APPLICABLE COMMERCIAL RATE FOR FRINGE BENEFIT TAX ON EMPLOYER PROVIDED CONCESSIONAL LOANS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER (JANUARY TO MARCH 2022)

The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) would like to notify all employers that for the quarter ending 31st March 2022, the applicable commercial rate for calculating Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) on concessional loans provided by the employer to an employee is 23%.

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 February, 2022 was 23%.

All employers should, therefore, use this rate to compute the taxable value of the fringe benefit on concessional loans for the quarter ending 31st March, 2022.

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 third quarter is due by 14th April 2022.


John S. Biziwick
COMMISSIONER GENERAL