LHDN provides a tax relief for children who are financially supporting their parents, worth up to RM8,000 for medical treatment. If you’ve been spending on your parents’ care without claiming, this guide explains exactly what qualifies and how to claim.
What does “tax relief for parents” actually mean?
When LHDN calculates how much income tax you owe, they don’t tax your full salary. They tax what’s called your chargeable income, which is your income after all your eligible tax reliefs have been subtracted. The lower your chargeable income, the lesser tax you pay.
Claiming tax relief for your parents means a portion of your income is no longer subject to tax, because LHDN recognises that you’re financially supporting them. If you’re in a higher tax bracket, the savings are more noticeable. But even at lower tax brackets, the relief can still reduce the amount of tax payable.
Relief Type
Maximum Claim
Who It’s For
Medical Expenses for Parents (including care and treatment)
Up to RM8,000 total
Children paying for parents’ medical treatment
If you’re spending heavily on a parent’s treatment or specialist visits, the Medical Expenses relief will likely give you a larger deduction.
Do your parents qualify for the Medical Expenses relief?
If your parents have ongoing health conditions or have required significant medical treatment, claiming up to RM8,000 for medical expenses will likely serve you better. The condition must be certified by a medical practitioner registered with the Malaysian Medical Council, and your parents must reside in Malaysia and receive treatment here.
Within the RM8,000 limit, you can also claim up to RM1,000 for full medical check-ups for parents or grandparents. Keep all receipts and the doctor’s certification for at least seven years.
What if your parents have a disability?
If one or both of your parents are registered with the Department of Social Welfare (JKM) as a person with a disability, you can claim an additional RM6,000 for the cost of basic assistive equipment — wheelchairs, hearing aids, and similar items.
What documents do you need to keep?
For the Medical Expenses relief, keep receipts and invoices for all medical treatment claimed, along with a certification from a registered medical practitioner confirming the health condition. For full medical check-ups, hold the proof of examination from the medical provider.
Hold all of these for at least seven years from the date you file.
How to claim this in MyTax
When you file your income tax through MyTax (mytax.hasil.gov.my) using the e-BE form, the parent-related reliefs appear under the “Individual and Dependents” section.
Under the Individual and Dependents section of the e-BE form, find the Parents field and enter your eligible relief amount. The system won’t populate this automatically, so it’s worth checking before you submit.
If you’re using PCB (monthly tax deduction at source) and want to factor this relief into your monthly deductions, you can update your tax relief information with your employer through the TP1 form so that your monthly PCB already reflects the reduction.
If there have been significant medical costs for your parents during the year, the RM8,000 medical relief will almost always serve you better. It comes down to checking eligibility, keeping the right documents, and not leaving the Parents field blank when you file.
Steffi Manisha Arokiam is a Tax Director at ThinkTX Consultants, where she leads the firm’s Transfer Pricing and e-Invoicing practice. She advises both individuals and corporations across a wide range of tax matters, including Real Property Gains Tax (RPGT), stamp duty, estate tax, and global mobility for expatriates. Recognised for combining strong technical expertise with a practical, solutions-driven approach, Steffi helps clients navigate complex tax issues with clarity and confidence.
A respected thought leader in taxation, Steffi has authored numerous technical articles and professional newsletters. Her work has been published by the International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation (IBFD) and Wolters Kluwer (CCH), and she has been featured on BFM 89.9 discussing crypto taxation.
Professional Affiliations
Member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA)
Member of the Chartered Tax Institute of Malaysia (CTIM)
ASEAN Chartered Professional Accountant (ASEAN CPA)
Member of the International Fiscal Association (IFA)
Professional Trainer certified by HRD Corp
As a trusted tax partner of RinggitPlus, Steffi reviews and verifies all content relating to Malaysian taxation to ensure it is accurate, up to date, and practical — helping readers better understand the tax system and make the most of their tax position.
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About THE AUTHOR
Steffi Manisha Arokiam
Steffi Manisha Arokiam
Steffi Manisha Arokiam is a Tax Director at ThinkTX Consultants, where she leads the firm's Transfer Pricing and e-Invoicing practice. She advises both individuals and corporations across a wide range of tax matters, including Real Property Gains Tax (RPGT), stamp duty, estate tax, and global mobility for expatriates. Recognised for combining strong technical expertise with a practical, solutions-driven approach, Steffi helps clients navigate complex tax issues with clarity and confidence.
A respected thought leader in taxation, Steffi has authored numerous technical articles and professional newsletters. Her work has been published by the International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation (IBFD) and Wolters Kluwer (CCH), and she has been featured on BFM 89.9 discussing crypto taxation.
Professional Affiliations
Member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA)
Member of the Chartered Tax Institute of Malaysia (CTIM)
ASEAN Chartered Professional Accountant (ASEAN CPA)
Member of the International Fiscal Association (IFA)
Professional Trainer certified by HRD Corp
As a trusted tax partner of RinggitPlus, Steffi reviews and verifies all content relating to Malaysian taxation to ensure it is accurate, up to date, and practical — helping readers better understand the tax system and make the most of their tax position.
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