Tax on booze under review

INDUSTRY PLAYERS GIVEN 30 DAYS TO RESPOND BY NATIONAL TREASURY

- Amanda Visser

The taxation of alcoholic beverages is under review, and Treasury has set the scene with its discussion paper published for public comment this week. Industry players have been given 30 days to respond to proposals on a new excise tax framework for the liquor industry. South Africa Wine, a non-profit company supporting the wine and brandy industry, says it will ask for an extension.

"It is not reasonable to offer only 30 days for comment," says Christo Conradie, stakeholder engagement, market access and policy manager at South Africa Wine. "The wine industry, as well as other players [beer and spirits] asks for an opportunity to be able to motivate their arguments or counter arguments with scientifically based evidence."

Treasury wants to announce changes in the February 2025 budget.

Current framework