Tariff Application – Correction Notice On 08 November 2013 the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) published a correction notice in respect of an earlier tariff application of 23 August 2013 for the proposed amendment of tariff subheadings 8302.30.30, 8302.41.10 and 8302.42.10. In essence the proposed amendment related to the deletion of the words “fittings of iron, steel or copper commonly used in the manufacture of doors and door frames”. Comment was due on 21 September 2013. According to the correction notice, the omission of the word “windows” and the inclusion of the phrase “of base metal” in the tariff subheadings were erroneous. The application was lodged by the South African Revenue Service (Sars). Comment is due by 22 November 2013. Customs Bills – Comment extended On 06 November 2013 it was reported in the national media that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance (SCoF) had decided to postpone its deliberations on two draft customsrelated bills until next year. All interested parties now have until 15 December 2013 to make submissions to Sars. Distillate Fuel – No Logbook On 06 November 2013 Sars published the proposed insertion of Note 6(h)(v) in Part 3 of Schedule No. 6 to the Customs and Excise Act to give a concession to users of distillate fuel for purchases where logbook records were not kept. The proposed amendment is to make retrospective allowance for partial diesel refunds to farming beneficiaries in the absence of logbooks to support refund claims for the period 01 November 2009 to 31 March 2013.The proposed amendment replaces the draft amendment to insert Note 5A that was circulated for comment by 19 April 2013 Comment is due by 26 November 2013. Davis Tax Committee Contributions On 05 November 2013 the Davis Tax Committee, announced on 17 July 2013, issued a media release calling for contributions. The committee has been tasked with examining the role of South Africa’s tax system to promote growth, job creation, sustainable development and fiscal self-reliance. At present the committee’s top priority is to address ways in which the tax system can be improved to facilitate entrepreneurship and the growth of small businesses. Various tax packages already exist to encourage small businesses. The committee needs to review these packages to find an optimal tax package that assists small businesses in contributing towards economic growth and reducing the high unemployment rate. Contributions are invited by 20 November 2013. Contributions with regard to the tax burden and tax mix are invited by 30 November 2013. The Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Sub-Committee is working on a longer timeframe with comment due by 01 January 2014. All contributions can be made via e-mail to taxcom@sars.gov.za
