Maximize Your Tax Relief for 2025 (YA 2024)

If you’re earning over RM34,000 a year, you'll need to file your taxes. But don’t worry — tax reliefs can help you reduce your taxable income and keep more money in your pocket. After all, with more tax reliefs, you could save up the cash and put it toward the new iPhone or a Japan getaway?

Here's a simple breakdown of tax reliefs available for YA 2024.

Individual Relief in Malaysia (YA 2024) 

*Changes or additional reliefs from YA2023

1. Individual Relief  

RM9,000: Automatic for all taxpayers

RM6,000: Additional relief for individuals with disabilities registered with the Social Welfare Department (JKM).

2. Education Fees 

Claim: ≤RM7,000

• Undergraduate: Courses in law, accounting, Islamic financing, technical, vocational, industrial, scientific, or technology.

• Postgraduate (Masters or Doctorate): Any course of study.

• Upskilling or Self-enhancement courses recognized by the Department of Skills Development (restricted to RM2,000).

3. Medical Expenses  

i) Claim: ≤RM10,000 (For yourself, spouse, or child)

• Serious diseases

• Fertility treatment

• Vaccinations (restricted to RM1,000)

• Other medical expenses (restricted to RM1,000)

  • Complete medical exams

  • COVID-19 tests

  • Mental health consultations

• Expenses for children under 18 (restricted to RM4,000)

  • Assessment of intellectual disability

  • Early intervention programs

• *Dental examination and treatment (restricted to RM1,000)

  
  

ii) Claim: ≤RM8,000 (For your parents)

• Medical treatment, special needs, and carer expenses

• *Complete medical examination (restricted to RM 1,000)

4. Lifestyle Reliefs 

i) Claim: ≤RM2,500 (For yourself, spouse, or child)

• Books, journals, magazines, newspapers, or similar publications

• Personal computer, smartphone, or tablet (not for business use)

• Monthly internet subscription (under your name)

• Skill improvement / personal development course fee

  
  

ii) Claim: ≤RM1,000 (For yourself, spouse, or child)

• Sports equipment for any sports activity as defined under the Sport Development Act 1997 (excluding motorized two-wheel bicycles) 

• Rental or entrance fees to sports facilities 

• Registration fees for sports competitions where the organizer is approved and licensed by the Commissioner of Sports under the Sport Development Act 1997 

• *Gymnasium membership fee/sports training
  

5. Childcare Reliefs 

i) Breastfeeding Equipment (restricted to RM1,000)

• This can only be claimed once every two years and it is only available to mothers with a child aged two years and below. 

ii) Child Care Center / Kindergarten (restricted to RM3,000)

• Reduce childcare expenses for your child aged 6 years old or younger, attending a registered facility. 

iii) Skim Simpanan Pendidikan Nasional (SSPN) (up to RM 8,000)

• Claim a relief for the net deposit (2024 deposit minus total withdrawal) in Skim Simpanan Pendidikan Nasional (SSPN). 

6. Dependent Reliefs 

• RM 5,000: Disabled husband/wife

• RM 2,000: Each unmarried child under 18 years old  

• RM 2,000: Each unmarried child 18+ in full-time education (A-Level, certificate, matriculation or preparatory course)

• RM 8,000: Each unmarried child 18+ in further education (diploma or higher, approved program and institution)

• RM 6,000: Disabled child (additional exemption of RM8,000 if not married, and pursuing diplomas or higher)

7. Insurance & Pension Reliefs 

Claim: ≤RM13,000 

• Mandatory contributions to approved schemes or voluntary contributions to EPF (excluding private retirement schemes) or contributions under any written law (restricted to RM 4,000) 

• Life insurance premium payments or family takaful contributions or additional voluntary contributions to EPF (restricted to RM 3,000) 

• Deferred Annuity and Private Retirement Scheme (PRS) (restricted to RM3,000) 

• Education and medical insurance (restricted to RM3,000) 

8. Other Reliefs 

• RM 350: Contribution to Social Security Organization (SOCSO)  

• RM 2,500: Electric vehicle charging facilities, not for business use. 

• RM 4,000: Alimony payments.  

• RM 6,000: Purchase of basic supporting equipment for yourself or disabled family members

Note: Please be advised that this article provides a summary of information sourced from the provided website and may not cover all details. For the most up-to-date information, it is advisable to refer to the official LHDNM website. 

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Key Things To Note

• Track Your Expenses

  Keep receipts and records for eligible claims. Digital copies are acceptable, so consider scanning your receipts and organizing them in folders. Store these records for seven years — yes, seven! Audits can happen when you least expect it, and you don’t want to be scrambling for that one faded receipt from 2024.

  
  

• Keep Track of the Tax Submission Deadline

  The deadline for e-Filing is 30 April for individuals without business income and 30 June for those with business income. Late submissions may result in penalties, so mark your calendar!

  
  

• Use the Correct Tax Form

  Different forms apply to different situations:

  • Form e-BE: For resident individuals with employment income and no business income.

  • Form e-B: For resident individuals with business, employment, or other income.

  • Form M: For non-resident individuals with business, employment, or other income.

• Utilize All Available Reliefs: 

  Don’t overlook smaller claims like lifestyle expenses or SSPN contributions, which can add up significantly.

  
  

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 FAQs

1. Can siblings share tax relief for parents?

No, only one child can claim this relief. It’s best to discuss and agree among siblings who will make the claim to avoid disputes.

2. Can both husband and wife claim child relief in Malaysia?

No, only one parent can claim the relief for each child. For example, if you have two children, one parent can claim for one child, while the other claims for the second.

3. For married couples, is Malaysia tax assessment joint or separate?

You can choose either joint or separate assessment — whichever results in better tax savings. For example, joint assessment may be beneficial if one spouse earns significantly more than the other, but separate assessment could be better if both have substantial individual relief claims.

4. Do I have to declare income from side jobs or part-time work?

Yes, any additional income — including side gigs, freelancing, or part-time jobs — must be declared. Even if this income isn’t consistent, it still contributes to your total taxable income. For example, if you earned RM5,000 from freelance graphic design or tutoring, that amount should be reported during your tax submission.

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Understanding personal income tax can feel overwhelming, but hopefully this guide has helped break it down into manageable pieces. Remember, you're not alone in navigating the tax system! If you have any questions, our team at Synergy is always happy to help (📞+6 010-277 0718 or 📩 info@synergy-outsourcing.com).