Stamp duty is a statutory tax imposed on legal instruments under the Stamp Act 1949. In Malaysia, all employment contracts must be stamped to be legally enforceable.
As a Chartered Accountants Johor Bahru and Tax Consultancy Firm Johor Bahru, we regularly assist employers with stamp duty compliance, tax advisory, and audit matters. Below is a clear and practical guide to help employers stay compliant and avoid unnecessary penalties.
All written employment agreements are subject to stamp duty, including:
Full-time employment contracts
Part-time employment contracts
Contract or project-based workers
Internship and trainee agreements
⚠️ Stamp duty applies regardless of job position, salary level, or contract duration.
Employers engaging an Accounting Firm Johor Bahru or Tax Agent Johor Bahru early can prevent compliance risks.
The 30-day stamping period begins from the date the agreement is executed
If employer and employee sign on different dates, the later signing date is treated as the execution date
Failure to stamp within the prescribed period will result in penalties.
| Delay Period | Penalty |
|---|---|
| 31 days – 3 months | RM50 or 10% of stamp duty (whichever is higher) |
| More than 3 months | RM100 or 20% of stamp duty (whichever is higher) |
Timely stamping protects employers from unnecessary costs and audit exposure.
Employers who fail to stamp employment contracts may face:
Increased risk of LHDN tax audit services Johor Bahru
Penalties and compounded costs
Employment contracts being unenforceable in legal disputes
Proper stamping safeguards both employer and employee rights
Register an account at
👉 https://stamp.hasil.gov.my
Upload the signed employment contract
Select document type: “Employment Contract”
Submit for adjudication
Make payment via FPX or Virtual Account
Download and attach the official stamp certificate
As a licensed Tax Agent Johor Bahru, Audit Firm Johor Bahru, and Accounting Firm Johor Bahru, we provide comprehensive solutions including:
Employment contract stamping & stamp duty advisory
Corporate & personal tax compliance
Tax audit services Johor Bahru
Backlog accounting services Johor Bahru
Company incorporation services Johor Bahru
Company set up Johor Bahru & HR documentation support
📞 Contact us today to ensure your employment contracts and business operations are fully compliant and professionally managed.
Japan