KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM20.271bil in income tax refunds involving 3.65 million taxpayer cases had been paid as at Oct 31, 2026.

Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said of the total, RM6.84bil had been refunded to 3.4 million individual taxpayers, while RM13.036bil had been refunded to 206,234 corporate taxpayers, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

"In carrying out the refunds, the government prioritises excess tax refunds to individuals as well as MSMEs,” he said during the winding-up session of the Supply Bill at the committee stage for the Finance Ministry in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Nov 3).

Amir Hamzah said, in line with this approach, the number of taxpayers with excess tax credits had been reduced by almost half to about 550,000 as at Oct 31, 2026, compared with more than one million as at Dec 31, 2025.

"The government is also committed to ensuring that outstanding tax refunds are fully settled promptly, as part of efforts to improve tax administration efficiency and safeguard taxpayers’ rights, in line with the Madani Government’s fiscal reform agenda,” he said.

Amir Hamzah was responding to questions raised by MPs for Bachok, Klang and Pendang.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing the backlog of excess income tax refunds to ensure that all outstanding payments are made promptly.

He said the views and feedback raised would help the government review how each allocation was managed and implemented for the benefit of the people.

Overall, the 2027 operating supply expenditure allocation for the ministry increased to RM68.16bil, compared with the revised allocation of RM61.5 bil for this year.

He said the increase reflected the Madani Government’s commitment to easing the cost of living and ensuring the well-being of the people. — Bernama