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Mike Schussler, economist at economists.co.za.

Schussler was particularly pleased with the 2012/13 proposed relief for small business, "as I am a small business owner myself."

Gordhan told parliament earlier that micro businesses would be given the option of making payments for turnover tax, VAT and employees' tax at twice-yearly intervals from 1 March 2012.

It was further envisaged that a single combined return would be filed on a twice-yearly basis from 1 March 2013 and the number of returns required for these taxes would fall from about 18 per year to only two a year in 2013.

However, Schussler said he was disappointed that government would increase the general fuel levy and Road Accident Fund (RAF) levy by 20c/l and 8c/l respectively with effect from 4 April 2012.

"Both the fuel levy and the Road Accident fund levy have been increased above the rate of inflation and this is a cause for concern," he added.

But when it came to toll roads, Schussler stated that it appeared "a battle has been half won."

"A lot of people will still be unhappy but Gordhan has come a long way towards helping the sector overall as many transport companies will feel happier.

"And the toll fees are capped monthly so it's certainly a way forward. Unfortunately we don't know if these capped fees will apply to trucks as well."

Sin tax, Schussler said, had come in as expected.

"It's in line with inflation with a few exceptions."

Gordhan announced on Wednesday that "sin taxes" on alcohol were going up by between 6% and 20%, while excise on cigarettes would rise 6% to 10.32 rand per packet of 20, cigarette tobacco by 4.9% to 11.05 rand/50grams, pipe tobacco by 8.1% to 3.22 rand/25 grams, and cigars by 5% to 53.05 rand/23 grams.

Gordhan also said in his speech that during 2012, South Africa would establish a dedicated ombud for tax matters.

This, Schussler said, was welcome as Gordhan had explained that the ombud would providee taxpayers with a low-cost mechanism to address administrative difficulties that could not be resolved by the SA Revenue Services.

"Of course we'll have to see how the tax ombud will function, but anything that introduces fairness is to be welcomed.

"After all, we have media, insurance and pension ombuds, so why not a tax ombud?" Schussler asked.

 

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