The primacy of illicit financial flows (IFFs) in developing countries: a comparative study analysis of South Africa and China
- Authors: Mahlaba, Asande Cikizwa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Money -- Developing countries , Transfer pricing -- South Africa , Developing countries -- Economic conditions , Tax evasion -- China , Tax evasion -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147435 , vital:38636
- Description: The main objective of this study was to question and investigate the primacy of illicit financial flows (IFFs) in developing countries, specifically focused on two countries namely China and South Africa. Africa is estimated to have lost approximately $1 trillion to IFFs over the last 50 years, which exceeds the financial assistance that these nations needed over the same period. For years. Africa has been the feeding ground for exploitation and resource plunder, and the narrative has always been Africa is underdeveloped because of this crime. Although this statement holds true in most African countries, what this paper seeks to do is to question whether capital flight, IFFs and more specifically tax evasion and tax haven activity are the reason for the deterioration of African economies or are IFFs perpetuated by economies with unsustainable growth paths. IFFs are an important factor when it comes to obstacles of economic growth. But are they the cause or effect? A very strong case can be made that they are the latter however, it is beyond the scope of this article to resolve this question. Its purpose is merely to assert that the question is a valid one and that presuming the answer could divert attention from the real question of economic development. This study contextualized the way in which IFFs are currently viewed in the world economic system according to the two approaches to development finance, and discussed modern monetary theory as an extension off these theories. Due to the nature of the study, the methodology employed is a case study approach between China and South Africa by means of extensive numerical and document analysis. Upon conducting this analysis on the primacy of illicit financial flows in developing countries there was difficulty in measuring IFFs. The reason for this is because IFFs have a range of estimates so it was very difficult to produce precise and accurate results. The key findings of this paper were that there seems to be some kind of parallel between developing countries with large volumes of illicit financial outflows, and a dependency these countries have on external debt. This means it seems that weak economies, that are highly dependent on external debt and have large amounts of this debt, seem to have the largest volumes of illicit financial outflows. Weak regulation, high levels of debt and liberalised trade markets seem to be contributing factors to the degree to which companies evade taxes and partake in tax haven activity in these regions. Another key finding was that in 2012, despite China being ranked number one in the the countries which have the largest amounts of outflows on average, it still managed to achieve large amounts growth in the last 20 years. Indicating that there is some form of indication that IFFs could be viewed as symptomatic of weak financial systems and weak economies, instead of IFFs being the core of the problem.
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Factors contributing to taxpayer morale: a multi-country perspective
- Authors: Kosiorek, Jakub
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Taxpayer compliance -- South Africa , Tax evasion -- South Africa , Taxpayer compliance -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Taxpayer compliance -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Tax morale -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60255 , vital:27759
- Description: Tax morale is the intrinsic motivation to pay taxes that arises either from a belief that one should contribute towards society by paying taxes or from a moral obligation to pay taxes. The goals of this thesis were to identify the various factors that influence tax morale in a country and use these factors in order to attempt to determine whether tax morale in South Africa has improved or deteriorated over the years. A further goal of this thesis was to identify strategies that could be implemented by a country in order to improve the tax morale of its citizens. The period covered by this thesis is between the years 2000 and 2015. The factors that have an effect on tax morale were identified by a review of the literature. It was found that a number of factors appear to have an impact on tax morale, but certain of these factors are incapable of being directly influenced by tax administrations. With regard to South Africa, it was found that a number of factors affecting tax morale appear to have improved over the years, while others had deteriorated. However, overall it appeared that tax morale in South Africa had deteriorated. With regard to strategies that could be used to improve tax morale, a number were identified by reviewing the literature and include strategies implemented in certain countries, as well as those discussed by scholars. Ii was found that South Africa had implemented a number of the strategies aimed at improving tax morale in its own tax system, but the manner in which some of them were implemented could have been improved. Furthermore, a number of strategies were identified that South Africa has not yet implemented and thus should look to attempting to implement these strategies to improve tax morale.
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The South African general anti-tax avoidance rule and lessons from the first world: a case law approach
- Authors: Pidduck, Teresa Michelle Calvert
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Tax evasion -- South Africa , Taxpayer compliance -- South Africa , Taxation -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , South Africa. Income Tax Act, 1962 , Taxation -- Law and legislation -- Australia , Taxation -- Law and legislation -- Canada , Tax evasion -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , General anti-avoidance rule (GAAR)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60328 , vital:27768
- Description: Tax avoidance has been a concern to revenue authorities since the time that the concept of tax was first introduced. Revenue authorities worldwide constantly strive to ensure taxpayer compliance, while combating impermissible tax avoidance. South Africa uses a general anti-avoidance rule (GAAR) as part of its arsenal to combat the increasingly innovative ways in which taxpayers seek to minimise their tax. However, the GAAR has been the source of much criticism and its effectiveness in combatting impermissible tax avoidance is untested in the courts. Therefore, the use of hindsight to criticise the GAAR is not possible. This study applied a qualitative approach to compare the South African, Australian and Canadian GAARs in order to propose changes which are intended to improve the efficacy of the South African GAAR. This research was performed by first comparing the three GAARs using a doctrinal research methodology and then applying the South African GAAR to the facts of selected cases from Australia and Canada in the form of reform-oriented research. In order to apply the South African GAAR to the facts of the cases a framework was developed in phase 1 of the research in order to ensure consistency in the application. This allowed for a more reliable analysis to be made regarding the areas where the South African GAAR could be improved. The convergence of results from the two research methodologies validated many of the suggestions made for the improvement of the South African GAAR This thesis examined the GAARs in South Africa, Australia and Canada with a view to identifying if there are any lessons to be learned for their application and interpretation, in order to suggest improvements which can be made to the South African GAAR. Further, relevant Australian and Canadian case law was found to be instructive as to the approach that could be adopted for purposes of applying the South African GAAR. The findings of the research revealed that while the South African, Australian and Canadian GAARs differ in their structure, each is directed to achieve the same end. The results of the study identified two types of improvements to the South African GAAR. Firstly, the South African GAAR should be consolidated into a three-part enquiry instead of the current four-part enquiry. In doing so the tainted elements (previously the abnormality requirement) could be used to inform an objective test of purpose. Secondly, guidance on areas of uncertainty regarding the application of the South African GAAR needs to be provided in order to prevent possible inconsistent judicial interpretations that may limit the efficacy of the GAAR whilst still protecting the right for taxpayers to legitimately minimise their tax burdens. One additional cause for concern highlighted in this research is the use of provisions from other jurisdictions without guidance on the application in the South African context. The use of similar provisions to that of its much-criticised predecessor has also introduced areas of uncertainty regarding the application of the South African GAAR. These areas of weakness and uncertainty arguably prevent the South African GAAR from being an effective deterrent to tax avoidance and many could be addressed by the legislature.
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The illegal diamond trade in South Africa and its tax consequences
- Authors: Kumm-Schmidt, Megan
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Diamond industry and trade -- South Africa , Diamond industry and trade -- Corrupt practices -- South Africa , Diamond industry and trade -- South Africa -- Taxation , Conflict diamonds -- South Africa , Income tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Tax evasion -- South Africa , South Africa. Income Tax Act, 1962 , South Africa. Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004 , South Africa. Tax Administration Act, 2011 , South Africa. ǂt Value-Added Tax Act, 1991 , Kimberley Process Certification Scheme
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4389 , vital:20656
- Description: The object of the research was to discuss the taxability of the illegal diamond trade in South Africa and to identify the consequences of not declaring income obtained from the illegal diamond trade to the South African Revenue Services. The research was conducted by means of a critical analysis of documentary data with specific reference to the Income Tax Act, the Value-Added Tax (VAT) Act, the Tax Administration Act and relevant case law. The Income Tax Act and the Value-Added Tax Act were referred to in relation to the tax consequences of the illegal diamond trade and the Tax Administration Act was used to determine the consequences of not declaring income to the South African Revenue Services. It was established that amounts received from the sale of illegal diamonds are to be included in the taxpayer's gross income, whilst in relation to income received from diamond theft it was not as clear. The MP Finance Group case held that the nature of the receipt and the way in which the transaction occurred in each individual situation will be the deciding factor as to whether or not the stolen diamonds will be taxable in the hands of the thief. The buying and selling of "blood" or stolen diamonds can amount to a trade. As there have been no definitive case decisions in South Africa, it remains unclear whether expenses relating to an illegal trade are deductible. Assuming that expenses relating to an illegal trade are deductible, the provisions of section 11(a) will apply to expenses incurred as a result of dealing in illegal diamonds and it was concluded that qualifying expenses will be deductible. A taxpayer buying and selling "blood" or stolen diamonds is required to register for VAT if sales exceed the threshold and would be required to account for VAT on these transactions. If the taxpayer does not declare the income for income tax purposes or register for and pay VAT to the South African Revenue Services from either the sale of illegal diamonds or the theft of diamonds, this will amount to tax evasion and the dealer will be subject to penalties and even imprisonment
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Voluntary disclosure programmes and tax amnesties: an international appraisal
- Authors: Jaramba, Toddy
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Tax amnesty -- South Africa , Tax evasion -- South Africa , Investments, Foreign -- Taxation -- South Africa , Tax collection -- South Africa , Tax administration and procedure -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:911 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015666
- Description: Tax amnesties are government programs that typically allow a short period of time for tax evaders to voluntarily repay previously evaded taxes without being subject to penalties and prosecution that discovery of such tax evasion normally brings. Tax amnesties differ widely in terms of coverage, tax types, and incentives offered. A state’s Voluntary Disclosure Programme is another avenue available to taxpayers to assist them in resolving their state tax delinquencies. This programme is an on-going programme as compared to a tax amnesty, which is there for a limited time period only. The main goal of the research was to describe the tax amnesty and the voluntary disclosure programmes in South Africa and to assess their advantages and disadvantages. This thesis also discussed another form of voluntary disclosure programme, referred to as an Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Programme, which allows taxpayers with unreported foreign bank accounts, and presumably unreported foreign income, to voluntarily disclose their affairs. The study found that, due to tax amnesties, Government raises more tax revenue not only in the short run from collecting overdue taxes but also by bringing former non-filers back into the tax system for the long run. It was also found that, initially short-run revenue brought in from overdue taxes will be positive for the first amnesty and then decline each time the amnesty is offered repeatedly. The reason for the decline in revenue might be that tax amnesties provide incentives for otherwise honest taxpayers to start evading taxes because they will anticipate the offering of future amnesties, thereby weakening tax compliance. The costs associated with amnesty programmes include negative long run revenue impact and also that amnesty programmes reduce compliance by taxpayers in the long-run. In South Africa tax amnesties, especially the voluntary disclosure programme, are likely to be successful since they will increase the revenue yield and also bring non-filers back on the tax rolls.
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The distinction between tax evasion, tax avoidance and tax planning
- Authors: Tarrant, Greg
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: South African Revenue Service , Tax evasion -- South Africa , Tax planning -- South Africa , Income tax -- South Africa , Income tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:897 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004549
- Description: Tax avoidance has been the subject of intense scrutiny lately by both the South African Revenue Service ("the SARS") and the media. This attention stems largely from the recent withdrawal of section 103(1) together with the introduction of section 80A to 80L of the South African Income Tax Act. However, this attention is not limited to South Africa. Revenue authorities worldwide have focused on the task of challenging tax avoidance. The approach of the SARS to tackling tax avoidance has been multi-faceted. In the Discussion Paper on Tax Avoidance and Section 103 (1) of the South African Income Tax Act they begin with a review of the distinction between tax evasion, tax avoidance and tax planning. Following a call for comment the SARS issued an Interim Response followed by the Revised Proposals which culminated in the withdrawal of the longstanding general anti-avoidance rules housed in section 103(1) and the introduction of new and more comprehensive anti-avoidance rules. In addition, the SARS has adopted an ongoing media campaign stressing the importance of paying tax in a country with a large development agenda like that of South Africa, the need for taxpayers to adopt a responsible attitude to the management of tax and the inclusion of responsible tax management as the greatest measure of a taxpayer's corporate and social investment. In tandem with this message the SARS have sought to vilify those taxpayers who engage in tax avoidance. The message is clear: tax avoidance carries reputational risks; those who engage in tax avoidance are unpatriotic or immoral and their actions simply result in an unfair shifting of the tax burden. The SARS is not alone in the above approach. Around the world tax authorities have been echoing the same message. The message appears to be working. Accounting firms speak of a "creeping conservatism" that has pervaded company boardrooms. What is not clear, however, is whether taxpayers, in becoming more conservative, are simply more fully aware of tax risks and are making informed decisions or whether they are simply responding to external events, such as the worldwide focus by revenue authorities and the media on tax avoidance. Whatever the reason, it is now critical, particularly in the case of corporate taxpayers, that their policies for tax and its attendant risks need to be as sophisticated, coherent and transparent as its policies in all other areas involving multiple stakeholders, such as suppliers, customers, staff and investors. How does a company begin to set its tax philosophy and strategic direction or to determine its appetite for risk? A starting point, it is submitted would be a review of the distinction between tax evasion, avoidance and planning with a heightened sensitivity to the unfamiliar ethical, moral and social risks. The goal of this thesis was to clearly define the distinction between tax evasion, tax avoidance and tax planning from a legal interpretive, ethical and historical perspective in order to develop a rudimentary framework for the responsible management of strategic tax decisions, in the light of the new South African general anti-avoidance legislation. The research methodology entails a qualitative research orientation consisting of a critical conceptual analysis of tax evasion and tax avoidance, with a view to establishing a basic framework to be used by taxpayers to make informed decisions on tax matters. The analysis of the distinction in this work culminated in a diagrammatic representation of the distinction between tax evasion, tax avoidance and tax planning emphasising the different types of tax avoidance from least aggressive to the most abusive and from the least objectionable to most objectionable. It is anticipated that a visual representation of the distinction, however flawed, would result in a far more pragmatic tool to taxpayers than a lengthy document. From a glance taxpayers can determine the following: That tax avoidance is legal; that different forms of tax avoidance exist, some forms being more aggressive than others; that aggressive forms of tax avoidance carry reputational risks; and that in certain circumstances aggressive tax avoidance schemes may border on tax evasion. This, it is envisaged, may prompt taxpayers to ask the right questions when faced with an external or in-house tax avoidance arrangement rather than simply blindly accepting or rejecting the arrangement.
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