{
  "id": 13073015,
  "title": "Budget 2027: Relief for caregivers as service tax for older citizens’ care reduced, new tax exemptions and increased financial aid announced",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/budget-2027-relief-for-caregivers-as-service-tax-for-older-citizens",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T08:46:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/09/budget-2027-relief-for-caregivers-as-service-tax-for-older-citizens-care-reduced-new-tax-exemptions-and-increased-financial-aid-announced/238435"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On October 9, the Malaysian government announced several financial measures aimed at easing the burden on elderly citizens and their caregivers under Budget 2027. Service tax rates for elderly care services are set to decrease from eight percent to six percent, beginning January 1, 2027. Additionally, a complete exemption from care fees will be provided for amounts up to RM96,000 annually.\n\nPrime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim revealed these updates during the presentation of the Budget 2027 at the Dewan Rakyat. The government will also boost financial aid for senior citizens by RM1.3 billion in the coming year, reaching roughly 200,000 beneficiaries.\n\nAnwar added that the government intends to draft a Senior Citizens Bill to address neglect of the elderly and enhance the overall care ecosystem. The allocation for training 8,000 individuals in the elderly care sector under the Human Resources Development Corporation (HRD Corp) will amount to more than 40 million ringgit. Furthermore, two National Integrated Care Centres of Excellence (NICE) will be established in Penang and Sarawak to foster training, research, and elderly care initiatives.\n\nEPF members aged 55 and 60 will now have the option to make monthly withdrawals under the i-Emas scheme, allowing their remaining savings to continue generating dividends.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 — The service tax rate for elderly care services will be reduced from eight to six per cent, s...",
  "key_points": [
    "Service tax for elderly care reduced from 8% to 6% starting January 2027",
    "Complete exemption on care fees up to RM96,000 annually",
    "RM1.3 billion increase in financial aid for senior citizens"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "2027 Budget: Elderly care service tax cut to 6pc, fees exempt up to RM96,000",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/2027-budget-elderly-care-service-tax-cut-to-6pc-fees-exempt-up-to",
        "published": "2026-10-09T08:29:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Budget 2027: Relief for caregivers as service tax for older citizens’ care reduced, new tax exemptions and increased financial aid announced",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/budget-2027-relief-for-caregivers-as-service-tax-for-older-citizens-13078222",
        "published": "2026-10-09T08:46:20.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}