17/09/2015

Fianna Fáil Lay Out Commitment To 'Supporting Entrepreneurship'

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has laid out his party's commitment to "supporting entrepreneurship" in a speech at Dublin Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Martin was giving the keynote address at the event held on Thursday morning, where he pledged Fianna Fáil's support for the establishment of a Commissioner for Start-Ups and gave a detailed explanation of the party's approach in the area.

Deputy Martin said: "We need to start addressing the issue of how we tax individual entrepreneurs. I believe that the vital role they play in our society should be recognised through a series of tax changes which reflect the risks they undertake and the returns they deliver for us all.

"A practical way the state can support entrepreneurs is to reduce the rate of capital gains tax that applies when a successful business is sold .We are proposing a reduction from 33% to 15% for businesses sold up to a maximum of €10 million. This would help create jobs in the SME sector and encourage people to create new businesses.

"We would also expand the credit guarantee scheme and we are committed to reducing the 2% premium charged on loans guaranteed under this scheme. The unfair treatment of the self-employed needs to end by immediately increasing the PRSI benefits for the self-employed. They should be allowed to opt in to the Class A Structure which will allow them to receive job seekers and illness benefits if their business does not work out.

"Another key element of our policy is that over the next three years there would be an earned income tax credit introduced for the self-employed to the PAYE tax credit value of €1,650.  This would cost €450 million when fully implemented. We also believe that the 3% surcharge on the high income self-employed should be phased out over time so as to equalise the application of the USC to PAYE for this group."

(MH/CD)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

26 March 2024
New Manifesto To Transform NI's Credit Union Network
The Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) has launched a new policy manifesto to support the Northern Ireland Assembly in bringing about essential changes and recognising the essential role of credit unions within communities and the wider economy.
26 May 2009
No More Income Tax Hikes, Claims Lenihan
The Finance Minister Brian Lenihan has said there will be no further income tax increases this year. The vow comes only a month after the Government doubled the income levies in the emergency budget. Despite the assurances, Mr Lenihan has confirmed that a property tax and a carbon tax were being considered.
21 August 2015
Entrepreneurs And The Self-Employed 'Deserve Tax Standardisation' - FG
Entrepreneurs and self-employed people in Ireland "deserve tax standardisation", Fine Gael has said. Fine Gael TD for Meath West, Ray Butler, made the comments following the news that the Department of Finance is to review of the taxation of entrepreneurs and the self-employed in Ireland.
19 February 2019
Urgent Action Needed On Outstanding Tax Payments Of €4.3bn
Labour has called for urgent action on outstanding tax payments of €4.3 billion owed to Revenue as of 31 January, 2019. According to Labour Finance spokesperson Joan Burton, a total of €969m is immediately available for collection and would make a significant difference to public services.
11 November 2016
Concerns Raised Over Impact Of Trump's Tax Plans On Ireland
Concerns have been raised over the impact of US President-Elect Donald Trump's plans to reduce American corporation tax to 15%. Sinn Féin and Labour have both called on the Government to address concerns over the impact such a tax policy could have on Ireland.