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According to a report in the Financial Times, tax emerged as the main concern voiced by small business owners when they were asked about election issues by the FSB. Complaints mostly focused on disproportionate penalties for late returns and "draconian" tax inspections.
Neil Hamper, FSB taxation chairman, told the FT: "Tax cuts will be important at the forthcoming election, but small businesses also want a commitment from politicians to make the taxation regime fairer and less brutal."
Targeted
He said there were particular concerns felt by the self-employed, many of whom felt unfairly targeted by inspectors who appeared to believe that the self-employed were "inherently untrustworthy".
With an average of 6,000 small businesses in each constituency, the tax system relating to small businesses could have a big influence on voting patterns.
The FSB is urging politicians to consider eight tax reforms, including the introduction of a £10,000 tax-free allowance for all small businesses after it was removed and replaced by the so-called dividend tax last year when the Government claimed small businesses had taken advantage of it.
The FSB also called for the abolition of the IR35 legislation, which was introduced in 1999 and has been the subject of much controversy among freelancers since then.
Full article: Overhaul of small business tax rules urged - Financial Times
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The Editor
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