A tax deduction on the expenses of dating was one of the ”tips for Trevor” that didn’t make it into Wednesday’s Budget.
But Finance Minister Trevor Manuel still thought it worth sharing with MPs.
He said citizens and civil society organisations had again been generous in offering suggestions for the Budget, ”highlighting frankly and precisely what the frontiers and challenges are that have yet to be addressed, that all possible joys may be uncovered”.
”Sipho Makola proposes, for example, a tax deduction on dating expenditure: ‘It’s really difficult lately to find a woman without first dating her and such expenditure is sometimes beyond our budgets.”
”’We either date or forever remain bachelors… ‘.”
Commented Manuel: ”Madam Speaker, to budget is to choose.”
The minister, who recently turned 50, also told MPs he had been reminded ”by many retired correspondents” this year that civil pensions, and many private pension arrangements, had in the past not adequately kept pace with inflation.
He said a Mr Rademeyer had reminded him that he too would grow old.
”I have taken note, and would welcome appropriate remedies,” he said.
”I do agree that preservation of the real value of pensions should be a central principle of our retirement industry reform programme.” – Sapa