The Government’s Action Plan for Jobs 2016 published last month lists just over three hundred action points for the year, covering most branches of government and administration. As might be expected, tax measures feature.

It is promised that reform of the business tax environment to support entrepreneurs and existing micro and small businesses will continue on from Budget 2016. A summary highlighting the enterprise, investment and entrepreneurship tax measures is included in the Action Plan.

The main tax action points include:

• Reduce the income tax burden to make Ireland more attractive for all workers, including for mobile foreign investment and skills and for our returning emigrants. (action 81)
• Review the full range of state financial aid for RDI (research, development and innovation), both direct and indirect (tax credits, Knowledge Development Box), in terms of the level of support available and eligibility rules, to ensure that the needs of small and young firms are being catered for as well as those of larger, established firms. The review will also assess the incentives available internationally to ensure that Ireland’s offering remains competitive. (action 84)
• Continue the process of narrowing the gap between the tax position of the self-employed vis-à-vis that of employees to encourage entrepreneurship and micro and small businesses. (action 179)

You can read the Action Plan for Jobs 2016 on the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation website www.djei.ie.