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Medical Aid Tax Credits Calculator

Calculate your Section 6A standard medical aid credits and Section 6B additional medical expenses deduction. Uses official SARS 2025/2026 credit amounts.

Updated March 2026 · SARS 2025/2026 rates

Section 6A Credits

Standard medical aid tax credits calculated automatically

Section 6B Deduction

Additional medical expenses credit for qualifying expenses

SARS 2025/2026

Current credit amounts: R364 main member, R246 per additional dependant

How medical aid tax credits work in South Africa

Medical aid tax credits in South Africa work in two parts: Section 6A gives you R364/month for the first two members and R246/month per additional dependant. Section 6B provides an additional credit of 25% of qualifying medical expenses exceeding 4 times your Section 6A credits (for under 65s) or 33.3% of expenses exceeding your Section 6A credits (for 65+). These credits directly reduce your tax liability rand-for-rand.

Total Credits = Section 6A + Section 6B  |  Both reduce tax rand-for-rand

Medical Aid Credits Calculator

Enter your details to calculate your tax credits

Age determines the Section 6B calculation threshold (65+ receive a higher credit)

R

Optional — used for context only; credits apply regardless of income level

Include yourself as the main member plus all dependants registered on your medical aid

R

Your total monthly premium paid to the medical scheme

R

Doctor visits, prescriptions, dental, optical not covered by medical aid

Ready to Calculate

Enter your medical aid members and contributions, then click calculate to see your Section 6A and Section 6B tax credits

Understanding Medical Aid Tax Credits

South Africa's medical aid tax credit system explained — Section 6A standard credits and Section 6B additional deductions

6A

Section 6A — Standard Credits

  • R364/month for the main member and first dependant
  • R246/month for each additional dependant
  • Credits reduce your tax bill directly, rand for rand
  • Applied regardless of income level or age

Credit Amounts by Number of Members

MembersMonthly CreditAnnual Credit
1 memberR 364,00R 4 368,00
2 membersR 728,00R 8 736,00
3 membersR 974,00R 11 688,00
4 membersR 1 220,00R 14 640,00
5 membersR 1 466,00R 17 592,00
6B

Section 6B — Additional Credit

Under 65 years old

25% × (expenses − 4 × Section 6A)

65 years and over

33.3% × (expenses − Section 6A)

Qualifying Expenses Include

  • Doctor, specialist and psychiatrist consultations
  • Dentist and orthodontist treatments
  • Optometrist, prescribed glasses and contact lenses
  • Prescribed medication and pharmacy costs
  • Hospital and private clinic fees
  • Qualifying medical devices and prosthetics
  • Not qualifying: cosmetic surgery, non-medical procedures

Medical Aid Tax Credits — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Section 6A and Section 6B medical aid tax credits in South Africa

Section 6A medical aid tax credits are monthly credits that directly reduce your income tax liability rand for rand. For the 2025/2026 tax year, SARS provides R364 per month for the main member and first dependant on your medical aid, and R246 per month for each additional dependant. These credits are subtracted from your gross tax after applying personal rebates.
Section 6B provides an additional credit based on your total qualifying medical expenses. For taxpayers under 65: the credit is 25% of (total medical expenses minus 4 times your annual Section 6A credits). For taxpayers aged 65 and over: the credit is 33.3% of (total medical expenses minus your annual Section 6A credits). Total medical expenses include both your medical aid contributions and out-of-pocket qualifying expenses.
Yes, taxpayers under 65 can claim a Section 6B additional medical expenses credit, but the threshold is higher. Your total medical expenses (contributions plus out-of-pocket) must exceed four times your annual Section 6A credits before any additional credit is available. This means a single member under 65 would need medical expenses exceeding R17,472 per year (4 × R364 × 12) before benefiting from Section 6B.
Qualifying medical expenses for Section 6B purposes include: doctor and specialist consultations, dentist and orthodontist fees, optometrist consultations and prescribed glasses or contact lenses, prescribed medication and pharmacy costs, hospital and private clinic fees, qualifying medical devices and aids, and costs paid for a dependant's care. Cosmetic surgery and procedures not of a medical nature do not qualify.
A family of four on a medical aid saves at least R11,736 per year from Section 6A credits alone. Here is the calculation: 2 members × R364/month = R728, plus 2 additional members × R246/month = R492, totalling R1,220 per month or R14,640 per year. Additional Section 6B savings depend on total medical spend and your age group. These credits reduce your actual tax bill, not just your taxable income.

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Important Disclaimer

Accounter does not provide accounting, tax, business or legal advice. This calculator has been provided for information purposes only. You should consult your own professional advisors for advice directly relating to your business.