If you have outstanding tax arrears from previous years, LHDN will offset them against your current year's refund. For example: if you're owed RM1,200 for YA 2025 but still owe RM800 from YA 2023, you'll receive RM400. Check your e-Lejar on MyTax for a full history of your tax account balance.

Is the income tax refund taxable?

No. Your income tax refund is a return of your own money (overpaid tax). It is not income and not taxable. You do not need to declare it in your next year's tax return.

I forgot to claim some reliefs after I submitted. Can I amend my return?

Yes, you can amend your return (e-Filing amendment) within 6 months from the submission deadline. On MyTax, go to e-Filing → Amendment → select the Year of Assessment → make corrections and resubmit. The additional refund will be recalculated and processed.

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Tax rules change — always verify current rates, deadlines, and procedures on the official LHDN website (hasil.gov.my) or MyTax portal (mytax.hasil.gov.my). When in doubt, consult a licensed tax consultant.