Taxation in agriculture: A comparative analysis between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa
Date
2023
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Abstract
Agriculture is important to the economy and should reduce inequality by creating an environment that is susceptible to creating employment opportunities and ensuring food security (USAID). These factors are the reasons why countries have forgone the opportunity to maximise tax revenue and instead provide certain concession for farming operations.
There is a view that though governments need to make investments in agriculture, these investments should not harm producers elsewhere. (OECD, 2019a)
By integrating qualitative reviews and comparative synthesis, this study employed a comparative methodology. This study critically analyses the South Africa tax provisions in Agriculture with Australia, New Zealand and OECD guidelines
The main findings of the study are that:
• Tax concessions are common across countries and that the typology of taxes levied generally fall within a set category. (OECD, 2005)
• South Africa provides slightly more concessions than Australia and New Zealand, however the impact of these concessions differ in accordance with the nature and objectives of the concession;
• Tax incentives in the farming sector improve the income of farmers directly and are not necessarily focused on the consumers or improving access to food; and
• That continued existence of certain concessions may be counterintuitive to economic growth and environmental sustainability goals
Description
A research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, School of Accountancy, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023
Keywords
Citation
Ramabulana, Khathusthelo Godfrey. (2023). Taxation in agriculture: A comparative analysis between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa [Master’s dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WireDSpace. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/38732