EPF – Employer Contribution Advisory Services / EMPLOYER COVID-19 ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME (e-CAP)

Employees Provident Fund (EPF) is introducing its Employer Advisory Services (EAS) beginning 15 April 2020 to provide customised advisory support for employers, specifically with regards to the employers’ portion of EPF contributions during the current economic downturn.
This measure aims to assist employers to remain solvent amidst the COVID-19 pandemic so that they can continue providing and retaining jobs, supporting workers, and protecting livelihoods apart from alleviating some of the cash flow challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) employers. More importantly, the EAS is intended to help employers fulfill their obligation of paying for their portion of the EPF contributions.
Through the EAS, the EPF will assess the specific conditions of affected companies and offer customised plans on the EPF contributions schedule as provided under the EPF Act 1991. The measures may include restructuring of contribution schedules or staggering the payments for outstanding contributions.
Further information about the EAS will be published on the EPF website (www.kwsp.gov.my) very soon.
Latest Updates on 23th Apr 2020
EPF published the FAQ on the e-CAP and the key important points are summaries as follows:-
- Under the e-CAP, employers can apply for deferment and restructuring of Employer Share Contribution Payment for April, May and June 2020 contributions (March, April & May 2020 wages). The deferred contribution for the respective months can then be settled over a maximum period of 3 months (can apply the number of instalment up to maximum 3 months)
Contribution (Payroll) Months | Pymt Due Date | e-CAP Due Date* |
Apr 2020 (Mar) | 30 Apr 2020 | July – Sep 2020 |
May 2020 (Apr) | 15 May 2020 | Aug – Oct 2020 |
June 2020 (May) | 15 June 2020 | Sep – Nov 2020 |
* EPF not specify the exact due date for the deferred payments
- To be eligible for the e-CAP, SME employers must:
- Have 200 employees or less on payroll
- Ensure that all monthly contribution payments (both employee and employer portions) up to the February 2020 contribution date (January 2020 wage) are in order
- Ensure that the employee’s share of the payment for the contribution months being applied for (April, May or June) has been paid up
- Employee’s share of contribution is not included in this restructuring
- For every late contribution payment, the EPF will impose late payment charges and dividends
- Waiver or reduction of late payment charges can be requested upon the approved payment restructuring plan.
- the application can be made via the e-CAP function in i-Akaun (Majikan) on a monthly basis.
Steps by Steps Guide on How to Apply e-CAP



Late Payment charges & dividend on overdue EPF contributions


Complete FAQ on the e-CAP by EPF
The EPF is aware that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a very difficult environment for businesses to thrive in and many companies face financial challenges in the running of their operations.
Towards this end, the EPF is extending the Employer COVID-19 SME Assistance Programme beginning 23 April 2020 to assist qualified Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to manage their monthly cash flow and continue operating their businesses, while still enabling workers to keep their jobs.
The programme allows employers to apply for deferment and restructuring of Employer Share Contribution Payment for April, May and June 2020 contributions (March, April & May 2020 wages).
To be eligible for the e-CAP, SME employers must:
–Have 200 employees or less on payroll.
–Ensure that all monthly contribution payments (both employee and employer portions) up to the February 2020 contribution date (January 2020 wage) are in order.
–Ensure that the employee’s share of the payment for the contribution months being applied for (April, May or June) has been paid up.
e-CAP allows eligible SMEs to apply for a deferment and restructuring of the employer’s share of EPF contributions for the months of April, May and June 2020. The deferred contribution for the respective months can then be settled over a maximum period of 3 months.
As an example, for SMEs who apply to defer their April contributions, their restructured payments will start from July 2020 up to a maximum of 3 months ending September 2020.
For those applying for May, the restructured payments for that month will start from August to October 2020 while for those applying for June, their restructured payments will start from September 2020 to November 2020.
Ah Kaw, who operates a business selling vegetables, hires two workers, Kiah and Maniam. His business was severely impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
March – May 2020 wages (Contributions for April – June 2020)
Ah Kaw will need to make payment for the employee’s share of contribution for Kiah and Maniam based on their wage levels for the respective months.
Simultaneously, Ah Kaw can apply to restructure the payment of the EMPLOYER’S SHARE of contribution for the same period.
In this situation:
Employee’s share of contribution are not included in this restructuring.
EPF will not take any legal action against Ah Kaw for restructuring the payment of EMPLOYER’S SHARE of contributions for the period.
Waiver or reduction of late payment charges can be requested upon the approved payment restructuring plan.
Ah Kaw has to pay the dividend accrued on the contributions.
For every late contribution payment, the EPF will impose late payment charges and dividends.
Late payment charges are charges imposed on employers who failed to make their contribution payment on time.
As for dividends, it will be credited to the respective member’s account following the due contribution month to ensure that no dividend losses are borne by members as a result of late contribution payments.
The EPF will accept applications to restructure your contribution payments, beginning 23 April 2020.
If you fulfill the eligibility criteria (see Question 2), you may submit your application via the e-CAP function in i-Akaun (Majikan) on a monthly basis.
This is to ensure the employee’s share for the previous month has been paid and the employer’s share has been restructured accordingly.
Instalment Payment(s) can be made via:-
i-Akaun (Majikan) portal; or
EPF counters; or
EPF-appointed bank counters.
The programme is for EPF-registered employers only.
The monthly restructuring payment does not include the usual statutory contribution payments. This is to be settled separately.
The payment for statutory monthly contributions should be paid separately.
If you wish to exit before the completion of the restructuring plan, you are required to make a full settlement.
The EPF reserves the right to pursue legal action accordingly.
The e-CAP programme is specifically for contribution months of April, May and June 2020 and the settlement of all payments must be completed by 30 December 2020.
The e-CAP programme does not provide for restructuring of future monthly contribution payments. You may contact our Employer Advisory officer for further enquiries.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this page is obtained or derived from a variety of publicly available sources for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as accounting, tax, or other professional advice. Please contact us for specific advice.