The National Treasury has extended the due date for comment on the taxation of alcoholic beverages to 14 February 2025.
It has published a policy review on the taxation of alcoholic beverages, which builds on the previous excise tax policy review in 2014 and proposes adjustments to the current policy framework.
The discussion document covers developments in the alcoholic beverages industry, including changes in the regulatory landscape, the prevalence of alcohol consumption, illicit trade in alcoholic beverages, international observations on alcohol taxation, the potential use of minimum unit pricing in the long term, and other administrative policy considerations in line with the concerns that stakeholders have raised.
With this publication, the National Treasury requests stakeholders to submit detailed written comments and proposals to assist the government in developing an appropriate excise policy framework to reduce the harmful use of alcohol further. After the public consultation process, the draft proposals will be revised to consider public comments, and announcements will be made in the 2025 Budget.
All written comments should be sent to 2024Alcoholreview@treasury.gov.za