At the National Economic Dialogue in Dublin Castle today, the Small Firms Association (SFA) has called on Government to introduce measures in Budget 2018 to encourage entrepreneurship and business formation. 
 
The Association has warned that the gap between the self-employed Earned Income Tax Credit and the PAYE tax credit means that owner-managers pay more tax than employees on the same income. 

The SFA have called on the Government to honour its commitment "to level the playing field" in Budget 2018 by increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit to €1650. 
 
Speaking today, SFA Acting Director, Linda Barry said, "We need entrepreneurs and owner-managers to create jobs, drive innovation and boost the vibrancy of our regions. Yet government policy continues to discriminate against the self-employed."

She added, "Addressing barriers and disincentives for entrepreneurs and businesses is more important than ever in the context of Brexit, the impact of which is already being felt by small businesses on the ground in terms of postponement of business and investment decisions, loss of business here and in the UK and increased sourcing of raw materials from the UK."
 
Source: www.businessworld.ie