What were the main business related results of Budget 2017? How did this budget affect SMEs and farmers?
The eleven key takeaways, for SMEs and farmers, are:
1: There was a continued strong commitment was made to the 12.5% corporation tax rate.
2: The ‘Start Your Own Business Relief’ was extended for a further two years to the end of 2018.
3: Foreign Travellers Relief – ‘SARP’ and ‘FED’ extended to 2020 and the minimum number of travel days is reduced to 30.
4: A new SME-focused share based remuneration scheme to be introduced in Budget 2018.
5: Farmers being able to opt out of income averaging for the 2016 tax year was announced.
6: Farm Restructuring Relief was extended to the end of 2019.
7: The flat-rate addition for farmers is being increased from 5.2% to 5.4% from 1 January 2017.
8: The Minister confirmed that an independent review of the Corporate Tax code is to take place. The report and recommendations are due by the end of Q2 2017.
9: The 9% VAT rate for the hospitality and tourism sector is retained.
10: Savings – a 2% DIRT reduction from January 1, 2017 followed by three further 2% reductions out to 2020.
11: For startups and SMEs, the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rate was cut from 20% to 10% up to just one million euros.
For full details visit Budget 2017.
