An introduction to SAMOD, a South African tax-benefit microsimulation Model

On 26–28 June, a 3-day training on SAMOD (South African tax-benefit microsimulation model) will take place with the participation of NT and SARS staff. The event is organized by researchers from Southern African Social Policy Research Insights (SASPRI), the organization that maintains and updates the tax-benefit microsimulation model. The purpose of the training is to introduce participants to SAMOD, with a view to promoting its use within government for evidence-based policy-making. Participants will learn how to navigate and interpret the SAMOD user interface, to run SAMOD, and to analyse the output data using Statistics Presenter.

Programme

Day 1 – Tuesday 26 June

09:00–09:15	Introduction
09:15–10:00	What is tax-benefit microsimulation and how can it help inform policy-making? What is SAMOD and how does it relate to EUROMOD? (Ref PPT1)
10:00–12:30	Getting started Navigating the SAMOD user interface. Introducing the definitional policies and tax-benefit policies. (Ref: PPT2) Practical exercises
12:30–13:30	Lunch
13:30–16:00	Unpacking the tax-benefit policies in SAMOD The concepts of functions and parameters (Ref: PPT3) The conversion of tax and benefit rules for inclusion within SAMOD (Ref: Working Paper) Practical exercises
16:00	Close

Day 2 – Wednesday 27 June

09:00–09:15	Recap
09:15–10:30	Running the model and accessing the output (Ref: PPT3 continued)
10:30–10:45	Break
10:45–12:30	Practical exercises – familiarization with SAMOD (input dataset, running the model, accessing the output at individual case level)
12:30–13:30	Lunch
13:30–16:00	Creating a new system. (Ref: PPT4) Amending a policy Practical exercises – familiarization with amending a policy
16:00	Close

Day 3 – Thursday 28 June

09:00–09:15	Recap
09:15–10:15	Adding a new policy (Ref: PPT4 continued) Practical exercises – familiarization with adding a new policy
10:15–10:30	Break
10:30–12:30	Exercises
12:30–13:30	Lunch
13:30–16:00	Exercises
16:00	Close