JBA Call For Tax Fairness for Business - Feb 08
The Joondalup Business Association has echoed the call of the NSW Business Chamber to abolish Payroll Tax and review GST arrangements.
JBA President Russell Crook said that WA was not alone on the issue of taxation of small businesses where the burden of taxes such as Stamp Duty and Payroll Tax were highlighted as being a disincentive to enterprise.
“It is of great concern to JBA members and non-members alike that small business will continue to take the brunt of the tax burden imposed on the community,” Mr Crook said.
“Over the years the JBA has constantly called on the WA State Government to look at the tax regime imposed on small to medium businesses with a view to reductions that would encourage growth, create employment opportunities and boost the economy in general,” he said.
“In this time of prosperity, with record budget surpluses continually being recorded, it is a golden opportunity to make these adjustments and bring some fairness to the equation.
“Small businesses are not only having to face the impost of what they consider to be unfair taxes but now we find they are to be penalised by increases in electricity and water charges to subsidise the residential sector.
“It appears that the promises of less and smaller state taxes after the implementation of the GST are long forgotten and may be time for the WA Government to follow the lead of its NSW counterpart in seeking to
reform the GST Agreement, abolish Payroll Tax and ease the stamp duty tax burden of small business,” he said.