The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) would like to notify all employers that for the quarter ending 30th September 2020, the applicable commercial rate for calculating Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) on concessional loans provided by the employer to an employee is 24.6%.
Paragraph 5(e) of the Fringe Benefits Tax Regulations stipulates that where an
employer provides a loan to an employee at an interest rate lower than the
applicable commercial rate, the resulting interest difference (saving) be
recognized as a fringe benefit.
For purposes of determining the fringe benefit under the said regulation, the
prevalent rate on the formal market for loans in the middle of each quarter
(15th day of the second month of each quarter) is deemed to be the commercial
rate. The prevalent rate on the 15th August, 2020 was 24.6%.
All employers should,
therefore, use this rate to compute the taxable value of the fringe benefit on
concessional loans for the quarter ending 30th September, 2020.
Please, note that this regulation does not cover short-term emergency loans
such as advances for rental payments and medical expenses for employees.
MRA would like to remind all employers that failure to comply with the Fringe
Benefits Tax Regulations attracts penalties. FBT for the first quarter is due
by 14th October 2020.
John S. Biziwick
COMMISSIONER GENERAL