simon2017

I am in Malaysia under MM2H and am wondering if anyone has any experience in a foreigner setting up an online brokerage account to trade on the Malaysian stock exchange.

stepen

I just buy EWM in the US.
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simon2017

Thanks that is a way to buy the overall Malaysian stock market, but I am wanting to buy individual stock that are not available on other exchanges.

Gunnar45

Simon,
I think this question can be best answered by your bank here in Malaysia.

SushiFan

I don't have experience myself, but I guess you would need to create an account with a domestic broker. I would also guess that income from trading (e.g. trading profits, dividends) would be taxable in Malaysia.

stepen

I belive capital gains and dividends are not taxed in Malaysia.

SushiFan

I am not sure myself whether these are taxed or not. I found a detailed article about Income Tax in Malaysia for the tax year 2015. In the article is mentioned that dividends are taxable (1. General Taxable Income, c. Dividends), but further down it states that there are exemptions (Tax exemptions on Income 12. Dividend). In the Q&A, below the article, is some more detail provided about which dividends are exempted.
https://ringgitplus.com/en/blog/Pers...uide-2016.html
I haven't found a clear answer on the topic of capital gains.

stepen

From Deloitte guide:
Taxation of dividends – All corporations in Malaysia are
required to adopt the single-tier system (STS). Dividends
paid by companies under the STS are not taxable

InVinoVeritas

I think the confusion is down to the concept of trading. If you are trading then capital gains and dividends would be taxable as income.
Generally the Malaysian tax authorities consider you are a trader if most of your income derives from the buying and selling of shares or if your pattern of buying and selling shares corresponds to that of a trader.
The exemption of CGT and dividend income is intended to encourage Malaysians to invest in their own country rather than offshore where it would be tax-free.