Medical Tax Relief - A Guide to Section 80DDB

The Indian Income Tax Act offers various deductions to help taxpayers reduce their tax burden. Section 80DDB is a valuable provision that allows individuals and certain families to claim deductions for medical expenses incurred for specific illnesses.

What is Section 80DDB?

Section 80DDB provides tax relief for medical expenses associated with treating specified diseases. It's crucial to distinguish this section from Section 80D, which deals with deductions for health insurance premiums. Here, the focus is on out-of-pocket medical costs for designated illnesses.

Who Can Claim Deductions Under Section 80DDB?

The following categories of taxpayers are eligible to claim deductions under Section 80DDB:

• Individuals: Resident Indian taxpayers can claim deductions for their own medical expenses or those of their dependents.
• Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs): Similar to individuals, HUFs can claim deductions for medical expenses incurred by any member of the family.

Dependents Eligible for Deductions:

You can claim deductions for medical expenses incurred for the treatment of the following dependents:

• Spouse
• Parents
• Children
• Siblings

What are the Covered Diseases?

The list of specified diseases for which deductions can be claimed is outlined in Rule 11DD of the Income Tax Act. Some common examples include:

• Neurological ailments with a disability level of 40% or more (e.g., Parkinson's disease, dementia)
• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
• Haematological disorders (e.g., Thalassemia, Haemophilia)
• Malignant Cancer
• Chronic Renal Failure

Deduction Limits and Considerations:

The maximum deduction amount allowed under Section 80DDB varies depending on the taxpayer's age group:

• Individuals: Up to Rs. 40,000 for the financial year.
• Senior Citizens (aged 60 years or above): Up to Rs. 1,00,000 for the financial year.
• Very Senior Citizens (aged 80 years or above): Up to Rs. 1,00,000 for the financial year.

Important Points to Remember:

• Deductions are claimed based on the actual medical expenditure incurred during the financial year.
• The deduction amount under Section 80DDB is independent of deductions claimed under other sections in Chapter VI-A of the Income Tax Act.
• If the medical expenses are reimbursed by an insurance company or employer, the reimbursed amount is deducted from the total medical expenditure before claiming the final deduction.

Claiming the Deduction: Documents Required

To claim deductions under Section 80DDB, you'll need to submit specific documents as proof:

• Prescription: A valid prescription issued by a qualified medical professional specifying the patient's details, diagnosis, and the doctor's information. The prescription format may vary depending on the disease.
• Medical Bills and Receipts: Original bills and receipts for the medical treatment incurred.

Who Can Issue the Certificate?

The certificate authorizing the deduction under Section 80DDB can be issued by a specialist with the following qualifications depending on the disease:

• Neurological diseases: Neurologist with a Doctorate of Medicine (D.M.) in Neurology or a specialist with an equivalent degree recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI).
• AIDS: Specialist with a postgraduate degree in Internal Medicine or General Medicine or an equivalent degree recognized by the MCI.
• Haematological disorders: Specialist with a D.M. degree in Haematology or an equivalent degree recognized by the MCI.
• Malignant Cancer: Oncologist with a D.M. degree in Oncology or a specialist with an equivalent degree recognized by the MCI.
• Chronic Renal Failure: Nephrologist with a D.M. degree in Nephrology or Urologist with a Master of Surgery (M.S.) degree in Urology, or a specialist with an equivalent degree recognized by the MCI.

How to Fill the Form?

The deduction claim for Section 80DDB is typically filed in Form 80DDB (also known as Form 10-I). This form requires details like the applicant's information, dependent's details (if applicable), disease name, doctor's details, and a verification section.