Name: _________________________________ Section: ___________ ID No. _________

List and write the difference between direct and indirect taxes
Discuss the merits and demerits of tax structures
List and discuss five important techniques of deficit financing?
Elaborate the following indirect taxes in Ethiopia
A. Value added tax
B. Excise tax
C. Turnover tax
The following information is obtained from Gamo private limited company. The book value of a pool of computer in the opening balance sheet of the tax period as of Hamle 1, 2012 was birr 150,000. During the year 2012:
( Gamo bought data storage equipment for birr 75,000, software products for birr 50,000.
( The existing computer was upgraded and renewed for birr 12,000.
( Gamo has also received Birr 15,000 as compensation from Yetu computer, supplier, since some of storage equipment are not functioning.
( Gamo also sold two old computers and received birr 8,500
Required:
1. Determine depreciation base of computer?
2. Determine depreciation expense of computer
Assume Secha Trading Share Company has a business building which has 100 equal size rooms each to be let out at Br 5,000 per month. During tax year 2020, 30 rooms were vacant for 6 months. The share company incurred the following expenses during the tax year: maintenance expense of Br 50,000; land and building tax of Br 10,000; advertising expense of Br 21,000; annual land lease cost of Br 100,000; other deductible expenses of Br 65,000. The building was constructed at Br 12,000,000 and it is not fully depreciated during tax year 2010.
Required: Compute
The amount of gross rental income for the tax year ending June 30, 2010
The taxable rental income for the tax year
The amount of rental income tax for the tax year
The following data were taken from the records of Abraham Co. for July 2008 E.C. that pays payroll to its employees according to Ethiopian payroll system.
Name
Basic salary
Allowance
Overtime worked
Duration of overtime work

Abel Tena
Br.2,400
250
30hrs
Up to 10:00pm

Sara Chala
3,200
500
20hrs
10:00pm-6:00am

Nega Girum
1,600
100
10hrs
Weekends

18hrs
Public holiday

Additional information:
All employees are expected to render services of 160hrs per month and all of them did except Sara Chala who has served only 150hrs.
All employees are permanent employees except Abel Tena.
The allowance of Nega Girum is not taxable.
All employees promised to contribute 10% of their basic salary to the credit association Required:
Determine the gross earnings,
taxable income,
total deductions and
net pay of all employees.
Ato XX deposited Birr 200,000 at prevailing Deposit rate (12%) at Commercial Bank of Ethiopia at the beginning of the tax year 1997 which is compounded monthly. If the deposit is in the account for two years, what is the amount of interest income tax?

1 answer

Let's break down your questions one by one, providing explanations and calculations where applicable.

1. Differences between Direct and Indirect Taxes

Direct Taxes:

  • Definition: Taxes paid directly to the government by the taxpayer.
  • Examples: Income tax, property tax, corporate tax.
  • Characteristics:
    • Based on the taxpayer’s ability to pay.
    • Progressive in nature; higher income results in higher tax.
    • Cannot be shifted to another party.

Indirect Taxes:

  • Definition: Taxes imposed on goods and services, which can be passed on to consumers.
  • Examples: Value-added tax (VAT), sales tax, excise tax.
  • Characteristics:
    • Can be regressive; poorer households may spend a higher proportion of their income on these taxes.
    • Added to the price of goods/services.
    • Easy to collect by businesses.

2. Merits and Demerits of Tax Structures

Merits:

  • Revenue Generation: Taxes are the primary source of government revenue.
  • Redistribution of Wealth: Progressive tax structures help reduce income inequality.
  • Economic Stability: Taxes can regulate economic activity by influencing spending and investment.
  • Encouragement of Compliance: A well-structured tax system can promote adherence to tax laws.

Demerits:

  • Complexity: Complicated tax codes can confuse taxpayers and may lead to non-compliance.
  • Tax Evasion: High taxes may encourage individuals and corporations to evade taxes.
  • Disincentives for Investment: Higher taxes can discourage business investments and economic growth.
  • Compliance Costs: High costs associated with filing taxes can burden businesses and individuals.

3. Techniques of Deficit Financing

  1. Borrowing from Domestic Sources: Government borrowing from banks and financial institutions.
  2. Foreign Loans: Obtaining loans from international organizations or foreign governments.
  3. Issuance of Bonds: Selling government bonds to raise funds.
  4. Monetary Financing: Central bank printing money to finance government spending, which may lead to inflation.
  5. Utilization of Reserves: Utilizing foreign exchange or government reserves to meet financing gaps.

4. Indirect Taxes in Ethiopia

A. Value Added Tax (VAT):

  • VAT is a consumption tax levied on the value added to goods and services.
  • Businesses collect VAT on behalf of the government, charging it on sales and claiming credits on purchases.

B. Excise Tax:

  • A selective tax imposed on specific goods like alcohol, tobacco, and fuel.
  • Aims to discourage the consumption of certain products and generate revenue.

C. Turnover Tax:

  • A tax levied on businesses based on their revenues, applicable to small enterprises not registered for VAT.
  • A simplified tax structure to ease compliance for small businesses.

5. Calculations for Gamo Private Limited Company

1. Determine Depreciation Base of Computer:

  • Opening Balance (Cost) = 150,000
  • Add: Data Storage Equipment = 75,000
  • Add: Software = 50,000
  • Add: Upgrade Cost = 12,000
  • Less: Sale of Old Machines = 8,500
  • Add: Compensation for Non-Functioning Equipment = 15,000

Depreciation Base = 150,000 + 75,000 + 50,000 + 12,000 - 8,500 + 15,000 = 283,500

2. Determine Depreciation Expense: (Assuming straight-line depreciation, more details like useful life or method are needed, but for calculation, let’s assume a straight-line basis over a useful life of say, 5 years):

If straight-line depreciation is to be calculated over an assumed useful life, say 5 years: \[ \text{Annual Depreciation} = \frac{ \text{Depreciation Base} }{5} = \frac{283,500}{5} = 56,700 \]

6. Rental Income Calculation for Secha Trading Share Company

1. Gross Rental Income Calculation:

  • Total Rooms = 100
  • Rent per Room = 5,000
  • Occupied Rooms = 100 - 30 = 70 rooms
  • Months Vacant = 6

Gross Income = (70 rooms * 5,000 * 12 months) \[ \text{Gross Rental Income} = 70 * 5,000 * 6 + 100 * 5,000 * 6 = 4,200,000 \]

2. Taxable Rental Income Calculation: \[ \text{Gross Rental Income} - \text{Total expenses} \] Instructions for expenses:

  • Maintenance Expense = 50,000
  • Land & Building Tax = 10,000
  • Advertising Expense = 21,000
  • Annual Land Lease Cost = 100,000
  • Other Deductible Expenses = 65,000

Total Expense = 50,000 + 10,000 + 21,000 + 100,000 + 65,000 = 246,000

Taxable Rental Income = 4,200,000 - 246,000 = 3,954,000

7. Employee Earnings and Deductions

Due to space constraints, let's summarize the calculations for gross earnings, taxable income, total deductions, and net pay for each of the employees.

  1. Abel Tena

    • Basic Salary: 2,400
    • Overtime: 30 hours at 2,400 / 160 = 15 * 1.5 = 22.5 * 30 = 675
    • Allowance: 250

    Gross Earnings = 2400 + 675 + 250 = 3,325

    • Deductions: 10% for credit association = 332.5.
    • Net Pay = 3,325 - 332.5 = 2,992.5.
  2. Sara Chala

    • Basic Salary: 3,200
    • Overtime: 20 hours = 3,200 / 160 = 20 * 1.5 = 30 * 20 = 600.
    • Allowance: 500.

    Gross Earnings = 3,200 + 600 + 500 = 4,300

    • Deductions: 10% of salary.
    • Net Pay = 4,300 - 430 = 3,870.
  3. Nega Girum

    • Basic Salary: 1,600
    • Overtime: 10 hours = 1,600 / 160 = 10 * 1.5 = 15 * 10 = 150.
    • No Allowance is taxable.

    Gross Earnings = 1,600 + 150 = 1,750.

    • Deductions: 10% of basic = 160.
    • Net Pay = 1,750 - 160 = 1,590.

8. Interest Income Tax Calculation

\[ A = P(1 + \frac{r}{n})^{nt} \] Where:

  • \( A \) = the amount of money accumulated after n years, including interest.
  • \( P \) = principal amount (the initial amount of money).
  • \( r \) = annual interest rate (decimal).
  • \( n \) = number of times that interest is compounded per year.
  • \( t \) = the number of years the money is invested.

Calculating Interest:

  • Deposit \( = 200,000 \)
  • Rate \( = 12% \) \( = 0.12 \)
  • Compounded Monthly \( n = 12 \)
  • Time \( = 2 \)

\[ A = 200,000 \left(1 + \frac{0.12}{12}\right)^{12 \times 2} \] \[ A = 200,000 \left(1 + 0.01\right)^{24} \] Calculating \( A \): \[ = 200,000 \times (1.01)^{24} \approx 200,000 \times 1.26824179 \approx 253,648.36 \] Interest Earned = A - P = 253,648.36 - 200,000 = 53,648.36

Tax on Interest: Usually, the tax on interest may vary, suppose it's 10%: \[ \text{Interest Income Tax} = 53,648.36 \times 0.10 = 5,364.84 \]

This is a comprehensive outline of the questions and calculations requested. Please specify if you need additional details or clarifications on any specific point!