National Treasury Invites Public Proposals for 2026/27 Budget
Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: National Treasury has invited public submissions for the 2026/27 Budget, highlighting a shift in focus toward tax policy and water infrastructure investment.
In preparation for the 2026/27 Budget, the National Treasury has issued a media statement calling for public ‘tips’ and policy proposals. The Minister of Finance is scheduled to table the 2026/27 Budget and deliver the Budget Speech on 25 February 2026. This process allows stakeholders to provide input on the fiscal direction of the Government of National Unity as it attempts to balance economic growth with support for vulnerable populations amid limited resources.
The 2026/27 call for submissions reflects a notable shift in regulatory focus compared to previous years. Specifically, the Treasury has invited input on ‘tax policies’, whereas the 2023/24, 2024/25, and 2025/26 lists focused on ‘tax revenue’. This suggests a move toward structural policy considerations rather than purely revenue-collection mechanisms.
Furthermore, the Treasury has updated its infrastructure priorities, replacing ‘energy funding solutions’ with ‘energy and water investments’. This follows the 2023/24 and 2024/25 focus areas which were primarily concerned with ‘managing the energy crisis’.
The key issues on which the National Treasury is currently seeking input include:
- Tax policies;
- Energy and water investments;
- Municipal finances;
- Spending priorities; and
- Economic growth strategies.
What this means for you, your business, or your clients
- For yourself: No direct individual compliance obligations; however, professionals may use this window to submit technical tax policy proposals directly to the National Treasury before the February 2026 deadline.
- For your business: Firms should monitor the shift toward ‘water investments’ as a signal of potential new public-private partnership frameworks or capital expenditure incentives in the upcoming fiscal cycle.
- For your clients: Tax practitioners should advise clients that the Treasury’s focus on ‘tax policies’ rather than ‘revenue’ may indicate upcoming structural amendments to the Income Tax Act, No. 58 of 1962 or other fiscal legislation, rather than simple rate adjustments.
Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/budget-2026-27-national-treasury-calls-for-tax-policy-tips