The Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) has set up the LHDN Tax Investigation Team 2017, to take action against tax evaders.

Its Chief Executive Officer Datuk Sabin Samitah said the team would begin their work from Jan 1 until Dec 2017.

"The 272-strong team comprises intelligence officers and tax investigators," he said at the launch of the team here today.

Their tasks include looking into tax evasion, increasing compliance and managing gaps in tax, as well as increasing the country's direct tax collection.

"Part of the focus of the LHDN is to audit multinational companies which pay tax in Malaysia and do not transfer their profits with lower tax regimes, causing Malaysia to lose income," he said.

Sabin added that through the team, LHDN was targeting a tax collection of RM2 billion. --BERNAMA