SA-TIED research featured in Times Live and Business Live

SA-TIED

March 2025

As discussions around VAT policy resurface in the lead-up to the 2025 Budget, SA-TIED research has been highlighted in Times Live and Business Live. The articles draw on findings from an SA-TIED Working Paper by Gemma Wright, “Modelling value-added tax (VAT) in South Africa: Assessing the distributional impact of the recent increase in the VAT rate and options for redress through the benefits system."

The research examines how the 2018 VAT increase affected different income groups and whether measures like social grants and VAT zero-rating provided sufficient relief. Using the SAMOD microsimulation model, it explores alternative policy options that could mitigate VAT’s regressive effects.