| Budget Speech 2009 |
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2009 TAX RELATED BUDGET PROPOSALS The following is a summary of the tax related budget proposals announced by the Minister of Finance on 11 February 2009. BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
INDIVIDUALS Personal Income Tax Budget 2009 provides significant tax relief to individuals amounting to R13 billion countering the effects of inflation (bracket creep) as well as providing real relief. This means that individuals younger than 65 years of age earning a total amount of–
The tax threshold for individuals younger than 65 will be R54 200 and for individuals 65 or older R84 200. Taxpayers with an annual taxable income below R150 000 will receive 45 per cent of the proposed relief; those with an annual taxable income between R150 001 and R250 000, 22 per cent; those with an annual taxable income between R250 001 and R500 000, 21 per cent; and those with an annual taxable income above R500 000, 12 per cent. Alongside corporate income tax and VAT, personal income tax is one of the three main tax instruments and provides the basis for the progressive structure of South Africa’s tax system. It is estimated that the 12.5 per cent of registered individual taxpayers with an annual taxable income between R250 001 and R500 000 will account for 29 per cent of personal income tax revenues, and the 5.5 per cent of registered individual taxpayers with an annual taxable income above R500 000 will account for 38 per cent of personal income tax revenues during 2009/10. Increased exemption for interest and dividend income The annual exemption on interest earned for individuals younger than 65 years is raised from R19 000 to R21 000. The exemption for individuals older than 65 years increases from R27 500 to R30 000. The threshold for the tax-free portion of interest and dividends from foreign investment increases from R3 200 to R3 500. Capital Gains Tax Annual exclusion threshold for capital gains or losses increases from R16 000 to R17 500. Medical Expenses From 1 March 2009 the tax exempt or deductible portion of monthly contributions to medical schemes is increased from R570 to R625 for each of the first two beneficiaries and from R345 to R380 for each additional beneficiary. Adjustments to Excise Duties Excise duties are increased as follows:
Fuel levy and the Road Accident Fund levy increased On 1 April 2009 the fuel levy on petrol increases by 23 cents to R1.50 per litre and by 24 cents to R1.35 per litre for diesel. On the same date the Road Accident Fund levy on petrol and diesel increases by 17.5 cents per litre to 64 cents per litre. Excise duties focusing on the Environment
COMPANIES No change is proposed to corporate tax rates. Incentives for investments in energy efficient technologies It is proposed that investments by companies in energy efficient equipment should qualify for an additional allowance of up to 15 per cent, on condition that there is documentary proof of the resulting energy efficiencies, certified by the Energy Efficiency Agency. OVERVIEW OF TAX PROPOSALS Main tax proposals The main tax proposals include:
Personal income tax relief was made possible by buoyant corporate income tax revenues as a result of an improved culture of compliance and higher corporate profits. The 2009 Budget proposes personal income tax relief to individual taxpayers amounting to R13.6 billion. Consideration given to phasing out SITE Given that the tax-free income threshold for taxpayers younger than 65 years is approaching R60 000, which is the current Standard Income Tax on Employees (SITE) ceiling, consideration is being given to discontinuing the SITE system by 2010/11. Two measures introduced by SARS in 2008 – pre-populated returns and the waiver of the annual filing requirement for taxpayers with single employers meeting certain requirements – would take the place of SITE. Caps on tax-deductible contributions to medical schemes are increased From 1 March 2009, the monthly monetary caps for tax-deductible contributions to medical schemes will increase from R570 to R625 for each of the first two beneficiaries, and from R345 to R380 for each additional beneficiary. Deemed kilometer allowance system to be scrapped by 2011 It is proposed that the deemed business kilometer procedure be scrapped from 2010/11. Taxpayers who are required to use their personal vehicles for business purposes will still be able to keep a logbook to claim business travelling expenses. Tax deductibility of contributions by employers to post-retirement medical schemes to be clarified To provide clarity on the deductibility of these once-off payments, it is proposed that such contributions be deductible immediately, not spread over a period of time. The precondition is that the company making such contributions must not derive any direct benefits from such payments, nor will a return of the funds to the employer or a redirection of the use of the funds be permitted. Provisional tax for taxpayers 65 years and older Individuals 65 years and older are exempt from provisional tax if they are not company directors and only receive employment income, interest, rental or dividends amounting to taxable income of up to R80 000. It is proposed that the threshold be increased to R120 000. Higher thresholds to encourage savings It is proposed to increase the tax-free interest-income ceiling from R19 000 to R21 000 for persons below the age 65 and from R27 500 to R30 000 for persons aged 65 and above. It is also proposed to increase the tax-free income ceilings for foreign dividends and interest from R3 200 to R3 500, and the annual exclusion ceiling for capital gains and losses for Individuals from R16 000 to R17 500. Capital gains tax exclusion for primary residences is simplified to benefit lower income individuals The capital gains tax regime contains several exclusions designed to reduce the tax burden for lower and middle income earners. One such exclusion is for an individual’s primary residence: a capital gain or loss of up to R1.5 million upon the disposal of such a residence is excluded from taxable capital gains. It is proposed that the exclusion be extended so that an alternative is available based on the gross sale proceeds of the residence. By basing the calculation on gross proceeds, the taxpayer would have a better understanding of how the exclusion applies on disposal, without resorting to complex capital gain calculations. The capital gains tax exclusion will fully apply to the primary residence up to a gross value of R2 million. As a result, people selling their primary residence with a gross value below R2 million will not be liable for capital gains tax. For primary residences valued above this threshold the normal rules (including the current R1.5 million capital gain/loss exclusion) will apply. Tax at shareholder level likely to be implemented in late 2010 The basic legislative framework for the introduction of the dividend tax, which replaces the secondary tax on companies, was enacted in 2008. The dividend tax will come into effect once the treaty ratification processes are completed. All the applicable treaties have already been renegotiated, and it is likely that this tax at shareholder level will be implemented during the second half of 2010. Further legislative amendments during 2009 will provide for the completion of the dividend tax reform. The remaining items mostly relate to anti-avoidance concerns (such as preventing companies from converting taxable sales to tax-free dividends) and to foreign dividends. Distribution by collective investment schemes should follow a flow-through principle Under current law, a collective investment scheme (CIS) in shares is treated as a company whose distributions are treated as a special form of dividend. The CIS dividend is generally exempt, like other dividends, unless that dividend is distributed out of ordinary revenue (e.g. distributed out of interest and income from trading). It is proposed that distributions by these schemes should generally follow a flow-through principle. If a CIS distributes dividends received, this should be viewed as dividend distribution; if it distributes interest received it should be viewed as an interest distribution. This approach will eliminate certain unintended anomalies. Currently, a CIS distribution results in less-favourable tax treatment for some investors. Mineral and petroleum royalties The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Royalty Act (2008) was scheduled to be implemented from 1 May 2009. It is proposed to postpone implementation until 1 March 2010, resulting in gross savings of about R1.8 billion in 2009/10 for mining companies. It is hoped that this relief will contribute to constructive dialogue between government, the mining houses and labour, resulting in practical initiatives to mitigate the impact of expected retrenchments in the sector. False statements on any VAT form to be considered an offence It is proposed that false statements on any VAT form submitted to SARS, not just returns, be considered an offence. This will serve as a deterrent to those who seek to register for VAT without being eligible to do so. As an additional measure to combat VAT fraud, the introduction of enabling provisions to permit the use of biometric measures to verify the identity of applicants for VAT registration is proposed. Excise duties on tobacco products and alcoholic beverages are increased Excise duties on tobacco products will be increased in accordance with the policy decision to target a total excise burden (excise duties plus VAT) of 52 per cent for all categories of tobacco products. The proposed increases for the various tobacco products vary between 5.5 and 13 per cent. Excise duties on alcoholic beverages will be increased in accordance with the policy decision to target a total tax burden (excise duties plus VAT) of 23, 33 and 43 per cent on wine products, malt beer and spirits respectively. No increase in the excise duty on traditional beer is proposed. The proposed increases for the various alcoholic beverages vary between 7.6 and 14.7 per cent. General fuel levy It is proposed to increase the general fuel levy on petrol and diesel by 23 and 24 cents per litre respectively from 1 April 2009. The diesel fuel levy refund relief for the primary sector remains unchanged in percentage terms and its monetary value will be adjusted accordingly. Road Accident Fund levy It is proposed to increase the RAF levy by 17.5 cents/litre, from 46.5 c/l to 64.0 c/l from 1 April 2009. It is hoped that these adjustments and recent reforms to the legislation governing the RAF will strengthen the Fund’s financial position and effectiveness. Tax-sharing arrangements with metropolitan municipalities As part of continuing efforts to find a viable basket of tax instruments to replace the Regional Services Council (RSC) and Joint Services Board (JSB) levies that were abolished several years ago, it is proposed that from 2009/10, 23 per cent of the revenues from the general fuel levy be earmarked for metropolitan (Category A) municipalities. Distribution of this revenue among various metropolitan municipalities, to be phased in over four years, will eventually be based on fuel sales in each metro. Consideration will be given to ensuring that municipalities use such funds to boost budgets for roads and transportation infrastructure. Other measures under review Income Tax Act rewrite – phase one To enhance the process of simplification, proposed revisions to the employment income tax base will represent the first step towards rewriting the Income Tax Act (1962). It is intended that discussion document and draft legislation will be released for comment by the end of 2010. Provident funds, social security and retirement reforms The current debate on social security and retirement reforms has raised the need to examine whether provident funds should be phased into pension funds. This question is also relevant given the different tax treatment of contributions to pension and provident funds. One option would be to phase out provident funds as a prelude to broader social security reforms. This option will be explored with the relevant stakeholders during 2009. Tax administration modernisation agenda A set of incremental changes is proposed to underpin the SARS modernisation agenda. These measures will allow for continued progress in the reform of personal income tax collection and lay the groundwork for a future social security tax. The changes are:
Key customs modernisation measures were introduced in 2008 and supporting amendments are anticipated in 2009. Measures under consideration in accounting for SARS’s administered revenue include:
SARS is assessing the potential for a single taxpayer registration process across multiple taxes, as well as the automatic registration of employees. This would improve customer service and operational efficiency, using technology and third-party information to authenticate data, and reduce the need for supporting documents. TAX GUIDEINCOME TAX RATES: NATURAL PERSONS AND SPECIAL TRUSTSYEAR OF ASSESSMENT ENDING 28 FEBRUARY 2010Taxable income Tax rates R (R) Ra0 - 132 000 18% of each R1 132 001 - 210 000 23 760 + 25% of the amount above 132 000 210 001 - 290 000 43 260 + 30% of the amount above 210 000 290 001 - 410 000 67 260 + 35% of the amount above 290 000 410 001 - 525 000 109 260 + 38% of the amount above 410 000 525 001 and above 152 960 + 40% of the amount above 525 000 Natural persons: Tax thresholds
Tax rebates
CORPORATE TAX RATESYEARS OF ASSESSMENT ENDING BETWEEN 1 APRIL 2009 AND 31 MARCH 2010
Tax rates for qualifying small business corporations will be as follows: Taxable Income (R) Rate of Tax (R) 0 – 54 200 0% 54 201 – 300 000 10% of the amount above 54 200 300 001 and above 24 580 + 28% of the amount above 300 000 SECONDARY TAX ON COMPANIES (STC) The STC rate remains unchanged at 10%. TRUSTSThe tax rate on trusts (other than special trusts) remains unchanged at 40%. EFFECTIVE CGT RATES
Provisional Tax A provisional taxpayer is any person who earns income other than remuneration or an allowance or advance payable by the person’s principal. The following individuals are exempt from the payment of provisional tax– • Individuals below the age of 65 who do not carry on a business and whose taxable income– o will not exceed the tax threshold for the tax year; or o from interest, dividends and rental will be R20 000 or less for the tax year. • Individuals age 65 and older if their annual taxable income– o consists exclusively of remuneration, interest, dividends or rent from the lease of fixed property; and o is R120 000 or less for the tax year. Retirement fund lump sum withdrawal benefits Taxable Income (R) Rate of Tax (R) 0 – 300 000 18% of each R1 300 001 - 600 000 54 000 + 27% of the amount above 300 000 600 001 and above 135 000 + 36% of the amount above 600 000
Retirement fund lump sum benefits Taxable Income (R) Rate of Tax (R) 0 – 300 000 18% of each R1 300 001 - 600 000 54 000 + 27% of the amount above 300 000 600 001 and above 135 000 + 36% of the amount above 600 000 The taxable income from a retirement fund lump sum benefit (lump sum from a pension, provident or retirement annuity fund on retirement) is determined after deducting a lifetime exemption of R300 000. The tax payable is determined by applying the rate table to the aggregate of the taxable portions of all retirement fund lump sum benefits and retirement fund lump sum withdrawal benefits accrued during the current and previous years of assessment and deducting tax payable according to the current tax table on the aggregate of those lump sums accrued during previous years of assessment. Foreign Dividends Most dividends received by individuals from foreign entities are taxable. Exemptions Interest and dividends • Interest and otherwise taxable dividends earned by any natural person under 65 years of age, up to R21 000 per annum, and persons 65 and older, up to R30 000 per annum, are exempt from taxation. Foreign interest and foreign dividends are only exempt up to R3 500 out of the total exemption. • Interest is exempt where earned by non-residents who are physically absent from South Africa for 183 days or more per annum and who are not carrying on business in South Africa. Deductions Current pension fund contributions The greater of―7,5% of remuneration from retirement funding employment, or R1 750. Any excess may not be carried forward to the following year of assessment. Arrear pensions fund contributions Maximum of R1 800 per annum. Any excess over R1 800 may be carried forward to the following year of assessment. Current retirement annuity fund contributions The greater of― • 15% of taxable income other than from retirement funding employment, or • R3 500 less current deductions to a pension fund, or • R1 750. Any excess may be carried forward to the following year of assessment. Arrear retirement annuity fund contributions Maximum of R1 800 per annum. Any excess over R1 800 may be carried forward to the following year of assessment. Medical and disability expenses • Taxpayers 65 and older may claim all qualifying expenditure • Taxpayers under 65 are not taxed on, or may deduct, monthly contributions to medical schemes up to R625 for each of the first two dependants on their medical scheme and R380 for each additional dependant. In addition they can claim a deduction for medical scheme contributions above the caps and any other medical expenses limited to the amount which exceeds 7,5% of taxable income (excluding retirement fund lump sums) • Taxpayers under 65 may claim all qualifying medical expenses, where the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse or child is a person with a disability. Donations Deductions in respect of donations to certain public benefit organisations are limited to 10% of taxable income before deducting medical expenses. Allowances Subsistence allowances and advances Where the recipient is obliged to spend at least one night way from his/her usual place of residence on business and the accommodation to which that allowance or advance relates is in the Republic and the allowance or advance is granted to pay for— • meals and incidental costs, an amount of R260 per day is deemed to have been expended; • incidental costs only, an amount of R80 for each day which falls within the period is deemed to have been expended Where the accommodation to which that allowance or advance relates is outside the Republic, the daily amount deemed to have been expended is available on the SARS website. Travelling allowance Rates per kilometer which may be used in determining the allowable deduction for business travel, where no records of actual costs are kept. Value of the vehicle Fixed cost Fuel cost Maintenance (including VAT) (R) (R p.a.) (c/km) cost (c/km) 0 - 40 000 14 672 58.6 21.7 40 001 - 80 000 29 106 58.6 21.7 80 001 - 120 000 39 928 62.5 24.2 120 001 - 160 000 50 749 68.6 28.0 160 001 - 200 000 63 424 68.8 41.1 200 001 - 240 000 76 041 81.5 46.4 240 001 - 280 000 86 211 81.5 46.4 280 001 - 320 000 96 260 85.7 49.4 320 001 - 360 000 106 367 94.6 56.2 360 001 - 400 000 116 012 110.3 75.2 exceeding 400 000 116 012 110.3 75.2
The fixed cost must be reduced on a pro-rata basis if the vehicle is used for business purposes for less than a full year. 11 February 2009
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