On 17 October the South African Revenue Service (SARS) announced the publication of The Carbon Tax webpage.
CARBON TAX
What is Carbon Tax (CBT)?
The CBT is a new tax in response to climate change, which is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in a sustainable, cost effective and affordable manner.
Carbon Tax gives effect to the polluter-pays principle and helps to ensure that firms and consumers take the negative adverse costs (externalities) of climate change into account in their future production, consumption and investment decisions.
When was CBT implemented?
The Carbon Tax Act of 2019 came into effect on 1 June. It will be administered and collected by SARS.
The CBT is assessed, collected and enforced as an environmental levy in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964, read with the relevant provisions of the Carbon Tax Act, 2019.
Who is CBT for?
The CBT is imposed on entities in the country that operate emissions generation facilities at a combined installed capacity equal to or above the carbon tax threshold.
Which goods are subject to CBT?
The carbon dioxide equivalent of greenhouse gas emissions as defined in the Carbon Tax Act, 2019, are subject to CBT.
How are CBT emissions determined?
The emissions that are subject to CBT are determined in accordance with either an approved reporting methodology of the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), or the prescribed formulas in terms of the Carbon Tax Act, 2019.
How is the CBT liability calculated?
The first phase has a carbon tax rate of R120 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. This rate will increase annually by inflation plus 2 per cent until 2022, and annually by inflation thereafter.
Significant industry-specific tax-free emissions allowances ranging from 60 per cent to 95 per cent will result in a modest nett carbon tax rate ranging from R6 to R48 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions to provide current emitters time to transition their operations to cleaner technologies through investments in energy efficiency, renewables, and other low-carbon measures.
What steps should I take to comply?
Persons conducting an activity or activities in South Africa resulting in greenhouse gas emissions above the threshold must license each of their emissions generation facilities with SARS as customs and excise manufacturing warehouses for environmental levy purposes.
How do I submit my CBT account?
CBT has an annual tax and accounting period. Every licensee must submit an annual CBT environmental levy account in respect of each licensed facility of that licensee in the month of July of the year following the tax period.
All licensees must be registered for eFiling as the submission and payment of CBT accounts should be made via eFiling. The following process should be followed:
• Register on eFiling;
• Once registered, log on;
• Click on the Request Declaration button;
• Insert the warehouse number;
• Click on continue and the form will be generated.
If clients are not able to access the eFiling service, they must contact the nearest SARS Excise Branch Office for assistance.
Need help?
If you have any questions, you may send your questions to carbontax@sars.gov.za
Story by: Riaan de Lange