Thèses sur le sujet « Income tax deductions – Zimbabwe »

The Income Tax Bill (2012) proposes certain changes to the existing Income Tax Act that will impact on the method used to determine the taxable income of a taxpayer in Zimbabwe. Therefore, it is important to understand the tax consequences the Income Tax Bill creates for the taxpayer. The research aimed to elaborate on and explain the tax consequences that will arise as a result of applying the Income Tax Bill in Zimbabwe. The research was based on a qualitative method which involved the analysis and the interpretation of extracts from legislation and articles written on the proposed changes. The current “gross income” of a taxpayer consists of amounts earned from a source within or deemed to be from within Zimbabwe The proposed changes to the Act will change the tax system to a residence-based system, where resident taxpayers are taxed on amounts earned from all sources. Therefore, the driving factor which determines the taxability of an amount will become the taxpayer’s residency. Clause 2 of the proposed Act provides that income earned by a taxpayer should be separated into employment income, business income, property income and other specified income. This will make it unnecessary to determine the nature of an amount because capital amounts will be subject to income tax. The current Act provides for the deduction of expenditure incurred for the purpose of trade or in the production of income. Section 31(1)(a) of the proposed Act will restrict permissible deductions to expenditure incurred in the production of income. Consequently, expenditure not incurred for the purpose of earning income will no longer be deductible when the Income Tax Bill is implemented. The proposed Income Tax Act will increase the taxable income of a taxpayer as it makes amounts that are not currently subject to tax taxable, whilst restricting the deductions claimable.

Section 20 of the Income Tax Act, No 58 of 1962 allows a taxpayer that incurs an assessed loss to carry forward the balance of assessed loss incurred, to be set off against taxable income earned in or added to losses incurred in future years. The issues regarding the carry forward of assessed losses in terms of section 20 is complex and in terms of the said section, a company is only entitled to set off its assessed loss from the previous year against its taxable income in the current year, if the taxpayer has carried on a trade during the current year and has derived income from that trade. Under the provisions of section 20(2A), a taxpayer other than a company can utilise an assessed loss even if no trading has been conducted. Assessed losses of natural persons, may however be ring-fenced. The aim of this treatise was twofold. Firstly it was to gain clarity on the „trade‟ and „income from trade‟ issues and secondly to compare South African legislation with that of Australia, with a view to recommending a change in our rules regarding the treatment of assessed losses in the context of companies. The critical lessons to be learned from the cases presented, is that liquidators, creditors and others must ensure that the company continues trading in order to x keep the assessed losses valid. Realisation of assets (including stock), and the collection of outstanding debts during liquidation does not constitute the carrying on of a trade in terms of s 20(1). The continuity of trade is an important element in regard to the carry forward of assessed losses to be utilised in the current and future years. Therefore it is important that a company carries on some activity that falls within the definition of trade. In the landmark case of SA Bazaars, it was held that a company did not have to trade continuously throughout the year to qualify for the set-off of the assessed loss or carry forward of the assessed loss, that is, to trade for say part of the year. The court however left open the issue of whether it was necessary to derive income from that trade. In order to clarify the issues regarding assessed losses, SARS issued Interpretation Note 33 granting taxpayers a concession in certain cases where a company has traded, but not derived income from that trade. But in ITC 1830, the court ruled that a company must trade and must derive income from that trade in order to carry forward its assessed loss, which effectively means that SARS cannot apply Interpretation Note 33. SARS does not have the authority to make concession which is contrary to the wording of the Act. xi In Australia, operating losses can be carried forward indefinitely to be set-off against future income, provided a company meets the more than 50% continuity of ownership test. Where the continuity test fails, losses can be deducted if the same business is carried on in the income year (the same business test). From the research conducted and in order to solve the issues surrounding the carry forward of assessed losses it was suggested that one of the following be adopted :- The method used in Australia for the carry forward of assessed losses., or A decision of the Supreme Court of Appeal is needed for a departure from the literal meaning of the words pertaining to the requirements regarding the carry forward of assessed losses. Furthermore, to clarify the definition of „income‟, as used in the context of s20, is it gross income less exempt income or taxable income?. If section 20 relates to taxable income, then an assessed loss will never be increased, which it is submitted, is not what the legislature intended. Section 20 ought to be revisited to eliminate any uncertainty about the income requirement and in the context in which the word „income‟ is used in that section.

The two “pillars” on which taxable income is based are the definition of “gross income” in section 1 of the Income Tax Act, 58 of 1962, and the “general deduction formula” comprising the preamble to section 11, section 11(a) and section 23(g) of the Act. Many of the terms used in these sections are not defined in the Income Tax Act. Case law in relation to these sections reveals that morality issues, the negligence of taxpayers and the good faith of taxpayers have from time to time been treated as relevant considerations by the courts, both abroad and in South Africa, in allowing or disallowing deductions from the gross income of taxpayers. In some instances this occurred apparently unwittingly. In other instances, earlier decisions were followed without a thorough consideration of the correctness of the underlying reasoning or of the criteria which were applied in the earlier decisions. In relation to the definition of “gross income”, however, fides, mores and fault have not been a consideration. In CIR v Delagoa Bay Cigarette Co Ltd 1918 TPD 391 Bristowe, J stated: “I do not think it is material for the purpose of this case whether the business carried on by the company is legal or illegal.” There were a number of cases heard in relation to income from illegal activities (for example, COT v G, 1981 (4) SA 167 (ZA), 43 SATC 159, and ITC 291, 7 SATC 335, which related to the misappropriation of funds, ITC 1545, 54 SATC 464, which dealt with the proceeds of the sale of stolen diamonds and ITC 1624, 59 SATC 373, which dealt with overcharging customers). In these cases, the question turned on whether or not the amounts were received by the taxpayers for their own benefit and therefore to be included in gross income, or whether the taxpayers incurred a concomitant liability to repay the amounts, and did not involve the question of fides, mores or fault. The research concludes that, providing an even-handed approach is applied to both income and expense considerations, fides and mores may continue to play a role as a useful yardstick in this context. However, that fault, particularly the causal negligence of taxpayers in the process of sustaining a loss or incurring expenditure whilst conducting their income generating operations, has effectively been jettisoned as an irrelevant consideration, is a salutary development which has contributed to legal certainty.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 138-139).
By comparing the income tax allowances and deductions for private investors in film production funds in Germany and in South Africa, the author aims to show how the governments of these two countries are taxing private individuals who invest in film funds, i.e. what incentives are offered to such venturesome investors. The tax incentives examined here provide the taxpayer with a deferment of his tax payments. By making the comparison the author intends examine what role a domestic film fund can play as an instrument for financing domestic and export films and how the government can promote film production in this way.

Tax avoidance through interest deductions has been highlighted internationally as a concern with the effect of eroding tax revenues of countries, including South Africa (SA). The evident cause of this concern is what is termed base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) mainly orchestrated by multinational companies using aggressive tax planning schemes. Although the concern continues to exist, comprehensive measures are in place in SA such as the anti-avoidance rules and exchange control regulations to mitigate the concern. The study was undertaken to analyse the legislation on interest deductions in terms of the Income Tax Act No 58 of 1962 (‘the Act’) with particular focus on anti-avoidance. A number of issues pertaining to the operation of the provisions in the Act; administrative challenges as well the possible exploitation of loopholes within the provisions were identified. Furthermore, a comparative analysis conducted against Australia and the United Kingdom indicated that the measures adopted in SA are relatively similar, if not ahead. The effect the anti-avoidance measures have on the economic growth was considered. The results were positive in that the measures do not counteract the pursuit of economic growth. Lastly, the study assessed the position of SA against the internationally recommended best practice on the subject matter and it became evident that opportunities exist to improve the current measures applied in SA to mitigate the BEPS risks through interest deductions.

The debate over federal income tax treatment of home mortgage interest (HMI) has largely overlooked an important, and possibly unintended political and economic consequence of our federal income tax system. The distribution of the for home mortgage interest deduction tax benefit across states is a possible missing consideration. Specifically, this study offers a federalist1 perspective on the federal income tax benefit from the deduction for HMI - one of the largest personal federal tax expenditures on the books. This dissertation analyzes current national political rhetoric from a federalist perspective. Discussion also includes background, current status, and proposed changes to the tax code for of the HMI deduction. First, a Tobit regression is used to analyze the distribution of the HMI tax benefit across states and to test for disproportionate distribution across states in benefit derived from the federal income tax deduction for home mortgage interest beyond that which is explained by income. This initial part of the study is also the precursor to a hierarchical analysis seeking to identify significant factors affecting the distribution of the benefit of the HMI deduction across states. The Ernst and Young/University of Michigan Individual Model File of 1992 tax returns is the primary data source for this initial part of the investigation. The second part of the analysis examines the effect of sets of factors in a causal hierarchy on the HMI deduction benefit. By first controlling for the effects of personal and identifiable state characteristics on HMI deduction benefit, the possible existence of a residual socio-political force is tested. The primary data sources for this part of the study are the 1990 Census of Population and Housing 5% Public Use Microsample as well as tax data extracted from the Statistics of Income, Individual Public Use Tax File, Level III Sample, as well as others. Ridge regression is used for hypothesis testing. Results indicate the existence of a significant difference in the benefit from home mortgage interest deduction across states holding income constant. This study also finds that a set of personal as well as a set of state market, legal and tax characteristics significantly influence the taxpayer's HMI deduction benefit, and that a residual difference in benefit across states after controlling for personal and identified state attributes. Future study should examine the source of residual across state differences (attributed to socio-political differences between states). Federal housing goals may be frustrated as the effective subsidy actually helps support higher home prices in areas where high housing costs may already be a barrier to potential new homeownership. The concepts and techniques applied in this study could easily be applied to other provisions of federal tax, or to any other tax system in a federation for that matter.

The Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 (“Act”) entitles taxpayers to deduct certain losses and expenses incurred by them from their taxable income if such losses and expenses comply with the requirements of section 11(a) of the Act. One of the requirements of section 11(a) is that, in order to be eligible for a deduction, the losses and expenses must have been “actually incurred” by the taxpayer. The area of tax deductions in our tax law represents the frontline in the continuous and inevitable war between the taxpayer (almost always desperately trying to maximise her deductions) and the revenue authorities (as often times desperately trying to minimise the deductions to which the taxpayer is entitled). The stage on which the various battles which make up this mighty war between citizen and state are fought is the court and the arsenal with which each party comes armed is the Act and, more specifically, the absolute belief of each party in the correctness of their interpretation of the Act, which, each party hopes, will be ably demonstrated by their able (and often extremely expensive) counsel. Such is the determination of the taxpayer and the tax authorities alike that the body of case law relating to this specific area of our law is, especially when one considers that it essentially involves on only one section of the Act, relatively voluminous. The author’s intention is to consider only one of the requirements with which the taxpayer must comply in order to be eligible for a deduction, namely, the requirement that the relevant loss or expenditure must have been “actually incurred” by the taxpayer. Despite the fact that the meaning of the phrase “actually incurred” has been considered extensively by our courts, significant uncertainty still exists as to its exact meaning. The author will deal with three specific contexts in which the meaning of this phrase remains a subject of uncertainty, namely, share-based payments, contingent liabilities and losses and expenses incurred in relation to illegal receipts. The author will begin first by dealing with the interpretation of tax statutes, the author will then, in general terms, consider the general deduction formula after which the author will delve into the meaning of the phrase “actually incurred” in the contexts of each of the transactions mentioned above.
Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2012.
gm2014
Mercantile Law
unrestricted

In the 2011/2012 Budget Speech delivered by the Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, it was announced that a 15% withholding tax on gambling winnings above R 25 000 was to be introduced with effect from 1 April 2012. This treatise was undertaken to critically analyse the different elements of the proposed new withholding tax. It was established that the fiscus already benefits significantly from the gambling industry and levies and taxes from the gambling industry dwarf the revenue SARS collect from other forms of taxes such as Donations tax and Estate Duty tax. The necessity, therefore, of taxing gambling winnings in the hands of the individual is debatable. A comparison with the three foreign countries used by the Minister as an example of countries who have successfully implemented a withholding tax on gambling winnings exposed operational or other characteristics which bear no significant relationship to the situation in which the industry operates in South Africa. Probably the most significant difference is the fact that in the three foreign countries, losses are deductible and only the net gains are taxed. Although it iv could add to an already seemingly administrative-intensive legislation, it is submitted that taxing gambling winnings and ignoring losses suffered by gamblers will be disproportionately unfair towards the taxpayer. The many questions raised in this treatise illustrate the level of uncertainty still surrounding the new proposed gambling tax. It is hoped that communication will be provided by SARS as soon as possible to address the issues at hand. This would go a long way in ensuring that the implementation of the proposed withholding tax on gambling winnings is as smooth and efficient as possible.

Thesis (MAcc (Accountancy))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006.
The potential buyer of a business evaluates the attractiveness of the transaction by considering the financial status of the business being sold. In determining the financial status of a business it is more important to determine the nature of the assets and liabilities recorded on the balance sheet rather than the mere existence thereof. Included in the liabilities are accounting provisions recorded in terms of the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (GAAP) to reflect a fair representation of the financial status. Although these provisions are made for accounting purposes, they cannot necessarily be deducted under the terms of the Income Tax Act, no 58 of 1962. The tax deductibility of accounting provisions has long been a potential contention when a business is sold. The Income Tax Act has specific sections that must be applied in determining the deductibility of accounting provisions, for example, section 11(a), which is the general deduction formula; section 23(g), which prohibits expenses not laid out for the purposes of trade; and section 23(e), which does not allow a deduction when a reserve fund is created (for example a leave pay provision). In conducting this study, seven types of accounting provision generally recorded by businesses were identified: the bonus provision, leave pay provision, warranty provision, settlement discount and incentive-rebate provision, post employment provision, retrenchment cost provision and other provisions. These provisions are discussed in view of their possible income tax deductibility, and relevant case studies were identified to confirm the possible deductibility of these accounting provisions. In this study, the transfer of accounting provisions during the sale of a business is considered for the purposes of both the buyer and seller. The tax implications for the buyer and seller are then evaluated, as well as the subsequent treatment of the accounting provisions for the purposes of the buyer. Because the wording of the purchase contract is extremely important when a business is acquired, three examples of the wording of a purchase contract are discussed as well as the income tax implications thereof. The extent of the advice given by a tax practitioner will depend on the allegiance of the practitioner (either for the buyer or seller) and will determine how the contract will be concluded. In conclusion a tax practitioner would want to assist his client to obtain the most effective tax position for the transaction and therefore each purchase contract must be reviewed on its own set of facts.

Thesis (MAcc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Section 24C of the Income Tax Act No. 58 of 1962 (‘the Act’) provides for a deduction of future expenditure that will be incurred by the taxpayer in the performance of his obligations under a contract from which the taxpayer derived income. Due to uncertainties regarding the meaning of certain words and phrases used in section 24C, the first aim of this assignment was to determine the meaning of the word ‘expenditure’ and the phrase ‘will be incurred’ as used in section 24C. The second aim was to establish how a taxpayer will prove with certainty that he will incur future expenditure in the performance of his obligations under a contract. This was done by discussing the effect of contractual terms and other circumstances and by taking into account certain additional guidelines regarding the interpretation of section 24C provided for in Interpretation Note: No. 78 (‘IN 78’). It was established that the word ‘expenditure’ means the amount of money spent, including the disbursement of other assets with a monetary value. The word ‘expenditure’ also specifically includes the voluntary payments and disbursements of assets. The word ‘expenditure’ can also include a loss if the word ‘loss’ can be equated to the word ‘expenditure’. The phrase ‘will be incurred’ implies that the taxpayer will, in a subsequent year of assessment, have an unconditional obligation to pay for expenditure, which must arise from the taxpayer’s obligations to perform under the contract. Contractual terms and other circumstances can indicate whether there is certainty that future expenditure will be incurred as aforementioned. Conditions and warranties are contractual terms that indicate that there is uncertainty regarding the taxpayer’s obligations to perform under the contract. A time clause in a contract can indicate that there is certainty regarding the taxpayer’s obligations to perform under the contract. Similar contracts with similar conditional obligations to perform cannot be grouped together in order to determine the probability, and thus the certainty, that future expenditure will be incurred in the performance of the taxpayer’s obligations under a contract. The probability that a taxpayer will perform his unconditional obligation under the contract must, however, be proved in order to demonstrate that there is certainty regarding the incurral of the future expenditure. IN 78 does not specify whether a loss which can, in certain circumstances, be equated to the word ‘expenditure’, is deductible under section 24C. This should be clarified. The new undefined phrases (a high degree of probability, inevitability, certainty and potentially contractually obligatory), as used in IN 78, might cause confusion when interpreting section 24C. These phrases should be defined and it should be explained how the high degree will be measured. Lastly, is was shown that an anomaly occurs regarding trading stock at hand at the end of a year of assessment, which will be utilised in a subsequent year of assessment in the performance of the taxpayer’s obligations under a contract. Such trading stock does not represent ‘future expenditure’ and must be excluded from the section 24C allowance. However, due to the interplay between section 24C and section 22(1), the taxpayer does not receive any tax relief for the expenditure actually incurred to acquire the closing trading stock in the year in which such trading stock is acquired. It is, therefore, questioned whether the established interpretation of section 24C is in agreement with the Legislator’s original intention with section 24C namely, to match income received under a contract with the related deductible expenditure.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Artikel 24C van die Inkomstebelastingwet No. 58 van 1962 (‘die Wet’) voorsien ʼn aftrekking vir toekomstige onkoste wat deur die belastingpligtige aangegaan sal word in die nakoming van sy verpligtinge ingevolge ʼn kontrak waaruit hy inkomste verkry het. As gevolg van onsekerhede ten opsigte van die betekenis van sekere woorde en frases wat in artikel 24C gebruik word, was die eerste doelstelling van hierdie navorsingswerkstuk om die betekenis van die woord ‘onkoste’ en die frase ‘aangegaan sal word’, soos wat dit in artikel 24C gebruik word, te bepaal. Die tweede doelstelling was om vas te stel hoe 'n belastingpligtige met sekerheid sal bewys dat hy toekomstige onkoste sal aangaan in die nakoming van sy verpligtinge ingevolge ʼn kontrak. Dit is gedoen deur die effek van kontraksbedinge en ander omstandighede te bespreek en deur sekere bykomende riglyne ten opsigte van die interpretasie van artikel 24C, soos vervat in Interpretasienota No. 78 (‘IN 78’), in ag te neem. Daar is vasgestel dat die woord ‘onkoste’ die bedrag van geld wat bestee word, insluitend die uitbetaling van ander bates met 'n geldwaarde, beteken. Die woord ‘onkoste’ sluit ook spesifiek vrywillige betalings en uitbetalings van bates in. Die woord ‘onkoste’ kan ook 'n verlies insluit, indien die woord ‘verlies’ gelyk gestel kan word aan die woord ‘onkoste’. Die frase ‘aangegaan sal word’ impliseer dat die belastingpligtige, in 'n daaropvolgende jaar van aanslag, 'n onvoorwaardelike verpligting sal hê om vir onkostes te betaal. Hierdie onkostes moet ontstaan weens die belastingpligtige se verpligtinge ingevolge die kontrak. Kontraksbedinge en ander omstandighede kan aandui of daar sekerheid is dat die toekomstige onkoste, soos hierbo genoem, aangegaan sal word. Voorwaardes en waarborge is kontraksbedinge wat daarop dui dat daar onsekerheid is rakende die belastingpligtige se verpligtinge om ingevolge die kontrak op te tree. ʼn Tydsklousule in 'n kontrak kan aandui dat daar sekerheid is rakende die belastingpligtige se nakoming van sy verpligtinge ingevolge die kontrak. Soortgelyke kontrakte, met soortgelyke voorwaardelike verpligtinge kan nie saam gegroepeer word ten einde te bepaal of dit waarskynlik, en gevolglik seker is dat toekomstige onkoste in die nakoming van ʼn belastingpligtige se verpligtinge ingevolge die kontrak aangaan sal word nie. Die waarskynlikheid dat 'n belastingpligtige sy onvoorwaardelike verpligting ingevolge die kontrak sal nakom moet egter bewys word ten einde aan te dui dat daar sekerheid is dat toekomstige onkoste aangegaan sal word. IN 78 spesifiseer nie of 'n verlies wat, in sekere omstandighede, gelyk gestel kan word aan die woord ‘onkoste’, ingevolge artikel 24C aftrekbaar is nie. Duidelikheid hieromtrent moet verskaf word. Die nuwe, ongedefinieerde frases ('n hoë graad van waarskynlikheid, onafwendbaarheid, sekerheid en potensieel kontraktueel verpligtend (vry vertaal)), soos in IN 78 gebruik, kan moontlik verwarring veroorsaak wanneer artikel 24C geïnterpreteer word. Hierdie frases moet gedefinieer word en daar moet verduidelik word hoe ʼn hoë graad gemeet gaan word. Laastens blyk dit dat 'n teenstrydigheid ontstaan ten opsigte van handelsvoorraad op hande aan die einde van 'n jaar van aanslag, wat in 'n daaropvolgende jaar van aanslag deur die belastingpligtige in die nakoming van sy verpligtinge ingevolge 'n kontrak gebruik sal word. Sodanige handelsvoorraad verteenwoordig nie ‘toekomstige onkoste’ nie en moet by die artikel 24C toelaag uitgesluit word. Die belastingpligte ontvang egter, weens die wisselwerking tussen artikel 24C en artikel 22(1), nie ʼn belastingverligting vir die onkoste werklik aangegaan in die jaar waarin sodanige handelsvoorraad verkry is nie. Dit word dus bevraagteken of die bewese interpretasie van artikel 24C in ooreenstemming is met die Wetgewer se oorspronklike bedoeling met artikel 24C, naamlik, om inkomste ontvang ingevolge ʼn kontrak met die verwante aftrekbare uitgawes te paar.

Thesis (MAcc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The requirements of section 11(a) and section 24J(2) were considered in this research assignment, from both a money-lender’s and an investment holding company’s perspective, to determine whether interest, losses on irrecoverable loans and raising fees were tax deductible. It was determined, that if the trade requirement is satisfied by the money-lender, then the above-mentioned expenses are fully tax deductible. However, if the trade requirement is satisfied by the investment holding company then only the interest is fully tax deductible. It is further submitted however in this research assignment that it cannot be said that the money-lender alternative is better than the investment holding company alternative – both alternatives are of equal value in the current tax system. What is important though is that taxpayers who will fit the mould of an investment holding company will now be able to use the principles set out in this research assignment to prove that it is in fact carrying on a trade for tax purposes, something that taxpayers are generally reluctant to pursue. If this is pursued, taxpayers may have the added tax benefit of tax deductible interest expenditure (in full) in cases where this was not previously the norm (and an investment holding company will not have to satisfy any of the guidelines of the “money-lender test” when it seeks to deduct its interest expense in full). However, if an investment holding company seeks to deduct losses on irrecoverable loans and raising fees for tax purposes, it will not have to satisfy all the guidelines of the “money-lender test”, but it will have to satisfy one guideline, that being the “system or plan” and “frequent turnover of capital” guideline. It will be very difficult for an investment holding company to prove this on the facts of the case – it will arguably take a special set of facts to accomplish this mean feat.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die vereistes van artikel 11(a) en artikel 24J (2) is in hierdie navorsingsopdrag vanuit ʼn geldskieter en 'n beleggingshouermaatskappy se perspektief oorweeg, om die belastingaftrekbaarheid van rente, verliese op oninvorderbare lenings en diensfooie te bepaal. Daar is vasgestel dat indien die bedryfsvereiste deur ʼn geldskieter nagekom word, bogenoemde uitgawes ten volle vir belastingdoeleindes aftrekbaar is. Indien die bedryfsvereiste egter nagekom word deur ʼn beleggingshouermaatskappy sal slegs die rente ten volle aftrekbaar wees vir belastingdoeleindes. Verder word dit in die navorsingsopdrag aan die hand gedoen dat daar nie gesê kan word dat die geldskieter-alternatief beter is as die beleggingshouermaatskappy-alternatief nie – beide alternatiewe is van gelyke waarde in die huidige belastingbestel. Die onderskeid is egter belangrik, aangesien die belastingbetalers wat aan die vereistes van ʼn beleggingshouermaatskappy voldoen, nou in staat sal wees om die beginsels wat in hierdie navorsingsopdrag uiteengesit word, te gebruik om te bewys dat die beleggingshouermaatskappy in werklikheid ʼn bedryf vir belastingdoeleindes beoefen. Belastingbetalers is oor die algemeen huiwerig om dit te poog. Indien wel, kan belastingbetalers ʼn belastingaftrekking ten opsigte van rente uitgawes kry, wat voorheen nie die norm was nie (ʼn beleggingshouermaatskappy sal nie enige van die “geldskietertoets” riglyne hoef na te kom wanneer dit poog om ʼn belastingafrekking vir die rente uitgawe te kry nie). Indien ʼn beleggingshouermaatskappy verliese op oninvorderbare lenings en diensfooie vir belastingdoeleindes wil aftrek, sal die belastingbetaler nie al die “geldskietertoets” riglyne hoef na te kom nie, maar sal egter moet voldoen aan die “stelsel of plan” en “gereelde omset van kapitaal” riglyne. Dit sal baie moeilik wees vir 'n beleggingshouermaatskappy om dit te bewys op grond van die feite van die saak – dit sal waarskynlik ʼn spesiale stel feite verg om dit te bereik.

Private philanthropy is important in America. In 1985, philanthropy totaled almost 80 billion dollars. Philanthropy is partially a function of price. Absent a tax benefit, the price of charitable giving is unity. When tax benefits are available, the price of cash giving is one minus the marginal tax rate of the donor. Philanthropy is not evenly distributed among all classes of organizations. Changes in tax cost bring about changes in the distribution of gifts among organizations. Predictions have been made of a six to twelve billion dollar decline in individual giving as a result of the Tax Reform Act of 1986. The question is, "Whose ox gets gored?" In 1962, the Internal Revenue Service collected data directly linking itemized charitable contributions to class of donee organization. Prior works by Taussig, Schwartz, Feldstein, and Clotfelter have been principally based on this data. Their works document differing elasticities of price on charitable giving. The current research gathered 1985 data on the relationships between income, price, and charitable donee for 298 Dallas County, Texas, taxpayers. Data was obtained from selected certified public accountants in Dallas County who prepared income tax returns for individuals as part of their practice. Two hundred fifty usable responses reflected charitable gifts. The data collected permitted the tax benefit resulting from charitable gifts to be calculated. Income levels and marginal tax rates on those gifts were then correlated with donee organizations using multiple regression analysis. The main effects of price and income on giving were masked by multicollinearity. The interaction effects of price and other independent variables showed little price effect on giving. Only when coupled with the income variable at income levels of $50,000 was the price effect significant.

O presente trabalho busca examinar o conteúdo normativo de regras e limites de dedutibilidade do imposto de renda no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro. Pretende-se analisar a sua relevância como um instrumento de proteção de direitos fundamentais e de realização da igualdade tributária por meio da simplificação que proporciona. Com base nessa premissa, pretende-se, primeiro, afastar o entendimento de que regras e limites de dedutibilidade são fruto da discricionariedade legislativa e, segundo, apresentar parâmetros de controle que permitam o seu controle jurisdicional.
The presente study aims to examine the normative content of deductions in the context of income tax in brazilian law. Its purpose is to analyze the relevance of deductions as an instrument of protection of fundamental rights and achieving equality through tax simplification. Based on this premise, it seeks, first, overcome the understanding that deductibility rules and limits are the result of legislative discretion and, second, provide control parameters that allow its jurisdictional control.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2004.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Like any other item of expenditure, interest expenditure's deductibility is determined by subjecting it to the tests laid down in the general deduction formula contained in section 11(a), together with section 23(f) and 23(g) of the Income Tax Act, as well as the special deductions applicable to interest. In this study there will be only concentrated on the tests laid down in the general deduction formula contained in section 11(a), together with section 23(f) and 23(g) of the Income Tax Act. The general test according to section 11(a) as laid down by the courts to ascertain if an expense incurred in trade is deductible, is firstly to ascertain the act entailing the expenditure. If it is performed for the purpose of earning income, the expenditure attendant upon is deductible. Secondly, the closeness of the connection between the expenditure incurred and the trade must be ascertained. If the expense incurred is so closely connected with the business operation that it may be regarded as part of the cost of performing it, the expenditure will be deductible. The courts have considered many factors to ascertain if interest expenditure complies with the statutory requirements as set out in section 11(a), read together with section 23(f) and 23(g) of the Income Tax Act. There seems to be one test which can be applied to most of the statutory requirements and can be seen as the conclusive factor in determining the deductibility of interest expenses and that is the test of the original purpose of the loan that leads to the interest expense. Firstly in this study, the factors considered by the courts to ascertain if the deductibility of an interest expenditure complies with the statutory requirements as set out in the introduction of section 11(a), together with section 23(f) and 23(g), will be examined with specific reference to the purpose of the loan. Then the possibility of a change in the original purpose of a loan and the effect on the deductibility of an interest expenditure will be examined.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Soos enige ander uitgawe, word rente uitgawes se aftrekbaarheid bepaal deur dit te onderwerp aan die toetse soos neergele in die algemene aftrekkingsformule, vervat in artikel 11(a), saamgelees met artikel 23(f) en 23(g) van die Inkomstebelastingwet, asook die spesiale aftrekkings wat op rente van toepassing is. In hierdie studie word slegs op die algemene aftrekkingsformule, vervat in artikel 11(a), saamgelees met artikel 23(f) en 23(g) van die Inkomstebelastingwet gekonsentreer. Die algemene toets volgens artikel 11(a) wat deur die howe neergele is om te bepaal of 'n uitgawe aangegaan in 'n bedryf aftrekbaar is, is om eerstens te bepaal of die handeling waaraan die uitgawe verbind is by die voortbrenging van inkomste aangegaan is en tweedens of die uitgawe wat aangegaan is nou genoeg verwant is aan die bedryf sod at dit as deel van die koste beskou kan word om die bedryf te beoefen. Die howe het verskeie faktore oorweeg om te bepaal of die aftrekbaarheid van rente uitgawes voldoen aan die statutere vereistes soos bepaal deur artikel 11(a), saamgelees met artikel 23(f) en 23(g) van die Inkomstebelastingwet. Daar blyk een toets te wees wat op die meeste statutêre vereistes toegepas kan word en wat ook as die bepalende factor beskou kan word om die aftrekbaarheid van rente uitgawes te beoordeel en dit is die oorspronklike doel waarmee die lening aangegaan is wat die rente uitgawe tot gevolg het. In hierdie studie word eerstens ondersoek ingestel na die faktore wat die howe oorweeg om te bepaal of 'n rente uitgawe aan die vereistes, soos uiteengesit in die inleiding van artikel 11(a), saamgelees met artikel 23(f) en 23(g), voldoen met spesifieke verwysing na die doel waarmee 'n lening aangegaan word. Die moontlikheid word dan ondersoek dat die oorspronklike doel van die lening kan verander en watter effek dit op die aftreknbaarheid van ‘n rente uitgawe kan hê.

One perceived deficiency in the tax system is its unfairness (inequity). One area in which unfairness has been alleged is the favoritism shown toward homeowners. The focus of this study was on the effects of homeowner preferences on the Federal tax system. The overall impact of homeowner preferences can be said to produce three major results—loss of revenue, reduction in horizontal equity, and reduction in vertical equity.

Section 11(a) of the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 entitles taxpayers to a deduction in respect of expenditure actually incurred, provided that all the other requirements of section 11 and section 23 of the Act have been met. A company may issue its own shares, credited as fully paid up, as a payment for trading stock or services rendered, as was the case in C:SARS v Labat Africa (2011) 74 SATC 1. The question that was raised by this decision is whether the issue of shares constitutes “expenditure” as contemplated in section 11(a) of the Act. It is trite that a share in a company is a bundle of rights which entitle the holder to dividends when declared and to a vote in shareholders’ meetings and that a share does not come into the hands of a shareholder by way of transfer from the company, but is rather created as a bundle of rights for him in the company. In C: SARS v Labat Africa, the Supreme Court of Appeal decided that to issue shares as a payment for goods is not expenditure as contemplated in section 11(a) of the Act. The Act does not define “expenditure”. It has been interpreted in certain cases as a payment of money or disbursement, while it has been interpreted as the undertaking of a legal obligation in other cases. The Labat Africa case has been criticised for its interpretation of expenditure on the grounds that it is contrary to the principle that “actually incurred” does not mean “actually paid”. This research has argued that, in the context of the Labat Africa case, which related to an issue of shares in payment for goods, Harms AP’s judgment was concerned with showing why a share issue is not expenditure. He could not have intended to deny a deduction to transactions such as credit purchases.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2004.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to determine the applicability of the various South African Income Taxation Act sections on the deduction of software costs. A distinction is made between the various deduction sections in the Income Taxation Act that are applicable to software costs. By doing this an appropriate taxation deduction is recommended for the different types of software costs that the taxpayer incurs. Software assets and expenditure can be divided into various categories based on the acquisition agreement. The rights and assets that are obtained, differ for each category of software cost. In some instances a copyright is obtained and in other instances only a right of use is obtained. Furthermore the taxpayer receives intellectual property, an intangible asset, and/or a tangible asset. A literature study and an analysis of the different types of software costs and the four concerned Income Taxation Act sections serve as background for the consideration of the applicability of each specific deduction section in the Income Taxation Act on the various categories of software costs. By using the information obtained in the literature study and the analyses, a recommendation is made of the most applicable deduction article for each category of software cost.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie het ten doel om die toepaslikheid van die verskillende Suid-Afrikaanse Inkomstebelastingwetsartikels, op die aftrekking van sagtewarekoste te bepaal. 'n Onderskeid word getref tussen die verskillende aftrekkingsartikels wat van toepassing is op sagtewarekoste in die Inkomstebelastingwet. Sodoende word 'n geskikte belastingaftrekking vir die verskillende tipes sagtewarekoste voorgestel wat deur elke belastingpligtige aangegaan word. Sagtewarebates of -uitgawes kan in verskillende kategoriee verdeel word na aanleiding van die verkrygingsooreenkoms wat aangegaan is. Die regte en bates wat verkry word verskil ten opsigte van elke kategorie sagtewarekoste. In sommige gevalle word 'n outeursreg verkry en in ander gevalle slegs 'n gebruiksreg. Verder kan of intellekuele eiendom, 'n ontasbare bate, en/of 'n tasbare bate verkry word. 'n Literatuurstudie en analise van die verskillende tipes sagtewarekoste en die vIer betrokke Inkomstebelastingwetsartikels dien as agtergrond vir die oorweging van die toepaslikheid van elke spesifieke aftrekkingsartikel in die Inkomstebelastingwet op die onderskeie kategoriee sagtewarekoste. Daama word die inligting wat bekom is in die literatuurstudie en analise gebruik om die mees toepaslike aftrekkingsartikel vir elke kategorieë sagtewarekoste voor te stel.

Many South Africans may not have adequate retirement savings when they retire and this has the effect of a low income replacement ratio on retirement that may lead to a decrease in the standard of living of the retiree and in extreme cases the retiree becoming dependent on their family and the government. Owing to this trend of no or inadequate retirement savings, South Africa embarked on a retirement reform journey in 2004. The goal of this research is to determine whether the retirement reform mechanisms outlined by National Treasury would encourage individual retirement savings that should assist South Africans to achieve stability of income in their retirement. This research analysed the current retirement savings options and vehicles available for South Africans, the current tax incentives and disincentives and reviewed the proposed changes to tax incentives and disincentives during the accumulation phase of retirement savings and explained how these proposed tax incentives are harmonised for the accumulation phase of retirement. The research explained how National Treasury aims to limit pre-retirement withdrawals and how it intends to encourage the annuitisation of post-retirement benefits. The penultimate chapter of this research measured the effect (by making certain assumptions) of the changes proposed by National Treasury on the income replacement ratio of the retiree. Throughout the research comparisons were made between The OECD Roadmap for the good design of defined contribution pension plans and National Treasury’s proposals. This research did not directly address the effect of increased life expectancies on retirement savings or increases in youth unemployment and the effect that this may have on retirement savings. The effect of financial charges levied on retirement savings on the income replacement ratio of a retiree was also not explored. Furthermore, not all pension funds are regulated by the Pension Funds Act and how these pension funds can be brought within the purview of the Pension Funds Act was not investigated. Automatic enrolment of retirement savings for all employees in South Africa in retirement vehicles is a further research area that could be addressed.

The graduation thesis is focused on payroll accounting according to valid legislation of year 2012.The aim was to explain the payroll in the business sector with regard to labor regulations, the finance accounting, social insurance and health insurance, income tax from employment. The graduate thesis is based on the assumption that the employees working under the same conditions of employment with the same-time and with the same wage conditions have the same net salary to be paid. Chapters are devoted to the issue of labor relations, the calculation of net earnings, deductions for health and social insurance, taxation and payroll deductions from wages. The original assumption was not clearly confirmed, because to the calculation of net earnings enter a number of aspects.

On the 1st of January 2009, a new regulation regarding interest deduction limitations was enforced. The aim was to prevent tax structure with interest deductions in a community of interest. The changes meant that intra-group share transfers, which generates an intra-group loan structure, can lead to borrower losing their right to deduct interest expenses. Except from the main rule two exceptions were also introduced. These eliminates the limitations, and accept the deductibility despite the above conditions. The exceptions are named ten-percent rule and “ventilen”. It was found that Swedish municipal communities also engaged in such arrangements. As a result of this discovery the Swedish Tax Authority was delegated the task to investigate companies that are in a community of interest with a fully or partially exempted taxpayer in general and its relationship to the tax structure of interest deductions in particular. The application of “ventilen” creates problems regarding the definition of business purpose as well as the relationship between business and organizational purposes. The assessment of organizational purposes is of particular importance for municipal communities of interest where transparency, control and quality assurance are of great importance. Needs of rationalization and organizational changes occurs continually within municipal community groups. Unclarity due to organizational purpose makes these changes, within the municipal communities, problematic. Both municipal communities as well as experts regard the deduction limitations due to municipal community interest unclear. Due to the unclarity a few municipal communities have chosen to switch their internal loans to ones through Kommuninvest. This to avoid the rising risk-taking as any interest deductibility limitations may entail. The Swedish High Administrative Court has in their judgements expressed their support for this kind of loan structure. It is unclear how the law concerning “ventilen” should be applied in regards to municipal communities interest, which also raises questions about “ventilens” compatibility with the principle of legality. The High Swedish Administrative Court has solved the problem, at least for now, by approving an alternative approach, the one including Kommuninvest, which thereby reduces the stress for the Court to come to a conclusion regarding “ventilens” proper functioning and application.
Den 1 januari 2009 trädde en ny lagstiftning i kraft gällande ränteavdragsbegränsningar. Syftet var att förhindra skatteupplägg med ränteavdrag inom en intressegemenskap. Förändringarna innebar att koncerninterna andelsöverlåtelser, som genererar en koncernintern upplåning hänförlig till lånet, kan resultera i att låntagaren förlorar sin avdragsrätt för ränteutgifterna. Till huvudregeln infördes två undantag som undanröjer begräsningen, och godtar avdragsrätt trots ovan förutsättningar. Undantagsreglerna betecknas tioprocentsregeln samt ventilen. Syftet med ränteavdragsbegränsningarna är att förhindra skatteupplägg med ränteavdrag inom intressegemenskaper, och då främst inom privata internationella sådana. Det har dock framkommit att även svenska kommunala intressegemenskaper ägnar sig åt dylika upplägg. Med anledning av denna upptäckt fick SKV i uppdrag att utreda bolag som befinner sig i intressegemenskap med helt eller delvis skattebefriade skattesubjekt i allmänhet samt dess relation till skatteupplägg med ränteavdrag i synnerhet. Tillämpningen av ventilen, i förhållande till kommunala intressegemenskaper, genererar problem gällande såväl definitionen av affärsmässigt samt relationen mellan affärsmässiga och organisatoriska skäl. Bedömning kring organisatoriska skäl blir av stor vikt för kommunala intressegemenskaper där insyn, kontrollutövande och kvalitetssäkring är betydelsefullt. Det uppkommer ständigt behov av effektivisering och förändring för att kunna uppnå en acceptabel nivå av kontroll och inblick i bolagen som kommunen äger och förvaltar.  Då rättsläget enligt kommuner och sakkunniga är oklart har flertalet kommunala intressegemenskaper lagt om sina interna lån via Kommuninvest. Det har gjorts för att undvika det ökade riskatagande som en eventuell förlorad ränteavdragsrätt kan komma att innebära. HFD har i praxis uttryckt sitt stöd för denna typ av omläggning. Gällande rätt bör dock anses vara oklar gällande ventilens tillämpning inom kommunala intressegemenskaper, vilket även väcker frågor kring ventilens kompatibilitet med legalitetsprincipen. HFD kan dock ha ansetts finna en, om än en provisorisk sådan, lösning på problematiken genom att godkänna en omläggning till Kommuninvest som därmed minskar stressen för HFD att komma till en slutsats gällande ventilens korrekta tolkning och tillämpning.

The graduation thesis focuses on wage problems and related areas. The main aim is to define basic principles of payroll accounting and to give a compact view of wage related problems. Individual chapters focus on problems of labour-law relations, remuneration, social and health insurance, income tax and payroll deductions. Each chapter also contains a part with accounting of the problems mentioned; the last chapter contains practical examples of wage calculation according to payroll legislation valid in the year 2010. The thesis concludes with the most important changes in payroll legislation in recent years.

Den 1 januari 2009 trädde en ny lagstiftning i kraft gällande ränteavdragsbegränsningar i syfte att förhindra skatteupplägg med ränteavdrag inom en intressegemenskap. Förändringarna innebar att en huvudregel infördes vilken stipulerar att bolag inom en intressegemenskap inte får dra av ränteutgifter avseende en intern skuld som hänför sig till förvärv av delägarrätter inom koncernen. Till huvudregeln infördes två undantag som stadgar att avdrag ändock får göras om särskilda krav är uppfyllda. Undantagen kom att benämnas tioprocentsregeln och ventilen. När det gäller tillämpningen av tioprocentsregeln ligger svårigheten i att utföra det så kallade hypotetiska testet där man ska beräkna till vilken skattesats det räntemottagande bolaget ska beskattas till om det endast hade haft ränteinkomsten som sin enda inkomst. Tillämpningsproblemet gällande ventilen är att det är en lagregel vilken vilar på domstolens subjektiva värderingar av affärsmässigheten i de uppkomna skuldförhållandena. Trots införandet av de nya reglerna uppmärksammade Skatteverket att skatteplaneringsförfaranden fortfarande föreligger varför ett nytt lagförslag nu har publicerats av Finansdepartementet. Förslaget innebär i kort tre stora förändringar av de nuvarande reglerna. Samtliga interna lån ska numera omfattas, en omvänd ventil införs vilken ger Skatteverket rätt att neka avdrag oavsett till vilken skattesats ränteinkomsten beskattas till samt att avdrag enligt ventilen endast ska kunna medges gällande ränteutgifter som betalas till bolag belägna i ett land inom EES eller till ett land vilket Sverige har ett skatteavtal med. Huruvida lagförslaget kommer att antas eller inte är i nuläget oklart. Flera remissinstanser har varit kritiska till förslaget, framförallt gällande den omvända ventilen då man anser att den leder till stor rättsosäkerhet.
On January 1st 2009, a new legislation was set in force with regards to deduction limitations on interests in order to prevent tax schemes with the use of interest deductions within a corporate group. The changes that were made imposed a general rule which stipulates that companies within a corporate group are not allowed to deduct interests regarding internal debts if that debt relates to an acquisition of shares in a company within the corporate group. To the general rule two exceptions were introduced which stipulates that deductions can be made if certain requirements are fulfilled. The exceptions were called the ten percent-rule and “ventilen”. Regarding the application of the ten percent-rule the difficulty lies in the performing of the so called hypothetical test in which you have to calculate to what tax rate the interest-receiving company will be taxed at if it only had the interest as it´s only income. The application problem regarding “ventilen” is based on the fact that it is a rule which rests on the Court’s subjective evaluation of the commercial reasonableness of the transaction. Despite the introduction of the new rules the Swedish Tax Authorities noticed that tax schemes still exists why a new proposal now has been published by the Ministry of Finance. The proposal contains in short of three major changes to the current rules. All internal loans are now covered, a reverse ”ventil” is introduced which gives the Tax Authorities a right to deny deductions regardless of what tax rate the income is taxed to and finally that deductions according to “ventilen” only will be allowed regarding interest payments to a country within the EEA or to a country which Sweden has a tax agreement with. Whether the proposal will be adopted or not is currently unclear and several respondents have been critical to the proposal.

Lietuva per paskutinius keletą metų prarado lyderės pozicijas Vakarų Europoje lyginant apmokestinamojo pelno apskaičiavimo taisykles ir pelno mokesčio tarifo dydį, tačiau iš pirmaujančių šalių grupės nepasitraukė, nenusileidžia ji ir Latvijai bei Estijai, kuriose yra sukurtos taip pat vienos patraukliausių investuotojams pelno mokesčio sistemų Europos Sąjungoje. Siekiant įvertinti šalies patrauklumą užsienio investuotojams reikia įvertinti apmokestinamojo pelno apskaičiavimo taisykles bei apžvelgti pelno mokesčio tarifą. Šio darbo objektas yra apmokestinamasis pelnas. Tikslas – išsiaiškinti apmokestinamojo pelno apskaičiavimą. Šiam tikslui pasiekti iškelti šie svarbiausi uždaviniai: 1) išnagrinėti pelno sampratą bei pateikti informaciją apie pelno valdymą; 2) išanalizuoti Lietuvos akcinių bendrovių apmokestinamojo pelno apskaičiavimą; 3) išnagrinėti ir palyginti Lietuvos, Latvijos ir Estijos apmokestinamojo pelno apskaičiavimo tvarką; Darbą sudaro 3 pagrindinės dalys. Pirmoje dalyje “Pelno samprata ir valdymas“ nagrinėjama pelno sąvoka, išskiriami neatitikimai tarp finansinio ir mokestinio pelno bei pateikiamos pelno valdymo galimybės pasirenkant apskaitos politikos priemones. Antroje dalyje „Apmokestinamojo pelno apskaičiavimas Lietuvoje“ analizuojama akcinių bendrovių apmokestinamojo pelno apskaičiavimo tvarka, pateikiamos neapmokestinamosios pajamos, neleidžiami ir ribojamų dydžių leidžiami atskaitymai. Nagrinėjami galimi pelno mokesčio sumažinimo būdai bei metinė pelno... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]
Lithuania during several recent years has lost its leading position in Western Europe compared to calculation of taxable profit rules and income tax rate, but it is still one of leading countries, it keep up with Latvia and Estonia where also are developed one of the most attractive income tax systems in the European Union. In order to evaluate country’s attractiveness to foreign investors we need to evaluate calculation of taxable profit rules and review corporate income tax rate. The subject of this investigation is taxable profit. Purpose is to find out calculation of taxable profit rules. There are main tasks to achieve the purpose: 1) to investigate concept of profit and to give information about profit management; 2) to analyze calculation of taxable profit of Lithuanian stock companies; 3) to consider and compare Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian calculation of taxable profit. This paper consists of three main parts. In the first part “Concept of profit and management”, is considered the profit concept, differences between taxable and accounting profit, also there is written about profit management opportunities choosing of accounting policy tools. In the second part “Calculation of taxable profit in Lithuania” is analyzed stock companies calculation of taxable profit and is introduced non-taxable income, not allowed and limited amount allowed deductions. Also there is written possibilities of reducing income tax and about profit tax declaration as well its purpose. The... [to full text]

Graduation thesis deals with the issue of payroll accounting and related areas - social insurance, health insurance, taxation. On beginnnig it explains discretions and duties employees and employers. It is very important for next wage questions. Basis of thesis is definition and calculation of premium and taxation. There are necessary iformation for calculation of gross wage and net wage. I focus on this area in practical example, where I calculate wage of fictive employee in every months of calendar year. The graduation thesis is ended up with summary of changes in the year 2011 and changes for the next years.

The graduation theses is focused on wage problems and related areas in the private sector and contains summary of informations necessary to right pay accounting. With respect to tax and social insurance reforms in last years the main aim of this theses is to compare the impact of changes on pay accounting in years 2007 -- 2009. Problems of social and health insurance and taxes are mentioned in regularizations valid in these years. In every chapter are added examples concerning these problems. These examples allow year-on-year comparison. The graduation theses contains within mentioned problems also other problems: payroll deductions, mileage, refundof wages and benefits as other form of remuneration of employees. Also in these chapters are given examples for best understanding and clarity. Each chapter contains also accounting of mentioned problems in double-entry accounting. The graduation theses is ended up with complex example which compares height of net earnings in years 2007 -- 2009.

碩士
逢甲大學
財稅所
97
The global economy has deteriorated by last year because of subprime mortgage market failure in American and financial tsunami happened around the world. In order to overcome severe period, many countries set the policy of “tax reduction” for encourage economy-recovery swiftly. Take Taiwan for an example, Taiwanese government process “reduction of tax rate by people’s income tax” in 2009 for incurring economy-prosperity. However, reducing the tax rate plays a crucial role on tax reform issue. It should consider not only government’s finance but also understanding fully by current tax laws and its disadvantages for improvement of tax-reform. The empirical result found that progression-degree is bigger in the low bracket rate compared with high bracket rate. Only donationitem makes progression degree and tax system fair obviously. Other items expect donation is better in the progression and the fairness. The outcome of donation portion in both tax incidence coefficient and Gini coefficient presents that without donation item will causes higher progressive degree in tax structure and raise the fairness.

碩士
逢甲大學
經營管理碩士在職專班
93
Taiwan’s government finance has been deteriorating in recent years. A major reason for that can be attributed to a severe erosion of the taxation basis over time. Taiwan’s combined income tax scheme offers many deductible categories, which not only serve the purpose of accurately reflect each taxpayer’s true tax-paying ability, but also help the government achieve certain policy objectives. However, inappropriate stipulations of the taxation scheme would not only erode the taxation premise, but also can lead to both a vertical and a horizontal injustice in the income tax scheme. The study primarily aims to examine the state of how taxpayers in six counties of the Central Taiwan utilize a host of deductibles from 2000 to 2002, and whether the tangible yield of tax reduction deriving from deductibles entitled by higher average income groups appears in an exactly reversed counter-compensatory phenomenon than the tangible yield of deductibles entitled by lower average income groups. The study first adopts the research method of K-means, with which to recap the correlations among the total income, tangible taxation rates and a host of deductibles. Next, losses in each household’s average tax rated to a host of deductibles are measured to indicate the severity of the counter-complementary effect. The field validation findings show that a majority of the deductible categories are adopted by higher average income groups; the counter-complementary effect is especially manifest in “the itemized deductible category - the absence of a maximum cap per filer”, “the itemized deductible category - the maximum cap per filer”, and “the itemized deductible category - the percentage of maximum cap per house” as most ominous. Among them, the ramification of the absence of a maximum cap per filer is seen most ominous. In addition, the data derived from analyzing the ten-digit income earners nationwide in 2000 and 2001 show that the loss of average tax amount per household on those in higher income brackets versus the government’s total tax revenue losses far exceeds those that fall in the lower income brackets. Recapping the above filed validation, it has been discovered that in spite the government has utilized various taxation and government due reductions and waivers to achieve specific government developmental objectives, yet the implementation results find the tax reduction and waiver tend to be concentrated on a small number of individuals with high income, leading to a tremendous loss on tax revenue, and severely discrediting the fairness of the taxation and government due levying system. This, however, also coincides with the “minimum tax burden system” policy that the government is recently actively promoting in taxation reform.

碩士
逢甲大學
財稅所
96
This thesis is mainly to study the influence of bracket rates and deductions and exemptions of individual income tax system of ROC to the progression and income distribution of tax system, and the empirical study data are from the Statistics of Approval of Individual Income Tax 2004 issued by the Financial Data Center, Ministry of Finance. In order to understand the influence of rates structure and each deduction and exemption of individual tax income of ROC to the progression of entire individual income tax system and the income distribution after tax, this study will adopt the RSA index to acquire the feedback of each income stratum to the tax system alteration; while the RSA indexes can not display the tax progression definitely, so that the TIC method is used to scale the influence of tax system alteration to the progression of individual income tax. The empirical study indicates that the result of tax rate reforming that seems to be very reasonable and relatively advantageous to those with low income from the appearance is not as expected due to the difference of net income, therefore the decrease of bracket rates is relatively advantageous to the income stratum applicable for more bracket rates. For the deduction and exemption part, the progression of individual income tax system is decreased and the change of entire income distribution improving degree is not big in the condition that the exemption or general deduction is not permitted, and neither of these 2 situations is advantageous to those with low income; the influence to the progression of individual income tax and entire income distribution is not huge in the condition that the general deduction can only adopt the standard deduction, while the distribution improving degree can be increased for all the stratums except for the 10th stratum; it is obvious that though it is disadvantageous to the 10% stratum with highest income if the general deduction can only adopt the standard deduction, it is advantageous to the income distribution of all other stratums. If the special deduction of income from wages is not permitted, the progression of individual income tax is decreased and it is disadvantageous to the income distribution of those with low and middle income.

碩士
國立雲林科技大學
科技法律研究所
107
In 2018 Taiwan has officially entered the stage of an aged society defined by WHO. The major part of the long-term care demander is the elderly. Reviewing the foreign origin and development of long-term care to understand financial burden and settlement options. After confirming long-term care service is constitutional protection of human rights, this paper discusses legitimacy of social insurance. Premiums paid by or for the taxpayer, his (her) spouse or lineal dependent(s) on life insurance, labor insurance , national pension insurance and insurance for military personnel, public servants or teachers, with the deductible amount not exceed NT$ 24,000 for each person per year. The limited amount has not been changed for 30 years and it's necessary to amend it. Demand for long-term care isn't only for the senior citizens. It may occur in different age group so the insurance scheme can be set up by central government. It is only private insurance in Taiwan currently. There are some differences between private insurance and social insurance; therefore, it may influence deduction amounts. This paper will confirm deductions should be added long-term care premiums by analyzing Constitution, Income Tax Act, Insurance and foreign structure of long-term care insurance and its deduction.

碩士
逢甲大學
財稅所
94
The individual income tax in Taiwan is considered to improve the social equity because it adopts a progressive tax system. A tax concerns not only the sufficient tax revenue but also the impacts on economic activities and government policies. The legal allowance of deductions or exemptions in income tax system shows the positive concerns, but it may increase the degree of inequity. Based on the above reasons, the purpose of this study is to analyze the impacts of exemptions and deductions of individual income tax on the distribution of after tax income. This study employed the data from The Statistics of Compliance and Approval of Individual Income Tax published by The Financial Data Center of Ministry of Finance. The empirical results showed the distribution of after tax income had been worse from 1998 to 2002 by the evaluation of Gini Coefficient. Under the current distribution of after tax income, the distribution of after tax income would worsen if the exemptions are not allowed. In other words, the distribution of after tax income had been improved year by year due to the allowance of exemptions. The results estimated by Oshima Index are similar to those estimated by Gini Coefficients.

M. Comm.
The purpose of the study is to identify some guidelines to determine if any legal expenses — as defined in section 11(c) of the Income Tax Act, No 58 of 1962 ("the Act") actually incurred in respect of any claim, dispute or action at law arising in the course of or by any reason of the ordinary operations of a taxpayer in the carrying on of his trade —, are deductible. The admissibility of legal fees as a deduction depends primarily upon whether, in applying the provisions of section 11(a), the taxpayer is able to establish that such expenditure had been incurred in the production of income and was not of a capital nature. Furthermore, in terms of paragraph (c) of section 11, a taxpayer is entitled to deduct from his income any legal expenses, other than those of a capital nature, which he incurs and which arise in the course or by reason of the ordinary operations undertaken by him in the carrying on of his trade.The deduction is, however, limited to so much thereof as it: Is not of capital nature; Is not incurred in respect of any claim made against the taxpayer for the payment of damages or compensation if by reason of the nature of the claim or the circumstances, any payment which is or might be made in satisfaction or settlement of the claim does not or would not rank for deduction under section 11(a) or (b) of the Act; Is not incurred in respect of any claim made by the taxpayer for the payment to him of any amount which does not or would not constitute income of the taxpayer; and is not incurred in respect of any dispute or action at law relating to any such claim as in referred to in (ii) and (iii) above. The admissibility of legal expenses as a deduction depends primarily upon whether, in applying the provisions of section 11(a), the taxpayer is able to establish that such expenditure had been incurred in the production of income and was not of a capital nature. Furthermore, to establish, in terms of paragraph (c) of section 11, whether a taxpayer is entitled to deduct from income any legal expenses, other than those of a capital nature, which he incurs and which arise in the course or by reason of the ordinary operations undertaken by him in the carrying on of his trade.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce specialising in Taxation
Taxpayers are broadly financed in two ways, namely through the use of debt and equity. The returns on capital and debt are treated differently from an income tax perspective (SARS 2013). The interest expense incurred by taxpayers in the production of income by a person carrying on a trade, are deductible in determining taxable income, subject to certain conditions and limitations. The number of provisions contained in the Income Tax Act of 1962 (the Act) which deal with the tax treatment of interest income and interest expenditure have gradually increased over time. There are numerous aspects to be borne in mind by resident and foreign companies when considering the income tax and withholding tax implications which may arise in respect of transactions giving rise to interest income and interest expenditure (SAICA 2015). This is affirmed by the number of provisions in the income tax act dealing with the deductibility of interest primarily dealt with in section 24J of the Act as well as indicated by the 2014 amendments to section 8F, the introduction of section 8FA, sections 23M and 23N into the legislation. The purpose of this report is to assess whether the Department of National Treasury (National Treasury) have taken the number of provisions of the deductibility of interest too far.
NG (2020)

LL.M.
The concept of a debt defeasance transaction has recently come under scrutiny in the South African financial market. In the financial arena lower lending rates and efficient tax planning are of paramount consideration to corporate entities seeking to raise finance and to properly structure their affairs. Debt defeasance transactions recognise the time value of money. Companies with long-term borrowings obtain financial advantages if those borrowings can be retired early as the present value of the liability is less than the face value thereof. The objective of this paper is to present a comparative study of the manner in which debt defeasance transactions have been dealt with in the Australian jurisdiction and how the South African courts would view the income tax consequences of such transactions. The choice of the Australian jurisdiction finds its motivation in the similarity of the income tax regime of that country with the system applied in South Africa. Although the Australian income tax legislation allows for a wider range of income to be recognised as assessable income (hence the frequent references to "income according to ordinary concepts" in the judicial pronouncements in that country) the concept of an accrual of income is recognised and applied in the Australian legislation in a similar manner to that of the South African income tax legislation. In addition, there have been a number of recent decisions in the Australian courts on debt defeasance transactions that were implemented during the 1980's. Given that the South African courts are mindful of developments in 2 Australia and will seek guidance from that jurisdiction, the contemporary nature of the Australian decisions referred to below is insightful and useful in a comparative study. The conclusions reached in this dissertation are that the income tax benefits sought by the parties to the transaction and which are pivotal to the success of the transaction, will not be available in the South African context, just as they are not available in Australia. In certain circumstances the debt defeasance profit, as it is termed in this paper, will be fully taxable in the hands of the taxpayer to whom it accrues, particularly in regard to instantaneous defeasances and where the taxpayer is a financial institution. It is this outcome of the application of the general principles of the South African income tax legislation that leads to the failure of the transaction as a fund raising tool in the structured finance environment. Thought has been given to whether or not the South African legislation should be amended to cater specifically for the debt defeasance transaction. There are no issues that are created by these transactions, such as mismatches in the timing of accruals and deductions as is the case in the trading of financial instruments, that are not already catered for in the current income tax legislation. The main enquiry in determining the consequences of a debt defeasance transaction is in the application of the gross income definition in section 1 of The Income Tax Act 58 of 1962. The application of the gross income definition is trite law and the judicial pronouncements thereon are 3 adequate guidance and it is submitted that no amendment to the Income Tax Act is required to cater for debt defeasance transactions. The structure of this paper will be to give an overview of the mechanics of debt defeasance transactions and the defeasance transactions and the consequences thereof. A survey of the Australian examples of debt defeasances is undertaken and the judgements given by the Australian courts in response to such transactions are canvassed. An analysis will finally be undertaken on the income tax consequences of debt defeasances as they have been imported into South Africa

碩士
義守大學
醫務管理學系
101
Before the hospitals implemented policy of electronic income tax deduction statement by Ministry of Finance, R.O.C, the individual income tax payers had to prepare lots of receipts for filing tax in advance, which was quite inconvenient and also increased the tax collection cost of hospital administrative departments and governmental organs. The policy of electronic income tax deduction statement has been listed into the fourth stage of E-government nowadays, in which the Innovative Application Project of the Individual Income Tax e-Deduction Statement focuses on collecting the tax filing documents, continuously promoting the e-operation of individual income tax deduction, spreading the document-free operation of tax collection and also allowing public to query, download and apply through web receipts during the period of filing individual income tax. However, most hospitals have not offered the system yet except the medical centers and some regional hospitals, so there is still much space for promotion. This study selects the managers in finical department of hospital to survey, so as to explore the key factors influencing the adoption in the hospitals. The paper refers to the Technology–Organization-Environment (TOE) Model proposed by Tornatzky and Fleischer. Furthermore, it discusses with experts and then revises the framework based on their suggestions, which divides the factors influencing the adoption of electronic data interchange of income tax deduction statement in the hospitals into three dimensions, including technology, organization and environment. And then it selects the top ten possible influencing factors as the theoretical structure to discuss whether to adopt or construct or not. Moreover, it testifies the study framework and related hypothesis with empirical materials, working out the factors influencing the adoption of electronic data interchange of income tax deduction statement in the hospitals. The survey takes all 195 above-regional-level hospitals which are promoted in the second stage of Innovative Application Project as the population, with 87 valid questionnaires received, accounting for 44.6%. Through the discriminatory analysis, it finds that five variables, namely, compatibility, complexity, top management support, external support and information privacy, have significant influences on the adoption of electronic data interchange of income tax deduction statement in the hospitals.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the general expenditure incurred by developers constructing residential units, whereby life rights are exchanged for interest free loans, are deductible in terms of the provisions of the Income Tax Act (58/1962). Furthermore to determine whether the judgement in CSARS v Brummeria Renaissance (Pty) Ltd and others, 2007 (4) All SA 1338 (SCA) 69 SATC 205, and its findings in law and of fact affects the deductibility of expenses incurred by developers, especially in relation to the “amount” and nature of the “amount” in the hands of the taxpayer. The research also sought to determine whether the accounting of amounts in life right exchange agreements, especially as relates to the quantification of such amount, assist in quantifying the amount for tax purposes. The research object was determined by critically analysing the relevant provisions of the ITA (58/1962) with reference to case law and commentators and a critical evaluation of Brummerria Renaissance case supra (2007:205) to determine its affect on the deductibility of the expenses relating to the quantum and nature of the benefit amount received under the life right. Furthermore, an evaluation was done of the relevant accounting standards in relation to the transactional facts to determine whether an alternative valuation model of the benefit is available. It was determined that firstly permissible and then prohibited deductions must be addressed in accordance with the ITA (58/1962). It was further evaluated whether the provision of the right of use, through the life right, can constitute an expense for the developer. It was concluded that incurring general expenses meet the requirements of section 11(a), subject to a single qualification, would be deductible. It was also submitted that the provision of the life right as expenditure should be permissible as deduction against income. However, in both these cases the deductibility in question was held to be subject to the amount received as envisaged in Brummeria Renaissance case supra (2007:205) being revenue in nature. The deductibility of the repair or preparation costs was also examined in terms of section 11(d). The distinction between repair and improvement was discussed and established. It was determined that the determination of when the “income is receivable” was critical in determining the deductibility. It was concluded that this requirement was met if the property was in a condition to receive such income irrespective of whether legal rights to such income had been established at such time that the expenses were incurred. The application of this section is also subject to the amount received, as envisaged in Brummeria Renaissance case supra (2007:205), being revenue in nature. The requirement of “income” is critical in the application of section 11(a) and section 11(d) of the ITA (58/1962), because if the amount is found to be capital in nature no deduction is permissible. The nature of the rights, timing of the accrual and the valuation method of the amount were not decided in the judgement in Brummeria Renaissance case supra (2007:205), and as a result, formed part of the research. The nature of the amount was analysed and it was concluded that the amount was income in nature. The various case law and commentators, including SARS’ IN 58, was also analysed to determine which valuation method of the benefit amount would be the most appropriate in the application of the provisions of the ITA (58/1962). To this extent it was submitted that three possible valuation methods could apply, namely the valuation of the benefit as arms length interest on the loan, the valuation of the benefit as the sale of a usufructuary interest or that the benefit amount could be represented as market related rentals in an arm’s length transaction. It was concluded that in order to determine the value and the timing of the benefit the most suitable valuation method would be to calculate interest on the face value of the loan using a market related interest rate. The benefit would be recognised over the term of the loan by calculating the interest on an annual basis on value of the loan. The various applicable accounting standards were evaluated to determine which best represents the measurement of the benefit as envisaged in Brummeria Renaissance case supra (2007:205). It was concluded that the most appropriate of the various possible accounting standards was IAS 32 which prescribed that the benefit should be determined and valued on a yearly basis in relation to the loan as a financial instrument. It was concluded that the basis for valuing and recognising the benefit for accounting purposes interrelates with the suggested accrual and timing thereof for tax purposes. AFRIKAANS : Die doel van die navorsing was om ondersoek in te stel of die algemene uitgawes aangegaan deur ontwikkelaars in die konstruksie van residensiële eenhede waar lewensregte geruil word vir rentevrye lenings, aftrekbaar sal wees in terme van die bepalings van die Inkomstebelastingwet (58/1962). Daar is verder ook ondersoek ingestel om vas te stel of die uitspraak in Kommisaris van die Suid Afrikaanse Inkomstediens v Brummeria Renaissance (Edms) Bpk en andere, 2007 (4) All SA 1338 (SCA) 69 SATC 205, die aftrekbaarheid van die uitgawes aangegaan deur die ontwikkelaars affekteer, veral in verband met die “bedrag” en aard van die “bedrag” in die hande van die belastingbetaler. Met die navorsing word daar bepaal of die rekeningkundige hantering van bedrae in lewensreg ruilooreenkomste, veral ten opsigte van die kwantifisering daarvan, kan bydrae tot die kwantifisering daarvan vir belastingdoeleindes. Die navorsingsdoelstelling is vasgestel deur die relevante bepalings van die Inkomstebelastingwet (58/1962) met verwysing na hofsake en kommentaar, ‘n kritiese evaluasie van Brummerria Renaissance saak supra (2007:205), om vas te stel wat die uitwerking daarvan is op die aftrekbaarheid van die uitgawes wat verband hou met die hoeveelheid en die aard van die voordeel bedrag ontvang in terme van die lewensreg, asook die evaluering van die relevante rekeningkundige standaarde ten opsigte van die feite van die transaksie om te bepaal of ‘n alternatiewe waardasie model van die voordeel beskikbaar is. Daar is besluit dat die aftrekkings wat eerstens toegelaat en dan verbied word aangespreek moet word in ooreenstemming met die Inkomstebelastingwet (58/1962). Daar is verder bepaal of die voorsiening van die reg om te gebruik deur middel van die lewensreg, ‘n uitgawe in die hande van die ontwikkelaar kan wees. Daar is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die aangaan van algemene uitgawes voldoen aan die vereistes van artikel 11(a) en aftrekbaar is. Dit is ook vasgestel dat die voorsiening van die lewensreg as uitgawe aftrekbaar sal wees teen inkomste. In albei hierdie gevalle is die aftrekbaarheid onderworpe daaraan dat die bedrag ontvang soos vasgestel in Brummeria Renaissance saak supra (2007:205) inkomste van aard is. Die aftrekbaarheid van die herstel- of voorbereidingskostes is ook ondersoek in terme van artikel 11(d). Die onderskeid tussen herstel en verbetering is bespreek en bepaal. Daar is vasgestel dat die bepaling van wanneer die “inkomste ontvangbaar” is, krities is in die bepaling van die aftrekbaarheid daarvan. Daar is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die vereiste nagekom is as die eiendom in ‘n toestand is om inkomste te ontvang ongeag of die reg tot die inkomste bepaal is teen die tyd dat die uitgawes aangegaan is. Die toepassing van hierdie artikel is ook onderworpe daaraan dat die bedrag ontvang soos bepaal in Brummeria Renaissance saak supra (2007:205) inkomste van aard is. Die vereiste van “inkomste” is krities in die toepassing van artikel 11(a) en artikel 11(d) van die Inkomstebelastingwet (58/1962) omrede geen aftrekking toegelaat sal word indien die bedrag kapitaal van aard is nie. Geen besluit is geneem oor die aard van die regte, die tydstip van die toevalling en die waardasiemetode van die bedrag in die uitspraak in Brummeria Renaissance saak supra (2007:205), en as gevolg daarvan vorm dit deel van die navorsing. ‘n Analise van die aard van die bedrag is gedoen en daar is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die bedrag inkomste van aard is. Die verskillende hofsake en kommentaar, insluitende SARS se IN 58, is ook analiseer om te bepaal watter waardasiemetode van die voordeel mees gepas sal wees in die toepassing van die Inkomstebelastingwet (58/1962). Tot hierdie mate is dit aanvaar dat daar drie moontlike waardasiemetodes van toepassing kan wees, naamlik die waardasie van die voordeel op die lening in ‘n armslengte transaksie, die waardasie van die voordeel as die verkoop van ‘n vruggebruik of die voordeel van die bedrag kan verteenwoordig word deur die markverwante huurinkomste in ‘n armslengte transaksie. In bepaling van die waarde en die tydstip van die voordeel is die gevolgtrekking gemaak dat die mees gepaste waardasiemetode sal wees om rente op die sigwaarde van die lening te bereken deur ‘n markverwantrentekoers te gebruik. Die voordeel sal dan erken word oor die tydperk van die lening deur die die rente jaarliks te bereken op die waarde van die lening. Die verskillende rekeningkundige moontlikhede is ondersoek om die metode te bepaal wat waardasie van die voordeel soos in Brummeria Renaissance saak supra (2007:205) die beste verteenwoordig. Daar is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die mees gepaste rekeningkundige standpunt IAS 32 is waarvolgens die voordeel op ‘n jaarlikse basis bepaal word in verhouding met die lening as ’n finansiële instrument. Daar is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die metode van die waardasie en erkenning van die voordeel vir rekeningkundige doeleindes regstreeks verband hou met die voorgestelde toevalling en tydstip daarvan vir belastingdoeleindes. Copyright
Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2012.
Taxation
unrestricted

M.Comm. (South African & International Taxation)
The capital allowance mentioned in section 11(e) of Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 (“the Act”) refers to machinery, plant, implements, utensils and articles, the value of which may have diminished by reason of wear and tear or depreciation. The machinery, plant, and articles in question, often accede to other assets of a permanent nature such as immovable buildings. This is a problem in South Africa because the wear and tear allowance is lost when machinery, plant or articles lose their identities upon being absorbed into assets of a permanent nature such as a building. Buildings and other structures of a permanent nature do not qualify for the wear and tear allowance in terms of section 11(e) of the Act. This article investigates the uncertainties with regard to interpreting what constitutes “buildings, or other structures or works of a permanent nature” for the purposes of the prohibition of wear and tear allowances contained in section 11(e)(ii) of the Act.

In this dissertation, I use a unique data set to address three questions related to the timing of loss realizations by institutional investors. The data include clienteles and quarterly holdings of investment advisers, whom I classify as "tax-sensitive" if their clients are primarily high net-worth individuals and as "tax-insensitive" if their clients are primarily tax-exempt entities or individuals with tax-deferred accounts. Prior empirical studies attribute abnormal stock return patterns around calendar year-end (the "January effect") to individual investors' tax-loss-selling and to institutional investors' window-dressing. In chapter two, I examine whether investment advisers contribute to the January effect via tax-loss-selling rather than via windowdressing. I find that tax-sensitive advisers' year-end sales of loss stocks (but not those of tax-exempt client advisers whose detailed disclosures to clients provide more incentive to window-dress) are associated with abnormally low (high) returns at the end of December (beginning of January). These results suggest that investment advisers contribute to the January effect via tax-loss-selling rather than via window-dressing. In chapter three, I examine whether tax-sensitive advisers respond to holding period incentives at year-end. Under U.S. tax law, net short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income, while net long-term gains are taxed at a lower rate. Prior studies find little or no response to holding period incentives by individual investors. In contrast, tax-sensitive advisers are more likely to sell stocks with short-term losses the larger the difference between the current short-term loss deduction and what the long-term loss deduction would be. In chapter four, I examine whether, like individual investors, tax-sensitive advisers realize their losses at year-end because they exhibit the "disposition effect," or the tendency to realize gains at a quicker rate than losses, earlier in the year. I compare the likelihood of advisers' realizations of "losers" (stocks the cumulative return of which over the prior nine months is negative) to the likelihood of their realizations of "winners" (stocks the cumulative return of which over the prior nine months is positive) by calendar quarter. Tax-insensitive, but not tax-sensitive, advisers exhibit the disposition effect, suggesting that tax incentives combined with investor sophistication prevent the disposition effect.
text

This dissertation contains three chapters that examine various behavioral responses to statutory tax policies. In the first chapter, I develop a framework to estimate the impact of the marriage tax on the likelihood of marriage that incorporates into one analysis all four distinct household alternatives: single, cohabit, married, and separated. This is in contrast to previous works that consider only one of three separate choices. Using data from the March CPS from 1989-1999, I estimate a bivariate probit model and find that the marriage tax has a small, but significant, effect on the likelihood of marriage. Furthermore, my results indicate that studies that do not include all four possible alternatives can overstate by as much as 200% the effect of the marriage tax on the likelihood of marriage. The second chapter considers the net distributional impact of the federal tax deduction for charitable donations. If itemizers, who tend to have higher income than non-itemizers, give to charities that provide goods that they directly use or benefit from (egoism), the government is essentially subsidizing the activities of the high-income donors. Conversely, if itemizers donate to organizations that benefit the needy (altruism), the tax deduction aids in a form of income redistribution. I estimate this tax responsiveness of giving using the Center on Philanthropy Panel Study (COPPS) module of the PSID in 2001 and 2003 for 11 types of charities. Donations by high income individuals to charities that benefit the poor are more price elastic than donations to charities that benefit themselves. I find evidence that the current tax deduction induces itemizers to donate more to charities that benefit the poor than they would have without the deduction. The third chapter estimates the economic incidence of the excise tax on tobacco. Using historical price and tax data from 1954-2005, I estimate what portion of the tax is shifted to consumers. I experiment with controls for border crossing and indoor smoking bans. I find that a 10-cent tax increase causes price to increase by 8 cents immediately and by 13 cents in the long run.

Thesis (MAcc)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The requirements of broad-based black economic empowerment (‘BEE’) are set out in the BEE scorecard. When an entity incurs expenditure relating to indirect empowerment measures (i.e. the preferential procurement, enterprise development, skills development and socio-economic development categories on the BEE scorecard), it is unclear whether the expenditure will be deductible for income tax purposes (BEE Partner, 2008). The objectives of the current study are to determine whether such expenditure is deductible and to formulate best practice guidelines for the deduction of the expenditure. The best practice guidelines consist of factors that should be considered when determining whether expenditure is deductible, as well as recommendations on how to justify that such expenditure should, in fact, be deductible. The methodology used was to first consider the requirements of the BEE scorecard, the types of expenditure and the reasons for incurring expenditure towards indirect empowerment measures. The deduction of such expenditure was then considered in a general sense and specifically for each broad category of expenditure. Lastly, the best practice guidelines were formulated based on the conclusions reached. Common expenditure towards indirect empowerment measures of BEE was grouped into broad categories. The different reasons why entities incur such expenditure were identified, as the reason for incurring expenditure can influence whether it is incurred in the production of income (Van Schalkwyk, 2010b:110). It is submitted that expenditure that is excessive or that is incurred for philanthropic purposes would not be incurred in the production of income. Four issues were identified that could preclude a deduction in terms of the general deduction formula (section 11(a)) – notably, that expenditure has to be in the production of income and non-capital in nature to be deductible. In addition to section 11(a), special income tax deductions (sections 12H, 12I or 18A) and capital allowances (sections 11(e), 13sex or 15(a)) could also possibly apply, but only for certain types of expenditure and only in qualifying circumstances. The conclusions drawn as to the deductibility of expenditure are summarised as a guideline for taxpayers. The above-mentioned conclusions, along with the literature examined, were used to formulate general best practice guidelines. One such guideline is that the onus is on taxpayers to show (through one of the ways suggested) that expenditure is in the production of income. Taxpayers should also note that excessive expenditure is not in the production of income and that certain expenditure required by sector charters is more likely to be capital in nature. Furthermore, specific best practice guidelines were submitted for each broad category of expenditure and relate to, for example, the applicability of the identified special deductions and the quantification of non-monetary expenditure. The specific best practice guidelines should be considered when incurring expenditure in a specific category. In summary, even though expenditure towards indirect empowerment measures has been found to be deductible in most cases, there are exceptions of which taxpayers should be aware. The proposed best practice guidelines include guidance that could be considered before incurring expenditure towards indirect BEE measures.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die vereistes van breë-basis swart ekonomiese bemagtiging (‘SEB’) word in die SEB-telkaart uiteengesit. Wanneer ’n entiteit onkostes met betrekking tot indirekte bemagtigingsmaatreëls (die telkaartkategorieë vir voorkeurverkryging, besigheidsontwikkeling, vaardigheidsopleiding en sosio-ekonomiese ontwikkeling) aangaan, is dit nie duidelik of sodanige onkoste vir inkomstebelasting-doeleindes aftrekbaar sal wees nie (BEE Partner, 2008). Die doelwitte van hierdie studie was om te bepaal of sulke onkostes belastingaftrekbaar is en om bestepraktyk-riglyne te formuleer vir die aftrekking van die onkostes. Die bestepraktyk-riglyne bestaan uit faktore wat oorweeg moet word in die bepaling of onkostes belastingaftrekbaar is, sowel as aanbevelings oor hoe aftrekbaarheid geregverdig kan word. Die studiemetodologie het eerstens ’n ondersoek behels na die vereistes van die SEB-telkaart, die soorte onkostes sowel as die redes vir die aangaan van onkostes wat met indirekte bemagtigingsmaatreëls verband hou. Daarna is die belastingaftrekbaarheid van sodanige onkostes in die algemeen sowel as spesifiek vir elke breë kategorie van onkoste oorweeg. Laastens is die bestepraktyk-riglyne opgestel op grond van die gevolgtrekkings wat bereik is. Algemene onkostes wat met indirekte SEB-maatreëls verband hou, is in breë kategorieë gegroepeer. Die verskillende redes waarom entiteite die uitgawes aangaan, is bepaal, aangesien dit kan beïnvloed of die uitgawe in die voortbrenging van inkomste is of nie (Van Schalkwyk, 2010b:110). Daar word aangevoer dat onkoste wat oormatige is of onkostes met betrekking tot filantropiese doeleindes nie as deel van die voortbrenging van inkomste beskou kan word nie. Vier kwessies is geïdentifiseer wat ’n aftrekking ingevolge die algemene aftrekkingsformule (artikel 11(a)) kan verhoed – die belangrikste is dat die onkostes in die voortbrenging van inkomste aangegaan moet word en nie kapitaal moet wees om afgetrek te kan word. Benewens artikel 11(a), kan spesiale belastingaftrekkings (artikel 12H, 12I of 18A) en kapitaaltoelaes (artikel 11(e), 13sex of 15(a)) ook moontlik geld, maar slegs vir sekere soorte onkostes en in omstandighede wat daarvoor in aanmerking kom. Die gevolgtrekkings oor die belastingaftrekbaarheid van onkostes word uiteindelik as ’n riglyn vir belastingbetalers opgesom. Bogenoemde gevolgtrekkings, tesame met die bestudeerde literatuur, is gebruik om algemene bestepraktyk-riglyne te formuleer. Een so ’n riglyn is dat die bewyslas op die belastingbetaler rus om (op een van die voorgestelde maniere) aan te toon dat onkostes in die voortbrenging van inkomste aangegaan word. Belastingbetalers moet ook daarop let dat oormatige onkostes nie as deel van die voortbrenging van inkomste beskou kan word nie en dat sekere onkostes ingevolge die vereistes van sektorhandveste meer waarskynlik kapitaal van aard sal wees. Spesifieke bestepraktyk-riglyne is voorts vir elke breë kategorie van onkostes voorgestel, byvoorbeeld met betrekking tot die toepaslikheid van die geïdentifiseerde spesiale aftrekkings en die kwantifisering van nie-monetêre onkostes. Hierdie spesifieke bestepraktyk-riglyne behoort in ag geneem te word wanneer onkostes in ’n spesifieke kategorie aangegaan word. Ter samevatting behoort belastingbetalers daarop bedag te wees dat hoewel onkostes met betrekking tot indirekte bemagtigingsmaatreëls in die meeste gevalle belastingaftrekbaar is, daar wel sekere uitsonderings is. Die voorgestelde bestepraktyk-riglyne bied derhalwe leiding oor die faktore wat oorweeg kan word voordat onkostes met betrekking tot indirekte bemagtigingsmaatreëls aangegaan word.

This study presents an overview of the medical expenditure allowed to taxpayers in the South African Income Tax Act, 58 of 1962 (hereafter the “Income Tax Act”). The study traces the changes made to the allowed expenditure over time. Changes made to the Income Tax Act, illustrating the effect of qualifying medical expenses on the income of persons with disabilities in terms of the Income Tax Act, are described. Certain provisions of the Income Tax Act, as well as other legislation dealing with persons with disabilities, were analysed. Furthermore, the research shows the effect of moderate to severe limitations on a person’s ability to claim qualifying medical expenses. In particular, the change over from the medical tax deduction system (section 18 of the Income Tax Act) to the medical tax rebate system (sections 6A and 6B of the Income Tax Act) to redress the inequality between high income and low income earners, was analysed. Case studies were used to illustrate that the medical tax deduction system (section 18 of the Income Tax Act) favoured high income earners over low income earners. Finally, the change over from the medical tax deductions (section 18 of the Income Tax Act) system to the current system of medical tax rebates (sections 6A and 6B of the Income Tax Act) was analysed. Except for a very small group of taxpayers, the medical tax rebate system (sections 6A and 6B of the Income Tax Act) was found to be financially more favourable to all taxpayers.
Taxation
M. Compt. (Taxation)

The arrival of the Internet and the World Wide Web has had a radical impact on commerce and people’s ability to interact virtually. Through these channels various new methods of earning income have been created. Income earned virtually creates a new type of commerce not previously envisioned whilst the South African Income Tax Act was drawn up. The revenue earned is, however. encompassed in the Act. South African residents have as a result entered the taxation net of the South African Revenue Services without understanding the full implications of being taxed. Of particular importance are the deductions available to residents whose incomes are earned through virtual worlds. The various deductions available in the South African Income Tax Act do not specifically deal with the expenses incurred in the production of virtual world income. South Africans are thus exposed to taxation implications not fully explored by the South African Revenue Services nor the general public. The public needs guidance on this matter and the South African Revenue Services needs further research to be conducted in this area. The study revealed that deductions would be allowed against taxable income earned through conducting virtual world commerce. The general deduction formula should be applied to all expenses. Capital expenses should be researched further, for application in terms of the Act. However, it appears that the Act can be applied to non- capital expenses incurred for trading in virtual worlds. AFRIKAANS : Die aankoms van die Internet en die Wêreldwye Web het reeds ‘n geweldige impak op die handle en mense se vermoëns om virtueel in wisselwerking te wees. Deur middle van hierdie kanale het verskeie nuwe metodes onstaan om ‘n inkomste te verdien. ‘n Inkomste wat virtueel verdien word, skep ‘n nuwe sort handle waarvoor daar geen voorsiening gemaak is toe die Inkomste Belastingswetgewing opgestel is. Die inkomste wat verdien word is wel binne die bestek van die Wetgewing. Suid-Afrikaanse inwoners val dus binne die belastingsnet van die Suid-Afrikaanse Inkomste Dienste sonder om die volle implikasies van die belasting te begryp. Van besondere belang is die belastingsaftrekkings wat vir inwoners, wie se inkomste in die virtuele wêreld verdien word, beskikbaar is. Die verskeie aftrekkings beskikbaar in die Suid-Afrikaanse Inkomste Belastingswetgewing maak nie spesifiek voorsiening vir die uitgawes wat aangegaan word terwyl ‘n inkomste in die virtuele wêreld verdien word nie. Suid Afrikaners word duw aan belastingsgevolge blootgestel wat nie ten volle deur die Suid-Afrikaanse Inkomste Dienste, of die algemene publiek verken is nie. Die publiek het leiding in die opsig nodig en die Suid-Afrikaanse Inkomste Dienste benodig verdere navorsing in die verband. Die studie toon dat aftrekkings toegelaat sou word teen belasbare inkomste wat verdien word, deur handel in die virtuele wêreld te dryf. ‘n Algemene formule moet op alle uigawes toegepas word. Kapitale uitgawes moet verder nagevors word vir toepassing op die Wetgewing. Nieteenstaande, wil dit voorkom dat die Wetgewing op nie-kapitale uitgawes wat in die proses van handel dryf in die virtuele wêreld, toegepas kan word. Copyright 2011, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. Please cite as follows: Moodley, T 2011, A critical analysis of the tax deductibility of expenses incurred in virtual worlds by the South African taxpayer, MCom dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-03092012-112031 / > F12/4/163/gm
Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2012.
Taxation
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