Tax relief doubled

The government has doubled the tax relief for parents who send their children to private schools.

The government had first introduced the tax relief some years ago and since then, parents were able to deduct Lm200 from their taxable income for each child in primary school and Lm300 for each child in secondary school. These amounts have now been raised to Lm400 for a child in primary school and Lm600 for a child in secondary school.

There are about 8,000 students in independent schools who benefit from this measure.

There will also be tax relief of up to Lm400 for children in licensed childcare. In the meantime, childcare services at the workplace will no longer be considered as a fringe benefit and, therefore, will no longer be taxed.