Malaysia

No general foreign-equity cap, but a resident director and a licensed local secretary are required.

Last checked: Oct 2026 · Sources listed below

01 · What we can do here

What we can do here

Account help (opening soon)

Paid business-account opening help: account selection, draft application answers and a document checklist. You submit, complete your own ID and selfie checks, and sign.

SSM lodgments and company secretary: a licensed company secretary (must be a Malaysian citizen or PR).
Tax filings with LHDN: an approved tax agent.
Incorporation: a licensed local provider.

02 · Incorporation basics

Register with the Companies Commission (SSM) online through the CRS system on SSM4U, which replaced MyCoID from June 30, 2026.
Fees: RM50 name reservation; RM1,000 incorporation of a company limited by shares.
At least one director ordinarily resident in Malaysia (a natural person aged 18 or over).
Company secretary: a Malaysian citizen or permanent resident living in Malaysia, qualified through a recognized professional body or SSM-licensed, appointed within 30 days of incorporation.
Registered office in Malaysia, open to the public during business hours.
No statutory minimum capital for an ordinary Sdn. Bhd., though sector licenses and expatriate work passes often require more.
Beneficial-ownership information must be kept and lodged with SSM.

03 · Foreign ownership

No general foreign-equity cap for ordinary companies.
Sector rules apply, for example distributive trade (WRT license), telecoms, financial services, freight forwarding, legal services and land acquisition.
Tax effect: more than 20% foreign ownership removes access to the SME tax rate.

04 · Banking and fintech

Under the central bank's foreign exchange policy, non-residents may open ringgit External Accounts and foreign-currency accounts with licensed onshore banks and may freely repatriate profits, dividends and divestment proceeds in foreign currency.
Banks apply anti-money-laundering checks on the company, directors, signatories and beneficial owners. Many expect a resident director or local presence and may require in-person meetings.
Use the company's own accounts with BNM-licensed banks or approved e-money and payment institutions. Remittance businesses need a license.

05 · Annual filings

Annual return: every calendar year within 30 days of the incorporation anniversary, through MBRS.
Financial statements: circulate to members within 6 months of year-end and lodge with SSM within 30 days after that.
Private companies do not need to hold an AGM.
Audit is required unless the company qualifies for exemption under SSM Practice Directive 10/2024 (thresholds phase up from 2025 to 2027).
Corporate tax return (Form C) within 7 months of year-end; tax estimates (CP204) paid monthly.
Service tax returns are bi-monthly for local registrants. E-invoicing is being phased in by turnover.

06 · Tax basics

Published rates only. Not tax advice.

Corporate income tax: 24%.
SME rate: 15% on the first RM150,000 and 17% up to RM600,000, only if paid-up capital is RM2.5m or less, gross business income is RM50m or less, and foreign ownership is 20% or less.
Service tax: generally 8% (6% for some services). Registration above RM500,000 of taxable services in 12 months.
Withholding on payments to non-residents: interest 15%, royalties 10%, services performed in Malaysia 10%.

07 · Disclosure rules

Companies Act 2016 s.30: the registered name and company registration number must appear on websites, business letters, invoices, receipts, order forms and all business correspondence.
Online sellers to Malaysian consumers face identity-disclosure rules (Consumer Protection (Electronic Trade Transactions) Regulations 2024), including a Bahasa Malaysia listing requirement whose enforcement was paused in June 2025.

08 · Sources

General information only, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; check the official source before acting.