Originally written by Timothy Adler on Small Business
Rishi Sunak is set to extend furlough and other Covid support for small business in next month’s Budget 2021 on March 3.
The chancellor is almost certain to also extend the current business rates suspension for many small businesses, while setting the scene for an online sales tax all retailers may have to pay later in the year.
In July it was revealed that the Treasury was considering a 2 per cent online sales tax to raise £2bn a year, giving physical shops an advantage when it comes to purchases made instore.
>See also: SME owners hold £1.2bn of personal liabilities linked to Covid-19 loans
Recent polling by Kekst CNC found that an online sales tax would be the most popular way of recouping some of the costs of the Covid crisis: 56 per cent of voters want online retailers to pay more tax.
One idea is that small businesses that sell online could offset their business rates against the online sales tax, giving high street shops a boost.
Meanwhile, 18 companies and organisations including Waterstones have urged Sunak to introduce a digital sales tax while reducing business rates.
Business rates are assessed every few years and based on rent

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