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Taxing to be HIV-positive and employed

    JOHANNESBURG

    The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has identified the provision of AIDS treatment by employers to HIV-positive workers as a "fringe benefit".

    According to SARS, because it is seen as a benefit, the amount contributed to anti-AIDS treatment is taxable.

    "The income tax system measured such contributions against the same standards as employer contributions for provision of other goods and services," a local newspaper, The Star, quoted SARS spokesman Sechaba Nkosi as saying.

    Companies providing such contributions are up in arms and have accused the revenue service of taxing their HIV-positive workers to death.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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