BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Enterprise  >  Enterprise Explores  >  Are Your Corporate Gifts Tax-Deductible?

Are Your Corporate Gifts Tax-Deductible?

SM Thanneermalai, Managing Director, Thannees Tax Consulting Services

13-Nov-25 12:00

Are Your Corporate Gifts Tax-Deductible?

Corporate gifts and entertainment are essential for building goodwill, but they're also a notorious tax "grey area." Where does a non-taxable gift end and taxable income begin? And how can your business ensure its entertainment expenses are 100% deductible?

Tax expert SM Thanneermalai of Thannees Tax Consulting Services joins us to navigate these "grey areas." He explains the critical difference between a personal gift and a taxable business transaction, the rules for 50% vs. 100% deductions, and why meticulous documentation is your best defense in an audit.

We discuss:

  • When a "gift" is (and is not) taxable income for the recipient.

  • The "50% vs. 100%" rule for deducting entertainment expenses.

  • How to claim a 100% deduction (e.g. staff entertainment, promotional items with logos).

  • The tax implications of "grey areas" like large monetary gifts and nominees.

  • The critical documentation businesses must keep to justify their claims.

For business owners and finance teams, this is an essential exploration into navigating the tax rules of gifts and entertainment, especially as tax authorities become more sophisticated.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Roshan Kanesan

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  Corporatesmanaging

Tags:  corporate giftingtax deductionsentertainment expensestax compliancelhdn





Play / Pause

Listen now : Morning Brief: : Shannon Teoh, Malaysia Bureau Chief of the Singapore Straits...

Today’s Shows



6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

Peter Lim, Founder & Chief Research Officer, Trident Analytics Sdn Bhd tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Jerry Goh, Asia Equities Investment Director, Aberdeen Standard Investments gives us his outlook on Indonesian equities for next year.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

: Shannon Teoh, Malaysia Bureau Chief of the Singapore Straits Times discusses Dato' Sri Najib Razak’s verdict in the 1MDB-Tanore saga.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

We review how streaming, AI and the Malaysia Media Council are shaping the future of media and entertainment.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Nigel Wong, President of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), discusses the outlook of the tourism sector in 2026.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

(REPEAT) : Shannon Teoh, Malaysia Bureau Chief of the Singapore Straits Times discusses Dato' Sri Najib Razak’s verdict in the 1MDB-Tanore saga.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Peter Lim, Founder & Chief Research Officer, Trident Analytics Sdn Bhd tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Jerry Goh, Asia Equities Investment Director, Aberdeen Standard Investments gives us his outlook on Indonesian equities for next year.

9:35 AM

Pinnacle Perspectives

Daniel Woodroof, Co-founder of Pandan Social discusses how he cultivates a Gen Z-focused workplace culture while driving effective leadership.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

11:05 AM

P&L

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

We review how streaming, AI and the Malaysia Media Council are shaping the future of media and entertainment.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

An eclectic selection of BBC shows, curated with variety in mind.

3:05 PM

Earth Matters

4:05 PM

Health & Living

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

A countdown of the 5 biggest stories of the day, to catch you up on all you need to know!

6:00 PM

Today I Learned

(REPEAT) How do I argue against conspiracies?

7:00 PM

Just For Kicks

8:00 PM

A Bit of Culture