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Malaysia Annual Leave Encashment Calculator

Value of unused annual leave paid out on resignation.

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Value of unused annual leave on resignation.

Encashment value

Daily rate

EPF on payout

After EPF

Your breakdown

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Step Working Result

What your last leave balance is actually worth

When you resign in Malaysia, any annual leave you earned but never took does not simply vanish. Under the Employment Act, accrued and unused leave is normally paid out in your final salary. This tool turns those leftover days into a ringgit figure, then shows what lands in your account after EPF comes out. It is built for an employee working a notice period who wants to sanity-check the final payslip, and for anyone weighing whether to burn the leave off or cash it in.

The logic is short. The tool finds a daily rate by dividing your monthly salary by the working days in a month, multiplies that rate by your unused days, then deducts EPF at the employee rate this calculator applies, currently 11 percent for members below 60. The encashment is treated as part of your taxable employment income, so it also feeds into your annual tax, even though the headline figure here is shown before income tax.

The daily-rate divisor decides your payout

The single number that moves your result most is the working-days figure. A smaller divisor produces a larger daily rate and a bigger payout. Many Malaysian employers use 26 working days, which is the default here, but contracts differ. Some use 22, some count calendar days, and some apply the formula set out in their own handbook. Before you rely on a figure, check which divisor your company actually uses, because the gap between 22 and 26 days on the same salary is real money.

A common mistake

People often assume the payout is tax-free because it feels like a one-off. It is not. It stacks on top of your other income for the year and can nudge you into a higher marginal band, the same way a bonus does. If you leave mid-year, your total taxable income may be lower than usual, which sometimes softens the hit, but the encashment itself is never exempt.

RM6,000 salary, eight days left: the math

Take the default inputs: a monthly salary of RM6,000, a 26-day month, and eight unused leave days. The daily rate is RM6,000 divided by 26, which is about RM230.77. Eight days at that rate gives an encashment of RM1,846. EPF at 11 percent on that amount is roughly RM203, leaving about RM1,643 in hand before income tax.

Where EPF and tax come in

EPF, run by the EPF (KWSP), generally applies to leave encashment because it counts as wages for contribution purposes. The 11 percent employee deduction shown here is the rate this calculator applies for members under 60, and it drops to nil for those past 60. Confirm the current rate and any treatment specific to terminal payments with the EPF (KWSP). For the income-tax side, the encashment is reported as employment income to LHDN (the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia) and taxed under the resident progressive scale, where the first RM5,000 of chargeable income is free and rates climb toward 30 percent. A practical tip: keep the final payslip, because the EPF and any tax already deducted on the payout will appear on your EA form and matter when you file.

Is leave encashment paid at the basic salary or the gross salary?

Most employers base the daily rate on basic salary, not on gross pay that includes allowances. This tool uses whatever single monthly figure you enter, so if your contract encashes on basic only, put your basic salary in the field rather than your total package.

Can my employer refuse to pay out unused leave?

Earned annual leave that you were entitled to but could not take is generally payable on separation under Malaysian employment law. Forfeiture rules can apply to leave carried beyond what the contract or the Act allows, so check your handbook for any carry-forward cap, then confirm your entitlement before assuming the full balance is due.

Frequently asked questions

How is unused annual leave paid out in Malaysia?
On resignation, unused annual leave is usually paid at your daily rate, which is the monthly salary divided by the number of working days in the month. The payout equals the daily rate multiplied by the number of unused leave days. EPF is generally deducted from the encashment, and the amount forms part of your taxable income.
Which working-days divisor should I use for the daily rate in Malaysia?
Malaysian employers most commonly use 26 working days as the divisor, but this varies by contract and company policy. Some employers use 22, some use calendar days, and some follow their own handbook formula. Check your employment contract or HR policy before relying on a figure, because the difference between 22 and 26 days on the same salary can be a meaningful sum.
Is leave encashment subject to EPF in Malaysia?
Yes, leave encashment is generally treated as wages for EPF contribution purposes under Malaysian law. The employee contributes at the standard rate, which is 11 percent for members under 60 and reduces or ceases for older members. Confirm the current applicable rate with the EPF (KWSP) if you are close to a threshold or have a modified contribution arrangement.
Does leave encashment affect my income tax filing in Malaysia?
Yes. Leave encashment is reported as employment income to LHDN and taxed under the resident progressive scale. It stacks on top of your other earnings for the year, which can push you into a higher marginal band if you resign partway through a high-earning year. Keep your final payslip and EA form, as both the EPF deducted and any PCB withheld on the payout will be needed when you file your annual return.

Related calculators

Sources

  1. LHDN — Individual Income Tax Rates, Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN)
  2. KWSP — EPF Contribution Rates, Employees Provident Fund (KWSP), Malaysia
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