Having a baby is costly as new parents need to pay for hospital bills, baby clothes, milk powder, a cot, a stroller and many more.

Especially breastfeeding equipment can be rather expensive as most of the appliances are now high-tech. Unfortunately, it is an essential item for all breastfeeding ladies.

Thankfully, according to the Agensi Kaunseling Dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK), the government allows ladies to claim up to RM1,000 on a bi-annually basis on breastfeeding equipments.

This tax relief is not exactly a brand new implementation as it was actually implemented in 2017 by our very own Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. #LoveMyPM

However, not many people have heard of this tax relief, so, many mothers missed out on the chance to claim some cash back.

Image via Caring Touch Medical

However, before you take advantage of this tax relief benefit, there are a few rules that you need to follow.

 1. Only specific breastfeeding equipment are entitled for claims

Image via bedbathandbeyond.com

The breastfeeding equipment does include many different types of apparatuses such as pumps, bottles, etc. But for this privilege, it is stated that it’s only meant for manual and automatic breast pumps, ice packs, breast milk collection and storage equipment, and also cooler bags. 

2. Only available to claim once every two years

Image via Malay Mail Online

Unlike most government aids, this one is done bi-annually instead of yearly claims. It makes sense since we don’t usually pop babies every year.

So if you’ve done your claims this year, you’ll have to wait for another two years before being able to make another set of claims.

3. Maximum of RM1,000 only!

Image via KQED

Regardless of however much you have spent in purchasing those apparatuses, you are only eligible to claim a maximum of RM1,000.

4. Only available for women

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Last but not least, this privilege is of course only for women! Unless you are a man but can give birth, then it’s a complete miracle.

Besides, there are also many other tax relief privileges for both men and women by the Inland Revenue Office (LHDN).

Some of them are medical fees, higher education fees, pre-school fees and many more. For more information, you can check out LHDN’s website. 

Image via CheckPregnancy

Well, mummies, remember to use this tax relief privilege as it will definitely help out on saving on your expenses! 

Written by: Chan Suet Yee