Facebook Twitter Youtube Linkedin

What is it?

A Medical Scheme Fees Tax Credit (also known as an “MTC”) is a rebate which, in itself, is non-refundable, but which is used to reduce the normal tax a person pays. Any portion that is not allowed in the current year (usually that amount which exceeds the normal tax payable) cannot be carried over to the next year of assessment. The MTC applies for years of assessment starting on or after 1 March 2012 (from the 2013 year of assessment). 

Who is it for?

The MTC applies to fees paid by a taxpayer to a registered medical scheme (or similar fund outside South Africa) for that taxpayer and any “dependants” (as defined in section 6B(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1962).  
 
This MTC seeks to bring about greater fairness and help achieve greater equality in the treatment of medical expenses across all income groups.
 
The MTC is a fixed monthly amount which increases according to the number of dependants:
 
   2021/2022 year of assessment
(1 March 2021 – 28 February 2022)
     ​​
2020/2021 year of assessment
(1 March 2020 – 28 February 2021)
 ​ 2019/2020 year of assessment
(1 March 2019 – 29 February 2020)
​R332 per month for the taxpayer who paid the medical scheme contributions; or for a dependant who is a member or a dependant of a member of a medical scheme or fund, where the taxpayer him- or herself is not a member of a medical scheme or fund. ​R319 per month for the taxpayer who paid the medical scheme contributions; or for a dependant who is a member or a dependant of a member of a medical scheme or fund, where the taxpayer him- or herself is not a member of a medical scheme or fund. ​R310 per month for the taxpayer who paid the medical scheme contributions; or for a dependant who is a member or a dependant of a member of a medical scheme or fund, where the taxpayer him- or herself is not a member of a medical scheme or fund.
​R664 per month for the taxpayer and one dependant; or R664 in respect of two dependants where the taxpayer him- or herself is not a member of a medical scheme or fund. ​R638 per month for the taxpayer and one dependant; or R638 in respect of two dependants where the taxpayer him- or herself is not a member of a medical scheme or fund. ​​R620 per month for the taxpayer and one dependant; or R620 in respect of two dependants where the taxpayer him- or herself is not a member of a medical scheme or fund.
​R224 per month for each additional dependant ​R215 per month for each additional dependant ​​R209 per month for each additional dependant
 
 

How does it work?

The MTC will effectively impact both the employer and the employee. This credit must be taken into account by the employer when calculating the amount of employees’ tax to be deducted or withheld from the employees’ remuneration.
 
Individuals who have not had their MTC taken into account by an employer (for example, an individual who is retired and receives a pension; or an individual who is self-employed) can claim the MTC on assessment by submission of an annual income tax return.
 
In addition to the MTC, an individual may also claim an Additional Medical Expenses Tax Credit for certain qualifying medical expenses, subject to limitation. See more information on claiming these medical expenses (Additional Medical Expenses Tax Credit). Also refer to the Guide on the Determination of Medical Tax Credits for further information.
 
Top Tip: Stay informed by visiting the website regularly.
Related Documents

LAPD-IT-G07 – Guide on the determination of medical tax credits

LAPD-IT-G08 – List of Qualifying Physical Impairment or Disability Expenditure

LAPD-IT-G08a – List of Qualifying Physical Impairment or Disability Expenditure Effective 1 March 2020

Frequently Asked Questions

Navigation
Contact Us
  • 0800 00 7277
  • Lahae Le SARS
    299 Bronkhorst Street
    Nieuw Muckleneuk
    Brooklyn
    Pretoria
    0181
Search our Site

Copyright © 2021 South African Revenue Service

Facebook Twitter Youtube Linkedin

Disclaimer

All information, content and data on SARS websites and associated facilities, including but not limited to software, hyperlinks and databases, is the property of or licensed to SARS and is protected under applicable South African laws. Unauthorised usage of content and/or information is strictly prohibited. No person, business or web site may reproduce this site, contents, information or any portion thereof.