Money talks: what the 2026 Budget says about government’s priorities
A tighter, more disciplined Budget channels spending into social support and infrastructure while cutting waste to avoid tax hikes.
#NationalTreasury
Is South Africa finally turning the corner on debt?
While borrowing remains substantial, improving bond yields, firmer revenue, and reduced debt-service growth suggest a more credible consolidation path.
Increase in the VAT registration threshold
The tax regime for small and micro-businesses will also be adjusted for inflation.
Treasury signals overhaul of CIS taxation
The proposal is to reclassify all returns from collective investment schemes and retail hedge funds as capital gains.
New deadline to comment on draft AML/CFT Bill
The legislation will strengthen reporting and governance obligations across the non-profit, corporate, and financial sectors.
Covid SRD grant extended pending regulatory amendments
Draft amendments to the SRD Regulations have been published to give effect to the grant’s continuation from April 2026 to March 2027.
Key fintech policy developments to watch in 2026
Regulatory initiatives across payments, digital assets, open finance and embedded finance are expected to progress this year.
Two-pot amendments resolve uncertainty for older provident fund members
The Revenue Laws Amendment Act settles the treatment of provident and provident preservation fund members aged 55 or older on T-day.
Disciplinary process under way at GPAA amid governance concerns
Parliament reiterates concerns about financial management and governance highlighted in recent audit outcomes.
Draft amendments aim to remedy gaps in AML framework
The Bill largely clarifies and strengthens existing AML/CFT expectations rather than introducing a new regulatory philosophy.
Ithala depositor payouts to continue through 2026 with three-year claim window
FNB has disbursed over R1 billion to Ithala customers and is sending about 5 000 SMS notifications per day to schedule branch visits.
Draft AML/CFT amendment Bill tightens regulatory net
The Bill proposes that arrangements yielding outcomes similar to traditional financial products be treated as financial services.
Relief at last: Ithala depositors can access frozen funds from 8 December
Treasury’s R2.2bn intervention ends an 11-month account freeze, unlocking payouts for Ithala’s 257 000 depositors while the liquidation case continues.
Countdown to JIBAR cessation: SARB urges market to step up transition to ZARONIA
South Africa’s financial markets brace for the end of Jibar as SARB signals a major shift toward the more transparent, transaction-based ZARONIA benchmark.
Treasury pushes back against increasing taxes on higher-income earners
Deputy DG Christopher Axelson tells Parliament Treasury will prioritise improved revenue collection and closing loopholes rather than further rate increases.
SARB adds crypto and stablecoins to new financial-stability risk category
Top domestic Bitcoin wallets moved nearly R63bn offshore since 2019, spurring the SARB and Treasury to develop a cross-border crypto transaction framework.
Treasury proposes 20% national online gambling tax to curb harm
The measure is expected to generate over R10bn, but Treasury says its primary aim is to deter harmful gambling behaviour.
