Qualifying Medical Expenses

Examples of qualifying medical expenses are any amounts that were paid by you, as the taxpayer, during the year of assessment:

• For professional services rendered and medicines supplied by a registered medical practitioner, dentist, optometrist, homeopath, naturopath, osteopath, herbalist, physiotherapist, chiropractor or orthopaedist to you or any of your dependant(s)
• To a nursing home or hospital, or any duly registered or enrolled nurse, midwife or nursing assistant (or to any nursing agency in respect of the services of such a nurse, midwife or nursing assistant) in respect of the illness or confinement of the person or any dependant of the person
• For medicines prescribed by a registered medical practitioner and acquired from a pharmacist
• Medical expenses incurred and paid outside South Africa

It's important to note that “over the counter” medicines - such as cough syrups, headache tablets or vitamins don't qualify as medical expenses - unless specifically prescribed by a registered medical practitioner and acquired from a pharmacist.