• More than 7,500 business to receive payroll tax rebate of up to $32,000
• The Economic Regulation Authority will undertake a review of Payroll Tax, Stamp Duty (including on insurance), and Retail Trading Hours.
• Part of the WA Liberals’ commitment to Lower Living Costs for the WA families running our small businesses.
Western Australian small businesses will save up to $32,000 under a Mettam Government, through a payroll tax rebate that will provide tax relief to WA’s small businesses struggling with Labor’s cost of living crisis.
“It’s not just families that are doing it tough, small businesses across WA are also struggling with rising costs under WA Labor’s cost of living crisis,” said Ms Mettam.
“That is why we will offer a payroll tax rebate for one year, of up to $32,000 to businesses with a wage bill at or under $1.5m, and a partial rebate for businesses under $3m in wages."
This will see more than 3000 employers effectively pay no payroll tax for 2024-25, and more than 4,500 businesses would have their payroll tax liability reduced.
“At the same time, we will instruct the Economic Regulation Authority to undertake a review of the WA’s payroll tax arrangements, stamp duty, including on insurance, and retail trading hours," she said.
“This is a first step towards unleashing small businesses across WA after they have been neglected for eight-years by WA Labor.”
Currently all businesses with annual taxable wages over $1m are required to pay payroll tax.
“Payroll tax is nothing more than a tax on jobs,” said Shadow Treasurer Steve Martin.
“The Business Council of Australia ranks WA as the second worst state in the country for our tax and regulatory settings, behind only Victoria – with Queensland and NSW comfortably beating us.
“The rebate will provide immediate and targeted relief to WA small businesses, while the ERA will help establish the right tax and regulatory arrangements to set WA small businesses up for the future.
“This is about helping more than 7,500 small businesses now, while we fix eight years of inaction from WA Labor which has stopped small businesses from achieving their potential.”
Scott Edwardes, WA Liberal Candidate for Kingsley, welcomed the announcement.
“Small businesses across Kingsley regularly tell me payroll tax and the regulatory regime are among their biggest issues, and one of the barriers to growth,” said Mr Edwardes.
“Providing a rebate will help small businesses get through a tough time with their costs rising, and consumers tightening their belts.
“Our Building a Better Future blueprint makes lower living costs one of our top priorities, and that includes for the thousands of small businesses run by West Australian families.”