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Pay tax as you can?

by
2008-11-27 10:23

Dear Editor,

Wouldn't it be better if government scrapped the current PAYE (Pay As You Earn) tax system in favour of PAYC (Pay As You Can)?

Like insurance premiums, tax should be determined on an individual basis.

For example, why should a teacher working in a remote village where there is no tar road, no running water, no electricity, no hospital or clinic within a walking distance, be charged the same tax as a teacher in a big city? The former enjoys very limited government services while the latter enjoys more.

People with more dependants, single mothers, single income households and others can obviously afford less than their counterparts at the same salary level.

It could also help to give up to six months tax exemption to young people who have just started working, people on their first job after retrenchment, women on maternity leave, people who have lost a spouse or child, etc.

Parents who send their children to university should get tax rebates because their children will not be a liability to the state in future.

On the other hand, parents who raise their children to be "scum of the earth" must pay more tax. Serial offenders on our roads must pay more tax.

We live in difficult times that demand innovative thinking and finding new ways of doing things.

We need an equitable but sustainable tax system without compromising service delivery. We need a tax system that encourages and rewards citizens' contributions to society.

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Disclaimer: News24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of users published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24.

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Big Bad Bob 11/27/2008 10:29:48 AM
Some of them subjective. Taxation needs to be fair and the means by which an individual's tax is assessed need to be measurable and verifiable. You're also getting rates and taxes confused. I live in Jo'burg, and it's not the national government that is responsible for building and maintaining roads but local government. I'd venture your hypothetical teacher is paying less rates than I do. And there are rebates built into the taxation system that can be claimed.
Ginger 11/27/2008 10:29:58 AM
I like the idea of an individual tax system. Though if our scum government stopped spending money on themselves - those teachers in areas with no roads might actually get some. I don't think our tax money is going where is should go. Of course if our politicians didn't have such huge salaries - we the public wouldn't need to pay so much tax anyway.
Citizen 11/27/2008 10:31:31 AM
You must be kidding?! Besides the fact that, obviously the Government will never even consider this option, your letter doesn't contain any substance and are badly written. I cannot believe this was published.
elg 11/27/2008 10:34:40 AM
Goverment only benefits because the reap in all the money from our tax payers. They will not even consider something of this sort as this will be a direct result of losing money to use or steal for themselves. We as the general public and more the few tax payers out there will never benefit.
Big Bad Bob 11/27/2008 10:35:31 AM
I think that I agree with the broad strokes of what you're saying, but the specifics are just plain wrong. Why should there be compensation for parents of some freeloader who just sits at university for years with the state picking up part of the bill continually changing courses? And our example may end up with a PHd in something fairly useless. A youngster who qualifies with a BCom will probably end up getting a job and a career. Another who gets a PHd in political science will probably not.
Sharon 11/27/2008 10:37:44 AM
If only it was that easy. Some interesting suggestions.
Thabo Z 11/27/2008 10:38:04 AM
We should all pay our taxes whether we receive services or not, otherwise the country will fall apart. We actually pay very little tax compared to European countries. We should pay much more tax to help government make things better for all. So pay up and keep on going.
Christiaan 11/27/2008 10:38:16 AM
Offenders on our roads do pay more tax provided the officials do their work which they are paid for by tax money. It is called fines. Serious users of our roads do pay more as well. It is called a Petrol Levy.
slabs 11/27/2008 10:38:52 AM
I agree with extra taxes on serial offenders and tax cuts for varsity parents,it makes sense. On the other hand the people staying in cities pay for their services, my W+L, sanitary and refuse as well as rates and taxes are over R2000 a month. I would also like to see the refuse guys owning their own trucks like coke has done and the refuse money going direct to them.
White_African 11/27/2008 10:39:49 AM
Paying less tax. I do think that SA tax is TOO high all things being equal, but such decision can never be taken lightly. There will always be a knock on effect. I say people earning less than R 6000 a month should be except. period. maximum tax should be at 30%. period. and government thieves who steal out tax money, should be stuck in prison. period.
vm 11/27/2008 10:40:13 AM
Interesting ideas but I see problems with implementation. Imagine the strain it would place on SARS and other state organs to monitor and enforce such a policy.
wb 11/27/2008 10:41:30 AM
How on earth will you be able to control a system like that? Why should some people compensate tax for others who are paying less becuase of their own circumstances! Does not sound very fair to me!
The Truth 11/27/2008 10:43:42 AM
If you really knew anything about the subject than you would know that PAYE is calculated according to an individual's income.Not everyone pays the same amount and in fact many don't have PAYE deducted at all (SITE cases).Get your facts straight before printing such misinformed drivel.
adrian 11/27/2008 10:43:51 AM
Very good article. I work for Sarsand i agree very much with you.People who abuse the facilities provided by government should pay more tax!!!!!
Herman 11/27/2008 10:46:12 AM
I really like your idea,implementation might be a problem. Def something to think about!
AJ 11/27/2008 10:46:16 AM
Although I live in Joburg (and pay tax on highest rate), I am already subsidising others who get for free (legally or illegally) what I pay for. I do not consume anywhere near what I pay tax for. Are you suggesting I pay more? Or should I leave and pay none? Government (ALL) need to not waste, there is more than enough collected.
Dave Robbins 11/27/2008 10:49:08 AM
I remember once hearing someone suggest that EVERYONE who earns a salary, etc. should pay a flat 10% tax (with severe penalties should they try and evade paying), and that VAT on LUXURY goods should be raised to 30%; in that way the tax burden would be spread in a fair and just way. Whether the writer's suggestion would be as easy to implement, I am not sure, but I commend the writer for trying to think "out of the box".
nthatuwa 11/27/2008 10:49:49 AM
There is an unequal distribution of wealth,yet on things like tax,it don't matter who you are,where you're from & what your needs are you pay the same tax as those you earn the same salary with.It's just not fair.You work for R22 000,yet you pocket what?I suppose other will say life isn't fair.I believe life is fair,people are the ones who aren't fair.
nicks 11/27/2008 10:52:20 AM
This might not work because it will influence the behavior and planning of people. Just like many women in townships are getting pregnant just so they can receive those grants and then ditch/kill the babies. Also this would promote having more children and adding to overpopulation and poverty. just a thought.
Nicole 11/27/2008 10:57:29 AM
Really, so the amount of tax you pay should be determined by how many kids you have or where you live... how do you rate if some one's child is "scum of the earth"? There are plenty of people with degrees these days that are unemployed lay abouts, and people straight out of school these days very rarely earn enough to pay tax in the first year anyway. What a load of nonsense, i really hope you aren't involved in government decision making in any way!
Bandz 11/27/2008 10:57:53 AM
you have a point there, at times i beleive that my hard work doesnt pay off at the end of the month because when i look at how much tax i pay, its ridiculous! although i dont see it being a reality at this stage...
Sandelk 11/27/2008 10:58:15 AM
Sounds too complicated, our tax laws are already quite leanient as it is, people want ot have the infrastructure of Europe, but forget that most European countries pay 5 - 10% more tax than we do... Our tax system isn't always fair, but its the most accurate and fair way of collecting taxes.
EngineersMind 11/27/2008 10:58:57 AM
What a load of cr@p! You are asking me to pay more tax because I have not had unplanned children, do not have a large unsustainable family, and have not been retrenched. I say let people take responsibility of themselves. What you are asking for is a socialist state - a place to harbour the lazy. I already pay more tax than most and receive f*#k-all for it thanks to govt spending policies.
dh 11/27/2008 10:59:43 AM
I agree with your last paragraph, but can only laugh at statements like 'parents who raise their children to be "scum of the earth" must pay more tax'. HOW exactly would one even begin to think about implementing something based on completely subjective criteria?? furthermore, while there are still some not paying tax at all, isn't it a bit ambitious to want each individaul's situation analysed and evaluated? This would also have to be an ongoing process as circumstances change.
Tumza 11/27/2008 10:59:47 AM
Your suggestions are very much dangerous, will cause our country to be over populated. In turn we will become a poor over populated country. Check the facts first before writing an article.
Emmanuel 11/27/2008 11:00:39 AM
I have not read such a boring,stupid,pathetic article in my entire life. What's your name again?this is nonsense
andreas 11/27/2008 11:02:25 AM
Why not pay as you please? Just pay when you feel like and how much you want to pay, obviously to be decided by the individual. Or optional why doesn't the teacher in the rural area pay more tax, if he wants the services and the tar road let him pay for it.
Mbuzi 11/27/2008 11:02:53 AM
This will never happen. It is a bad idea, at the end of the day whether you are in the urban or rural area when you retire the Government will pay equal pension money.
John Camp 11/27/2008 11:03:26 AM
Are you living in dream land dude? What if i go and buy a R3mill house, max out my credit cards and max out all my clothing accounts. Can i then turn around and say, dont tax me as i can't afford it?
Raymond Hocknell 11/27/2008 11:04:24 AM
and use what you pay for. Do I understand correctly? In other words the rural teacher should not use the government services at all (e.g. a trip to the city) since she didn't contribute to the maintenance of the roads that lead there? I don't agree. Tax should be everyone's responsibility.
AJ 11/27/2008 11:04:24 AM
The people you are asking to pay more, have nothing more to pay. The people you are asking to get a rebate are the ones with the money. Have you thought this through?
Viparo 11/27/2008 11:04:44 AM
Love your idea, and agree. But the process will be nigh on impossible to implement.
Don 11/27/2008 11:05:49 AM
Let me hazard a guess here: You're a single parent that works a s a teacher in a rural area? By your way of thinking the government would have to give back tax each month. Why not rather say: Abolish income tax totally & push VAT up to 30% It would be easier to control & harder to dodge. The added bonus to doing this would be that if you save money you don't get taxed on it, where on the other hand, if you spend, you pay.
tjk 11/27/2008 11:05:53 AM
Although I like your ideas, it just doesn't seem feasible. Question, what percentage is actually spent on infrastructure? Rebates based on education and success there of, definately a something I would vote for. Rebates when negatively afected by violence, definately. This in turn can go to accountability... The better the police perform, the more tax they get, the better salaries. Performance bonus... I like
GailC 11/27/2008 11:06:09 AM
I agree we need to be innovative however I don't believe these suggestions above would work. Tax needs to eliminate population growth of the poor through incentives to those who agree to have only one child instead of one child by every willing female. This would also help eliminate street children crime and AIDS thereby making more money available to educate the new generation as well as allowing scarce resources to spread further. It would make men more responsible for their seed being spread s
John Camp 11/27/2008 11:07:47 AM
You call it PAYC, i would like to emphasize the word CAN here. You state parents sending kids to varsity SHOUL pay less tax. You then go on to say parents who bring up rascals MUST pay more tax. MUST vs SHOULD vs CAN? Confusion reigns supreme!
Short_Fuse 11/27/2008 11:08:35 AM
I must say, the tax system that you propose is excellent. Very foward-thinking and fair. I especially like the idea of rebate for parents who send their children to a tertiary institution. Unfortunately the large portion of our tax base are the middle to upper class. Once taxes are reduced for these groupings (through your new scheme) the tax revenue will be severly cut and government will never allow that to happen. You can't even sneeze without government wanting a piece of your tissue
johan 11/27/2008 11:09:25 AM
well said but the goverment would never let it happen in a million years......
Glock 22c 11/27/2008 11:09:34 AM
As it is I am paying a load of taxes for services that is nonexcistant.Thats would be a great releive lets do it !!
JB 11/27/2008 11:12:05 AM
This is an interesting thought. This can be a good way to punish serial offenders, as long as it goes all the way up to government officials as well. On the other hand, tihs would open a whole big area for corruption in an already corrupt country.
Paul 11/27/2008 11:12:22 AM
Interesting buy who determines whether a person can or not cannot pay. Also the tax system is very unfair because the people who pay the most tax get nothing back for it. I do not even recieve the satisfaction of seeing my taxes well spent and improving the quality of life for the poor. Another thought SARS boast about how much tax they collect but every goverment department pleads poverty is this not contradictory.
Punk27 11/27/2008 11:12:41 AM
I think old Trevor should employ yo at SARS. Also, how about some tax relief for us okes running our own businesses =- jeez, the VAT payments are killing us.
SimonP 11/27/2008 11:14:50 AM
paying tax when you can is reliant on everyone being totally honest. It can not possibly work. To increase revenues the govt should concentrate their efforts on taxing the vast black (Im not referring to skin colour)economy that operates in SA.
Phele 11/27/2008 11:14:53 AM
This is the most interesting topic ever posted on News24 after a long time people posting Cope, Malema that, Zuma that. Keep it up.
Musa 11/27/2008 11:15:38 AM
Tax is taking lot of my salary; Let's just hope someone in government is reading this letter and is not sitting and doing nothing useful to us as usual...
Elizabeth 11/27/2008 11:16:37 AM
I fully agree! I'm leaving my job in a month's time to go study overseas, and I still have to pay TAX! I could've used that money towards paying off what debt I've got left.
Malawi oa Ha-tsosane 11/27/2008 11:16:44 AM
food for thought,interesting suggestion i must say....but i think i will have to stick with PAYE, its much fair than all your other suggestions, just because i dont have a child and i am not married doesn't necessarily mean i should be compelled to contribute more than people who decided to have 5 kids, and i also dont think parents should be held responsible for their scam bag adult kids.
Bev 11/27/2008 11:16:45 AM
Lindani you have now really shown your ignorance regarding the tax system. May I suggest that you do some research before making a total wolly of yourself as you have just done.
Johan 11/27/2008 11:16:54 AM
If we had to pay according to this system, the government will receive no income as there's no service delivery.
Maddog 11/27/2008 11:23:00 AM
I have a better idea. Run the government like a listed company and each person who contributes tax and has a valid tax number, gets to vote. The ruling government will do all in its power to create jobs because the more tax payers they can create, the more voters they will have. If you dont pay tax, why should you have a say in the way the taxpayers money is spent?
Calvin Mkhize 11/27/2008 11:27:30 AM
Imagine having this type of taxation. It will be an administrative burdern to oversee it. Imagine a tax for pregnant women, rural teachers, lazy workers & hardworkers. Who will need to work hard with this type of tax. Really this must be some kind of an April fool joke for News 24 to publish this diatribe. We must as well have a tax for fat people, thin, white, black tax. SA tax is a progressive tax for your information.
Stephanie 11/27/2008 11:27:58 AM
"People with more dependants, single mothers, single income households and others" These people choose to have more dependants. I would love to have many children, but I cannot afford them so I will wait until I can afford it. Why should I pay more tax to benefit someone who has made poor choices, when I am going without for financial wellbeing??
Johno 11/27/2008 11:28:33 AM
I don't even know where to start on this letter. First and foremost, income tax is revenue generation and should not be used as a tool modify social behaviour. Secondly, universities are already heavily subsidised by the state and so further tax cuts for those parents are ridiculous. Anyway irrelevant if the kid is studying on a loan. Thirdly, the logistics of putting this into pactice is mind-numbing and expensive. Fourthly, fifthly, sixthly... in summary, a ludicrous idea.
kitchenboy 11/27/2008 11:32:10 AM
i dont think you need worry too much about rural people getting the short end of the stick as far as getting value for taxmoney is concerned since most taxes are used for armsdeals , party political campaigns and lining politicians deep pockets anyway, a corrupt government affects us all equally
What The! 11/27/2008 11:32:13 AM
An who will be enforcing this accurately?
justin a 11/27/2008 11:36:58 AM
all we actually need are more tax paying citizens, civil servants who are well trained to use the taxes and a government that doesnt waste our money on bull like renaming streets. The bottom line is you cannot have first world solutions in a third world country.
Stephanie 11/27/2008 11:37:09 AM
"parents who raise their children to be "scum of the earth" must pay more tax" And on what basis will this be determined??
Madibeng 11/27/2008 11:46:43 AM
Where else in the world have you seen the system you are proposing working? And, don't you think the system will place a major administrative burden on SARS?
Shilos 11/27/2008 11:46:59 AM
What a great article I gree with you, Shilos
SeanO 11/27/2008 11:48:26 AM
Some nice ideas, but not very practical and little or no chance of the Gov "rewarding" positive contributors to society via a tax system. One thing I would NOT encourage or support is a tax rebate for more children. Two children, tax free - additonal children should attract an "offspring" tax. Society NEEDS to encourage a socially responsible culture towards having children - we need fewer, not more.
HOWET 11/27/2008 11:49:05 AM
How about PIYW. Pay if you want.
Baboon 11/27/2008 11:52:44 AM
While in principle I agree that taxation is far from 'fair' for the returns people get ,and does nothing to encourage good citizenship - I think pay as you can implies ability to pay. It might be easier to offer tax rebates for rural dwellers, or those providing a tertiary education. Carrot rather than stick approach would work. Unfortunately this would imply higher taxes for many of the well-connected. So it won't happen.
Me 11/27/2008 11:55:40 AM
Bravo! The problem with this is it will result in a very complex tax system. SOmething which SARS is trying to move away from currently.
Ntsinga 11/27/2008 11:55:44 AM
Suggest that you read more about uses of tax before publishing this drivel.
Philosopher 11/27/2008 12:01:53 PM
From a logical perspective, why should any person pay more tax than anyone else? If I worked harder and thereby earned double as much money as you, why should I pay twice as much tax? Do I rely on more government services than you? No, in fact, the opposite is probably the truth. Why should harder working, educated people subsidize less useful people in any way?
tshepo 11/27/2008 12:04:17 PM
how does the government insure that the university student won't be a droput in future and a future government pensioner? having more children shouldn't encourage tax rebates, where does that put family planning and parental's responsibility? i live in a city but never use buses, government hospitals and pay way more for electricity. how do i benefit more from government than a rural school teacher? i think the system stays.
Francois Roux 11/27/2008 12:07:36 PM
Why don't they scrap PAYE completely, and double VAT? They would probably bring in more money, because now every time anyone spends money, they will be paying their taxes. There's lots of industries which make billions in cash, but probably doesn't pay tax on half of it. One example that comes to mind is the Taxi industry, another is oom Piet who makes burglar bars from his garage, and keeps me awake with his grinding at all hours of the day...
Daxrsa 11/27/2008 12:09:13 PM
I think tax is to complicated as it is. Adding all these variables to your tax equation would ensure utter chaos with tax returns. Also how do you value services as a percentage contribution to your tax? The contra to your argument is then when services are equal why should a high earner than pay more tax for the same services the lower tax payers recieve?
Alex 11/27/2008 12:10:41 PM
Like if your child goes to private school or if you pay for armed response you should get some rebate. I do oversimplify it but what do I get for my tax money? I have to pay for private health care, for private school, for armed response. Also it would be interesting to find out how much certain ethnic group contribute to this country but from pool of tax paying people take out all government employees so lets see how much real wealth is generated.
laverne 11/27/2008 12:11:42 PM
very well said - i fully agree
lloyd macklin 11/27/2008 12:13:12 PM
how on earth can such ill conceived drivel be raised as a point of debate.
jvdwest 11/27/2008 12:15:32 PM
Who makes the decision who pays what? Some committee that exempts themselves from tax? Mother Russia anyone?
john 11/27/2008 12:18:47 PM
Sounds good in theory but then everyone would want to work where they can pay the least tax and besides that how would SARS ever be able to administer such as system in terms of compliance and service. This would also place a huge burden on employers and they are the ones deducting andpaying over tax. The payroll administration would be a nightmare.
MasterMind 11/27/2008 12:19:02 PM
serious VAT laws - I have always been a firm believer that people should not be taxed on what they earn, they should be taxed on what we spend. Lets say all PAYE is abolished and VAT is raised to 20%. Sounds like a lot, but remember, there are stax of people who hide their income, imagine what could be generated by taxing everyone when they spend, much bigger base and of course staple foods MUST still be zero rated !!!
JustSaying 11/27/2008 12:28:21 PM
...SARS should drop PAYE and all it's loopholes and increase VAT to compensate. Everybody pays VAT so it is the only fair way to be taxed. The more you earn, the more you spend, the more tax you pay. It's also a lot more difficult to evade Taxes that way.
pierre 11/27/2008 12:29:26 PM
How can u say a parent raises their children to be scum??A parent can only raise a child to a certain point.i Think ur scum for icinuating that a parent deliberately raises a child to be scum.
Sean 11/27/2008 12:30:37 PM
There might be another simple solution. Excluding company tax, perhaps the Gov should scrap tax for individuals entirely, however?? Everything that you buy will have tax added to it. This tax needs to be applied based on the category it falls into. So basic foodstuffs would be exempt, luxury foodstuffs would carry a 15% tax, entry cars would be at say 15%, luxury cars like a Lambo would carry a 40 % tax. This way every person in the country would pay tax and not only the top 20%
vm 11/27/2008 12:32:02 PM
The article is design to stimulate constructive debate. There is not need to use harsh and negative undertones. Just labeling an article as "misinformed drivel" does not make a very good argument, nor stating that it has no substance. Bev, you believe the author is ignorant but you do not make even a single intelligent point relating to the CONTENT of the article. It is such people that this country does not need.
jim 11/27/2008 12:39:22 PM
SA has the most comprehensive tax system in the world. We even have inheritance tax and farmers have rain tax. Yes they get taxed on rainfall!! We already have a progressive tax system which favours the poor by redistrubuting wealth from the rich.
mallencolly 11/27/2008 12:39:27 PM
Because you dont need a tax number to pay VAT ie. you still pay tax. So why should a person, say a cleaner, that pays 14% of the ridiculously low wage that they get be denied a vote? Your idea is more ridiculous than the author's.
suzie 11/27/2008 12:39:44 PM
It will motivate people to have more children and they already can't afford it. So the rest of the country must subsidise them because they don't use birth control??? No ways
Taxpayer 11/27/2008 12:42:12 PM
DUDE!!! What are you smoking?? THE only sane part of your article is maybe less tax for maternity leave and that's THAT.. if you go your route - we are going to be worse off than Zimbabwe! Grow up! Pay up and shut up!
Simon 11/27/2008 12:44:18 PM
Excuse me for picking on one point you raised and playing devils advocate: Tax reprieve for mothers and households with many children....how about a chinese approach whereby for instance if a couple would like to have more than 2 children, they would be committing an offense if they are unable to prove that they are able to afford the additional kids .....any takers?
Patrick 11/27/2008 12:45:22 PM
Whatever
Gus 11/27/2008 12:55:24 PM
Socialism. Go away you evil thing.
J D V 11/27/2008 12:56:49 PM
however the implementation and administration would be a nightmare for our "overpayed and underqualified Departments.
EvylShnukums 11/27/2008 12:59:36 PM
SARS is already heavily burdened, how do you think they would implement such a system? Some people have mentioned the possibility of dropping or abolishing income tax and raising VAT instead. Not a bad idea, as it would be a more direct way to tax those who have more money to spend. As for MadDog's comments, what a load of crap. So my retired mother, a stay-at-home mom, a person who is medically unfit to work, or a student can't vote??
blah 11/27/2008 1:01:11 PM
Would the parents of stupid people have to pay a special tax?
Ryan 11/27/2008 1:02:46 PM
thinking "out the box" my @ss! More like thinking "out the pocket". Could you ever imagine how this "system" would be totally exploited?! Ridiculous, hypothetical drivel.. Wait...what if we hired Robin Hood to steal from the rich to give to the poor? Much better idea as it saves the time & energy of doing it yourself! Come on News 24...
Hlengz 11/27/2008 1:03:06 PM
Firstly, no parent raises a child to be scum, they choose that. 2ndly I'm falling off my chair laughing.Do you seriously think they'll scrap that.Then how on earth will the fat cats in public service afford their posh lifestyles? Stop dreaming, it will never happen...
Sizela 11/27/2008 1:04:39 PM
Prisoners serving life sentences for criminal activity such as murder during robbery, hijacking, rape and others should be hanged instead. Its costing the taxpayer huge sums to keep these animals alive in jail - senseless
SM 11/27/2008 1:06:08 PM
If SARS brings in less monies than usual, then this can be a good thing. What does the ordinary public do when they have limited monies available? They learn to spend wisely. For Government this would mean less monies allocated, so Departments would have to start budgeting and planning (including forcasting) leading to monies better spent (fiscal management - accountability, good governance etc). Would also make corruption/misappropriation more difficult.
GailC 11/27/2008 1:07:30 PM
Yours are the two most sensible suggestions on here. Incentivise people to have fewer children. Do not dispense money to PDI having children but give food parcels to the value of that money instead. The problem is too many social grants ENCOURAGE and WORSEN poverty. Give food. not money, shelter and subsidise education for those who are on grants by paying for better equipped schools to the schools themselves. Incentivise teachers and nurses and policemen by paying market related salaries.
blah 11/27/2008 1:17:18 PM
Should be levied on people who stand in the way in shopping centres as well as those who drive slowly in the fast lane.
Big Bad Bob 11/27/2008 1:40:16 PM
Are variable in many countries. If you don't like paying more tax than somebody who earns less than you then don't go live in the UK, USA, Australia... And sophisticated systems with lots of variables cost more in terms of adminstration and verification of returns. Nett tax is tax received less the cost of administering the collection process. The UK is currently struggling with a tax system that is expensive to run.
Peter Maluleke 11/27/2008 2:04:30 PM
If I recall correctly then ministers do not pay tax,they get fuel and cars for free and entertainment is also paid by tax money from me and you. Most get body gaurds and stay in government supplied houses. Not bad! Ther are many more benefits for them. Less tax is not a good idea.
L van Heerden 11/27/2008 2:21:42 PM
Surely, the teacher in the rural area pay taxes for other issues far beyond the visible infrastructure. Teachers in the city have easier access to banking and hence cheaper to pay them than those living in the bundus. Furthermore, the amount of money spent on building the roads compared to the number of people who use it, makes it even more expensive to maintain the gravel road for the people in rural areas which is used by far less people and covers longer distances
Mbuzi 11/27/2008 2:28:37 PM
Tax laws are written for the rich by the rich. There is no way that what you just wrote will ever happen maybe in your next life time. What a boring article!!!!!!!!
JK 11/27/2008 2:43:43 PM
they are understaffed as it is! Besides, I agree with those people who ask why they should pay more tax if they are paying for private schools, private medical care, private security etc. I do believe tax rebates for tertiary education is a good idea, but only if it is coupled with checking that the student actually passes - I just got my results for one Unisa diploma subject where 900 students failed and only about 350 passed (that's 550 freeloaders if you can't do the math).
Kenroid 11/27/2008 2:56:08 PM
There are ways that most people can get tax rebates over and above the standard rebate! Everyone can avoid some tax if they are smart, and tax avoidance is legal - tax evasion isnt!
bridget 11/27/2008 3:35:03 PM
You don't have to pay tax if the party you voted for isn't the current government. I know, I know. How would you know who voted who? But wouldn't it be great if you could say "I don't trust these people to spend my hard earned money wisely, therefore they may not have it"? I despise the fact that my money goes to people I wouldn't trust to run an icecream van.

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Dbn: 15-26°C Sunny. Pleasantly warm. PE: 15-22°C Sprinkles late. Afternoon clouds. Mild.
7 day forecasts...
Western Cape Eastern Cape Kwazulu Natal Gauteng

Edenvale - 19:06:36 PM Lane closures for roadworks on the N3 Highway bridge More traffic reports...

Cape Town - Here are the winning Lotto numbers from the Wednesday, July 8 draw.

7, 10, 21, 30, 37, 39 Bonus 8

Lotto Plus: 2, 5, 14, 16, 19, 44 Bonus 23

SMS the word Lotto to 31222 to get lotto numbers sent directly to your phone.
 
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Jobs - Find your dream job

Sales Director

KwaZulu Natal
The Unlimited World

Java Developer

Western Cape - Cape Town
Quiglies Solutions

Snr. Developer

Western Cape - Cape Town
BDCE Staffing Solutions
R30,000-40,000 Per MonthMarket Related Negotiable

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Cars - Search 1000's of new and used cars

AUDI

A4’s From R199 000

VOLKSWAGEN

New Golf GTI From R317 300

VOLVO

S60 2.0 T AT
2008
234990

OPEL

Corsa Hatch 140i 3-dr
2006
68900

NISSAN

Tiida 1.6 Visia+
2007
95950

Property - Find a new home

MOOIKLOOF

Single Residential 11,200,000

KLEINBRON ESTATE

Single Residential 2,250,000

PARADYSKLOOF

Single Residential 4,250,000

Travel - Look, Book, Go!

Blue Train Breakaway

Looking for a holiday with a difference? Try the Blue Train! Spend two nights on the train and another two at Zimbali Lodge - meals, transfers and even golf included! For just R9680 per person sharing, there is no reason why you shouldn't book now!

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