Tag: Value Added Tax (VAT)

In South Africa, as with most other countries around the world, there is no guidance and regulation regarding cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. The Budget Review 2018 (Budget) proposes that the income tax and value-added tax (VAT) legislation be amended to deal with cryptocurrencies, which pose a risk to the South African tax system. Given the current Budget deficit, the imposition of taxes on cryptocurrencies would assist the South African Revenue Service (SARS) with increasing its revenue collection going forward.

The VAT hike as part of the 2018 Budget Speech poses the risk of eroding the spending power of poor and lower-income households, exacerbating poverty and increasing inequality. VAT is a regressive tax - Value added tax (VAT) – charged on most goods and services at a rate of 14% – is levied irrespective of how much somebody earns, making it a regressive tax.

While the necessary legislative provisions to give effect to the proposed increase are still to be adopted by Parliament, one can accept that the Minister's proposal to increase VAT from 1 April 2018 will be implemented. A number of important issues need to be considered to ensure a seamless transition.

Personal income tax - When looking at the changes to personal income tax in isolation (i.e. ignoring the increase in the VAT rate and the usual increases in “sin taxes”, the news in the budget was probably as good as could have been expected.

Finance Minister Gigaba delivers 2018/19 Budget Speech. 1% hike in Value-added tax (VAT) increased by 1% to 15%. Government spending cut over the next three years amounting to R85 billion. Fuel levy increase 52 cents a litre. R57 billion will be spent over the next three years to fund higher education

Ahead of the 2018 Budget Speech, Treasury’s options to raise revenue are becoming increasingly limited. Treasury will need to think outside the box this year if it is to make any meaningful difference to its current revenue shortfall, estimated to currently stand at around R50.8 billion.

The curtains have come down on section 18B of the Value-Added Tax Act, No. 89 of 1991 (VAT Act) and the resultant impact may catch a few residential property developers off-guard.

Craig Pheiffer | Chief Investment Strategist | Absa Stockbrokers & Portfolio Management | prmedia@absa.co.za | www.absa.co.za | The Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) - often referred...

The Department of Health has issued a White Paper on National Health Insurance (NHI). The paper, Gazetted on 30th June 2017, is available for download...

After much speculation over the past few weeks as to how the Minister of Finance would ‘plug the deficit’ in his Budget Speech on 22 February 2017, he has chosen to rely on personal income tax (including trusts) by increasing the top-end rate from 41% to 45%, a dividend withholding tax increase from 15% to 20% (with immediate effect) and increased Fuel and Road Accident Fund levies.