Briefing journalists in Parliament on Monday, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel said clearly there were some issues in the draft Exchange Control Amnesty and Amendment of Taxation Laws Bill that required further attention.
Among them was the question of whether advisers or facilitators should qualify for amnesty.
"The key issue is how we can accommodate all of these issues, and when the matter can go before Parliament," Manuel said.
"Clearly, we want to give the committee sufficient time to consider all of these matters."
He declined at this stage to make an announcement on a possible postponement.
The draft bill aims to allow South Africans to regularise their tax affairs.
As announced in the 2003/4 budget on February 26, individuals who stashed money offshore in contravention of exchange control and income tax laws will be free from criminal or civil prosecution, provided they successfully apply for amnesty.
A six-month amnesty period is due to kick in on May 1.
As a money bill, the committee has no powers to amend the legislation once it has been introduced in Parliament, but has in the past worked closely with Treasury officials and other interested parties to make changes before such bills are tabled.
The draft bill had been expected to be tabled in Parliament on Wednesday and debated in the National Assembly the following day.
Manuel said it was now not clear when the draft bill would come before Parliament, and the Treasury was "examining all options".
The parliamentary committee's chairwoman Barbara Hogan said, after hearing public submissions on the proposal earlier in the day, MPs would not be able to conclude their work by Wednesday.
She also hinted the committee may not be able to finish its deliberations by the end of next week.
Parliament rises for three weeks from April 17, with MPs only due back on May 12.
During committee hearings on the draft bill earlier on Monday, Manuel suggested the Treasury was prepared to consider arguments from advisers to be included in the proposed tax and foreign exchange amnesty.
"If there are very strong views about the advisers wanting to be granted amnesty, clearly we would listen to them," he said.
However, his preference was that advisers and facilitators who helped individuals move money offshore in the past should not fall within the ambit of the law.
Advisers were excluded from the law in a last-minute amendment last week.
This has raised concerns that individuals may be discouraged by advisers from coming forward, and that the exclusion could allow the SA Revenue Service (Sars) and SA Reserve Bank (SARB) to conduct a "witchhunt" against third parties.
Manuel stressed there was no intention of conducting a witchhunt in search of those that had contravened the law in the past, as was evident by the fact that the draft bill asked for minimal disclosure - Sapa
EMAIL THIS ARTICLE SAVE THIS ARTICLE FEEDBACK
To subscribe email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or click here
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here







