Budget 2012

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The budget and your wallet:
  • Personal income tax relief of R9.5bn. 54% of the relief will go to taxpayers who earn less than R260 000 a year.
  • General fuel levy increases by 20c a litre, the Road Accident Fund levy increases by 8c a litre.
  • Sin taxes: A packet of 20 cigarettes will cost 58c more, a 750 ml bottle of liquor (spirits) R6 more, a 340 ml can of beer 9c more and a 340 ml can of cider will cost 8.84c. A litre of wine will cost 18c more.
  • A new tax credit will replace the tax reduction for medical aid contributions.
  • Tax incentive to encourage savings that may replace the current interest exemption thresholds.
  • A 15% dividend withholding tax to kick in on 1 April. Pension funds, companies are exempted from this tax.
  • Significant tax concessions and reduced red tape for small businesses.
  • Electricity levy increased by 2.5c/kWh.
Economic outlook:
  • Budget deficit of 4.6% in 2012/13, 4% in 2013/14 and 3% in 2014/15.
  • Government spending to reach R1.1 trillion in 2012/13.
  • National government’s net loan debt to reach R1.5 trillion in 2014/15.
  • The national treasury expects economic growth of 2.7% in 2012, 3.6% in 2013 and 4.2% in 2014.
  • The national treasury expects headline inflation to be 6.1% in 2012, 6.2% in 2013 and 6.1% in 2014.
Government spending plans
  • R9.5 billion for the Economic Competitiveness and Support Package, including R2.3 billion for dedicated special economic zones;
  • R6.2 billion for job creation;
  • R3 billion for equalisation of subsidies to no fee schools and expansion of access to Grade R;
  • R1 billion for National Health Insurance Pilot project;
  • R1.4 billion for Early Childhood Development;
  • R4 billion for Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa for coaches, as the start of a programme to replace the current fleet;
  • R1 billion for Signalling and depot infrastructure related to this new rail transport programme;
  • R4.7 billion for electricity demand side management grant: Eskom for the installation of solar water geysers;
  • R1.8 billion for municipal water infrastructure;
  • R3.9 billion for upgrading informal settlements.