Tax committee to advise on policy

A committee that will examine how South Africa's tax policies contribute to growth will be chaired by Judge Dennis Davis, it was announced on Wednesday (17 July).

Other members of the committee are: Annet Wanyana Oguttu, Matthew Lester, Ingrid Woolard, Nara Monkam, Tania Ajam, Nirupa Padia, and Vuyo Jack, the finance ministry and the SA Revenue Service (SARS) said in a statement.

National Treasury official Cecil Morden and SARS official Kosie Louw would be ex-officio members, providing technical support and advice to the committee.

Treasury and SARS officials would also provide secretarial support to the committee. SARS would provide office accommodation.

The committee's task would be to assess the tax policy framework and how it supported inclusive growth, employment, development, and fiscal sustainability.

"The committee will in its work take into account recent domestic and global developments and, in particular, the long-term objectives of the National Development Plan (NDP)," the statement said.

The committee would make recommendations to Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.

"Any tax proposals arising from these recommendations will be announced as part of the normal budget and legislative processes," the statement added.

As with all tax policy proposals, these would be subject to the normal consultation and parliamentary oversight.

The committee would evaluate the South African tax system against the international tax trends, principles, and practices and look at ways to improve tax compliance and deal with tax-base erosion.