BUDGET2016 | Company tax cuts explained. (It’s good news.)

Small businesses have been given a massive shot in the arm this Federal Budget, with a schedule of company tax cuts announced that will eventually bring the corporate tax rate down to 25 percent.

The benefits even extend to unincorporated businesses (which includes sole traders and partnerships). Their tax discount will rise from 5 percent to 8 percent in the next financial year – and continue to rise after that to a max of 16 percent.

All of this is part of the government’s “10 Year Enterprise Tax Plan”, which reduces company tax rates and introduces a suite of improvements such as simplified compliance laws.

In a big move, it also raises the revenue threshold for small businesses from $2 million to $10 million (which means up to 90,000 more businesses can now access the $20,000 instant asset write-off).

Let’s break it down.

Company tax rate

Last year the Government announced the company tax rate would fall to 28.5 percent for small businesses.

Now that tax cut will go even further. Small businesses (which now includes businesses up to $10 million in revenue) will have their tax rate cut to 27.5 percent from 1 July 2018.

And over the next 10 years, the company tax rate will fall to 25 percent for all businesses.

The Government is taking a step-by-step approach to the cuts, raising the revenue threshold for applicable businesses each year. Starting in July 2018, businesses with revenue up to $10 million can access the new tax rate.

Each year, more businesses will be eligible by turnover rate, starting with those with $25 million, followed by $50 million, $100 million, $250 million, $500 million, and $1 billion, through to 2023–24.

In 2024–25, the company tax rate will be 27 percent, then reduced in 2025–26 to 26 percent, and then finally reduced to 25 percent in 2026–27.

Yep.  Its a long term plan. But at least its heading in the right direction to help make our company tax rates competitive.

What about sole traders?

Unincorporated businesses, including sole traders and partnerships, will have their tax discount increased from 5 percent to 8 percent in 2016–17. The revenue threshold for applicable businesses will also rise from $2 million to $5 million.

The maximum discount will be set at $1,000.

But here’s the kicker – the discount will be extended over the next decade to a total of 16 percent. That means a potential 2.3 million more small businesses could have access to these discounts.

Here’s how the continued discount will work: from July 2016, the discount will remain constant for eight years, then increase to 10 percent in 2024–25, then 13 percent in 2025–26, followed by 16 percent in 2026–27.

Australian businesses get a shot in the arm

These changes are great news for Australian businesses.

This is a time when innovation is paramount, and more business investment is needed to drive economic growth. Businesses make investment decisions based on their profits – more profit means more opportunity to research, develop new ideas and employ more Australians.

Right now Australian businesses are taxed at a higher rate than other OECD countries. By lowering the corporate tax rate, the Government is making sure that Australian businesses will be able to compete with their international counterparts.

These company tax cuts are a welcome addition, and will no doubt put small businesses in a position to succeed.