Budget In A Nutshell

FINANCE Minister Pravin Gordhan is putting pedal to the metal with his 2011/12 national budget, blasting ahead with infrastructure spending of R800bn with no plans to cut the budget deficit.

While this may raise questions over fiscal prudence, the aggressive spending may keep the economy humming in difficult times.

However, the new budget, announced on Wednesday, holds little joy for those hoping for tax relief.

Some of the highlights:

•  Gordhan has announced tax relief of R8.1bn for individuals to counteract the effects of fiscal drag – that is, the effect of inflation pushing individuals into higher tax brackets. From March 2011, tax will be payable only on income above R59 750 for taxpayers below the age of 65, and R93 150 for those 65 and older. The tax threshold for taxpayers aged 75 and older has increased to R104 261.

• An increase in the annual tax-free interest income to R22 800 for individuals below 65 years is proposed, and to R33 000 for individuals 65 years and over. The tax-free lump sum benefit upon retirement will increase from R300 000 to R315 000.

• From March 2012, an employer’s contribution to an employee’s retirement would be treated as a taxable fringe benefit. At the same time, employees would be allowed to deduct up to 22.5% of taxable income for contributions to approved retirement funds, up to a maximum of R200 000 per year. National Treasury is to conduct a review of retirement annuity products, which - according to Treasury - have a reputation for "high costs and consumer abuses".
  

• From Wednesday, the ad valorem excise tax on cars that cost more than R900 000 will increase by 5% to 25%. For more modest vehicles, the rate will remain unchanged.

• Smokers will have to cough up 80 cents more for a packet of cigarettes. Drinkers did not escape the inevitable increase in excise duties either, and a can of beer will cost them 6.4 cents more, a bottle of wine 13.5 cents and a bottle of sprits R2.86.

• Motor vehicle owners, already hard hit by the oil price increase, face an increase in the fuel levy by 10 cents per litre on petrol and diesel, effective from April 6 2011. The Road Accident Fund levy will be increased by 8c/litre on the same date.

• Ad valorem excise duties on computer monitors – some of which are used as television screens - will be reinstated at a flat rate of 7%.

• Gambling winnings above R25 000, including from the National Lottery, would be subject to a 15% withholding tax from April 2012.

• To support job creation, a youth employment subsidy in the form of a tax credit costing R5bn over three years will be introduced. It will be administered by the SA Revenue Service through the PAYE system.

•  Businesses making investments qualify for tax relief. Greenfield investments in industrial development zones qualify for additional relief. Government will consider expanding incentives for labour intensive  projects in industrial development zones.

• Government and state-owned enterprises will spend more than R800bn over the next three years on infrastructure. The money will be spent on new power stations, road networks, dams and water supply pipelines, rain and ports facilities, schools, hospitals and government buildings.

•  Gordhan has downgraded expected economic growth for this year from 3.5% to 3.4%

•  In a surprise move, there will be no cut in the deficit as a proportion of gross domestic product in the new fiscal year, with the deficit budgeted at 5.3% in 2011/2012 from the same level in 2010/11. National government debt was set to rise from R526bn at the end of 2008/09 to over R1.3 trillion in 2013/14.

• National health insurance will be phased in over 14 years. Funding options under consideration are a payroll tax (payable by employers), an increase in the VAT rate and a surcharge on individuals’ taxable income.

• Dividends tax becomes effective from April 1 2012 and secondary tax on companies will be discontinued from that date.

• Calculate what you owe the tax man with this income tax calculator.