Gov’t engages Netflix as digital tax looms
Friday, July 05, 2024 | 90 Views |
Coming soon:
Netflix is
expected to
come with a VAT increase for Batswana
very soon
PIC: BAUCEMAG.COM
Officials at the tax agency expect legislation for the Digital Services Tax (DST) to be placed before the December sitting of Parliament.
“That’s our wish, but the draft is still behind,” the Finance Ministry tax policy director, Boitshoko Keabofe-Medupe, told Mmegi during a briefing on Tuesday. “We had wanted it to pass through the July Parliament but because the draft was delayed, we are now seeing it going through Parliament in December. “It’s either it will be introduced in the calendar year or the tax year and we are still a bit behind, but the desire is that it must be in place.”
That sounds like good news. But the report also warns that this may simply be because our digital economy is still young, not because we are safe. As more people shop, bank and pay online, criminals will follow.We Batswana do not need a report to tell us that danger is real. Many of us have heard of or fallen victim to KYC scams. A caller impersonates your bank or mobile money provider. They say they need to “verify” your account. They ask...