Treasurer Scott Morrison has delivered his third federal budget, and in his speech, said the Turnbull government is backing business this year.
So, here’s what small businesses can look forward to:
Instant asset write-off
Last year, the Federal Government announced an extension of the $20,000 instant asset write-off for businesses with an annual turnover of up to $10 million until 30th June 2018.
This year, the full $20,000 instant asset write-off has been extended once again for businesses with a turnover of up to $10 million.
Peter Strong, CEO of the Council of Small Business Australia, says that while he's happy with the budget overall, the Federal Government could do more for small businesses.
“We would’ve liked to have seen the instant tax write-off extended permanently."
“It’s quite bizarre that every year that we just extend it now – one of my members said it should be indexed."
"But it’s important, it sends a good message.”
Taxing digital businesses
A discussion paper will be released to further explore how the federal government can fairly tax digital businesses in Australia.
The budget papers stated that digital businesses can have a "significant economic presence in Australia without making a significant contribution to tax revenues here".
Anti-phoenixing crackdown
The government wants to tackle illegal phoenix activity to stop small businesses "getting ripped off".
Illegal phoenix activity is when a company that has been deliberately liquidated creates a new company to continue the business and avoid paying debts to creditors and the ATO.
These new measures include:
- Preventing directors from improperly backdating resignations so they can't avoid liability
- Preventing directors from resigning and leaving a company without directors
- Giving the ATO extended powers to retain funds if there are outstanding tax lodgements
- Extending the Director Penalty Regime to GST, luxury car tax and wine equalisation tax, so directors are personally liable for a company's debt
Craft beer tax
Craft brewers have been vocal about unfair tax rates imposed on their businesses, and it appears Treasurer Scott Morrison has been listening. Beer sold in kegs of more than 48 litres had been taxed 40% less than smaller kegs, which put craft brewers at a disadvantage.
The government says it will change those laws so all beer kegs bigger than eight litres will be taxed at the same rate.
Alcohol manufacturers can currently claim a refund of 60% in the excise duty of up to $30,000 a year. This will increase to $100,000 from July 1st 2019.
Seniorpreneurs and an older workforce
In his budget speech, the Treasurer said, “It’s never too late, you’re never too old to start a business.”
The government plans to expand their entrepreneurship facilitators program to upskill mature-aged workers and provide incentives for them to start their own business.
Under the Pension Work Bonus, seniors are allowed to earn an extra $1,300 without it affecting their pension. The government plans to spend $227.4 million to increase the bonus, so self-employed seniors will also be allowed to earn up to $7,800 a year before their pension is affected.
In order to combat age discrimination in the workforce, businesses who hire older Australians can receive wage subsidies of up to $10,000.
Vocational training
The Turnbull government also hopes that upskilling Australians will be a boost to business. They have earmarked an additional $250 million to the Skilling Australians Fund, which supports apprenticeships and traineeships. This is in addition to the Commonwealth’s $1.5 billion skills funding plan to 2021.
What were last year’s budget promises?
Small business red tape reduction plan
Last year…
The Federal Government pledged $300 million to slash red tape through a new body called the National Partnership on Regulatory Reform. Under these regulations, the Federal Government planned to have agreements with all states and territories to negotiate red tape reduction for businesses.
Since then…
Nothing much has changed. Queensland, South Australia and Victoria refused to participate, due to certain conditions in the reforms which they said could harm both businesses and employees.
The Coalition remains committed to cutting $1 billion in red tape each year.
Foreign worker visas
Last year…
Businesses employing foreign workers on 457 visas were required to pay an annual levy of up to $18,000 for those on temporary work visas, or a one-off levy of up to $5,000 for employees on a permanent skilled visa.
Since then…
The 457 visas have been abolished and replaced with a new visa program known as the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa, which came into effect Sunday 18th March 2018. Under this program, people can work in Australia on either a two-year visa or a four-year visa.
They were designed for employers to access skilled foreign workers if they weren’t able to find the right employees with the right skills in Australia.
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