More than a million middle income earners will have more cash in hand next year with income tax being slashed by two percentage points.

It was the first time that income tax rates have been reduced since 2015 and one of the few instances when the M40 group has seen a tangible benefit in the budget

Digital marketing executive Judith Wong, 34, is looking forward to being able to have more of her own income in her hands.

“It’s not something you see in every budget, so I was definitely pleasantly surprised.

“It’s a good move by the government to help households have more cash to spend as the economy slowly recovers,” she said, adding that every extra sen would count.

The budget announcement included a two percentage points income tax cut for those in the RM50,000 to RM100,000 taxable income bracket – from 21% to 19% – but also saw a 0.5% percentage point rise for those in the RM250,000 to RM400,000 bracket.

Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz said that this would see the middle income group getting up to RM1,000 tax savings while the high income group would get up to RM250.

Fatin Hanani Mohd Nizam, 39, said the 2% tax reduction was a good move.

“Finally, there is something that benefits the middle-tier earners. Usually we don’t get anything much at all.

“The government will be taxing the higher income earners a little bit more so it will probably balance out in the end but I don’t think it will hit their pockets as much as it helps us,” said the public relations account executive.

Consultant Ibrahim Zakaria, 42, however, felt the income tax rate should not have been reduced but used elsewhere to boost the economy.

“The tax money could be put to better use. I am not sure if new taxes will come in to balance out the tax cut.

“I’m already paying a high income tax so I don’t get any cuts or any benefits from this Budget 2023 announcement but it’s good that the M40 is benefiting,” he said.

Source:
courtesy of THE STAR

by THE STAR

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