Abdul Karim leads praise for tax relief on sports training expenses
KUCHING: Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and sports leaders in Sarawak hailed the federal government’s initiative to provide up to RM1,000 tax exemption on expenses related to sports training.
“Anything that would reduce costs for sports equipment or training is very much welcome,” Abdul Karim said.
Sharing the minister’s sentiment, Sarawak Sports Corporation chief executive officer Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan said the initiative is good for sports development in the country.
“The parents will be so happy and support their children in sports,” he said.
Kuching Pickleball Association president Ruslan Bujang said the extended tax exemption was very good as it ‘encourage and promote sports in Malaysia’.
“Sports equipment are now very expensive and more people will participate in competitions as they can get tax relief on the participation fees,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association president Dato Patrick Liew Chin Joon felt that those who will benefit from the tax exemption would mostly be the parents of young athletes.
“It would also be good to extend this tax relief to private companies and individuals who sponsor sports equipment, participation fees and expenses for athletes’ training stints and competitions at local or international level,” he said.
Recently, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh announced an up to RM1,000 tax exemption initiative that includes sports training fees.
She said that the tax relief, which already covers the purchase of sports equipment and activities, will be extended to cover expenses related to sports training for oneself, spouse, or child.
“This initiative, effective from the beginning of this year, empowers individuals to invest in sports training while keeping all relevant receipts for tax filing with the Inland Revenue Board,” Hannah said in a statement.
According to Hannah, the training fee tax exemption is for 103 types of sports under the Sports Development Act 1997 covering gym memberships and fees for sports training (one-off sessions or structured programmes); rental fees for sports facilities; registration fees for sports competitions and purchase of sports equipment (excluding motorcycles) listed under the act.
She said the training fees must be paid to providers such as sports associations, clubs, or companies registered with the Sports Commissioner or incorporated under the Companies Act.
“The public need to check whether the coaches or the training they undertake are registered properly.
“They cannot claim tax relief if they train or are coached by unregistered coaches or entities,” she added.