THE EFFECT OF E-COMMERCE ON MALAYSIAN TAX SYSTEM: AN EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM ACADEMICIANS AND MALAYSIAN TAX PRACTITIONERS

Abstract

The explosion of information technology (IT) nowadays has created new phenomena in shopping activities. Consumers can easily buy products via Internet. Within a minute, the products will be delivered instantly and accurately. This scenario is known as e-commerce. The emergence of e-commerce affects consumers' shopping behavior as well as taxation system. The objective of this research is to reveal the effects of e-commerce upon Malaysian taxation system by emphasizing in scope of charge 'derive and remittance'. Research was conducted through questionnaires of 82 tax practitioners and 22 academicians. The research findings shown that derive and remittance basis is no longer appropriate in e-commerce environment. Scope of charge derives and remittances, which are practicing in Malaysia right now, are unable to maximized e-commerce tax revenue. Abstract in Bahasa Indonesia : Perkembangan dalam dunia teknologi akhir-akhir ini telah membawa banyak arus perubahan terutamanya dalam aktivitas belanja. Konsumen dapat membeli barang dengan mudah melalui internet. Dalam waktu beberapa menit, barang sampai di tangan konsumen. Skenario demikian dikenal sebagai perdagangan elektronis. Kemunculan perdagangan elektronis mengubah prilaku belanja konsumen serta sistem perpajakan di Malaysia. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui efek perdagangan elektronis terhadap sistem perpajakan di Malaysia dengan penekanan pada pengenaan pajak dan hak pemajakan. Penelitian dilakukan dengan menggunakan 82 sample praktisi perpajakan dan 22 akademisi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan, bahwa praktek pengenaan pajak dalam perdagangan elektronis belum sesuai dengan aturan yang berlaku, sehingga tidak dapat memaksimalkan penerimaan pajak dari perdagangan elektronis. Kata kunci: sistem perpajakan Malaysia, perdagangan elektronik, akademik, praktisi perpajakan, pengenaan pajak.