Tax Credit Calculator

Use this free calculator to estimate your Medical Scheme Fees Tax Credit (MTC) and Additional Medical Expenses Tax Credit (AMTC) for the 2026 year of assessment (the return you file in the 2026 Filing Season) or the 2027 year (1 March 2026 to 28 February 2027). The credits reduce the tax you owe, rand for rand.

By Hagop Jaghlassian, CEO of Curemed and a Certified Financial Planner. Reviewed by Roxanne Hurter-Ehlers, Director of People and Governance.

How the calculator works

The Medical Scheme Fees Tax Credit is a fixed monthly rebate for every month you and your dependants belong to a registered medical scheme. It does not depend on your income. The calculator multiplies the monthly credit for your family size by your months of membership.

The Additional Medical Expenses Tax Credit uses the SARS formula for your category. Under 65 with no disability: 25 percent of the amount by which your scheme contributions above four times the annual MTC, plus qualifying out of pocket expenses, exceed 7.5 percent of taxable income. For 65 and older, or where you, your spouse or your child has a SARS recognised disability: 33.3 percent of contributions above three times the annual MTC, plus 33.3 percent of qualifying out of pocket expenses, with no income threshold.

For the full explanation, including the eFiling source codes and what to do if your auto assessment is wrong, read our guide on how to claim medical expenses on your tax return. The official rates for every year are on the SARS medical tax credit rates page.

Paying a lot for cover or out of pocket?

Large out of pocket amounts are useful at tax time but they often signal a plan that no longer fits how your family uses healthcare. A Curemed Advisor can review your plan against your claims pattern at no cost, anywhere in South Africa, and check whether Gap Cover would close the shortfalls. You can also compare across schemes on our medical aid comparison page.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the medical aid tax credit per month?

For the 2026 year of assessment it is R364 for the main member, R364 for the first dependant and R246 for each additional dependant. For the 2027 year it is R376, R376 and R254.

Is the medical tax credit refundable?

No. The credits reduce the tax you owe. If your credits exceed your tax, the unused portion is not paid out and does not carry over.

Does Gap Cover count towards the credit?

No. Gap Cover is short term insurance, not a medical scheme contribution, so its premiums do not qualify for the Medical Scheme Fees Tax Credit.

Which year should I select?

If you are completing the return filed in the 2026 Filing Season, select the 2026 year of assessment. Select 2027 to estimate credits for the current year that ends on 28 February 2027.

This calculator gives a general estimate and is not tax advice. Your actual assessment depends on your full tax return and SARS rules. Speak to a registered tax practitioner about your own return.