Many Malaysians are familiar with common income tax relief claims like gadgets, insurance, and lifestyle purchases.
But recently, a Malaysian Threads user went viral after sharing a lesser-known way some people reduce their taxable income by donating medical equipment to government hospitals.
What caught people’s attention was not just the potential tax relief, but how the donations could also directly help patients in need.
“You can do good while reducing your taxes too”
In the viral Threads post, the user explained that they fall under the 25% income tax bracket and have been learning how to maximise available tax reliefs.
One relief they highlighted involves donating money or medical equipment to healthcare facilities approved by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Although the relief is capped, the user said it still helps reduce taxable income while allowing people to contribute something meaningful to society.
The user shared that last year, they purchased a wheelchair and arranged for it to be delivered to Hospital Putrajaya.
Alongside the post, they uploaded an invoice showing the wheelchair purchase worth RM329.
They previously donated hospital beds to Hospital Melaka too
The same user later uploaded an official acknowledgement letter issued by Hospital Melaka.
According to the letter, the donated items included:
- A three-function electronic hospital bed with manual crank
- A cardiac table
- A locker
The contribution was reportedly made during the COVID-19 period to help Hospital Melaka manage the pandemic situation at the time.
The post quickly gained traction online, with many Malaysians saying they had no idea medical equipment donations could potentially qualify for tax reliefs.
Here’s how the process reportedly works
As more people became curious, many netizens began asking how the process actually works and whether hospitals provide official documents that can be used for tax claim purposes.
Based on the user’s explanation, the process generally involves several steps:
1. Contact the hospital beforehand
The user said donors usually need to inform the hospital first before making any contribution.
2. Purchase approved medical equipment
Examples mentioned in the thread included:
- Wheelchairs
- Hospital beds
- Other medical-related equipment
3. Keep all receipts and invoices
According to the user, receipts and invoices are important for audit and tax claim purposes.
4. Send a formal email to the hospital
The hospital may request the donor’s details for their wakaf or internal audit records.
5. Obtain an official acknowledgement letter
After receiving the items, the hospital may issue an official acknowledgement letter confirming the donation.
The user explained that this letter serves as supporting proof in case of an audit.
They also shared that they personally informed Hospital Putrajaya before arranging the wheelchair delivery.
According to the user, donors are usually asked to include their full name in the invoice together with the hospital delivery details.
The tax relief may mainly apply to medical equipment donations
During the discussion, another netizen who regularly organises blood donation programmes asked whether sponsored items for blood donation events could also qualify for similar tax reliefs.
However, the original poster clarified that, based on their understanding, the relief mainly applies to medical equipment donations made directly to healthcare facilities.
They explained that donors should keep their receipts and send a formal email to the hospital so the hospital can issue an official acknowledgement letter.
The user also clarified that:
- The claims were made under personal income tax
- The claims were submitted as an individual and not through a company
Other Malaysians shared their own tax-saving tips
The discussion later expanded into other lesser-known tax relief opportunities many Malaysians may not know about.
Some examples shared by netizens included:
- Donating water dispensers, chairs, and air-conditioners to schools
- Wakaf contributions through registered organisations
- EV charger installation tax relief
- CCTV-related tax relief
- Food waste composter claims
One user also mentioned using a tax-tracking app to monitor available tax relief categories more easily.
Malaysians praised the idea
Many netizens praised the idea as a meaningful way to contribute to society while easing one’s tax burden at the same time.
Some said the post opened their eyes to ways ordinary people can directly help hospitals and patients in need.
One commenter described it as “a good idea while doing charity.”
Another user shared that the idea came after seeing elderly patients having to wait for wheelchairs and hospital beds during hospital visits.
The user said they felt sorry for them and decided to contribute whatever they could afford, even if it was only a small amount.
While the tax savings may not be huge, many agreed that the bigger impact lies in helping hospitals and patients who genuinely need the support.
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