The research, carried out on behalf of the APPSBG by the Small Business Research Trust, seeks to find out:
- what advice a small business seeks out before they choose their legal structure;
- what benefits, and what costs, are associated with each legal structure;
- the effect of recent changes to the taxation system on their business; and
- business owners' opinions on options for reform.
The results will be analysed by academics from the University of Liverpool and presented to parliamentarians at a meeting in Westminster on 30th June.
Kerry Pollard JP MP, Chair of the APPSBG, said: "This survey is an excellent opportunity for me and my colleagues in both Houses of Parliament to listen to the small business community and I implore all small businesses, from sole trader to franchisee, to take part in this survey.
"Tax is an inevitability, yet it should be proportionate and as fair as possible. We want to know whether the smallest of businesses suffer from a disproportionate tax burden; whether the legal status of a small business affects their tax burden; and whether there is an appetite for a separate legal structure for the self-employed?"
The area of small business taxation has come under increasing scrutiny over the last few months, especially with the recent imposition of a 19 per cent tax on distributed profits from small limited companies.
Interest looks set to increase as the Chancellor will announce a review of small business taxation in the forthcoming pre-budget report. The findings from this survey, and the meeting in Westminster, will influence the terms of reference of this review. The Group encourages all those businesses who feel they have no voice to complete the survey.
The individual responses are anonymous and can only be narrowed down to a geographical region. The survey is online at: All Party Group Tax Survey
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Susie Hughes © Shout99.com
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