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.

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 : Talkback Thursday

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

Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy, Mizuho Bank 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

Thomas Cheong, President of Principal APAC & Middle East and VP of Principal Financial Group talks about investment strategies for private equity.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Felix Neoh, Director of Financial Planning at Finwealth Management discusses the upcoming mandatory financial education module for loan takers.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Dato Ir. Ts. Sudarnoto Osman, CEO of SDEC, outlines the company's strategy to make Sarawak a regional digital powerhouse by 2030.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Ahmad Yazid Othman, Senior Fellow at Majlis Tindakan Ekonomi Melayu (MTEM) discusses amendments on good governance in MARA and the agency's broader role today.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

Dr. Benjamin Barton, Associate Professor, University of Nottingham Malaysia unpacks Trump's threat to sue the BBC for 1 billion dollars.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy, Mizuho Bank tells us where international markets are heading.sia and international capital markets.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Thomas Cheong, President of Principal APAC & Middle East and VP of Principal Financial Group talks about investment strategies for private equity.

9:35 AM

Ringgit & Sense

Rumi Yeo, Author & Financial Coach discusses his book How Your Mind Thinks About Money.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Rajagopal Yagambram, Founder, Planet Zoo

11:00 AM

Tech Talk

Khalil Nooh, Co-Founder & CEO, Mesolitica

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Thanneermalai Somasundaram, Managing Director, Thannees Tax Consulting Services

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Our flagship show, we feature both game-changers and groundbreakers in the hot seat.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

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

3:05 PM

Beyond the Ballot Box

Neil Woods was once a dedicated narcotics officer. Today, he’s one of the leading advocates of drug policy reform who believes the entire war on drugs has failed. What changed?

4:05 PM

Health & Living

Endometriosis is often misdiagnosed or ignored. We look at the gaps in diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis, and why women deserve a chance to improve their quality of life.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

6:00 PM

Talkback Thursday

8:00 PM

BBC World Service