ABOUT 2800 local businesses will be better off under combined payroll tax changes in the Queensland budget, according to Redlands MP Kim Richards.
Ms Richards said that Queensland would have one of the lowest payroll tax threshold rates in the country from July 1.
"We want to see new businesses start and existing businesses grow and flourish," she said.
Ms Richards and Small Business Minister Shannon Fentiman met with small business owners at Capalaba on Tuesday to discuss business growth in the region.
Ms Fentiman said increasing the exemption threshold for payroll tax for Queensland businesses from $1.1 million to $1.3 million would mean 1500 additional businesses would no longer pay any payroll tax.
"We have also extended our 50 per cent payroll tax rebate for business taking on an apprentice or trainee and where Queensland employers have increased their number of full-time employees, they will be eligible for a payroll tax rebate for these additional employees from July 1," Ms Fentiman said.
"We know small businesses are the engine room of our growing economy and we want to make sure they have the right support they need to grow and create more local jobs."
Queensland Small Business Champion Maree Adshead said she had heard positive feedback from businesses around the state about the new tax relief package.
"Business owners and accountants with a lot of small business clients are looking forward to all of the elements of this package being available from next month," Ms Adshead said.
"I have already heard from businesses saying they will be able to offer a full-time position to a casual staff member or increase the hours of a part-time worker thanks to these changes. Planning ahead is a bit easier and the future for many businesses is brighter now."
Ms Fentiman said that in the budget the state government had also committed a further $4 million to continue small business grants and develop an online tool to make employing an apprentice or trainee easier for small business.
"We have also recently released the Queensland Small Business Procurement Commitment, which is working to make it easier for small businesses to work with government and reduce payment times from 30 days to 20 days," she said.
For information visit business.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 935.
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