How To Calculate Zakat On Your Investment?

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“Wait… what? I have to pay zakat for my investment?!”

Of course, you have to. If you must know, the concept is quite similar to how you pay zakat on your income. Once you’ve got your profits and it fits all the requirements, you’re obligated to pay otherwise, you don’t have to.

Here’s the thing, zakat on your investment is for what you can buy and sell such as company stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETF). If you’re wondering about Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad (ASNB) and fixed deposit, both of these fall under savings and not investment. Admin called Pusat Pungutan Zakat (PPZ) to reconfirm.

Anyway, there are two types of zakat for your investment which are:

Short-term, specifically for traders - you buy and sell stocks within a year
Long-term - for investors that get the return together with the dividend

In case you don’t know, every year, the gahmen will use monies that they’ve got from zakat to help underserved communities - orphans, single mothers, disabled individuals - in short, the unfortunate ones.

What's covered in this article?

What are the requirements to pay zakat on investment?

A Muslim
The investment is 100% yours (you can sell & get profits as an investor)
Has reached nisab which is the value that one must own for that year - check here!
The investment period is a year (haul) - if it’s lesser, you’ll only pay zakat on the profits
Halal (Shariah-compliant)

Let’s just say your total investment hasn’t reached the minimum value and other requirements, you’re lucky. It means you don’t have to open your wallet and pay for it.

That said, it also depends on the situation as well…

Situation 1: Shariah-compliant stock

When you’re investing in Shariah-compliant stocks, you’ll need to pay zakat. It only makes sense as there aren’t any impermissible thing in the company that is against Islam.

Image Source: Bursa Malaysia

For example, did you know that Top Glove’s stocks are Shariah-compliant? This directly means that if you‘re investing in Top Glove, be sure to pay up!

Situation 2: Stocks that aren’t Syariah-compliant

If the company has aspects that aren’t permissible in Islam - automatically it’s non-Syariah compliant. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to pay. You’ll still have to pay zakat for your initial investment.

For example, Heineken company:

Image Source: Bursa Malaysia

Let's say you have an investment in Heineken worth RM50,000 (better yet, you don't have!). After a year, you earn profits of around RM10,000. Unfortunately, due to its being, not Shariah-compliant, you’ll only pay zakat for RM50,000.

RM50,000 x 2.5% (rate for zakat on your investment) = RM1,250

NOTE: For your info, the rate for zakat on your investment is 2.5%, similar to zakat on your assets. The difference is only how you count the zakat for short-term and long-term stocks.

Situation 3: The company pays zakat on its business

Just so you know, there's no double payment in any type of zakat - you’ll only pay once. That's why you don't have to pay zakat on your investment if the company already pays zakat. In a way, the company is paying on behalf of the investors.

Image Source: Maybank Annual Report

So, how can you know? You'll just have to get the info from the company itself. You could take a look at their annual report which is usually online or you can give them a call. Do note that PPZ won't be able to provide you with this info (trust us, we've called!).

Situation 4: The company doesn't pay zakat on the business

Then, it looks like you'll have to pay zakat on your investment if the company doesn't. Therefore, you should check first whether they pay it or not. At least, you already know and are prepared to pay it once a year!

Want to know how much you'll have to pay zakat? Here's how you calculate (take out your calculator)

Short-term investment:

For zakat on your short-term investment, you’ll only calculate the profits after you sell. And, you’ll also need to deduct your initial investment. Here’s the formula:

(Current investment value + Current balance - Related costs*) x 2.5%

P/s: The related costs* consist of the cost for selling and buying, broker fee and any other related spendings.

For example, your current investment value is RM20,000, your current balance is RM5,000 and your related costs are RM300. Here’s how you can count it:

(RM20,000 + RM5,000 - RM300) x 2.5%

RM24,700 x 2.5% = RM617.50

Another formula that you can use is:

([Selling price - Purchase cost] x Unit) x 2.5%

Let’s say you’ve 20,000 units worth RM2.50 for each (you bought at RM2.00):

([RM2.50 - RM2.00) x 20,000) x 2.5%

([RM0.50] x 20,000) x 2.5%

RM10,000 x 2.5% = RM250

Long-term investment:

Similar to short-term investment, you’ll just have to add the dividend and use the net worth of investment after minus the financing/loan that’s still not clear yet (if there are any).

Here’s the formula:

(Current investment value + Current balance + Dividend - Related costs*) x 2.5%

Imagine your current investment value is RM100,000, current balance is RM5,000 and you received a dividend around RM1,500. As for your related costs, it’s around RM300. (RM100,000 + RM5,000 + RM1,500 - RM300) x 2.5%

RM106,200 x 2.5% = RM2,655

What if you have investments from two different companies? This is how to calculate:

Investment A:

(RM50,000 + RM2,500 + RM1,000 - RM300) x 2.5%

RM53,200 x 2.5% = RM1,330

Investment B:

(RM30,000 + RM2,000 + RM500 - RM300) x 2.5%

RM32,200 x 2.5% = RM805

In total, Investment A + B

RM1,330 + RM805 = RM2,135

If you’re too lazy or maybe you’re just not good with calculation, just head over to this website to count how much zakat you’ll have to pay on your investment. This way, you can do a double and triple check!

So, where should you go to pay zakat on your investment?

You can pay at any zakat institution - PPZ branches or the state religious department. You can also opt to pay it online - depends on the availability (check this website!). You can refer here for more info:

Kuala Lumpur: http://www.zakat.com.my
Selangor: http://www.zakatselangor.com.my
Penang: http://www.zakatpenang.com
Pahang: http://www.zakatpahang.my
Melaka: http://www.izakat.com
Kedah: https://www.zakatkedah.com.my/
Negeri Sembilan: https://www.zakatns2u.biz/
Terengganu: http://www.maidam.gov.my/index.php/en/contact-us
Johor: https://www.maij.gov.my/
Kelantan: https://www.e-maik.my/v2/index.php/ms/perkhidmatan-kami/pungutan-zakat
Perak: https://ezakat.maiamp.gov.my/
Perlis: http://maips.gov.my/
Sabah: https://appszakat.sabah.gov.my/
Sarawak: https://www.tbs.org.my

What will happen if you don't pay or forget about it?

As Muslims, we should know that this is our responsibility. We’re sharing our fortune with the rest that isn’t as lucky. Plus, it’s one of the ways to purify the wealth from possible Shariah non-compliance.

However, worry not, if you forgot to pay zakat (considered a debt). You just need to visit any zakat institutions to explain your situation and pay the outstanding zakat payment - it's that easy.

It's just that you'll have to prepare a lot of money, especially if you're about to pay the outstanding zakat together with the current one as well. That's why it's better to pay it every year. Why don’t you put a reminder on your phone or book so that you won't forget?

Happy paying zakat!

ALSO READ: Here’s What Happens to Your Debt When You Pass On

*The above article is intended for informational purposes only. Loanstreet accepts no responsibility for loss that may arise from reliance on information contained in the articles.