Aliyawanders

Recently, I came across an unpaid collaboration offering only food vouchers. But here’s the catch: they required a TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) for e-invoicing. This raised a red flag. Could this mean even unpaid collaborations—where we receive products or vouchers—are taxable?  

The answer isn’t great news for us creators. In Malaysia, any benefit received in kind, such as food vouchers or merchandise, is considered taxable income. This includes collaborations where no monetary payment is involved.  

Let’s break it down:  

Why Unpaid Collabs Can Hurt Your Wallet

1. E-Invoicing and TIN Numbers

If a brand asks for your TIN, it signals that the transaction might be taxable. According to Malaysian regulations, benefits like food vouchers are considered compensation. Even if your annual turnover exceeds RM150,000, e-invoicing compliance is required, meaning you could be taxed for these so-called “gifts”  .  

2. Tax on Bartered Transactions

Bartering—such as creating content in exchange for goods—isn’t a free pass. The full retail value of the goods or services received must be declared as income. For us, those products aren’t just gifts; they’re part of our remuneration, making them taxable  .  

3. Why This Isn’t Like Office Supplies

Unlike using a photocopier or office supplies at work (which aren’t considered personal benefits), the items we receive for collabs are classified as personal income. Brands even declare these “gifts” at full retail value, inflating the taxable amount  [oai_citation:1,](https://www.hasil.gov.my/media/0xqitc2t/lhdnm-e-invoice-general-faqs.pdf).  

The Bottom Line

Unpaid collaborations are starting to feel like a raw deal. Not only do we create content for free, but we might also have to pay taxes out of pocket for the items we receive.  

Of course, I’m more than happy to receive gifts if they don’t inflate my taxable income. But if I’m being taxed as though I earned money, I’d rather be paid in actual cash.  

If you’re unsure about how these rules apply to your situation, consider consulting a tax professional or contacting LHDN for clarification  [oai_citation:2,](https://www.hasil.gov.my/media/0xqitc2t/lhdnm-e-invoice-general-faqs.pdf).  

What’s your take on this? Have you ever faced a similar issue with unpaid collaborations? Let’s discuss in the comments!  

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