Linda Simelane (He/Him) 🏳️‍🌈

Being a tax-paying, business-owning, property-owning, car-driving South African is quite an expensive exercise. Let’s unpack just how many taxes, levies and charges one person can be responsible for. 1. As a business owner: Corporate income tax VAT Employer UIF contributions Skills Development Levy COIDA Municipal rates and service charges Dividends tax (where applicable) 2. As a homeowner in a complex: Municipal rates and taxes Monthly complex/HOA levies Special levies when raised Electricity Water Sewerage Refuse collection 3. As a car owner: Annual vehicle licence General fuel levy Road Accident Fund levy Carbon fuel levy VAT on vehicle purchases and maintenance Toll fees where applicable 4. As an individual: Personal income tax (PAYE) UIF VAT on taxable goods and services Excise duties on certain products Customs duties on applicable imports And this is before we discuss medical aid, private security, private schooling, insurance and backup electricity that many South Africans pay for because they cannot rely entirely on public services. You earn money, you’re taxed. Your business makes a profit, it’s taxed. You spend your after-tax income, you pay VAT. You own property, you pay rates. You drive, you pay levies. And this is all as a resident owning and operating a business in Joburg. I promise you I want to form part of the 11% of residents that should contribute to making this possible but I have a few questions: @LukhonaMnguni , please unpack the proposed 11% ownership allocation to Johannesburg residents. As a resident who already contributes through municipal rates, service charges and various taxes, would I be required to invest additional money to participate in this 11%, or is there a mechanism through which residents receive an ownership stake? And how would the returns from this investment benefit ordinary Johannesburg residents, particularly those who cannot afford to invest?