5th April 2024 - 18 min read
All Malaysians who earn an annual income of more than RM34,000 are obligated to file and pay taxes (if any), but you can tap into a variety of tax reliefs, deductions, and rebates to help you reduce the amount that needs to be paid. There’s a long list of reliefs that you may be eligible for, so this guide will help you with a bird’s eye view of all the reliefs available for YA 2023.
Now, why should you take the time to claim the tax reliefs that you are eligible for? After all the process can be quite tedious – especially if you’re doing this for the first time. The answer is quite simple: by claiming eligible tax reliefs, you reduce your chargeable income for that year, resulting in a possible surplus in the taxes deducted from you – meaning you’ll get a tax refund on the excess amount!
We’ve compiled all the different tax reliefs, deductions, and rebates that you can claim for YA 2023 here, for your convenience. Experienced taxpayers will find most of these details familiar, but the government has also updated certain tax benefits for the year, so be sure to go through them and avoid missing out on any reliefs that you’re eligible for!
To further simplify things for you, we’ve prepared an infographic on everything that you can claim for YA 2023 – which you can use as a quick checklist as you file your taxes. For the specifics of each tax incentive, meanwhile, simply scroll down further to read more.
This section is for those of you who want to find out more about the specific conditions and requirements that apply to each tax incentive. We’ll also briefly highlight what makes tax reliefs, deductions, and rebates different from each other (but if you want an in-depth explanation, head on to our explainer article here!)
Ready to check whether you’re truly eligible for the tax incentive that you wish to claim? Let’s dive in.
Tax reliefs – which make up most of the tax incentives that you can tap into – are used to reduce your chargeable income (which determines the tax rate that applies to you). Read on for the full details of all the tax reliefs that you can claim for YA 2023:
1) Individual & dependent relatives
Claim: RM9,000
Automatically granted to an individual for themselves and their dependents.
2) Medical treatment, special needs, and carer expenses for parents
Claim: ≤RM8,000
This encompasses care and treatment by a nursing home, and non-cosmetic dental treatment. Note that non-cosmetic dental treatment here refers only to the following expenses:
Teeth restoration and replacement involving crowning, root canal, and dentures cannot be claimed under this tax relief.
Also, note that your claims must be evidenced by a registered medical practitioner or written certification of a qualified carer (must not be taxpayer, or his/her spouse or child). Additionally, your parents must reside in Malaysia, and their treatments, too, must be provided within the country.
Note that for YA 2024, this tax relief will be expanded to include full medical examination for parents (with a sub-limit of RM1,000).
3) Husband/Wife/Alimony
Claim: ≤RM4,000
You can claim this tax relief if your spouse has no source of income, or if he/she opts for joint assessment in your name. It is also not allowed if your spouse has gross income exceeding RM4,000 derived from sources outside of Malaysia.
Meanwhile, husbands who are paying alimony to a former wife are permitted to claim the actual amount paid, or up to a maximum of RM4,000. Note as well that this RM4,000 deduction cap encompasses the payment for the wife who is living together with you, as well as the alimony payments made to a former wife.
4) Education fees in Malaysia
Claim: ≤RM7,000
Claim this tax relief for the amount spent on any of the following courses of study, provided that they are undertaken in a recognised institution or professional body of Malaysia (you can check at the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia website here!):
Education/degree level | Eligible courses of study |
Masters or Doctorate degree | Any course of study undertaken is eligible, as long as it is recognised |
Other than a Masters/Doctorate degree | Any course of study up to tertiary level undertaken for law, accounting, Islamic finance, technical, vocational, industrial, scientific, or technical skills or qualifications are eligible |
Course of study undertaken for upskilling/self-enhancement (capped at RM2,000) | Any skill areas recognised by the Director General of the Department of Skills Development under the National Skills Development Act 2006 (Act 652) |
To note, the tax relief for upskilling courses was initially limited to RM1,000 when it was first introduced for YA 2021, in a bid to encourage Malaysians to pick up new skills and improve their employability during Covid-19. This sub-limit was subsequently increased to the current RM2,000 for YA 2022, applicable until YA 2023. Under Budget 2024, the tax relief has been extended until YA 2026.
5) Medical expenses
Claim: ≤RM10,000 (in total)
If you’ve incurred any medical expenses that fall under the following categories, you can claim this tax relief:
Medical expense categories | Claim limit | Details |
Medical expenses on serious diseases for self, spouse, or child | Up to RM10,000 in total (Inclusive of all five medical expense categories) | Includes treatment of AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, renal failure, leukemia, heart attack, pulmonary hypertension, chronic liver disease, fulminant viral hepatitis, head trauma with neurological deficit, tumour in brain or vascular malformation, major burns, major organ transplant, and major amputation of limbs |
Medical expenses for fertility | Up to RM10,000 in total (Inclusive of all five medical expense categories) | – Includes intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment, in vitro fertilization (IVF), or any other fertility treatments on yourself or your spouse (including consultation fees and medicines) – Only for married individuals |
Vaccination expenses for self, spouse, or child | Up to RM1,000 (Included in the total RM10,000 tax relief) | Includes vaccination for pneumococcal, human papillomavirus (HPV), influenza, rotavirus, varicella, meningococcal, tetanus-diphtheria-acellular-pertussis (TDAP combination), and coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) |
Complete medical and mental health examination for self, spouse, and child | Up to RM1,000 (Included in the total RM10,000 tax relief) | – Refers to a thorough examination as defined by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) – Includes purchases of Covid-19 self-detection test kits (e.g. PCR and RTK tests) and vaccination expenses – Includes mental health examination by registered psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and counsellors |
Diagnostic assessments, early intervention programmes, and rehabilitation treatments for learning disabilities | Up to RM4,000 (Included in the total RM10,000 tax relief) | – Allowed for autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), global developmental delay (GDD), intellectual disability, Down Syndrome, other specific learning disabilities – All assessments, programmes, and treatments must be performed by registered medical practitioners (with receipts issued) and carried out in Malaysia |
This tax relief – which was previously set at RM8,000 in total – was increased to RM10,000 under the revised Budget 2023 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Along with this increase, the scope of this tax relief was also expanded to include assessments, early intervention programmes, and rehabilitation treatments for learning disabilities.
Remember to retain the receipts of your medical treatments, along with a copy of the certification of the registered medical practitioner for future reference!
For your future reference, this tax relief will be expanded in YA 2024 to cover dental examination and treatment expenses for self as well.
6) Lifestyle purchases for self, spouse, or child
Claim: ≤RM2,500
This tax relief can be claimed for the following lifestyle expenses:
Note that under Budget 2024, this tax relief will be restructured for YA 2024 onwards to exclude the purchase of sports equipment and gym membership fees (which will be treated as a separate tax relief of its own, which you can read about right after this). Instead, it will be expanded to include fees for self-improvement courses.
7) Expenses related to sports activity for self
Claim: ≤RM500
Introduced in a bid to encourage a more active lifestyle among Malaysians, this specific tax relief covers the following expenses:
This tax relief is in addition to the general lifestyle tax relief of RM2,500 (mentioned in Part 6). To illustrate how this tax relief works, let’s say you purchased a sports equipment worth RM3,000 in 2023. You can first claim RM2,500 under the general lifestyle tax relief, and the remaining RM500 under this additional tax relief for sports.
For YA 2024 onwards, this sports tax relief will be increased from RM500 to RM1,000.
8) Purchase, installation, or rental of electric vehicles (EV) charging equipment
Claim: ≤RM2,500
This tax relief is claimable for the fees of purchasing (including hire-purchase), installing, and renting EV charging equipment. It also includes the subscription of the use of EV charging facilities.
This tax relief was introduced under Budget 2022, and is originally allowed only until YA 2023. Under Budget 2024, it has been extended to YA 2027.
9) Breastfeeding equipment
Claim: ≤RM1,000 per mother (only for women taxpayers)
Mothers who have purchased breastfeeding equipment for their own use to breastfeed their own child (aged 2 years and below) are entitled to claim this tax relief. Breastfeeding equipment that qualifies include:
You can only claim this relief once every two years, and in the case of a combined assessment, this deduction is only allowed if the assessment is made in the name of the wife.
10) Childcare fees
Claim: ≤RM3,000
Parents with children aged 6 years and below can claim this tax relief for the childcare expenses that they pay to a registered childcare centre or kindergarten. It is capped at RM3,000 even if you have more than one child who is eligible under this tax relief.
Note that for married couples who are assessed separately, this tax relief can only be claimed by either one of the parents. Divorced couples, meanwhile, can both claim the tax relief, provided they made payments for the childcare fees of different eligible children.
You must support your claims for this tax relief with your child’s birth document and receipts from the childcare centre or kindergarten.
11) Net deposit in SSPN
Claim: ≤RM8,000 per individual with children
If you’re saving for your children’s higher education via the National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN), then you can claim this tax relief for the net deposit kept in SSPN, up to the RM8,000 limit allowed. Remember, the amount deposited must be under your children’s name!
Also, net deposit refers to the amount of savings that you still have after deducting any withdrawals that you have made during the year. As an example, let’s say you had a balance of RM4,500 brought forward from 2022 to 2023, and you made a deposit of RM2,000 but subsequently withdrew RM1,500. This means that the amount of tax relief that you can claim is only RM500 (RM2,000 – RM1,500); the balance brought forward (RM4,500) cannot be used to claim the relief.
If you have not been keeping track of all your SSPN deposits and withdrawals, though, no need to fret! SSPN will generate a tax document that shows you the net deposit you can claim for tax relief. It’s good form to cross-check, however, if you have retained records of your transactions.
12) Ordinary child relief (under age of 18)
Claim: RM2,000 per child
A deduction is allowed for every child who is unmarried and is below the age of 18 years at any time during the year of assessment.
13) Child (18+) in full-time education
Claim: RM2,000 or RM8,000 per child
A tax relief of RM2,000 is claimable for each child who is unmarried, 18 years of age and above, and receiving full-time education.
Meanwhile, a deduction of RM8,000 is allowed if the child is unmarried, 18 years of age and above, and satisfies any of the following conditions:
(UPDATED 5/4/2024): 14) Life insurance and Employees Provident Fund (EPF)
Claim: ≤RM7,000
This relief covers both your life insurance premium payments and EPF contributions, where you’re allowed to claim the following:
To note, this tax relief has been restructured slightly under Budget 2023 for YA 2023 and subsequent years, in a bid to encourage all Malaysians to save for their retirement. Prior to this, it was treated differently depending on whether you are a pensionable public servant or a private sector employee.
Pensionable public servants (who did not contribute to EPF voluntarily) were previously allowed to claim up to the full RM7,000 relief under life insurance premium payments and takaful contributions. Meanwhile private sector employees (who contribute to EPF) have always been restricted to the RM3,000 (for life insurance premium payments and takaful contributions) and RM4,000 (for EPF and other approved schemes) limit.
Another update to this tax relief as of YA 2023 is the expansion of the tax relief allocation for life insurance premiums, now to cover additional voluntary EPF contributions as well (allowed for all workers, both in formal or informal sector). This means that members who contribute both compulsorily and make voluntary contributions may now actually be able to claim the full RM7,000 tax relief for their EPF savings.
This initiative is meant to encourage more Malaysians to increase their retirement savings for old age, after the EPF signalled that many of its members simply do not have enough to tide them through their retirement period.
15) Private retirement scheme (PRS) and deferred annuity
Claim: ≤RM3,000
This tax relief is limited to RM3,000 for an individual, and RM3,000 for a spouse who has a source of income. Meanwhile, married couples who opt for joint assessment are restricted to RM3,000 deductions.
This tax relief has been provided since YA 2012, and has been extended until YA 2025 via several national budgets throughout the years.
16) Education and medical insurance
Claim: ≤RM3,000
You can claim this tax relief for the payment of insurance premiums that are related to education or medical benefits for yourself, as well as your spouse and child. It is limited to RM3,000 for an individual, and RM3,000 for a spouse who has a source of income. However, if you elect for joint assessment, the deduction allowed is restricted to RM3,000.
17) Social Security organisation (SOCSO)
Claim: ≤RM350
Your contributions to SOCSO can be claimed as relief during the year of assessment. Employees’ contributions via the Employment Insurance System (EIS) is also allowed.
18) Equipment for disabled self, spouse, child, and parent
Claim: ≤RM6,000
You’re entitled to this tax relief if you’ve purchased any necessary basic supporting equipment for yourself, as well as your spouse, child, and parents. Such equipment includes haemodialysis machines, wheelchairs, artificial legs, and hearing aids; spectacles and optical lenses are excluded.
Note that the disabled individual must be registered with the Department of Social Welfare.
19) Disabled individual
Claim: RM6,000
Disabled individuals are allowed to claim this tax relief, provided they have been certified in writing by the Department of Social Welfare.
20) Disabled husband/wife
Claim: RM5,000
Individuals with a disabled spouse are entitled to a further deduction under this tax relief.
21) Disabled child
Claim: RM6,000
Individuals with a disabled child who is unmarried can claim this tax relief.
22) Additional relief for disabled child (18+) in higher education
Claim: RM8,000
This is an additional tax relief provided on top of the RM6,000 relief allowed for those with a disabled child (mentioned above). If your child is unmarried (18 years of age and above), and meets the following conditions, you can claim this:
To clarify, this means you can get a total of RM14,000 tax relief for a disabled child if all the conditions are met.
While tax reliefs reduce your chargeable income, tax deductions reduce the amount of your aggregate income (your total income for the entire year). For YA 2023, the tax deductions allowed are as follows:
1) Donations to charities, sports activity, and approved funds/institutions
Deduction: ≤10% of aggregate income
If you’ve made donations that fall under these categories, then you’re allowed to deduct them from your aggregate income, up to the limit specified:
On top of these, the explanatory notes for YA 2023 by the LHDN still states that tax deductions will be given to donors who donate cash or contribution in kind for the fight against Covid-19, or to help those affected by the pandemic. If you have continued to make such donations, the tax deduction amount is also restricted to 10% of your aggregate income.
Just be sure to keep a record or a receipt of your donations as supporting documents!
2) Other donations, gifts, and contributions
Deduction: Up to value of gift, unless stated otherwise
You can enjoy tax deductions for the following situations (with varying limits):
3) Membership subscription for professional bodies
Deduction: Membership subscription paid
You can claim the membership subscription fees paid to professional bodies for your profession/industry, such as medical or legal professional fees.
The third tax incentive that you can tap into is the tax rebates, which are calculated at the end of your tax form (BE Form for individuals who do not carry a business). This is after you’ve determined the amount of tax charged on your chargeable income, and it directly affects the amount of tax that you need to pay.
1) Tax rebate for self
Rebate: RM400
You can claim this rebate if your chargeable income (after tax reliefs and deductions) comes up to less than RM35,000.
2) Tax rebate for spouse
Rebate: RM400
Go ahead and claim this rebate if your chargeable income (after tax reliefs and deductions) is less than RM35,000, and you have been allowed the tax relief of RM4,000 for your spouse. A small condition though: your spouse must not have a source of income, or has elected for joint assessment in your name.
3) Departure levy rebate for umrah/religious travel
Rebate: Amount of departure levy paid
This rebate is allowed for any individuals who leaves Malaysia by air to perform umrah, or other kinds of religious pilgrimage but not for the purpose of performing hajj. Be sure to keep these documents to claim this rebate:
You can only claim this relief for two trips in a lifetime.
4) Zakat/fitrah
Rebate: Zakat/fitrah paid
This rebate is applied to the payment of obligatory zakat and fitrah during the basis of the assessment year.
***
We hope that these clarifications provided for the tax reliefs, deductions, and rebates for YA 2023 will be helpful in your tax filing process! If you have not, do take time to go through your receipts and spending from 2023 (especially big-ticket items!) to see which tax incentives you’re eligible for – while the process may take a while, it’s absolutely worth the effort.
Do also keep an eye out for our Income Tax Guide for YA 2023, which is coming out very soon! In it, we’ll take you through the whole tax filing process, step by step.
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Comments (62)
Rxcellent
Thank you very much! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent
Thanks for the positive feedback! Glad you enjoyed it!
Thks !! Just wonder any special tax rebate for a wife who had lost his husband since all the house/kid expenses will be fall under the wife only. Thank you.
I’m really sorry to hear about your loss. When it comes to taxes, there might be some help available for widows, but it can depend on where you live. You could reach out to a tax expert or check with your local tax office to see if there’s any support you could get. Hope this helps.
hi, im unable to find the relevant box for “professional body annual subscription fees” deductions in the e-BE form. does anyone know where can input it? also, if I paid ACCA fees (pounds) in SGD, what exchange rate should I follow to compute the tax deduction amount in MYR?
For the e-BE form, report professional body fees under “Deductions Not Eligible for PC1 Relief.”
For ACCA fees paid in GBP and converted to SGD, use the exchange rate at the time of payment to convert to MYR for tax deduction. Consult a tax advisor for more information.
Can’t seem to find this field too, any advice?
Tax relief for membership subscriptions to professional bodies may not be explicitly listed on the LHDN website. You can refer to the Malaysian Income Tax Act for details or consult a tax professional for guidance.
is there really a relief for membership subscription to professional bodies? can’t find it in the LHDN website
Tax relief for membership subscription to professional bodies may be available in Malaysia, but it’s recommended to verify with LHDN or consult a tax advisor for confirmation.
Hai Alex, Can you advice on this 2 question :
– Can I claim cataract surgery expenses as personal medical claim?
– I’m a Asthmatic patient, can I claim my doctor consultation fee and medication expenses paid to private hospital?
Your assistance is much appreciated. Tq
You can claim cataract surgery expenses as a personal medical claim and, as an asthmatic patient, you can claim doctor consultation fees and medication expenses paid to a private hospital under the medical expenses relief in Malaysia. Consult with a tax advisor for personalized advice.
Can I claim for my parent’s cataract doctor consultation fees and the related expenses under Medical Treatment for Parents relied? Thanks
Generally, you can claim medical expenses for your parents if they are your dependents and you’re covering their bills. However, it’s best to confirm eligibility with a tax professional or check the specific guidelines provided by the tax authority.
I have completed a full medical examination borned by company but also pay on my own for additional check on bone mineral test which is not included in company package. Can I claim this expenses for bone mineral test?
You should be able to claim medical expenses not covered by your company’s package. Consult with a tax pro to ensure eligibility.
Excellent!!! Good and clear explanation
Thank you for your kind words! I’m glad you found the explanation helpful. If you have any further questions or need more information, feel free to ask. Happy to help!
Why there is no hotel accommodation tax relief for tourism in 2023?
The government’s decision not to provide hotel accommodation tax relief for tourism in 2023 may be due to budget constraints or shifts in economic priorities.
Hi, thanks for the detailed explanation! But I have a question here. If I bought a book online, but the receipt I received didn’t write my name as per mykad ( i purchased the book and used my nickname as recipient name), do i still able to use it for tax relief?
Typically, receipts for tax relief purposes should reflect your name as per your MyKad.
My child is 17 and doing a full-time education (degree) at an education establishment in Malaysia. He is not above 18+ but doing a degree. Can I claim the relief of RM8000 per child?
If your child is below 18 and enrolled in a full-time degree program at a Malaysian educational institution, you qualify for the RM8,000 education relief. Ensure you have the necessary documents ready for your claim submission. Contact tax pro for more help!
Hi, mind ask if chiropractic treatment fees, braces treatment, eye laser treatment whether can claim as tax relief? Thank.
There are specific criteria and limitations for each type of medical expense. I recommend consulting with a tax advisor for more detailed information.
Hi Alex, can you kindly share deductions or taxes for sole proprietorship businesss? This is side income along with regular employment which I’m already filing taxes.
Hey Maisel, for sole proprietorship taxes, you’ll typically report your business income and expenses on Schedule C (Form 1040) when filing your personal taxes. You can deduct expenses like supplies, equipment, and even a portion of home office or vehicle expenses. But it’s always a good idea to double-check with a tax professional for more advice. Hope that helps!
Thanks for taking time to reply my Q. 🙂
You’re welcome, Maisel!😊 If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
So just to confirm, i can claim up to 7000RM for voluntary and compulsory contribution to EPF and another 3000RM for PRS? That would be up to 10000RM relief?
Exactly! You can claim up to 7,000 RM for EPF and another RM3,000 for PRS, giving you a total relief of RM10,000. However, it’s always best to verify the current tax regulations with a tax professional, as rules and limits may change over time.
Would like to seek your advise on claiming Insurance Medical Relief for child above 18 years old and still studying. Insurance policy has changed to his name though I’m still paying the premium. Can I still claim in my income tax assessment form?
Thank you in advance.
Usually, as the one paying the premium, you can claim insurance medical relief, even if the policy is in your child’s name. But it’s best to confirm with a tax advisor for sure.
Would love to know if diving equipments like dive computers or diving masks are claimable? Tried looking everywhere for this info but everyone seems to have different definitions
Generally, diving equipment like dive computers and masks might not be claimable as tax deductions unless they’re specifically listed as eligible expenses by your tax authority. It’s best to check directly with them for the most accurate info. Good luck!
Hi, want to check if there’s no more option to key in our housing installment’s interest portion to reduce our chargeable income anymore?
It’s possible that the option for housing installment interest deductions might have changed. I’d suggest checking with a tax expert or your local tax authority for the latest info. They’ll be able to give you the lowdown on any available options to reduce your chargeable income.
Hi,
My wife and I chose separate assessment
I am disabled and claim RM6,000 relief. Can my wife claim RM5,000 for disabled husband ?
Typically only one spouse can claim it at a time, so it’s best to confirm with a tax advisor to ensure compliance with the current rules.
Hi Alex,
Great explanation! i just wonder, if i can claim alimony, as my spouse was jobless from Jan till Oct 23? his 2023 income is less than 20K. please advise thank you
I’m glad you found the explanation helpful! Regarding your question about claiming alimony, it’s best to consult with a legal expert who can provide personalized advice based on your specific situation and applicable laws.
I thought you are legal expert?
We’re specialize in providing general information and assistance. If you have legal questions, it’s best to consult with a qualified legal professional.
Good stuff you have put up
As for the tax relief for children below 18, if the parents are separately assessed, can each of the parent claim fully for each child? Or if a parent has claimed fully, the other parent can’t claim such tax relief.
Thank you for the positive feedback! Regarding tax relief for children below 18, if parents are separately assessed, each parent can claim fully for each child. There’s no restriction if one parent has already claimed.
Hi, can I claim insurance deduction for insurance premiums paid in another country?
It’s depending on the specific tax laws and regulations of both countries. It’s best to consult with a tax professional in both countries to determine your eligibility for such deductions.
Hello, im a property agent and i don’t have a trading license, income is fully based on commissions and i am using CP38 for e filing. Can I deduct my petrol expenses, tools for marketing & entertainment expenses before declare my income? Should i use BE form or B Form?
You can deduct petrol, marketing tools, and entertainment expenses before declaring your income. Just use the B Form for e-filing since you’re claiming business deductions.
Hi! My gym membership was RM5000, can I first claim RM2,500 under the general lifestyle tax relief, and the remaining balance under the RM500 additional tax relief for sports?
You can claim RM2,500 under the general lifestyle tax relief, and the remaining balance under the RM500 additional tax relief for sports.
If husband 63000 ya income and wife only 2500ya income, should combine or separate or should select husband with income only?
For tax filing purposes, you typically have the option to file jointly or separately as a married couple. In some cases, filing jointly may offer certain tax benefits, but it’s best to evaluate your situation or consult with a tax professional for more advice.
Hi, my parent has been hospitalized in private hospital for 5 days due to skin infection. Is it eligible to claim under medical expenses for parents? If my parent is sick (eg. caught a cold) and went for clinic visit as out patient, can that be claim as well?
Whether you can claim depends on your policy. It’s best to check with your insurance provider.
My dad has high blood pressure and he is on medication. However, I bought his medication from pharmacy with Dr’s prescription, is that eligible for claim?
You should be able to claim the medication expenses as long as you have a valid doctor’s prescription. Contact your insurance provider to confirm eligibility and the claims process.
Hi, for sole proprietor business submission, can I claim relief for internet subscription, mobile phone bill payment ?
You can claim tax relief for internet subscription and mobile phone bill payments incurred for your business, provided they are solely for business purposes and not for personal use expenses.