Universiti Malaya

Research Investment with Tax Benefits

Section 34B · Income Tax Act 1967

Partner with Universiti Malaya to transform business challenges into innovation opportunities and strengthen your organisation's competitiveness.

Investing in R&D is more than a business expense — it is a strategic investment in innovation, fostering long-term partnerships, and supporting Malaysia's knowledge-based economy.

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Understanding the incentive

Why Partner with Universiti Malaya?

Access world-class researchers, expertise, and research facilities

Accelerate product, technology, and process innovation

Develop solutions tailored to your industry's challenges

Strengthen your ESG, sustainability, and innovation agenda

Enjoy Double Tax Deduction incentives for qualifying R&D contributions

One Investment. Three Returns.

🏭

Business Return

Generate innovative solutions, new knowledge, and research outcomes that strengthen your organisation's competitiveness and future growth.

💰

Financial Return

Benefit from Double Tax Deduction incentives that reduce your taxable income and improve the overall return on your R&D investment.

🌏

National Return

Support talent development, knowledge creation, and Malaysia's innovation ecosystem while contributing to national economic growth.

How Does the Double Tax Deduction Benefit Your Business?

Unlike ordinary business expenses that are deducted once from taxable income, R&D contributions to Universiti Malaya may be deducted twice under Section 34B. This means your investment in research can generate both innovation outcomes and additional tax savings for your organisation.

Example of Potential Savings

For a company subject to the standard 24% corporate tax rate:

Research Contribution RM 100,000
Qualifying Double Deduction RM 200,000
Estimated Tax Savings RM 24,000

Assuming the same financial position, the application of the double tax deduction reduces the company's taxable income from RM 500,000 to RM 400,000. Consequently, the tax payable decreases from RM 120,000 to RM 96,000, yielding a tax saving of RM 24,000 attributable to the double tax deduction incentive.

In Simple Terms

1

Invest RM 100,000 in qualifying research.

2

Claim RM 200,000 as a tax deduction.

3

Save approximately RM 24,000 in taxes.

4

Gain valuable research outcomes, innovation opportunities, and access to Universiti Malaya's expertise.

Three conditions to qualify

01

Company eligibility

You must be a tax resident in Malaysia, running a business in Malaysia, and conducting R&D activities connected to your Malaysian operations. The R&D may be done in-house or outsourced to an approved Universiti Malaya institute, UM Research Management Center (JPP).

02

R&D definition compliance

The research project must qualify as R&D — systematic study or experimentation in science or technology involving technical novelty, aimed at gaining new knowledge or applying it to improve materials, products, or processes.

03

Revenue expenditure only

Only day-to-day operating expenses qualify. Capital expenditure — purchasing land, buildings, machinery, vehicles, software, or paying royalties — does not qualify for the double deduction.

Qualifying expenses

What counts and what does not

Allowed Expenses

Revenue / Day-to-day research costs
👨‍🔬
Salaries & Wages
Utility Bills
🏠
Lab Rental
🧪
Raw Materials & Consumables
🔧
Equipment Maintenance
✈️
R&D Travel & Transport
🔬
Technical & Professional Services
🎨
Design, Print & Stationery
📦
Courier Services
🥼
Lab Coats & Protective Wear
📸
Slides & Photographs
🏷️
Honorarium & Allowances

Not Allowed

Capital expenditure & excluded activities
🏗️
Land or Building Purchase
⚙️
Machinery & Equipment Purchase
🔨
Major Renovation, Repair or Modification
💻
Software Development
🚗
Vehicle Purchase
🌐
Infrastructure Investment
📚
Books & Magazines
©️
Royalties
🔍
Routine Device Quality Control / Testing
📋
Market Research / Sales Promotion
📈
Efficiency Surveys / Management Studies / General Learning or Practices
🎓
Social Science or Humanities Research
📉
Routine Data Collection
⚖️
Legal & Patent Admin Expenses
🏭
Pre-production Activities
🏛️
Construction Design & Engineering Activities
How to collaborate

Choose the Collaboration Model That Fits Your Business

Choose the collaboration pathway that best supports your business objectives and innovation goals. Each pathway offers unique benefits while providing opportunities to qualify for Double Tax Deduction incentives.

Option A

Corporate Research Partnership Contribution

  • No conditions imposed on the donor regarding how funds are used
  • Pooled into UM's research fund and disbursed according to approved spending guidelines
  • UM issues an official receipt from the Finance office immediately
  • Simplest route — no project registration required on your part
  • Ideal for philanthropic corporate partners and CSR-aligned contributions
Option B

Industry-Sponsored Research Project

  • Company commissions a specific R&D project — research service payment and pays for it directly
  • Project must meet R&D definition and be registered in UM Grant System (RGMS) as a Private grant
  • Capital expenditure items cannot be included in the qualifying claim
  • Researcher prepares project documentation; JPP reviews and approves
  • Ideal for companies seeking specific solutions or technology development
Step by step

How the application works

From the moment the researcher proposes the project to the point you file your taxes, the process involves six clear stages — we will guide you through.

1
Researcher / Company
📋

Researcher prepares project proposal

  • Prepare a project workplan covering R&D objectives, timeline, and expected budget.
  • Company and researcher mutually agree on scope.
  • Project must meet the R&D definition.
2
UM Research Management Centre
🔎

Reviews and approves the research activity

  • Evaluate whether the project qualifies under the R&D definition.
  • Confirm company's eligibility.
  • Register the project in the RGMS system.
  • Check that no disallowed (capital) expenses are included.
3
Company
💳

Company makes the contribution or payment

  • Once approved, transfer cash donation or make research service payment to Universiti Malaya.
  • Ensure contribution amount falls within your CP204 annual estimated tax figure to avoid penalties.
4
The Finance Office
🧾

The Finance Office issues an official receipt

  • Confirms receipt of funds and issues an official receipt.
  • Essential for your tax claim — keep it safe with all related project documentation.
5
UM Research Management Centre
📜

Issues the approval letter & Form 3

  • Issue official double tax deduction approval letter together with the official receipt and Form 3.
  • Submitted to your company to support the DTD claim with LHDN in your annual tax assessment.
6
Company
🏦

Company files annual tax assessment with LHDN

  • Include official receipt, approval letter, and Form 3 when filing your annual tax return.
  • Claim the double deduction on qualifying R&D expenditure.
  • Ensure CP204 estimated tax form reflects the contribution — amend via CP204A if needed (subject to 85% of prior year limit).
⚠️ Important: If your actual tax assessment differs from your CP204 estimate by more than 30% (either above or below), your company will be subject to a 10% penalty on the excess or shortfall under Section 107C(10). Plan your contribution carefully.
Ready to start?

Build Innovation. Create Impact.
Optimise Tax.

Whether you are looking to solve a technical challenge, develop new technologies, strengthen your ESG agenda, or maximise available tax incentives, Universiti Malaya is ready to collaborate.

Let's explore how your organisation can benefit from research collaboration and Double Tax Deduction incentives today.

Call Us
03-7967 4697 / 4698
Email
finance.tncpi@um.edu.my
Visit Our Website
umresearch.um.edu.my