RM18,000 a month salary after EPF, SOCSO and tax in Malaysia (2026)
On RM18,000 a month a single Malaysian citizen takes home about RM13,004.53 a month after EPF, SOCSO, EIS and PCB. The PCB over the year is RM35,150.00, and the income tax for YA2026 is RM35,062.50.
Monthly pay of RM18,000 is above the SOCSO and EIS wage ceiling of RM6,000, so SOCSO stays at RM74.40 and EIS at RM11.90 a month however much more you earn. The RM12,000 above the ceiling carries neither.
The yearly employee EPF of RM23,760 is above the RM4,000 EPF tax relief limit, so only RM4,000 of it lowers the taxable income. Your employer adds RM2,160 a month (12% of pay) on top.
Work out your own take-home payWhere the RM18,000 goes each month
| Per month, average over 2026 | Citizen or PR, single | Citizen or PR, married, spouse not working | Foreign worker, single |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salary | RM18,000.00 | RM18,000.00 | RM18,000.00 |
| EPF (employee share) | -RM1,980.00 | -RM1,980.00 | -RM360.00 |
| SOCSO (employee, including SKBBK) | -RM74.40 | -RM74.40 | -RM44.65 |
| EIS (employee) | -RM11.90 | -RM11.90 | RM0.00 |
| PCB (monthly tax deduction, yearly total / 12) | -RM2,929.17 | -RM2,845.83 | -RM2,929.17 |
| Take-home pay | RM13,004.53 | RM13,087.87 | RM14,666.18 |
Your employer pays EPF of RM2,160.00, SOCSO of RM104.15 and EIS of RM11.90 a month on top of the salary. These are not taken from your pay and are not in the table.
Assumes 12 equal monthly payments in 2026, no bonus, no children, no deductions or reliefs other than those named, and the current contribution schedule for all 12 months. SKBBK is included. A foreign worker is taken as a tax resident (182 days or more).
PCB and the tax for the year
| For the year 2026 | Citizen or PR, single | Citizen or PR, married, spouse not working | Foreign worker, single |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salary for the year | RM216,000 | RM216,000 | RM216,000 |
| PCB deducted over the year | RM35,150.00 | RM34,150.00 | RM35,150.00 |
| Chargeable income (yearly assessment) | RM202,650.00 | RM198,650.00 | RM202,650.00 |
| Income tax for YA2026 | RM35,062.50 | RM34,062.50 | RM35,062.50 |
| Tax less PCB (negative: PCB was higher) | -RM87.50 | -RM87.50 | -RM87.50 |
The PCB is RM2,929.20 in the first month and RM35,150.00 over the year (RM2,929.17 a month on average). Some months differ by a few sen because of the 5 sen rounding.
After the reliefs the chargeable income for the year is RM202,650. The last ringgit of it is taxed at 25%, the band above RM100,000. The next band, at 26%, starts at RM400,000, RM197,350 higher.
The chargeable income of RM202,650 is above RM35,000, so the RM400 rebate does not apply.
Over the year the PCB of RM35,150.00 is RM87.50 more than the RM35,062.50 tax from the yearly assessment, which is the amount that comes back when you file. The yearly assessment counts the SOCSO and EIS relief of RM350; the PCB calculation does not unless it is claimed on Form TP1.
With a spouse who is not working, the RM4,000 spouse relief takes the chargeable income down to RM198,650, and the yearly tax is RM34,062.50 against RM35,062.50 for a single person. The PCB over the year is RM34,150.00 against RM35,150.00.
A foreign worker pays EPF of RM360.00 (2%) instead of RM1,980.00, no EIS, and SOCSO of RM44.65 (the SKBBK share only). The EPF relief for tax is RM4,000 a year against RM4,000 for a citizen, and PCB averages RM2,929.17 a month against RM2,929.17. Take-home pay is RM1,661.65 a month higher than for a citizen.
Compare with nearby salaries
| Monthly salary | Take-home per month | PCB per month | Income tax for the year | Take-home difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RM17,000 | RM12,364.53 | RM2,679.17 | RM32,062.50 | -RM640.00 |
| RM18,000 (this page) | RM13,004.53 | RM2,929.17 | RM35,062.50 | - |
| RM19,000 | RM13,644.53 | RM3,179.17 | RM38,062.50 | +RM640.00 |
An extra RM1,000 a month adds RM640.00 to the average monthly take-home pay of a single citizen, so 64 sen of each extra ringgit are kept after EPF, SOCSO, EIS and PCB.
Common questions
How much is take-home pay on RM18,000 a month in Malaysia?
For a single citizen on RM18,000 a month, EPF is RM1,980.00, SOCSO RM74.40 and EIS RM11.90. With PCB averaging RM2,929.17 a month, take-home pay is about RM13,004.53 a month.
How much PCB is deducted on RM18,000 a month?
RM35,150.00 over the year for a single citizen (RM2,929.20 in the first month). With a spouse who is not working it is RM34,150.00.
Is the SOCSO and EIS still rising at RM18,000 a month?
No. The wage ceiling for both is RM6,000 a month, and RM18,000 is above it.
Other salaries
Take-home pay for every salary, RM2,000 to RM20,000 · Take-home pay calculator · How PCB is calculated
Sources
- EPF (KWSP): mandatory contribution rates · PERKESO: contribution rates
- LHDN: 2026 specification for monthly tax deduction calculations · LHDN: tax rates
- Every rate used, with its source and check date: Sources and rates
This page shows figures calculated from the LHDN, EPF and PERKESO pages listed on the Sources page. It is general information only. Your payslip, tax bill and personal situation may differ. Rates as at 2 November 2026.