Coaltion's six-point small business plan

AAP General News (Australia)
04-02-2009
Coaltion's six-point small business plan

Six-point small business plan announced by the coalition:

1. Limited carry-back of tax losses capped at $100,000 of refunded tax per firm to
bolster the cash position of those with a solid operating history but which are facing
large operating losses.

The measure would only apply for businesses with at least one employee in each year
a refund claim is made, and in each year that tax was previously paid.

2. To reduce on-costs for firms with 20 or fewer staff, the coalition proposes a temporary
reduction in the cash cost to small employers of the Superannuation Guarantee Contribution.

The commonwealth should pay for a portion of their superannuation obligations for a period
of two years - three percentage points in 2009 and 1.5 percentage points in 2010.

3. The coalition commits to applying a comprehensive quantification to the full range
of commonwealth, state and local filings required to start or expand a business, and to
ensuring that this overhead burden, as measured in terms of hours and costs, is then reduced
to at least match, and preferably improve on, OECD best practice during the next three
years.

4. The coalition commits to working with the states and local governments to deliver
integrated online access to all forms and filings via a one-stop-shop business portal.

The coalition will create a small business service delivery agency expressly charged with
delivering integrated online access.

5. The new small business service delivery agency will also operate a program that
will provide support and advice for family businesses on succession planning and family
business professionalisation.

6. Ensure small business' place in the national economy is represented by making small
business a cabinet position.

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KEYWORD: BUSINESS FACTBOX

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