PETALING JAYA: The additional 50% tax deduction for employers providing caregiver leave of up to a year for workers brings hope to clerk Nurullidia Ismail.
She has been taking unpaid leave to care for her liver cancer-stricken husband since last year.
Her slimmer salary, along with the loss of her husband’s income, have put the couple in a tight financial spot.
“I have used up all my annual leave, so I had to take unpaid leave, sometimes for up to a week,” said Nurullidia, who is battling endometrial cancer herself.
As such, she said the caregiving leave benefit, which was announced in Budget 2025, is “amazing”.
“It will be of great help to us,” said Nurullidia, 38.
“I hope employers will consider taking this initiative because there are many people like myself who are struggling to juggle between work, battling illnesses and caring for family members,” she said.
A 50% tax deduction will be given to employers offering additional leave of up to 12 months to workers caring for their children or family members who are sick or disabled.
Companies can apply to Talent Corporation Bhd for the benefit from now till Dec 31, 2027.
Self-employed Zaheed Yusof, 40, said he might have retained his job if the move had been introduced earlier.
He quit his job as a senior logistics executive to care for his grandfather three years ago. And now, he is facing difficulties in getting a permanent job.
“I think the benefit will definitely provide assurance to those who are hesitant to resign to care for their families.
“With Malaysia soon becoming an ageing nation and many people not being able to afford nursing homes, the tax relief will be a form of support by the government to help both employers and employees,” he added.
As for administrator and cervical cancer patient Nurul Jannah Abdul Rahman, she is busy caring for her mother, who is also a cancer patient.
Despite her weak condition, the 35-year-old Nurul Jannah returned to work as she had utilised all her annual leave and taken months of unpaid leave last year.
“My employer didn’t lay me off. I had to take off due to my illness and seek treatment while taking care of my mother.
“This paid leave of up to 12 months is something I desperately need, given my predicament,” she said.
