Soh Lian Seng

Soh Lian Seng currently leads the Tax practice at KPMG in Malaysia following his appointment to the firm’s Executive Committee leadership on 1 January 2022. He brings over 33 years of professional acumen and capabilities to help clients navigate the most complex business challenges and transformation projects that tax leaders face. 

Lian Seng pioneered the Malaysian firm’s Tax Dispute Resolution service unit in 1999 and has since built a reputation within the Malaysia tax fraternity for his negotiation and problem-solving expertise in challenging tax audit and investigation cases. He has also appeared before the Special Commissioner of Income Tax as an expert witness.

Throughout his career, Lian Seng has developed strong and mutually respected ties with various authorities including the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia, the Tax Policy Division of the Ministry of Finance, and other government agencies such as the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). He has also contributed to the development of tax laws and regulations in Malaysia. 

Under his leadership, KPMG Tax Services in Malaysia was named the 2019 Tax Dispute & Resolution Firm of the Year and the 2022 Transfer Pricing Firm of the Year by the International Tax Review. From 2021 to 2022, Lian Seng led of KPMG’s Tax Dispute Resolution & Controversy practice across Asia Pacific, where he was tasked to drive a collaborative approach in providing value-added services to regional and global clients. Currently, he also heads KPMG’s Korea Business practice in Malaysia.

Lian Seng extends his counsel through various professional associations; he was elected the Deputy President of the Chartered Tax Institute of Malaysia (CTIM) for the 2022/23 term in addition to serving as the Chairman of CTIM’s Tax Audit & Investigation Committee. He is also a Member of the Korean Chamber of Commerce Malaysia (KOCHAM).  

Lian Seng is a licensed tax agent approved by the Ministry of Finance under section 153 of Income Tax Act, 1967.  He is certified as a Fellow Member of CTIM, an associate member of the Institute of Internal Auditors, Malaysia (IIAM) and an affiliate member of the Malaysian Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (MAICSA).