Government Service Tax FAQs
FAQ for Website
With effect from 1 January 2011, all pay TV broadcasting services including Astro will be subjected to a service tax of 6% as announced by the Government in the Budget 2011.
1. What is this service tax?
In accordance to the Budget 2011, as announced by the Government, pay TV broadcasting services will be subjected to a service tax of 6% effective 1 January 2011.
2. Why is Astro charging service tax?
This service tax is imposed on customers of pay TV broadcasting services by the Government in accordance to the recent Budget 2011 announcement. As such the service tax will be passed on to the customers.
3. How much is the service tax?
6% tax per month on your bill for pay TV broadcasting service.
4. When is the service tax effective?
The Government has advised that the service tax is effective from 1 January 2011 onwards.
5. How do you define what is taxed?
Service tax is imposed on pay TV broadcasting services. Therefore a 6% service tax will be imposed based on the packages subscribed.
An example of costing including Government Service Tax
Family + Movies + Sports + 2 Mini Packages = RM 105.95
Subscription including 6% Government Service Tax = RM 105.95 + RM6.36 (6% Government Service Tax) = RM 112.31(Rounded to RM112.30)
6. What is non taxable?
| Admin Charge |
√ |
| After Sales Technical Service Fee |
√ |
| Agreement Fee |
√ |
| Astro Mail |
√ |
| Astro Merchandise |
√ |
| Astro Remote Control |
√ |
| Astro Sports 360 |
√ |
| Astro@15 |
√ |
| Astro@Play |
√ |
| Contract |
√ |
| Deposit |
√ |
| DMT Rental |
√ |
| Early Termination Fee (Campaign T&C) |
√ |
| Penalty Amount |
√ |
| Free Preview |
√ |
| Late Payment Fee |
√ |
| Legal Fee |
√ |
| Magazine Charges (Astro Guide, Astro View, VMAG, I-Feel, InTrend, etc) |
√ |
| Personal Video Recorder Service |
√ |
| External Hard Disk PVR Service |
√ |
| Reconnection Fee |
√ |
| Stamp Duty |
√ |
| Switching Fee |
√ |
| Smartcard Replacement |
√ |
| Unreturned Smartcard |
√ |
7. Will customers who pay for their Astro subscription in advance or who are on auto debit, be subjected to the service tax?
Bills issued on 1 January 2011 will be subjected to service tax while any bills issued prior to 1 January 2011 will not be subjected to service tax.
8. If I request for a change of package or purchased Pay-per-view (Eg. AOD, ABO) in December, will I be subjected to service tax if my bill is dated January?
Yes, these services will be subject to service tax as the bill is issued in January 2011.
9. If I request for a change of package or Pay-per-view (Eg. AOD, ABO) in December, will I be subjected to service tax if my bill is dated December?
No, these services will not be subject to service tax as the bill is issued in December 2010.
