Calculate and Pay Your Business Zakat Here

There are several arguments that refer to the obligation to pay business zakat. Among them include the following.

The words of Allah SWT:

“(Ibadat itu dikerjakan oleh) orang-orang yang kuat imannya yang tidak dilalaikan oleh perniagaan atau berjual-beli daripada menyebut serta mengingati Allah, dan mendirikan sembahyang serta memberi zakat; mereka takutkan hari (kiamat) yang padanya berbalik-balik hati dan pandangan.” [Surah Al-Nur (24): 37]

This word clearly shows that believers will not neglect to pay part of the profits of business or buying and selling activities that become our sustenance.

Meanwhile, there is also a hadith of the Prophet that touches on this matter.

Salah satunya, Samurah bin Jundub menyatakan: “Sesungguhnya Rasulullah memerintahkan kami untuk mengeluarkan sedekah (zakat) daripada apa yang kami persiapkan untuk diperniagakan.” (Hadis riwayat Abu Daud).

This hadith apparently refers to business zakat and business activities.

Anas RA narrated that Abu Bakr RA prescribed for him what the Messenger of Allah SAW prescribed:

“Dan jika sesuatu harta berkongsi bercampur oleh dua orang, maka keduanya saling mengeluarkan zakat dengan adil (sesuai dengan kadar atau bahagian masing-masing)”.[HR Bukhari]

The hadith above not only shows the obligation to pay zakat, but can be used as a reference for traders who have non-Muslim partners. As it turns out, the rate of business zakat paid depends on each individual's share, as well as each individual's ability.

The conditions that require payment for individuals are as follows:-

1. Islam
2. Independent
3. Perfect belonging to the business
4. Achieve nisab
5. Mencapai haul – iaitu cukup tempoh selama setahun
6. The item is intended for business
7. The business must comply with Islamic law

For businesses that are illegal from the Islamic point of view, such as selling alcohol, gambling, etc., it is not obligatory to pay zakat. 

Of course, the way to calculate business zakat is different from income zakat due to several factors such as employees and the cost of materials or goods. 

In general, the way to calculate the payment that needs to be made is as follows:

1. Pendapatan tunai (termasuk di bank) & modal + Nilai inventori + Nilai kredit (seperti pinjaman perniagaan) – Perbelanjaan & hutang perniagaan = Baki
2. The balance from the above calculation, if it is sufficient for the nisab value (or exceeds it) is then multiplied by the rate of 2.5%. This amount is the amount to be paid. 

For general reference, the following terms are explained:-

Inventory: Stock of goods including raw materials and goods for sale 

Expenses: Including employee wages, office or sales site rent, electricity bills and so on. 

Nisab business zakat is set at a rate of 2.5% from the net profit per year, that is after the end of the haul period. This ratio is based on the value of 85 grams of gold, which is estimated to be equivalent to the value of RM21,432 at the last update, which is in July-December 2022. However, it should be taken into account that this value depends on the current gold rate. For information, the rate of nisab zakat based on the value of silver is subject to 595 grams of silver. 

Therefore, if the profit and value of your business assets reach or exceed this RM21,432, business zakat must be imposed on it after sufficient haul. Usually, most traders or company owners calculate the haul starting from January to December. This calculation is a convenient calculation to subtract the amount due from the income tax or business tax calculation for the year. 

However, it is recommended for zakat payers who follow the Christian calendar (ie January to December) to follow the count that has been set by Accounting and Auditing Organization of Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), where the ratio is calculated as 2.577%. This is because the number of days in a year according to the Christian calendar is more than a year according to the Hijri calendar. In earning a living, we need to carry out our responsibilities well so it is good if we are honest in calculating the rate and nisab of zakat, especially when paying business zakat. 

Zakat perniagaan boleh dibayar dengan mana-mana pemungut zakat di tempat anda bermastautin. Ia juga boleh dibayar secara atas talian dengan cara mengisi borang di atas. 

Selamat menunaikan kewajipan membayar zakat perniagaan.