Tag: tax relief

Over the course of lockdown, pundits have shared some harrowing statistics regarding the increase in unemployment in South Africa. In general, our unemployment rates are moving in the wrong direction and the affected households have suffered great hardship as a result, but it is important to understand what this means for our tax base and our growing budget deficit.

Voluntary Disclosure Programme (VDP) applications have been a permanent part of our law since 2012. The essence of a VDP application is that a taxpayer is incentivised to disclose to SARS a tax default by being granted some relief from the consequences of their default.

The Constitutional Court clarified that businesses registered as taxpayers would benefit from temporary tax relief when claiming future costs from current income received under contracts that are inextricably linked. The Future Expenditure Tax Allowance essentially grants a business temporary relief by reducing its tax payable to SARS if the income received upfront will be wholly or partially used to fund future costs.

Talk about bad timing. The Constitutional Court on 21 July 2020, after some 250 days of deliberation, decided that the way in which many franchise operators have been claiming their tax expenses does not rank for tax relief. SARS must be extremely pleased with the win, only the 4th ever tax related judgement delivered by the Constitutional Court since its inception.

Wednesday's emergency Budget speech will be crucial for businesses and individuals  struggling under the weight of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Tourism is a significant sector. It directly and indirectly supports 8,6% of South Africa’s GDP. Its economic activity encompasses all non-commuter passenger travel, car hire, a wide range of accommodation types, a vast array of activities and attractions, conference centres, retail and restaurants and services such as tour operators, travel agents, conference and event organisers and the like.

National Treasury has published another draft bill to formalise the tax relief measures available in response to the devastating covid-19 pandemic. It is hoped this will clarify uncertainty and offer some relief during these tough times.

President Cyril Ramaphosa presented the five-level, risk-adjusted strategy that will guide South Africa’s emergence from lockdown. As the finer points of the strategy were shared, it became clearer how - and when - certain sectors will once again gear up into activity.

In an address presented by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 21 April 2020, he noted that Government has recognised the significant negative repercussions that the national lockdown is having on our economy, both to businesses and to households across the country. The address also highlighted further tax measures to be implemented as additional relief measures.

We have prepared a short summary and useful infographic following the president’s announcement of a R500 billion economic and social relief package in his address on Tuesday night 21 April 2020. The source of the remainder of the R500 billion financing outside of the R200 billion loan guarantee scheme, budget reprioritisation of R130 billion and around R100 billion from multilateral sources and global partners