South Africa’s fight over VAT raises a key question

South Africa’s fight over VAT raises a key question: who should bear the burden of taxes?
The important question in a democratic setting is who gets to pay taxes and how they connect to the well-being of its citizens.
What a 2% VAT hike would mean for the average consumer in South Africa
For the time being, South Africans can breathe a little easier, as the 2% increase would have a short-term negative impact, particularly because VAT applies to most goods and services, raising their costs and putting additional strain on consumers' wallets, he adds.
South Africa's finance minister fails to unveil budget after tax row
South Africa's Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has been forced to postpone the unveiling of the national budget following sharp disagreements within the coalition government.
South Africa’s finance minister wanted to raise VAT: the pros and cons of a tricky tax
South Africa’s finance minister, Enoch Godongwana, cancelled the unveiling of the country’s 2025 budget as it was due to be released. The move is unprecedented in the country’s history. The reason for the abrupt cancellation was the failure of the minister to get cabinet approval for the proposal to raise value added tax (VAT) from 15% to 17%.
Coalition bust-up over VAT in South Africa?
South Africa’s ruling coalition, made up primarily of the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance, is showing signs of a possible crack in its government of national unity.
South African budget delay over VAT hike shows cracks in coalition
South Africa's national budget was postponed on Wednesday because the two biggest parties in the ruling coalition disagreed ...
How the proposed VAT hike threatens rural pensioners' survival | Budget 2025
Rural pensioners surviving on R2,190 monthly grants warn that Treasury's proposed 2% VAT increase would devastate their ...
The Citizen3d
Budget 2025: Was the decision to increase VAT by 2% such a bad idea?
Poor and middle class consumer will bear the brunt if VAT is increased by 2% on 12 March. Economists warn consumers are ...
biznews.com3d
The 2% VAT hike Treasury kept quiet—And why they pushed for it
Godongwana flagged plans to hike value-added tax, without saying it would raise the rate by two percentage points to 17%.
Understanding the impact of the 2025 Budget address postponement in South Africa
Discover the implications of the unprecedented postponement of South Africa's 2025 Budget Address, as experts weigh in on its ...
The South African on MSN2d
‘VAT gaan aan?’ : Nando’s pokes fun at 2% VAT increase fail
Nando's is adding their 'two cents' on the Minister of Finance's failure to implement a 2% VAT increase in his budget speech ...
Independent Online3d
BUDGET 2025 | VAT hike signals a fiscal time bomb for South Africa
The question is whether South Africa can afford the consequences of continuing to do so. The VAT hike is just the beginning. Unless urgent reforms take place, the real crisis is yet to come.
South African rand stable after volatile week
South Africa's rand was stable on Friday after a volatile week in which it weakened over the last-minute postponement of the ...