To stamp a document in Malaysia: log in to MyTax, open the e-Duti Setem module, submit a stamp duty return for the fully signed instrument, pay the duty, and download the Stamp Certificate. You have 30 days from execution to do it. e-Duti Setem replaced the old STAMPS portal on 1 January 2026. Self-assessment, where you work out the duty yourself instead of an LHDN officer assessing it, covers tenancy, lease and general instruments now, and property transfers only from 2027.
Here is the whole system on one screen:
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Portal | e-Duti Setem via MyTax (replaced STAMPS on 1 Jan 2026) |
| Tenancy | RM1 per RM250 of annual rent, leases up to 1 year (calculator) |
| SPA | RM10 fixed, Item 4 |
| Transfer (MOT) | 1-4% tiered for citizens, Item 32(a); 8% flat for non-citizens on residential, Item 32(ab) |
| Financing | 0.5%, Item 27(a)(iii), including Shariah facilities |
| Deadline | 30 days from execution, or from first receipt in Malaysia if signed abroad (ss.41, 42, 47) |
| Late penalty | RM50 or 10% of duty (whichever is greater) within 3 months; RM100 or 20% beyond |
| Minimum duty | RM10 per instrument (s.36CB, from 1 Jan 2025) |
| Processing time | 5-10 minutes online; Stamp Certificate generated instantly |
| Who can do it | Landlords can self-stamp tenancy agreements; lawyers handle MOT/SPA |
Most property buyers never interact directly with the stamp duty system — their lawyer handles everything and sends a bill. But if you are a landlord stamping your own tenancy agreement, or you want to understand exactly what your lawyer is charging you for, you need to know how e-stamping works in Malaysia.
As of 1 January 2026, LHDN replaced the old STAMPS portal with e-Duti Setem, a new self-assessment system accessible through the MyTax portal. This is the biggest change to stamp duty administration in decades. This guide covers what changed, how the new system works, and exactly how to stamp your documents online.
Deadlines, Duty and the Governing Section, by Document
The 30-day clock is not the same clock for every document. For an instrument signed in Malaysia it runs from execution; for one signed abroad it runs from the day the document first arrives in Malaysia. The penalty tiers in section 47A then apply identically whichever document you are late on.
| Document | First Schedule item | Duty | The 30 days run from | Section |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sale & Purchase Agreement | Item 4 | RM10 fixed per copy | Execution | s.47 |
| Memorandum of Transfer (citizen) | Item 32(a) | 1% to 4% tiered on value | Execution | s.47 |
| Memorandum of Transfer (non-citizen, residential) | Item 32(ab) | 8% flat | Execution | s.47 |
| Loan / financing agreement | Item 27(a)(iii) | 0.5% of facility, Shariah facilities included | Execution | s.47 |
| Tenancy / lease | Item 49(a) | RM1 to RM7 per RM250 of annual rent, by term | Execution | s.47 |
| Any of the above, signed outside Malaysia | as above | as above | First receipt in Malaysia | ss.41, 42 |
Two figures apply across the whole table: a minimum duty of RM10 per instrument (s.36CB, from 1 January 2025), and the late penalty of RM50 or 10% of the deficient duty within 3 months of the due date, rising to RM100 or 20% beyond 3 months (s.47A).
What Is E-Stamping?
E-stamping is LHDN's electronic system for assessing, paying, and certifying stamp duty on legal instruments. Instead of physical revenue stamps, the system generates a digital Stamp Certificate that must be attached to the original document as proof of stamping.
You will see it written several ways and they all mean the same system: e-stamping, estamping, e-stamp, e-stamp duty, online stamping, and in Malay duti setem or matikan setem. The current portal is e-Duti Setem, reached through MyTax at mytax.hasil.gov.my.
The system is governed by the Stamp Act 1949 (Act 378), administered by Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri (LHDN).
The 2026 Transition: STAMPS to e-Duti Setem
The old STAMPS portal (stamps.hasil.gov.my) closed at 6:00 PM on 31 December 2025. e-Duti Setem went live at 8:00 AM on 1 January 2026 via the MyTax portal.
The critical difference: under the old system, LHDN officers assessed and calculated your stamp duty. Under the new Stamp Duty Self-Assessment System (SDSAS), you or your agent calculate the duty yourself. LHDN can audit your calculation within 5 years (no time limit for fraud).
The rollout is phased:
| Phase | Date | What Is Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 1 January 2026 | Tenancy/lease agreements, security documents, general instruments |
| Phase 2 | 1 January 2027 | Property transfers (MOT) without JPPH valuation requirement |
| Phase 3 | 1 January 2028 | All remaining chargeable instruments |
Two New Duties Under Self-Assessment
Self-assessment did not only move who does the arithmetic. It added obligations that did not exist before, inserted into the Stamp Act with effect from 1 January 2026:
- Section 35A — furnish a return. The person liable must furnish a return in the prescribed form together with the executed instrument, by electronic means. Section 36 was rewritten so that a return furnished this way is deemed to be an assessment by the Collector.
- Section 35B — keep records for seven years. The instrument and all relevant documents must be kept for seven years from the date the duty is paid, so the Collector can verify that the proper amount was paid.
Failing to keep records, or failing to furnish a return, carries its own penalties under the new sections 72B to 72D.
Alongside this, section 36CA gives the Collector power to raise an assessment or additional assessment within five years after the duty was or should have been paid, and at any time where there is fraud, wilful default or negligence.
The 2026 Penalty Waiver: Worth Knowing If You Have an Unstamped Document
LHDN is running a voluntary disclosure programme for stamp duty during 2026. Under sections 47A and 76B, instruments executed between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2025 that were never stamped can be stamped and the duty paid between 1 January and 31 December 2026 with a full penalty waiver. Instruments regularised under the programme will not be audited. Fraud cases are excluded.
If you have an unstamped tenancy agreement in a drawer, this is the cheapest it will ever be to put right, and the window closes at the end of this year.
Get the Tenancy Stamping Checklist (free)
Stamp duty brackets, LHDN e-Duti Setem walkthrough, required documents, and common rejection reasons: one printable page.
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Which Documents Need Stamping?
For property transactions, four documents require stamp duty under the First Schedule of the Stamp Act 1949:
| Document | Duty Type | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Sale & Purchase Agreement (SPA) | RM10 fixed duty per copy | First Schedule |
| Memorandum of Transfer (MOT) | 1%-4% tiered (ad valorem) | Item 32(a), First Schedule |
| Loan/Financing Agreement | 0.5% of loan amount | Item 27(a)(iii), First Schedule |
| Tenancy/Lease Agreement | RM1-RM7 per RM250 by duration | Item 49(a), First Schedule |
The SPA attracts only a nominal RM10 stamp. The MOT and loan agreement carry the bulk of the cost. For a detailed breakdown of MOT and loan stamp duty rates with worked examples, see our comprehensive stamp duty guide.
You're stamping documents for a property — but is that property actually cashflow-positive after stamp duty, maintenance, insurance, and vacancy? We pre-calculated net cashflow for 1,000+ condos across 16 regions, with all 12 costs factored in.
See which properties survive all 12 costs →Stamp Duty Rates for Tenancy Agreements (2026)
This is the most common self-service e-stamping use case. The rates changed from 1 January 2025 under the Finance Act 2024: the previous exemption on the first RM2,400 of annual rent has been removed. The full annual rental is now subject to stamp duty.
| Tenancy Duration | Rate per RM250 (or part thereof) |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 year | RM1 |
| More than 1 year, up to 3 years | RM3 |
| More than 3 years, up to 5 years | RM5 |
| More than 5 years | RM7 |
Minimum duty on any instrument is RM10.
Worked Example: RM2,000/month Rent, 1-Year Tenancy
- Annual rent: RM2,000 x 12 = RM24,000
- Divide by RM250: RM24,000 / RM250 = 96 units
- Stamp duty: 96 x RM1 = RM96
- Plus RM10 for tenant's copy = RM106 total
Under the old rules (pre-2025), the first RM2,400 was exempt, so the calculation would have been on RM21,600 instead. For a 1-year lease at the RM1 rate the change adds roughly RM10; longer leases pay more because the per-RM250 rates for multi-year tenancies also rose.
For a detailed tenancy stamp duty breakdown with more examples, see our tenancy agreement stamp duty guide. If you are a landlord drafting a tenancy agreement, our complete tenancy agreement guide covers must-have clauses, deposit rules, and landlord protections.
LHDN Stamp Duty Rates 2026: Complete Reference
All stamp duty rates are set by the First Schedule of the Stamp Act 1949, administered by LHDN. Here is the full rate table for property-related instruments.
MOT / Property Transfer (Item 32(a))
| Property Value Tier | Rate (Malaysian Citizen) | Rate (Foreigner / Non-Citizen) |
|---|---|---|
| First RM100,000 | 1% | 1% |
| RM100,001 – RM500,000 | 2% | 2% |
| RM500,001 – RM1,000,000 | 3% | 3% |
| Above RM1,000,000 | 4% | 4% |
| Residential transfer to a non-citizen (not PR) | — | Flat 8% on full value, Item 32(ab), from 1 Jan 2026 |
First-time buyer exemption: Malaysian citizens buying their first residential property with a market value not exceeding RM500,000 receive 100% MOT stamp duty exemption (extended to 31 December 2027 under Budget 2026).
Loan / Financing Agreement (Item 27(a)(iii))
| Instrument | Rate |
|---|---|
| Charge or mortgage, or an agreement for one, including under the Syariah | 0.5% (RM5 per RM1,000 or part thereof) |
Item 27 makes no distinction between financing types: its heading expressly reads "CHARGE OR MORTGAGE, AGREEMENT FOR A CHARGE OR MORTGAGE (including that under the Syariah)". An Islamic facility is stamped at the same rate, on the same instrument, with no separate treatment either way.
First-time buyer exemption: Loan stamp duty is also exempted for first-time buyers on properties up to RM500,000 (same eligibility as MOT exemption).
SPA (Sale & Purchase Agreement)
| Instrument | Rate |
|---|---|
| SPA | RM10 nominal duty per copy |
Quick Calculator
Use our Stamp Duty Calculator to get the exact amount for any property price, or the Legal Fee Calculator to see the lawyer fees that apply on top of stamp duty.
Complete Upfront Cost Checklist
MOT stamp duty, loan stamp, SPA legal fees, loan legal fees, valuation — every cost in one checklist.
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How to E-Stamp Documents: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Register for a TIN (Tax Identification Number)
You need a TIN before accessing e-Duti Setem. If you do not have one, register via LHDN's e-Daftar portal. Verification takes 1-3 business days. Companies use their SSM registration number.
Step 2: Access e-Duti Setem via MyTax
- Go to mytax.hasil.gov.my
- Log in with your TIN and digital ID
- Navigate to the e-Duti Setem module
- Old STAMPS credentials no longer work — you must use MyTax login
Step 3: Prepare Your Document
- The instrument must be fully signed by all parties before submission
- Convert to PDF format (mandatory — DOCX, JPG, etc. are rejected)
- Ensure all party details (IC/passport numbers, addresses) are correct
Step 4: Complete the Stamp Duty Return Form (BNDS)
- Select the appropriate return type (e.g., PDS 15 for tenancy/security instruments)
- Self-assess: you calculate the stamp duty amount yourself
- Fill in instrument details — parties, consideration/value, tenancy terms
- Double-check the calculation — LHDN does not pre-verify your amount, but can audit within 5 years
Step 5: Pay
- Pay via ByrHasil, FPX, or internet banking
- Payment deadline: 30 days from execution of the instrument (Section 47, Stamp Act 1949)
- Keep your transaction reference — if payment is deducted but not reflected, contact LHDN
Step 6: Download Stamp Certificate
- Upon successful payment, an electronic Stamp Certificate is generated
- Download immediately and attach to the original instrument
- An instrument without the attached certificate is not considered duly stamped
Processing time is typically 5-10 minutes. Peak periods (year-end, month-end) may extend to 24 hours.
Use our stamp duty calculator to verify your calculation before submitting.
Troubleshooting Common E-Stamping Problems
Payment Deducted But Status Not Updated
This is the most common complaint. Your bank deducted the amount but LHDN shows "Payment Pending."
- Wait 1-2 business days. FPX transactions occasionally take up to 48 hours to reconcile with LHDN's system.
- Check your email. LHDN sends a payment confirmation to the email registered with your MyTax account.
- Log in to MyTax > e-Duti Setem > Check Status. Use the reference number from your submission, not the FPX transaction number.
- If still pending after 48 hours: Call LHDN Careline at 03-8911 1000 or visit your nearest LHDN branch with the FPX receipt and submission reference number.
Do not resubmit and pay again — this creates a duplicate assessment. LHDN will refund overpayments but the process takes 2-3 months.
"Document Type Not Supported" Error
This appears when uploading documents in the wrong format. LHDN accepts PDF files only, maximum 5MB. Scan your documents as PDF (not JPG/PNG), and compress if above 5MB using any free PDF compressor.
Old STAMPS Login No Longer Working
The standalone STAMPS portal (stamps.hasil.gov.my) was decommissioned. All e-stamping is now through the MyTax portal at mytax.hasil.gov.my. Log in with your TIN and digital certificate. Your old STAMPS history is accessible through MyTax.
Curious what a full cashflow analysis looks like? Download our free 5-page sample — 10 real properties with stamp duty, maintenance, and financing pre-calculated.
Assessment Amount Looks Wrong
LHDN's system auto-calculates stamp duty based on the values you entered. Common mistakes:
- Tenancy agreements: Entering monthly rent instead of annual rent. LHDN calculates duty on annual rent.
- MOT: Entering the loan amount instead of the property purchase price.
- Loan agreements: Entering the property price instead of the loan/financing amount.
If you submitted incorrect values, you must apply for reassessment (not a new submission). Use the "Rayuan" (appeal) function in MyTax.
Who Stamps What?
The 2026 self-assessment system shifted responsibility from LHDN to taxpayers and their agents.
You Can Self-Service
- Tenancy agreements — landlords or tenants can stamp via e-Duti Setem directly
- Employment contracts — straightforward nominal duty
- Simple instruments — powers of attorney, declarations
Your Lawyer Handles
- MOT — requires property valuation and tiered rate calculation
- SPA — bundled with the conveyancing process
- Loan/financing agreement — stamped as part of loan documentation
Your lawyer's conveyancing fees include the stamping service. They prepare the documents, calculate the duty, submit via MyTax, and ensure compliance. See our legal fees breakdown for details, or use the Legal Fee Calculator for instant results.
Important: Under SDSAS, the taxpayer bears ultimate responsibility for correct duty calculation — even if a lawyer or agent prepared the submission. Errors or underpayment discovered during audit attract penalties.
Late Stamping Penalties (Section 47A)
The stamping deadline is 30 days from execution of the instrument (Section 47, Stamp Act 1949). Penalties were increased effective 1 January 2025:
| Delay Period | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Within 3 months after due date | RM50 or 10% of deficient duty, whichever is greater |
| Beyond 3 months after due date | RM100 or 20% of deficient duty, whichever is greater |
What Happens If You Don't Stamp?
Under Section 52 of the Stamp Act 1949, an unstamped or insufficiently stamped instrument is not admissible as evidence in court and will not be acted upon by any public officer. This means:
- Your tenancy agreement cannot be enforced in court if unstamped
- Your property transfer cannot be registered at the land office
- Your loan agreement may be challenged
The instrument is not rendered invalid — it remains enforceable once duty and penalty are paid — but until then, it is effectively unenforceable.
2026 Special Provisions
Two transitional measures ease the transition:
- Voluntary Disclosure Program (SVDP): Instruments executed between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2025 qualify for a full waiver of late stamping penalties if stamp duty is paid between 1 January and 31 December 2026.
- Grace period: LHDN announced no penalties for errors in BNDS submissions during 2026 — a concession for the first year of self-assessment.
Common Errors and How to Avoid Them
Document Errors
- Wrong format — only PDF is accepted. Convert before uploading.
- Unsigned documents — the instrument must be fully executed before submission.
- Missing party details — incorrect IC numbers, wrong property descriptions, or incomplete addresses will cause rejection or audit flags.
Calculation Errors
- Wrong duty amount — under SDSAS, LHDN does not pre-check your calculation. Use our stamp duty calculator to verify.
- Ignoring market value — for MOT, stamp duty is calculated on the higher of purchase price or JPPH market valuation. Many buyers are caught off guard when JPPH values the property higher than the SPA price.
- Forgetting the 2025 tenancy change (Finance Act 2024): the RM2,400 annual rent exemption is gone. Calculate on the full annual rent.
System Errors
- Old STAMPS credentials — will not work on MyTax. Register new credentials.
- Payment timeout — FPX sessions can time out during peak hours. Keep your transaction reference and contact LHDN if payment is deducted but not reflected.
- Lost stamp certificate — download immediately after payment. Contact the nearest LHDN Stamp Office for replacement if lost.
Post-Submission
- Certificate not attached — the Stamp Certificate must be physically attached to the original instrument. Without it, the document is not considered duly stamped.
For LHDN customer feedback or complex cases: maklumbalaspelanggan.hasil.gov.my
New Compliance Requirements Under SDSAS (2026)
The self-assessment system introduced new obligations and offences:
| Requirement | Penalty for Non-Compliance |
|---|---|
| Maintain records for 7 years | Up to RM10,000 |
| Comply with LHDN documentation requests | Up to RM10,000 |
| Allow LHDN access for inspections | Up to RM10,000 |
| File correct returns | RM1,000 – RM10,000 plus penalty matching unpaid duty |
| Underpayment discovered during audit | Up to 100% of underpaid duty |
LHDN can raise assessments within 5 years of payment. There is no time limit for fraud cases. Fraud convictions carry fines of RM1,000 to RM20,000.
The Buying Process: Where Stamping Fits
E-stamping is one step in a longer property purchase process. Here is where it fits in the timeline:
- Sign SPA → lawyer stamps SPA (RM10 nominal)
- Bank approves loan → lawyer stamps loan agreement (0.5%)
- Lawyer stamps the MOT (1-4% for citizens, 8% for non-citizens on residential), then presents it for registration — stamping comes first, because an unstamped instrument should not be registered under Stamp Act s.52, and title passes only on registration under NLC s.215(2)
- Each document must be stamped within 30 days of execution
For a complete walkthrough of the buying process, see our property purchase checklist. If you are a foreigner buying in Malaysia, check our foreigner guide for additional requirements including state consent and minimum price thresholds.
Related Reading
- Stamp Duty Malaysia 2026: MOT Rates & Exemptions — figure out the amount before you stamp
- Stamp Duty on Tenancy Agreements — different schedule, same e-Duti Setem workflow
- 8% Stamp Duty for Foreigners — the transfer duty for non-citizens, not a surcharge on top of the citizen scale
- Stamp Duty Calculator — MOT + loan stamp duty totals for your specific deal
Last Reviewed and Sources
Rates, deadlines and statutory references on this page were last reviewed on 28 July 2026. Every figure above is tied to the section or First Schedule item it comes from, so you can check it against the Act rather than taking our word for it. Where a rule changed recently, the change date is stated inline.
- LHDN e-Duti Setem — official e-Duti Setem information
- MyTax Portal — access e-Duti Setem for stamp duty self-assessment
- Stamp Act 1949 (Act 378) — governing legislation and First Schedule rate tables