This is one of the most dangerous sentences in tax.
On and off, I receive calls and WhatsApp messages from taxpayers.

Many start with the same magic sentence:
“Mr Koh, I called IRB already. They say can.”

Then I ask politely:
“When did you call?”
“Who did you speak to?”
“Got name?”
“Got email?”
“Got written confirmation?”

Then suddenly, the line becomes very quiet.

Some will still say:
“Aiya, just phone call only lah. But the officer say can.”

My dear SME bosses, please listen carefully.

The IRB help desk is not the law.

They are doing their best.
They help taxpayers with basic guidance.
But they are not judges.
They are not lawmakers.
They are not your tax protection shield.

If two years later an audit letter comes, what will you show?

“Officer told me over the phone”?
Cannot.

One taxpayer once told me confidently:
“Don’t worry, Mr Koh. I called IRB already. This expense can claim.”

I asked for black and white.
None.

Two years later, the audit letter came.
Additional tax came.
Penalty came.
Only then he realised one painful truth:
Verbal advice cannot protect you.

The officer may have transferred.
The phone call has no record.
The file has no note.
The taxpayer is the one who kena.

So please, before you rely on any tax advice:

Get it in writing.
Ask for official email.

Refer to the law, public rulings, guidelines, and court cases.

Speak to your licensed tax agent.
I am not saying IRB officers are wrong.
Many officers are helpful and professional.

I am saying taxpayers must protect themselves properly.

Tax is not based on :
“My friend said.”
“My tax agent said.”
“The IRB officer told me.”
“I called IRB already.”

Tax is based on black and white, supported by the Income Tax Act, public rulings, IRB guidelines, official media releases, and proper documents.

So next time before you say:
“I called IRB already. They say can.”

Ask yourself one question:
Can I prove it when the IRB audit letter comes?
If cannot, you are not doing tax properly.
You are playing with fire.