The Potential Influence of Value Added Tax Law Amendments on the Existence of E-Service Providing SMMEs in South Africa

In South Africa, almost all existing businesses are regarded as Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). Through legislation, the South African government has identified SMMEs as the best enablers to help with the achievement of certain core socio-economic objectives; particularly the creation of jobs and reduction of poverty levels. According to previous research studies these business entities are not achieving the latter socio-economic objectives; mainly as a result of their weak existence rate – up to 80% of these business entities fail within their first three years of existence. The latter is believed to stem from the realisation of economic factors – a major economic factor which adversely influences South African SMMEs is that of taxation. Over the years, more South African SMMEs have started to make use of the internet to conduct their respective business, which spurred the national government to make amendments to existing Value Added Tax (VAT) Laws by levying taxation on electronic services (e-services) provided by e-service suppliers. Hence, for this research study, the perception was formulated that the amendments made to VAT Laws will have an adverse influence on the existence of e-service providing South African SMMEs in the foreseeable future. Empirical research was conducted through means of obtaining quantitative data from registered South African Tax Practitioners based in the Cape Metropolis; all of whom had to adhere to strict delineation criterion. It was found that the amendments made to VAT Laws, by national government, will have an adverse influence on the existence of e-service providing South African SMMEs in the foreseeable future