Tax Relief for Transportation Allowance

Generally, fixed allowances provided by an employer are considered as taxable income while work-related expenses are generally not brought to tax.

Let say you went on an outstation trip and incurred expenses on accommodation, petrol and toll. You spent RM1k and company reimburses you the sum. Since you do not earn any extra, so you won’t be taxed on your allowance. However, if your company gives you RM1.2k, you should bring the difference of RM200 to tax because it’s above what you spent already.

Since Budget 2009, there’s an exemptions for travel/petrol allowances:

Up to RM2,400 for home/office travel
Up to RM6,000 for business travel

Example 1:

If you’re given RM1k allowance for you to travel from home to office, then this entire amount will be exempted in full. But, if you’re given RM4k, RM1.6k will be taxable (RM4k – RM2.4k) since exemption is only up to RM2.4k.

Example 2:

If you’re given RM8k allowance on traveling for your official duties, then RM2k will be taxable (RM8k – RM6k) since exemption is only up to RM6k.

Whether you are able to claim for both the RM2.4k and RM6k travel allowance exemption, it’s depends on whether your company analyzes the allowances in your EA form. When a fixed allowance is given, the amount is reported in your EA form. However, you have to support the deductions with receipts and relevant documents.