Malaysia: Customs Department cancels one of two tax demands against Heineken Malaysia

Heineken Malaysia Bhd said on February 20 that the Royal Malaysian Customs Department has cancelled a bill of demand for the payment of sales tax and penalty amounting to RM22.16 million, which was filed against the company in 2015, The Edge Markets reported on February 21.

The claim was for sales tax for the period of July 1, 2012 to Oct 31, 2013, Heineken said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia.

The brewery said the claim was cancelled with effect from Jan 15, 2020, as underlined in a letter from customs dated Feb 3, 2020. Heineken received the letter on Monday, it said.

The cancelled claim was one of two bills of demand filed by the customs against Heineken on Aug 28, 2015.

The other bill of demand remains unchanged, said Heineken — for payment of excise duties for the period from Aug 28, 2012 until Oct 31, 2013 amounting to RM34.17 million.

“Based on legal and tax advice, there are solid grounds for the company to object the basis of the bill of demand for the payment of excise duties,” said Heineken.

“The company will continue to engage customs to seek an amicable solution to resolve this matter as soon as possible,” it added.

Shares in Heineken rose 22 sen or 0.73% to close at RM30.34 on February 20, with a market capitalisation of RM9.17 billion.

21 February, 2020