Tax on Selling Gold in Malaysia
Individuals in Malaysia pay no tax on gains from selling gold held as an investment: the capital gains tax introduced in 2024 applies only to companies, LLPs, trust bodies and co-operatives. Profits are taxed as business income if LHDN treats your gold dealing as a trade.
Facts checked 30 October 2026 · Not financial, legal or tax advice
At a glance
| What you sell | How the gain is taxed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gold bars, coins and jewellery held as an investment | Not taxed. | Gold is outside the sales and service tax. |
| Gold savings accounts and gold ETFs | Not taxed for occasional investors. | |
| Gold bought and sold as a business | Profit taxed as business income at resident rates (up to 30%). | Frequent buying and selling is the main warning sign. |
| Silver | Same rules. |
How gold gains are taxed
- Malaysia's capital gains tax (from 1 January 2024) covers companies, limited liability partnerships, co-operatives and trust bodies, mainly on unlisted shares. Individuals are excluded.
- Real property gains tax applies to land and property, not to gold.
- Gold profits can be taxed as business income if LHDN decides your activity looks like a business rather than personal investing, for example frequent short-term buying and selling.
- From 1 November 2026, the 10% import duty on 999.9 minted gold bars falls to 0% (Customs Duties (Amendment) Order 2026, P.U. (A) 350), which should lower the price of small bars.
- Budget 2027 (tabled 9 October 2026) did not propose taxing individuals' gains on gold.
Reporting
- Nothing to report on non-taxable gains.
- If gold dealing is a business, declare the profit on Form B (the return for individuals with business income) instead of Form BE.
Losses
- Losses on gold held as an investment aren't deductible.
- If you're taxed as a trader, business losses are deducted against your income under the normal business-loss rules.
Tax on Selling Gold in Malaysia: FAQ
Is there tax on selling gold in Malaysia?
Not for individuals holding gold as an investment. Malaysia's capital gains tax applies to companies and similar bodies, not individuals. Profits are taxable only if LHDN treats your gold dealing as a business.
Is gold savings account profit taxable in Malaysia?
Generally not for an individual investor. The exception is when your buying and selling is frequent enough to look like a business.
Is there import duty on gold bars in Malaysia?
From 1 November 2026 the import duty on 999.9 minted gold bars is cut from 10% to 0%.
Sources (6)
- PwC Malaysia: capital gains tax
- RinggitPlus: do you need to pay tax on your investment returns (March 2026)
- The Star: gold bars get a tax break (October 2026)
- The Edge Malaysia: import duty on minted gold bars removed
- BoardRoom: Malaysia Budget 2027 key tax updates
- BullionStar: gold tax and VAT across Asia
General information about the rules for individual investors, checked October 2026. Tax depends on your circumstances and residence; check with the tax authority or an adviser. Not tax advice.