PENANG'S REVISED LAND TAX FORMULA FAIRER FOR ALL LANDOWNERS, SAYS CHOW

GEORGE TOWN, March 4 (Bernama) -- Penang's revised land tax formula, effective 2026, treats all landowners fairly and equitably, eliminating discrimination between First Grade and non-First Grade landowners, particularly given that the rates had not been reviewed for over 30 years.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow explained that the tax rates for First Grade land, Conditions A, B, C, and the No Condition category reflect current land use, as set out in the categories gazetted under the Penang Land (Amendment) Rules 2025.

"This means that if the site’s current use is residential, then tax is calculated by multiplying the land area by the residential tax rate, which is RM0.70 per square metre for urban land and RM0.50 per square metre for rural land," he said during a press conference at his Komtar office today.

He informed that of the 370,000 land tax bills issued, the Penang State Land and Mines Office has received only 300 appeals to date. Taxpayers are therefore encouraged to submit appeals should any issues arise.

In this regard, Chow expressed regret over certain parties sensationalising the increase without understanding the calculation and actual land use.

He also explained that the state government has taken various measures to help landowners adapt to the new rates, including rebates of up to 50 per cent, 100 per cent exemption on late payment penalties, and providing a more flexible appeal mechanism. 

The state government carried out the land tax rate revision and reclassification of rural to urban land for the whole of Penang under Section 101 of the National Land Code (Act 828), effective Jan 1, involving nearly 370,000 land titles.

-- BERNAMA