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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.
To see tax rates from 2014/5, see the Archive – Tax Rates webpage.
The MTC is a fixed monthly amount which increases according to the number of dependants.
- 21 February 2024 – No changes from last year:
2024/2025 year of assessment (1 March 2024 – 28 February 2025) | 2023/2024 year of assessment (1 March 2023 – 29 February 2024) | 2022/2023 year of assessment (1 March 2022 – 28 February 2023) | 2021/2022 year of assessment (1 March 2021 – 28 February 2022) |
| R364 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. | R364 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. | R347 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. | 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. |
| R728 per month for the taxpayer and one dependant; or R728 in respect of two dependants where the taxpayer him- or herself is not a member of a medical scheme or fund. | R728 per month for the taxpayer and one dependant; or R728 in respect of two dependants where the taxpayer him- or herself is not a member of a medical scheme or fund. | R694 per month for the taxpayer and one dependant; or R694 in respect of two dependants 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. |
| R246 per month for each additional dependant | R246 per month for each additional dependant | R234 per month for each additional dependant | R224 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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