- 28 July 2009 ESBA on New Croatian Member UMIS-SMEA
- 10 July ESBA on EP 2009 Election Results
- 30 April 2009 ESBA on Working Time Directive
- 20 April 2009 ESBA Election Quiz
- 9 April 2009 ESBA on Late Payments
- 9 February 2009 ESBA on Icelandic Issue
- 19 January 2009 ESBA on VAT Rates
- 17 December 2008 ESBA on working time Directive
- 04/11 2008 ESBA on Reduced VAT Rates
- 08/09 2008 ESBA in First Voice, UK
- 26 June 2008, SMES react positively to SBA
- 29 May 2008 - ISBC and ISBE supported by the FSB (Belfast, November 08)
- 19 Nov. 2007 - Rome I: Time for the EP to demonstrate its commitment to Better Regulation
- 01 Oct. 2007 - ESBA Backs Member's Campaign to Reduce Admin Burdens
- 29 June 2007 - ESBA welcomes the flexible approach to ‘Flexicurity’
- 24 May 2007 - Lower roaming charges are good news for SMEs, says ESBA
- 16 May 2007 - ESBA applauds MEPs for backing a Green Hydrogen Economy
- 12 March 2007 - Simplicity is key for SMEs in New Health and Safety Strategy
- 23 Feb. 2007 - Energy: ESBA supports binding targets for renewables
- 16 Feb. 2007 - New consumer rules will damage online business, says ESBA
- 13 Dec. 2006 - REACH vote in plenary – mixed result for SMEs
- 07 Dec. 2006 - ESBA welcomes MEP's call to withdraw ESCS Plan
- 06 Nov. 2006 - ESBA backs retaining the WTD opt-out clause
- 23 Oct. 2006 - ESBA Releases its new ‘ESBA Activities 2006-2007’ Publication
- 10 Oct. 2006 - ESBA says SMEs disappointed with EP vote on REACH
- 21 Sept. 2006 - ESBA case studies oppose the proposal on ESCS
- 07 Sept. 2006 - More Commission Staff should get Experience in SMEs!
- 30 Aug. 2006 - ESBA opposes the Commission's proposal on ESCS
- 24 July 2006 - ESBA supports a European SBAct
- 06 July 2006 - Retention of Earnings best way to finance SMEs
- 14 June 2006 - CIP is not enough!!
- 04 May 2006 - ESBA Elects its New President
- 14 Feb. 2006 - Services Directive: A good Compromise
Issue date: January 19, 2009
ESBA calls for Ministers to agree VAT rates
The European Small Business Alliance (ESBA) today called for EU Finance Ministers to reach immediate agreement on whether to reduce rates of value-added tax (VAT).
ESBA said small firms needed all the help they could get to pull Europe out of a deepening economic crisis and that a lack of resolution on a proposal to reduce VAT on labour-intensive goods would hold them back.
Under the Commission’s proposal, all Member States would be able to permanently reduce VAT rates to a low of five per cent in a large number of labour-intensive industries, such as restaurants, which are currently only applicable in 11 countries.
Other sectors include cleaning and maintenance, care services, hairdressing and gardening. The construction sector would also be affected as the rate cut would now be applicable to all housing and construction services.
Tina Sommer, ESBA President, said: “The EU’s Finance Ministers really must come to resolution on this issue as soon as possible and give small firms clarity. ESBA supports the review of reducing VAT rates. As a large majority of small businesses serve local markets, Member States should be allowed more flexibility to adopt their own rates, in particular on locally supplied services, without prejudice to the Single Market”.
ENDS
Page last updated: 29/07/2009 08:32:51