To Singapore this week, where incentives for SMEs to retain their older and more experienced workers have come into force after several years of discussion.
In the face of a rapidly ageing population (government estimates suggest that Singapore will have a population of 500,000 above 65 by 2020, compared to 300,000 in 2007), longer working lives are likely to be required in order to ensure adequate funds for retirement.
The Retirement and Re-Employment Act has therefore put in place a framework for older workers to extend their careers beyond the current retirement age of 62, initially to the age of 65, but potentially to 67, via subsidised training courses and grants of up to SGD10,000 for eligible SMEs.
Two surveys recently published by Ernst & Young have painted a mixed picture of the situation for SMEs and small business investment in Switzerland, with the vast majority of Swiss small businesses currently happy with their situation, but fearing an economic decline as a result of the debt crisis in Europe. RSS
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The results of a survey undertaken by the Federation of Small Businesses late last year and published this week have revealed that the number of small businesses accessing credit via high street banks has fallen, despite commitments made under the auspices of Project Merlin, which was designed specifically to increase lending to small businesses. RSS
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Dubai-based SMEs and entrepreneurs, both young and old, received a boost recently, with the news of the signature of a new Memorandum of Understanding between TECOM Investments and Dubai SME to improve the facilities and support for small businesses locating in free zones managed by the firm, and the launch in late January of the Young Entrepreneur Competition 2012. RSS
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According to figures recently released by the UK's Federation of Small Businesses, SMEs and micro-businesses were hard hit in the final quarter of last year by a combination of factors, including increased utility bills, high inflation, and reduced consumer spending power. RSS
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The implementation of new rules and support for SMEs and other businesses in Singapore to re-employ older workers, in the face of a rapidly ageing population took effect earlier this month. RSS
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Hi, I live in South Africa, and along with 2 business partners (one in South Africa and one in Ireland - all South African citizens though) are setting up a company that designs Smart phone applications. As they will be sold on the various platforms (none of which operate out of South Africa)we have to list our company as operating out of Ireland anyway. As such, we have decided to set up our company in the best tax country and are wanting info on whether Jersey or Malta is best? If anyone has some inside info we would really appreciate it!! Thanks!Mary
I am facing a dilemma and would like to invite any reader to advise me.
I am a Brit who has lived outside UK since 1993- initially in Belgium (5 years) & subsequently in 4 African countries. After a year outside UK, the UK Inland Revenue confirmed my status as ‘non-resident’ for tax purposes and as I have had no income in UK, I have not completed a UK tax return for many years. I visit UK very rarely, normally for one or two weeks per year.
In May 2011, I was made redundent by my employers, who were downsizing. This coincided with a move to retire in the Netherlands, where I now have official residency (my wife is Dutch). I thought that, at 63 years of age, I would be unlikely to find suitable employment; in fact, I have not tried hard and had resigned myself to permanent (but slightly premature) retirement.
However, to my surprise, I have recently been approached (through a mutual acquaintance) by a company that wishes to use my skills on a project in the Isle of Man. The role, if & when confirmed, would see me working for about 10 days a month in Isle of Man, with about 5-7 additional days per month, working from home. Contract will be for about two years. The firm has asked me to confirm if I would prefer to be paid (and therefore be taxed) in Netherlands or Isle of Man, the idea being that I create a self-employment entity for this employment. I have no data on which to base a response. Given Isle of Man's traditional ‘low tax ‘environment, are there any benefits to declaring an income in IOM? Are there any Isle of Man residency implications? Netherlands takes a tax cut on total world wide income, and, as I have never had any contact with the Dutch authorities, I am reluctant to start such a relationship now. Do I have to declare income in both countries, with a breakdown prorata to the time spent in each jurisdiction? Should I declare income to UK Inland revenue?
If anyone has pertinent advice on these points, I’d be grateful to hear them.
Just wondering if anyone 'on the ground', as it were, might be reading and able to help me...I was considering relocating my hairdressing business from the UK to Ireland before the economy started to go properly belly-up...now, not so much.
Are things as bad as they seem over there, or is it being over-hyped by the media? And is the government still keen to support small business people? Cos if not, I'll look elsewhere...
I am moving full time to France in Jan 2012 where I will be working as a freelance contract engineer to a number of Australian based companies. It is my choice to move to France not a work requirement. I will be renting my house out in Austrlalia and renting a house while I am in France. I hold both EU & Austrlain citizenshiip. I am married with 2 young children. Approx total family income $100k AUD. Do I pay tax in France or Australia or both ? Any help or guidance would be much appreciated.France move
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