Medical scheme fees tax credit

Section 6A of the Income Tax Act provides for a medical scheme fees tax credit (“MTC”), or rebate, which reduces the amount of income tax payable by a natural person (hereinafter referred to as the “taxpayer”). The MTC applies to the fees paid by the taxpayer to a registered medical scheme for his or her own benefit or for the benefit of his or her dependents.

The MTC is a fixed monthly amount which increases based on the number of dependents. For the 2017/2018 year of assessment (1 March 2017 to 28 February 2018), the credit is R303 for the taxpayer, a further R303 for the first dependent and R204 for each of the taxpayer’s additional dependents.

A “dependent” in relation to a taxpayer for purposes of section 6A is defined in the Medical Schemes Act. With reference to the member of the medical scheme (here the taxpayer), it includes the spouse or partner of the taxpayer, any dependent children or other members of the taxpayer’s immediate family in respect of whom the taxpayer is liable for family care and support as well as any other person who, under the rules of the relevant medical scheme is recognised as a dependent of the taxpayer.

Contributions paid by the employer of a taxpayer are also deemed to have been paid by that taxpayer to the extent that the amount has been included in the income of that person as a taxable benefit. Contributions by an employer made after an employee has retired carries no fringe benefit value. The converse is also true: where an employer pays an ex-employee’s total contributions to a medical scheme, the benefit will have no value for tax purposes and the ex-employee will not be entitled to claim the MTC for the months after retirement. Should the ex-employee, however, pay any portion of the contributions to the medical scheme during the months after retirement, he or she will be able to claim the MTC for those months. This is due thereto that in order to claim the MTC, it is merely required that fees are paid by the taxpayer. Any contribution paid by the taxpayer should therefore give rise to the MTC.

In summary, any fees paid by the taxpayer him- or herself (whether the full contribution or not), the estate or employer (provided that the amount is taken into account as a taxable benefit) are taken into account for the purposes of MTC as contributions paid by the taxpayer.

This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied upon as professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your financial adviser for specific and detailed advice. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE)


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IC Marais

Professional experience:

IC Marais is a certified CA (SA) with public sector and private sector technical knowledge based on 5 years’ Public Sector accounting, auditing and financial management experience and 5 years audit, tax and accounting experience. Detailed knowledge of private and public sector accounting and auditing standards (GRAP, IPSAS, IFRS, IAS, ISA) and public sector financial legislation (MFMA, etc.)

He enjoys the outdoors, hunting and fishing.

ic@newtons-sa.co.za

SCHALK GOUWS

Professional experience:

In 1995, Schalk started as a trainee at Warner and Newton (which became Moores Rowland in 1997 and then Mazars Moores Rowland in 2007) in Bloemfontein. In 1998, Schalk was appointed as manager at Moores Rowland, where he became a partner in 2003. Schalk received his Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Taxation in 2006 and in 2009 he received his Certificate in the Administration of Estates.

schalk@newtons-sa.co.za

CEDRIC PETERSON

Professional experience:

Cedric started as a trainee at Warner and Newton (which became Moores Rowland in 1997 and Mazars Moores Rowland in 2007), Bloemfontein, in 1986. After completion of his articles, he joined the Special Investigations Division of the Department of Finance (SA Revenue Services) as a senior inspector from 1990 to 1991.

cedric@newtons-sa.co.za

LUCHA GREYLING

Professional experience:

Lucha started her career as a tax inspector at the Inland Revenue Department of New Zealand. After this she worked in commerce in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

On her return to South Africa, she completed her CA training contract with us and has been with Newtons ever since. She became a Partner in 2012.

Apart from her CA(SA) qualification she also holds a postgraduate certificate in Advanced Taxation (2005) and has the overall responsibility for training as our Training Officer.

lucha@newtons-sa.co.za