Agreed. Thats another reason why ppl in US dont care about resale value unlike in Malaysia. If im buying a brand new Honda Accord for only USD20K, ill change cars every 3 years.

U cannot be broke earning SGD 3,000. Besides, when it comes to family living you also have a spouse earning. If your spouse doesnt earn then it will be hard to start and maintain a family on that income and still live a comfortable life in any developed country and city.

Isnt it the same in Malaysia? Can u survive in KL with a RM3K salary and still need to buy a car, pay for rental and bring up a family? Most of those singe income earners getting RM3K also do not have any form of retirement policy in place yet. In Singapore, u dont need a car which is a major expense for loan repayment and maintenence.

what u mean by this? Annual salary?

The maximum bracket for the 27% tax is applied after 100K i think not 150K. Meaning if your salary is about RM 10,000 a month, most probably you are already in the maximum tax bracket. The same as those who are earning about RM100,000 a month. Does that sound fair to you?

For your info, i have also been paying the MAXIMUM tax bracket since 2006. Ive also managed to get back an average between 2200-2700 every year from LHDN. For assessment year 2009, i managed to get back RM 4120 from LHDN.

You need to know the tactics in doing tax assessments in order to get back maximum from LHDN (without breaking the law).

This post has been edited by cybermaster98: Dec 2 2010, 10:39 AM

Difficult to put into words here. Easier to show on paper with figures. But this is case by case basis. What works for me might not work for you.

Aiyoo! What are you saying la? Earn RM 10K a month and pay only 10% tax???? Go and check with the tax booklet that is provided to companies for PCB deductions la. If your salary is around RM10K u are already in the highest taxable income bracket.

I know because i am in that bracket.

Do u understand the meaning of taxable income ah? It also includes bonuses and other non tax free privaleges that the company gives you. Plus its also based on a table. Thats why i said salary around RM 10K. It doesnt mean you get taxed 26% for monthly salary la. If ure earning around 10K a month, your monthly tax deduction is about 14%.

If ure earning RM 10K a month, your taxable income for the year is RM 120,000 (assuming u dont have bonuses or anything else). So after the first 100,000 the next 20K of taxable income ure already in the maximum tax bracket of 26%.

This post has been edited by cybermaster98: Dec 2 2010, 02:29 PM

Its not about working in countries with lower taxes. Its about seeing your tax money well spent. Taxes in Europe, US, Australia and Singapore are higher than in Malaysia for sure. But the taxes collected are well spent in providing world class transportation networks, education systems and health facilities. Their quality of life is so much better than us. I dont mind paying extra taxes if it means getting these in return.

What do we get in Malaysia? Our hard earned tax money is used to pay higher costs for vehicle purchases and to support a bunch of corrupt politicians who are only interested in lining their pockets with OUR money and building white elephants all over the country to put money into the pockets of their cronies.

Not just that. Ive worked overseas under tax free packages as well. Not just for UN or Diplomatic.

What is your profession?

Exactly my point. Its important to know who are giving those opinions. Most of the property blogs and seminars are monopolised by those who are involved in the propoerty line. Thus their views are seldom a reflection of the real scenario. I have stopped attending such seminars as they are always misleading with the sole aim of giving investors a rosy picture of something which may not be true at all. They are merely taking care of their rice bowl.

No no. Migrating is not the solution. We must stay and fight to make Malaysia a better place.

When i started out i was paid RM 1700

All these views are given by ppl in the property industry. Should never be believed. All of them are taking care of their own rice bowl by striking fear into ppl by speculating on property prices. Just ignore them and stop puchasing property till end of 2012.

Thats when we'll probably have a reliable feel of the property outlook.

Even if the loan is approved, why are u even considering such an expensive buy with such a salary? Don't you know the golden rule bout not having loan debts of more than 40% of your income?

I bought my first property costing 470K in 2009 and i have been on a 5 figure salary since 2006 and ure targetting a 400K investment with 3500++?

Properties too close to MRT will face drop in prices
BY THEAN LEE CHENG

17 February 2011

PETALING JAYA: Property consultants, together with sources familiar with the project say that not all properties affected by the Sg Buloh-Kajang line will have a positive impact. In fact, there will be properties that will have an adverse impact. A property developer who has several projects in Kota Damansara said the visual impact, noise and vibration would affect values negatively.

A source who declined to be named said: “If you can hear it, see it and feel the vibration your property will be negatively impacted. You want it (MRT) close, but not too close.”

The 50km line that begins from Sg Buloh will splice through the monorail and light rail transit (LRT) in the city and head south towards Kajang, affecting a total 91,900 properties along the way. Of these, 82,700 units, or 90%, will be residential units with a total population of about 341,000. About 40% of these are located in the Sg Buloh-Semantan area, and 46% in the Cheras-Kajang area.

It will be the country's largest infrastructure project, reportedly costing RM36.6bil.

A source said: “Logically speaking, people should not oppose the MRT or any form of public transport. But, if it is going to affect your standard of living, either by the noise, vibration or visual impact, then it is logical for them to oppose it.

“Imagine this: you live in a quiet, serene area for years, and all of a sudden you have the MRT line running in front or behind your property. Your serenity is broken, your standard of living is negatively impacted, and so will the value of your property.”

The noise level will be tremendous. The MRT begins from 6am to midnight. In time to come, the MRT will run every 1.8 minutes.

The main affected areas are Section 4 and 6 of Kota Damansara; Pelangi Damansara condominium; Taman Tun Dr Ismail; Damansara Utama; Section 17/52 Petaling Jaya; Bukit Bandaraya; Jalan Bukit Ledang; Bukit Damansara; Taman Desa Aman; Taman Connaught; and Taman Koperasi.

According to the executive summary posted on the Department of Environment website, as the line enters Kota Damansara, which is predominantly residential and remains so until TTDI, the line visual, vibration and noise level will be significant to properties in that area. And as the line enters the residential area of Cheras, the visual impact, noise and vibration level will also impact negatively on the property values there.

“Most of the measured noise levels exceeded the recommended limit for suburban residential area and urban residential area,” the executive summary said.

Last week, the Land Public Transport Commission (LPTC) and Prasarana exhibited the alignment at Mid-Valley Megamall. They are seeking a location in Petaling Jaya to exhibit the alignment.

The MRT route will be displayed for three months at local authority offices in the Klang Valley, in Bangsar LRT station and at LPTC in KL Sentral. The environmental impact assessment will be displayed for one month from Feb 14 to March 14

It is common sense actually. Any property which is made to experience loud noise, vibrations or traffic congestion as a result of this MRT will face a drop in value. Its not rocket science. But houses within a 1km radius will appreciate for sure. It has happened in PJ.

Price of property depends on usability of public utilities nearby?? First time i ever heard of such a hypothesis. Common la! If ppl dont use it then its for a good reason which would mean either a flawed access design or poor locality.