Where will the money come from to provide relief?

FINANCE Minister Tito Mboweni still faces all last year’s challenges, such as funding cash-strapped state-owned enterprises and paying a massive public sector wage bill – along with new headaches caused by Covid-19.

Following a year of pandemic and lockdowns, employees and companies are looking ahead to the annual Budget Speech on February 24 with a sense of foreboding.

In the wake of the crisis, many jobs have disappeared, countless businesses have shut down, and billions of rand in tax revenue from sources such as value-added tax, pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) and excise duties have been lost. This at a time when the government faces the challenge of sourcing more money to fund a mass vaccination programme.

With near-record levels of unemployment, and limited fiscal room, Mboweni faces a difficult task in balancing the need to raise more tax revenue against the reality that most businesses and consumers don’t have more to give.

Here are a few points I am eager for the minister to address in the Budget Speech:

◆ Unemployment: Based on numbers from the third quarter of last year, South Africa’s unemployment rate is currently at 30.8%. This is the single largest economic and humanitarian crisis the country faces. The government has committed R100 billion to create jobs through public and social employment under the economic reconstruction and recovery plan. Based on a report in December, we are also seeing good progress in the Presidential Employment Stimulus and other programmes. I’m expecting more news in the budget.

◆ Tax increases: A growing fiscal deficit and new funding requirements, such as the vaccine programme, mean the government will most likely need to increase taxes somewhere. With PAYE receipts under pressure due to rising unemployment, it is likely to look at sources such as “sin” taxes and fuel levies. It would not be surprising to see a solidarity wealth tax implemented soon. A recent study indicated that such a measure could raise up to R160bn for the fiscus. However, a wealth tax might be complex and expensive to administer.

◆ Corporate tax rates: Last year February, the government indicated it was planning to broaden the corporate income tax base through measures such as restricting net interest expense deductions and limiting the use of assessed losses carried forward. It would then use the boost in funding to reduce the corporate tax rate. In the Supplementary Budget Review, the National Treasury confirmed the postponement of measures to broaden the corporate income tax base until at least January 1, 2022. It would be good for the minister to give an update on these plans. Many businesses would welcome a lower corporate tax rate in these difficult times, and it would be a pity if they needed to wait much longer for relief.

◆ Work-from-home tax deductions: Many employees have yet to return to the office and are likely to continue working from home for most of the upcoming tax year. To claim a portion of your rent and certain other expenses as a work-from-home tax deduction, you need a dedicated area in your house used exclusively for work. This seems unfair to the many people who work in their lounge or bedroom because they are not privileged enough to live on a big property. I would welcome the relaxation of these rules, even if only as a temporary measure during the pandemic.

◆ Temporary Employer/ Employee Relief Scheme (Ters): Following the second wave of coronavirus infections and tougher lockdown restrictions, the Finance Minister is under pressure to offer more relief to businesses and employees to tide them over during this difficult time.

Many businesses, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sector, will not survive much longer without help from the government. As such, it’s reassuring that the president’s Sona mentioned a Ters extension to March 15 for sectors that are unable to operate. The conditions and the sectors to be included will be announced after consultation with social partners at National Economic Development and Labour Council.

I wonder what type of relief, if any, will be provided to businesses that cannot operate to full capacity and that are also struggling to keep their heads above water. I hope the minister will announce further relief measures to help them, too.