I pay for my parents’ healthcare can I get tax benefits?

Here are a few ways in which you can take care of your parents’ health with income tax exemptions:

Deduction in respect of medical insurance premium [Section 80D]

• You - an individual taxpayer may deduct up to ₹ 25,000 for your own health insurance as well as their spouse and dependent children's insurance.
• If your parents are older than 60, you may be eligible for an additional/separate deduction of up to ₹ 50,000. If your parents are below 60 years of age, you may be eligible for deduction of up to ₹ 25,000 only.
• If you pay medical costs for senior citizens (yourself, your spouse, your dependent children, or your parents) that are not covered by health insurance, you may be eligible to get such expenses covered under the deduction limit of up to the ₹ 50,000.
• In 2013–14, the government passed a preventative health checkup deduction to motivate people to take a more proactive approach to their health. Through regular health examinations, the goal of preventative health check-ups is to spot any illnesses early on and reduce risk factors. A deduction of ₹ 5,000 is allowed under Section 80D for any payments made for preventative health checkups. This deduction will not exceed the overall cap of ₹ 25,000 or ₹ 50,000, as applicable. The individual may also claim this deduction on behalf of himself, his spouse, any dependent children, or his parents. Cash is accepted as payment for preventive health checks.

For Example:

For the financial year 2020–2021, Abhishek has paid a health insurance premium of ₹ 48,000 to cover the health of his dependent parents being senior citizens. He spent ₹ 5,000 on a health examination for his dependent parents as well.

Section 80D of the Income Tax Act allows Abhishek to deduct a maximum of ₹ 50,000. Hence, ₹ 48,000 have been approved for the payment of insurance premiums, and ₹ 2,000 have been approved for medical examinations. The deduction for preventative health exams has been limited to ₹ 2,000 because the total deduction in this instance cannot be more than ₹ 50,000.

Deduction in respect of maintenance including medical treatment of disabled [Section 80DD]

Payments qualifying for deduction: Any amount incurred for the medical treatment (including nursing), training and rehabilitation of dependent parents, being a person with disability, or paid or deposited under a scheme framed in this behalf by the Life Insurance Corporation or any other insurer or the Administrator or the Specified Company for the maintenance of dependent parents, being a person with disability qualifies for deduction.

Quantum of deduction: The quantum of deduction is 75000 in case of severe disability (i.e. person with 80% or more disability) the deduction shall be 125000.

Conditions:

• For claiming the deduction, the assessee shall have to furnish a copy of the certificate issued by the medical authority under the Persons with Disability (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 along with the return of income under section
• Where the condition of disability requires reassessment, a fresh certificate from the medical authority shall have to be obtained after the expiry of the period mentioned in the original certificate in order to continue to claim the

Deduction in respect of medical treatment etc [section 80DDDB]

Section 80DDB of the Income Tax Act of 1961 allows tax deductions to taxpayers on the treatment of certain specified diseases. According to Section 80DDB, these taxpayers are individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs). However, deductions cannot be made from either long-term or short-term capital gains.

Note: Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are not eligible for this deduction. Only Indian residents can claim such a deduction. No other entity can claim this deduction.

There is a difference between this and deductions made for health insurance premiums (which fall under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act 1961).

Whose Medical Expenses Can Be Claimed Under 80DDB?

A taxpayer or dependent who suffers from a disease prescribed is eligible for a deduction under Section 80DDB.

• Individuals or HUFs can claim it
• Resident Indians are allowed
• When the taxpayer has paid for treatment of a dependent
• A dependent is a spouse, a child, a parent or a sibling
• In case the dependent is insured, and some payment is also received from an insurer or reimbursed from an employer, such insurance or reimbursement received shall be subtracted from the deduction.

Key Notes:

• Only expenses incurred during the previous year can be deducted.
• Moreover, when determining the deduction amount, the age of the person receiving medical treatment is used and not the age of the claimant or assessee.
• In respect to the amount claimed as deduction under section 80DDB, no deduction can be claimed under Chapter VI A.

What is the amount that can be claimed as deduction under Section 80DDB?

With effect from financial year 2018-19 (AY 2019-20 onwards), deductions under Section 80DDB can be calculated as follows:

All of the above deductions can be claimed per financial year only. All payments made towards the health insurance premiums of your parents should be made by you, either through net-banking, debit or credit card, cheque or bank draft. Keep in mind that any cash payments won’t get you tax benefits for parents’ healthcare needs.