Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the recommendations of the small business forum; the position regarding each recommendation stating the progress that has been made towards its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13744/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The measures outlined in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 546 of 26 September 2007 clearly ensure that there continues to be a supportive environment for small business in Ireland and show the Government's commitment to the small business sector.

A copy of the Third Progress Report on the Implementation of the Recommendations is available on my Department's website (www.entemp.ie) under "latest publications" and sets out in detail the progress being made in respect of all of the Small Business Forum's recommendations.

Since the publication of this Progress Report, further new measures designed to help the small business sector were announced in Budget 2008 by the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance on 5 December 2007 and are confirmed in the Finance Bill 2008, as follows:

VAT Registration Turnover Thresholds are being further increased — for the second successive year — from 1 May 2008, to €37,500 for services and to €75,000 for goods respectively.

Small companies are now permitted to calculate their Preliminary Corporation Tax payments based on 100% of the prior-period tax liability if their tax liability for the prior period did not exceed a certain threshold. This threshold is being further increased to €200,000. This will be effective for preliminary tax payment dates arising after 5 December 2007.

New companies, which do not expect their tax liability for the first year to exceed €150,000, are no longer obliged to pay preliminary tax in that first year. This threshold is being further increased to €200,000. This will be effective for preliminary tax payment dates arising after 5 December 2007.

The implementation of the recommendations contained in the Small Business Forum Report, to the maximum extent possible, remains a priority for the Government. Work is ongoing on this important agenda.