Last month, one client called me.
He said, “Mr Koh, I just checked my file and found one tenancy agreement dated 2023. That time we signed already, kept in the file, but I think never stamp. Like this very bad or not?”

I was not too shocked.
Because this kind of story, I hear too many times already.

When boss signs documents, very serious.
Then once business gets busy, the document goes into the file.
Once it goes into the file, many times it is like it disappears.

Only later, boss suddenly remembers,
“Eh, this one got stamp or not?”

Annual Return and financial statements lodgement also same.
Company still running.
Invoice still issuing.
Customer still chasing.
Boss still busy.

Deadline passed, boss does not know.
But SSM penalty will not forget you.

Recently, there are two deadline extensions.
One from LHDN.
One from SSM.
Both are different matters.

First, LHDN stamp duty SVDP has been extended to 31 December 2026.

If you have chargeable instruments signed between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2025, but not yet stamped, this window is important.

Under SVDP, late stamping penalty can be fully remitted.
Simply put, you still need to pay the original stamp duty.
But the late stamping penalty may be waived.

This is not a small thing.
Because late stamping penalty can be RM100, or 20% of the deficient duty, whichever is higher.

Many bosses usually say,
“Aiya, stamp duty only mah.”

When penalty comes out, only then they realise it is not “only” already.

But SVDP does not mean you simply stamp.
Some document treatment is not simple.
Is it chargeable or not?
How to calculate the duty?
Any relief?
Any exemption?
What is the nature of the instrument?

Second, SSM late lodgement exemption is only open for two months.

This is for Annual Return, AR, and Annual Financial Statements, AFS, submitted through MBRS 2.0.

The key point is, the lodgement must be done between 1 July 2026 and 31 August 2026.

This is not a full-year exemption.
Only two months.
And not all late lodgements will qualify.
It only covers delays of more than 7 days but not more than 3 months from the statutory due date.
More than 3 months, not covered.
Lodged after 31 August 2026, also not covered.

So boss, don’t assume,
“I only late a bit, should be okay lah.”

Simple example.
A private company’s Annual Return due date is 31 May 2026.

If it lodges on 15 July 2026, the delay is 46 days, and the lodgement is within the exemption window, then it may qualify.

But if it waits until September to lodge, even if the delay was originally not too long, the window is already closed.

These two exemptions are not a reason for bosses to continue delaying.

They are a chance for bosses to clean up their files.