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By Raine St.Claire
There won't be any relief for personal income-taxpayers In the upcoming 2024/25 tax year. The Personal Income Tax (PIT) table and tax rebates remain unchanged, ignoring inflation. This lack of adjustment means that salary increases will be a push up into a higher tax bracket with increased tax rates.
Medical tax credits will also remain unchanged, with no mention of phasing them out or introducing new taxes for National Health Insurance (NHI).
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s tough challenge in balancing the country’s finances presents limited options. He must either borrow more money, raise taxes, or cut government spending.
And the option to raise taxes means that South African consumers will need to stretch their money even further in 2024.
The substantial increase in sin taxes is bubbling over for drinkers and those who smoke, will have to think twice before lighting up.
Additionally, those who prefer the convenience of pre-cut fruits and vegetables may soon see a 15% VAT added to these items.
Some relief
The good news is that the three fuel levies: the general fuel levy (GFL), the Road Accident Fund (RAF) levy, and the customs and excise levy, won't go up.
“In this regard, we are proposing no increases to the general fuel levy for 2024/25. This will result in tax relief of around R4-billion. This is money back in the pockets of consumers.” – Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana
The two largest levies on fuel — the GFL and the RAF levy — will therefore remain at R6.13 on every litre of petrol and diesel sold in the country.
However, the carbon tax on petrol and diesel will increase. The carbon fuel levy will rise from 10 to 11 cents per litre for petrol and between 11 and 14 cents per litre for diesel, starting April 3, 2024, as mandated by the Carbon Tax Act.
