Saturday, 31 March 2012
Friday, 30 March 2012
E-Tolls: what are we going to sign up for?
The E-Tag debate in South Africa is heating up, specifically within Gauteng where the toll-roads are to be set up, with many road users saying that they will refuse to register for the system as it is unfair for many reasons.
The terms set by SANRAL (The South African National Roads Agency Limited) are vague in most places and highlights some of the biggest issues in others. For instance, one clause in the terms and conditions says that SANRAL will have the right to request personal information from any institution where the user has an account. While SANRAL have stated that this privilege will not be abused, many users believe this to be an invasion of their privacy.
SANRAL’s terms also state that their ‘information is correct unless proven otherwise’. This means that any extra costs added onto your account due to a system error, technical fault or any other error, must be disputed and will not be discounted until proven to be incorrect. There are also no definitions as to how the extra fees (such as the R5 for mailed documents and 20c per SMS) will be reimbursed once the dispute has been settled.
The Gauteng government claims that this procedure will definitely roll-out, as the benefits outweigh the downfalls. The fees taken will be used to upgrade infrastructure, and it is believed by these authorities that it is only fair that the road users should be the one’s to pay for the upgrades. However, there is then a show of favoritism, as minibus taxis are exempt from the tolls. The reason given to the public for this exemption is to ‘show the commitment of the city to the improvement of public transport’, and that road users would now be more encouraged to make use of alternate forms of transport.
One of the biggest debates over the cost of this tolling system and its incurred costs to SANRAL is that the deficit should be made up through the increase in petrol price over the course set out by the Agency. Placing these road taxes on users adds on to already high fuel, road and personal tax already imposed on the public.
Road users already have responsibilities when filing for tax returns. Individuals who travel for work purposes must make use of detailed logbooks, or the alternative, much easier and more accurate electronic GPS logbooks offered (such as the ones offered by Little Logbook).
Little Logbook utilizes GPS technology in conjunction with Google Maps that tracks the vehicles movement and logs it inside of its secure server. The device is fully SARS-compliant and can be used more permanently and reliably than paper logbooks. Visit the Little Logbook website for more information on how you can benefit from using one of these GPS logbooks.
Thursday, 29 March 2012
http://ow.ly/9WUrb
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
http://ow.ly/9VlFF
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Monday, 26 March 2012
Sunday, 25 March 2012
http://ow.ly/i/wCU2
Saturday, 24 March 2012
Iran oil blockage: not good news for fuel prices!
Pretoria – South Africa has suspended almost all oil imports from Iran, its biggest crude supplier, in response to US diplomatic pressure, a senior diplomat said on Thursday, adding Pretoria was unhappy about being strong-armed by Washington.
Iran accounts for about 29% of oil imports to South Africa, according to the US energy information administration, making it tough to switch suppliers.
South Africa is on a state department list of 12 countries that buy Iranian oil and could have been subject to US sanctions had it not significantly cut purchases.
Ebrahim said he did not agree with the US move to impose sanctions on countries that purchase Iranian oil. But Pretoria was forced to abide by it due to the economic hit South Africa would take if it did not comply.
“We don’t have any choice in the matter,” he said.
Oil refiners
The biggest buyer of Iranian crude in South Africa is Engen, majority owned by Malaysia’s national oil company Petronas. The company could not be reached for comment.
Other refiners in South Africa include petrochemicals group Sasol, BP, Shell, Total and Chevron. BP and Chevron said in February they were not sourcing any Iranian crude.
Sasol [JSE:SOL] confirmed on Thursday it had found alternatives to the Iranian product. The company said in January its oil unit was procuring 12 000 barrels per day, or 20% of the crude required by its Natref refinery, from Iran.
Sasol did not identify the new sources.
Some South African refineries are designed to treat Iranian-type crude only, and refiners would have been hard-pressed to replace those supplies with other products.
Any disruption in crude imports could further hit fuel supplies and increase travel expenses in South Africa, already volatile because of strikes and refinery problems.
Sasol is also in talks to divest its 50% stake in Arya Sasol Polymer company, a joint venture with Pars Petrochemical Company of Iran.
The venture produces ethylene and polyethylene, which are used in the production of plastics.
Friday, 23 March 2012
Thursday, 22 March 2012
Save water...World Water Day... http://ow.ly/9Oa4E
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Monday, 19 March 2012
Sunday, 18 March 2012
Saturday, 17 March 2012
Friday, 16 March 2012
Thursday, 15 March 2012
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Tuesday, 13 March 2012
Monday, 12 March 2012
Sunday, 11 March 2012
Saturday, 10 March 2012
Friday, 9 March 2012
Little LogBook is ON TV!
Our famous television ad went live a short while ago on national TV!
If you haven't seen it yet, here it is! Feel free to take a look at some of the other videos we have on our Youtube channel.
Thursday, 8 March 2012
http://ping.fm/DY19U
Copy it into Outlook or iTunes RSS feed or Podcast options to get all our latest stuff as we publish it!
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
Monday, 5 March 2012
How to Register as a Taxpayer with SARS
Being a tax payer seems more complicated on paper than it really is. A lot of people end up making excuses when it comes time for filing returns or registering. However, the registration process is really not as difficult as it is made out to be.
For individuals who qualify for tax for the first time, you will need to register for a tax number by completing a First Time Registration Form, or IT 77 form. Once you have completed the form, hand it in at your closest SARS branch.
Along with the IT 77 form, you will need to include a certified copy of your ID or Passport (Drivers Licenses will not be accepted), your personal banking details by way of either an original letter from your bank, confirming the details, a cancelled cheque, or a certified copy of your account statement, as well as details of your income for the last three years (or as far back as is applicable) on IRP5 forms.
Once you have registered as a taxpayer, you will receive your unique tax number, with which you can then register for SARS E-Filing on www.sarsefiling.co.za.
Also remember that there are ways in which you can make filing your returns easier for yourself. One such method is using electronic GPS Logbooks such as the one available from The Little Logbook. To find out more about the product and how it can help you, visit the Little LogBook’s website, or by sending an e-mail to sales@littlelogbook.co.za.
:)
http://ow.ly/9rXjL