Short answer. The cost of setting up a Sdn Bhd has two parts: government fees paid to SSM, which are set by SSM’s fee schedule, and professional fees charged by a company secretary or incorporation provider. After incorporation there are recurring costs for company secretarial work, accounting, tax and audit if required. Always confirm government fees on SSM’s website and ask providers for an itemised quote.
Axecta provides company incorporation for companies across Malaysia. Talk to our team.
In this article
- Government fees versus professional fees
- Components of the cost
- Optional extras
- Ongoing yearly costs after incorporation
- How to compare provider quotes
- Axecta’s package overview
- Government fees, as stated in SSM materials
- A sample first-year budget structure
- Questions that reveal hidden costs
- Frequently asked questions
Government fees versus professional fees
When people ask what it costs to set up a company, they are usually combining two things:
- Government fees: paid to SSM for name search, incorporation and related filings. These are published by SSM and revised from time to time.
- Professional fees: paid to a company secretary, lawyer or incorporation provider for preparing and submitting the application and for related advice.
Components of the cost
| Component | Who charges | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Name search and reservation | SSM | See fees below |
| Incorporation fee | SSM | See fees below |
| Preparation and submission | Provider | May include constitution and share allotment |
| Company secretary (first year) | Provider | See company secretary cost |
| Registered address service | Provider | Optional, if you have no suitable address |
| Statutory registers and seal | Provider | Often included in a package |
| Bank account support | Provider | Optional |
Optional extras
Need this done for you? Axecta’s company incorporation team can handle this for your company. See the company incorporation service.
Some providers bundle extras, and some founders need them:
- Virtual or serviced office address.
- Business licence applications with the local authority.
- Tax registration and accounting set-up.
- Trademark or intellectual property registration.
- Immigration or work-pass support for foreign staff.
Only pay for the extras you will actually use, and ask what happens to them after the first year.
Ongoing yearly costs after incorporation
Setting up is a one-time cost. Running the company means recurring costs:
- Company secretarial services and the annual return.
- Bookkeeping and preparation of financial statements.
- Audit, if the company is not exempt.
- Tax computation and Form C filing.
- Payroll processing and statutory contributions if you employ staff.
- Licence renewals and any SST compliance.
Budget for these from the start. They make up most of the long-term cost.
How to compare provider quotes
- Ask for the quote to show government fees separately from professional fees.
- Check whether the company secretary appointment is included, and for how long.
- Ask what happens if SSM rejects the name or application.
- Ask whether statutory registers and a company kit are included.
- Compare what is recurring and what is one-off.
- Be careful with very low headline prices that exclude necessary items.
Axecta’s package overview
Axecta offers incorporation with company secretarial support, and can add accounting, tax and payroll so that one team handles every filing. We provide an itemised quote that separates government fees from our fees, and we explain which recurring services your company actually needs. See how to register a Sdn Bhd for the process.
Government fees, as stated in SSM materials
SSM’s Table of Fees/Table-of-Fees.aspx) and its incorporation guideline list the following for a company limited by shares:
| Item | Fee stated by SSM |
|---|---|
| Name reservation (valid 30 days from approval) | RM50 |
| Incorporation of a company limited by shares | RM1,000 |
| Data-sharing charge with relevant agencies | RM10, stated in the current incorporation guideline |
Older SSM documents from the period when GST applied show different totals, so do not use them. The fee pages we checked may be dated, so confirm the current fees on SSM’s portal before you pay.
A sample first-year budget structure
Use this table to build your own budget. Fill the amounts from quotes, not from guesses.
| Item | Source of the number |
|---|---|
| SSM name reservation and incorporation | SSM fee table above |
| Provider fee for preparing the application | Provider quote |
| Company secretary, first year | Provider quote |
| Registered address, if needed | Provider quote |
| Bank account, if assisted | Provider quote |
| Accounting and tax, first year | Provider quote |
| Payroll, if you employ staff | Provider quote |
| Licences | Local authority or regulator |
Questions that reveal hidden costs
- Does the quote include the SSM fees or are they added later?
- What does the company secretary fee cover after the first year?
- Is there a charge to transfer to another provider?
- Are meetings, resolutions and changes charged separately?
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to register a Sdn Bhd?
It is the sum of SSM’s government fees and your provider’s professional fees. Check SSM’s current fee schedule and request an itemised quote.
What yearly costs follow?
Company secretarial fees, accounting, tax filing, audit if required, and payroll if you have staff.
What is the minimum capital?
The Companies Act 2016 does not set a general minimum for most private companies, though some activities and foreign-ownership situations have specific requirements. Check for your case.
Is it cheaper to use an agent?
Not always. Doing it yourself saves professional fees but risks errors and delays. Axecta provides fixed-price packages.
How much is the SSM incorporation fee?
SSM’s materials list RM1,000 for a company limited by shares, plus RM50 if you reserve a name first and a RM10 data-sharing charge. Confirm on SSM’s portal.
How long does a name reservation last?
SSM’s materials state 30 days from approval.
Are these the total costs of starting a company?
No. They are government fees only. Professional and recurring costs are separate.
Want a fixed, itemised incorporation quote?
Axecta Management Services is a full-suite accounting, company secretarial and consulting firm in Kuala Lumpur, serving companies from SMEs to MNCs.
Request a fixed-price quote
Keep reading
- How to Register a Sdn Bhd in Malaysia
- Sole Proprietorship vs Sdn Bhd
- How Much Does a Company Secretary Cost in Malaysia?
- How Much Capital Does a Sdn Bhd Need? Minimum Paid-Up Capital in Malaysia
- LLP vs Sdn Bhd: Liability, Costs, Tax and Compliance
- What Documents Are Needed to Register a Company in Malaysia?
- What to Do After Incorporating a Sdn Bhd
- What Business Expenses Are Tax-Deductible in Malaysia?
- How to Register a Company: the full guide
Official sources to check
- SSM fee schedule
- Axecta quotation
This article is general information and not legal, tax or accounting advice for your company. Rates, thresholds, deadlines and procedures change, so confirm current requirements with the sources above or with Axecta.