tax policy

South African Local Government Association Proposes Zero-VAT on Water and Electricity

South Africa's Local Government Association has proposed the zero-VAT-rating of essential items like water and electricity. SALGA's Sabelo Gwala says taxing luxury goods will increase government revenue, suggesting a staggered VAT approach. This comes ahead of Finance minister Enoch Godongwana’s revised budget next Wednesday following disagreements over a potential VAT increase. Gwala warns that a blanket VAT hike would have severe consequences:

March 5, 2025 23

South Africa

In S.A, ANC calls for a constructive, informed, and sober debate on the budget

In S.A, the ANC Veterans' League is calling for a constructive, informed, and sober debate on the budget. ANC Veterans' League president, Snuki Zikalala, says the government should avoid drastic expenditure slashing and must also be mindful of the sentiment of citizens, who struggle with high unemployment and the ongoing high cost of living. Meanwhile, the DA says it refuses to be held hostage or intimidated by the ANC’s blatant […]

March 3, 2025 29

South Africa

SA Finance Minister Urges Global Action on Tax Reforms

S.A Finance minister says much more work still needs to be done to ensure all countries implement international tax reforms. Enoch Godongwana was speaking on the sidelines of the G20 Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ meeting in Cape Town on Wednesday.

February 27, 2025 18

South Africa

BOSA in S.A says Budget Delay Shows Chaos in Unity Government

Build One South Africa says the postponement of Finance minister Enoch Godongwana’s budget speech on Wednesday, demonstrated the chaos within the government of national unity. The budget was postponed for the first time since 1994 after cabinet members pushed back against a proposed two-percent value-added-tax hike. BOSA’s spokesperson, Roger Solomons, says the government has put the economy in jeopardy and transparency and clarity are now needed: Meanwhile, the unprecedented […]

February 20, 2025 37

South Africa

S.A’s Presidency Minister Dismisses Budget Clash as ANC-DA Battle

S.A's minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has dismissed claims that budget disagreements are a battle between the DA and ANC. She said the decision to postpone the budget to 12 March was made by the cabinet as a whole, not by individual parties and that even ANC ministers had differing views on the proposed VAT increase:

February 20, 2025 36

Business / Economics

NamRa Commissioner sets record straight on tax refunds

Businesses have raised concerns about the tax relief that was gazetted in October. This follows the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises' announcement that employers will need to reimburse employees once the new statutory tax rates are officially published. Namibia Revenue Agency's commissioner, Sam Shivute explains.

October 21, 2024 39

Namibia

Finance Ministry calls for employee PAYE refunds after tax changes

The Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises has instructed employers to reimburse employees once the new statutory tax rates are gazetted, according to a media release issued on Saturday. The Ministry's spokesperson, Wilson Shikoto, explains. Cirrus Capital economist Robert McGregor said that the amendment will provide consumers with additional relief over and above the 25 basis points repo rate reduction seen last month. Meanwhile, business owner […]

September 16, 2024 116

Africa

Kenya protests show citizens don’t trust government with their tax money: can Ruto make a meaningful new deal?

By Eric Magale, University of Pretoria and Mario Schmidt, Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology Each year, the Kenyan government tables a finance bill outlining measures for funding the national budget. In the past, these bills have scarcely attracted public attention. This changed dramatically in 2023, with President William Ruto’s first budget following his election victory the year before. Ruto inherited an economy battling […]

July 17, 2024 64

Business / Economics

NZ Budget 2024: tax cuts and borrowing don’t always fuel inflation – but Nicola Willis has to get the balance right

LazingBee/Getty Images By Dennis Wesselbaum, University of Otago On the eve of the first budget from the National-ACT-New Zealand First coalition government, there is ongoing debate over whether borrowing while offering tax cuts could trigger a rise in inflation. Finance minister Nicola Willis has confirmed the budget will introduce “meaningful but modest” tax relief. But what impact will these cuts have on New Zealand’s economy? During the […]

June 5, 2024 22