Gentle Reminder: This post is for Year of Assessment 2025 (transactions that happen from 1 Jan 2025 to 31 Dec 2025), which is what you will be submitting for your personal income tax in year 2026. Don't get confused with income tax relief for YA2026.

Raising kids isn’t cheap — and every parent knows that childcare and kindergarten fees can take up a big chunk of the family budget. The good news? The Malaysian government gives parents some breathing space through tax reliefs. But how much can you claim? What are the conditions? And can both parents claim together? Let’s break it down in simple, everyday language.

Picture this: you’ve just paid your child’s kindergarten fees, and while the receipt is still warm in your hand, you wonder — “Can this help me pay less tax?”

The answer is yes — provided the kindergarten or childcare centre is registered. This relief can save you up to RM3,000 a year, extended all the way until YA2027.

• You can claim up to RM3,000 per year.
• This applies to fees paid to registered childcare centres (TASKA) or kindergartens (TADIKA).

Must be registered with the Department of Social Welfare (JKM).

Must be registered with the Ministry of Education (MOE).

💡 Tip: You can easily check online via the JKM or MOE websites to confirm. Refer to the "Related Links" section below.

Yes. The relief is only valid for children aged 6 years and below.
So once your little one turns 7, the tax relief no longer applies.

• MyKid or birth certificate
• Receipts issued by the childcare centre or kindergarten

Keep these documents handy in case LHDN asks for verification.

Here’s where it gets tricky.

• Only one parent can claim, regardless of how many children you have.
• Example: Either the father claims up to RM3,000 OR the mother claims up to RM3,000 — not both.

• If both parents are paying fees for different children, then both can claim.
• If both are paying for the same child, only one can claim.

Childcare and kindergarten fees are a heavy burden, but tax reliefs lighten the load a little. Think of it as the government’s way of saying, “We know raising kids isn’t easy, here’s some help.”

So the next time you pay school fees, remember:
✔️ Check if the centre is registered.
✔️ Keep receipts and documents safe.
✔️ Decide upfront who will claim between parents.

Because every ringgit saved in tax is a ringgit back to your family. 💙