Domestic wages tax deductable?
2003-02-25 18:55
Cape Town - The New National Party has appealed to Finance Minister Trevor Manuel to extend, in this week's Budget, tax incentives to households employing domestic workers.
NNP finance spokesperson Pierre Rabie said such a benefit would encourage people to comply with minimum wage requirements, while creating new job opportunities.
"It should be made easier for South Africans to help one another."
The minister should give tax relief to individuals who create employment in their homes, and who make a contribution to uplifting these persons through education, training, health and housing.
"So, for example, people should be assisted to provide further training for the domestic concerned.
"It is only fair that these employers should be given a tax benefit, like companies," he said.
Manuel is to deliver his Budget speech shortly after 14:00 on Wednesday.
Rabie said the relief should be additional to an increase of the tax deductible amount allowed for donations to approved charitable organisations.
He also urged Manuel to speak on the investigation into the taxation of the retirement industry, and the possible relaxation in taxes on such funds.
Job creation
The party called for the top marginal tax rate to be cut from 40% to 38%, and the lowest tax rate to fall from 18% to 17%.
The secondary tax on companies (STC) should be reduced from 12.5% to 10%, and additional tax incentives should be offered to small businesses to help stimulate the sector.
The major emphasis in the Budget should be on social upliftment, through increased spending on social services, health and education, Rabie said.
The United Democratic Movement wanted the Budget to address the "number one" major concern of all South Africans, namely job creation.
"Joblessness is the core cause of poverty, misery and hunger for especially the poor people," UDM finance spokesperson Gerhard Koornhof said.
"The budget speech would be meaningless if it cannot bring tangible change to the lives of the people who do not have jobs, clean running water, electricity, decent housing and food."
The minister should announce large-scale public works programmes in all three spheres of government, as well as for the maintenance of existing infrastructure and the development of new.
The speech should also acknowledge the serious threat posed by HIV and Aids to the economy and society.
Vague, empty promises
"The time for vague, empty, party political promises is something of the past.
"What is now needed is the effective implementation of policy proposals on national, provincial and local level of government that make a real difference to the lives of South Africans," Koornhof said.
The African Christian Democratic Party's Kent Durr called for a budget that addressed the backlog in the provision of services and infrastructure.
"We would like to see sufficient budgeting for capital expenditure to seriously turn around the maintenance backlog of roads, public buildings and state infrastructure such as roads, hospitals and schools."
He also wanted tax initiatives to encourage savings and an end to taxing earnings of retirement funds.
Manuel should abolish exchange controls completely, as a sign of confidence in the economy and to encourage investment confidence.
"Now would be a good time get rid of exchange control altogether.
"The rand is strong, exports are good and investment returns are good, so there is no pressure of money flowing out of the country," Durr said.
- SAPA