Protests erupt across Lebanon after VAT and gasoline price hike The Lebanese Cabinet's decision to increase gasoline prices and raise the value-added tax has sparked widespread protests and political opposition, with demonstrators blocking major roads in Beirut and other cities.

The Lebanese Cabinet's decision to increase gasoline prices and raise the value-added tax has sparked widespread protests and political opposition, with demonstrators blocking major roads in Beirut and other… Bne IntelliNews #LebanonProtests #GasolinePrices #VATHike #Beirut #PoliticalOpposition

PMI shows price pressures in Kazakhstan services intensified at record rate on VAT hike Confidence for year-ahead outlook remains relatively subdued.

Confidence for year-ahead outlook remains relatively subdued. Bne IntelliNews #Kazakhstan #PMI #VATHike #EconomicOutlook #PricePressures

VAT hike triggers sharp inflationary pressures across Kazakh manufacturing, PMI report says Sharp rise in cost of purchased resources triggers equally sharp increase in selling prices.

Sharp rise in cost of purchased resources triggers equally sharp increase in selling prices. Bne IntelliNews #VATHike #Inflation #Kazakhstan #Manufacturing #PMIReport

Godongwana to table new budget instruments after court halts VAT hike | The Citizen The DA will continue with Part B of its application to have the VAT act declared unconstitutional.

[READ] Godongwana to table new budget 💰instruments after court halts VAT hike #EnochGodongwana #VATHike #Parliament #DA #EFF Read the story here: 👇

www.citizen.co.za/news/south-a...

DA files supplementary affidavit to block the proposed VAT hike | The Citizen The DA took the decision just hours after it met with ANC leaders.

DA files supplementary affidavit to block the proposed VAT hike #DA #ANC #VATHike #EnochGodongwana #VAT

www.citizen.co.za/news/south-a...

VAT hikes can raise tax without hurting the poor: an economist sets out the evidence Tax experts usually refer to the three Es in taxes – equity, efficiency and ease of administration. A VAT increase, done properly, would tick all the boxes.

Tax experts usually refer to the three Es in taxes – equity, efficiency and ease of administration. A VAT increase, done properly, would tick all the boxes.

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South African businesses on edge as VAT hike looms By Kopano Gumbi and Sisipho Skweyiya JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - For South African beverage company owner, Ndumiso Madlala, the impending value-added tax hike could spell trouble for his small-scale business that makes alcoholic ginger beer and non-alcoholic drinks. The National Treasury plans to raise VAT by 1-percentage-point over two years from May 1, as part of measures to bolster government revenue. Currently, VAT is set at 15%. For Madlala, the increase could force him to raise prices or lower margins, both undesirable options for a business like his in a tough economic environment. "For us as small guys, you first hit a problem of being competitive on price," Madlala told Reuters. "Big companies can just switch prices at any time, they can reduce their price to drive the volume up. For us, that’s something that we can’t do." The VAT increase comes as the South African economy faces several headwinds including a slow recovery following years of unstable electricity supply, domestic political tensions and global trade wars. Until recently, power cuts had been a drag on South Africa’s economic growth for more than a decade, escalating costs for businesses as they resorted to alternative energy sources like diesel-run generators. On top of that, businesses and households are grappling with other rising costs, such as increases in electricity and water tariffs. While the treasury intends to expand the basket of zero-rated VAT items to shield low-income households from the full impact, some economists argue this may not be enough as the wider population - including the middle class - feels the pinch of rising costs. "VAT (hikes) are never a good idea… the ones that are going to be hard hit by any increases in VAT are the middle class to the poor," said economist Nomahlubi Jakuja. "South Africa already has high levels of unemployment... and then adding an additional tax on daily goods, it decreases the purchasing power of ordinary South Africans," she added. The VAT hike, part of revenue measures in the 2025 budget, has also deepened the schism between the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance - partners in government - threatening to sink South Africa’s first attempt at coalition rule in its 30-year democratic era. The pro-business DA, the junior partner in the coalition, voted against the budget and went to court to try to block it. "My comfort is the brand that I own, which is Dragonfire Ginger. It’s one of its kind," he said. "So we find that our loyal base of customers comes back for our products all the time."

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BNP demands withdrawal of VAT, duty hike, calls for focus on direct taxes

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“No new development vision has been articulated. This government lacks a clear development agenda," says the head of the white paper committee

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