Where do you draw the line?

If I am not mistaken, the Minister is always talking about the limit where small earners is not paying taxes. As far as I know, in the latest budget speech, he set the margin at R270 000-00. In other words, if you earn less, you do not pay PAYE. I find it very interesting that I am a relatively small earner at less than R130 000-00 per annum and I am taxed. <br> <br> When I went to Sars for my assessment, they informed me that I do get some money back, in fact, a few hundred Rand. What makes it so ironic, is the fact that I am getting an older persons' grant to the amount that is more or less the same as the tax that is deducted from my salary at work. I must mention that I only get a part of the grant until I reach pensionable age.<br> <br> My questions is: WHY GIVE WITH THE ONE HAND AND TAKE AWAY WITH THE OTHER.?<br> WHY SAY IN THE BUDGET-SPEECH THE CUT-OFF IS R270 000-00 BUT IN PRACTICE <br> THE. TAX-PAYER MUST PAY EVEN IF HE/SHE IS EARNING MUCH LESS.<br> <br> Or is it just something that is reflected on paper to create a good impression?