MyTaxLah

RM18,000 Salary in Malaysia: Take-Home Pay & Income Tax (2026)

Take-home pay

RM13,049.15

PCB / month

RM2,929.20

YA2026 tax / yr

RM35,062.50

Budget 2027 saves

RM1,550

Monthly deductions on RM18,000

Gross salary RM18,000.00
EPF 11% − RM1,980.00
SOCSO − RM29.75
EIS − RM11.90
PCB / MTD (estimate) − RM2,929.20
Take-home pay RM13,049.15

Malaysian citizen under 60, single, EPF at 11%. PCB is lower if you are married to a non-earning spouse or have children.

Annual income tax (YA2026 vs YA2027)

YA2026 YA2027 (Proposed)
Annual income RM216,000 RM216,000
Basic reliefs (individual + EPF + SOCSO) − RM13,350 − RM16,350
Chargeable income RM202,650 RM199,650
Marginal rate 25% 25%
Tax payable RM35,062.50 RM33,512.50
Effective rate 16.2% 15.5%

If Budget 2027 passes, PCB should fall from RM2,929.20 to RM2,800.00 a month — RM129.20 more in your pocket.

How to pay less tax on RM18,000

  • Use the lifestyle relief in full (phone, laptop, internet, books): RM2,500 saves about RM625.
  • Put PRS RM3,000 before year-end: saves about RM750 and the money stays in your retirement pot.
  • Check-ups, vaccines and dental all count under the medical relief (RM1,000 sub-limit each).
  • Run the year-end planner to find every unused relief at once.

FAQ

What is the take-home pay on RM18,000 a month?

About RM13,049.15, after EPF RM1,980, SOCSO RM29.75, EIS RM11.90 and PCB of about RM2,929.20 (single, no other reliefs).

Do I pay income tax on RM18,000 a month?

Yes. With only the basic reliefs (individual, EPF, SOCSO), YA2026 tax is about RM35,062.50 a year at a 25% marginal rate. Claiming other reliefs lowers it.

How much does Budget 2027 save?

With the individual relief raised to RM12,000, YA2027 tax is about RM33,512.50 — a saving of about RM1,550 a year.

What if I get a 2-month bonus?

Annual income becomes RM252,000 and YA2026 tax about RM44,062.50. PCB is higher in the bonus month.

What does it cost the employer?

The employer also pays EPF RM2,160, SOCSO RM104.15 and EIS RM11.90 — about RM20,276.05 in total.

Other salaries