SME bosses, if you hire influencers, please take note.

LHDN has made it clear: influencer “payment” is not only cash. Free products, free meals, sponsored hotel stays, trial services, vouchers and discounts can also be treated as income with monetary value.

Meaning : when your company gives freebies in exchange for posting, review, shout-out or brand ambassadorship, it is no longer “just a gift”. It becomes non-cash consideration for services.

What you should do :

1. Treat influencer campaign like vendor work.
2. Keep simple but proper records … brief/WhatsApp instructions, deliverables, proof of posting (link/screenshot), what item/service given, and estimated market value.

Your marketing tax deduction is only as strong as your documentation. Don’t wait until audit then panic.

Read the full content in our blog
https://www.ktp.com.my/blog/influencer-tax-malaysia/27jan2026