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Jeff Dumas

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A way governments could encourage new business start ups.

Starting a business is a lot of work, obviously, and one of the biggest obstacles a new business owner faces is learning how to fill out government forms and making sure their taxes get paid. A government could encourage new businesses by making this learning process easier and less scary by giving them an option of either paying or waving their taxes for the first year or two of business if they would attend some sort of class a few times a year that would force them to learn and understand the correct forms to fill out for their particular business. I wonder how many businesses fail in their first year because of how complicated governmental compliance is. Not only would something like that make starting a business less stressful which would allow the business owner to focus more on being productive - the government would have a more stable source of income in the long run. At least I think they would. Even if someone has a degree in business from a university; they don't graduate with this kind of information. At least I didn't. Thoughts anyone?

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    Lejan . 30+

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    TED Translator
    Jul 1 2012: Hello Jeff,

    the given fact of the need for and the existence of tax consultants shows to me that the fiscal law has gaind in complexity beyond the undersanding of an 'average' mind and this by multiple reasons.

    Also the fact that 'official language' is not easy to understand to most people, or leaves them confused or uncertain is part of the problem.

    Most people who consider to start up their own business have a certain field of expertise which usually not includes 'tax law'. The problem I see here is, that the moment you need to focus most on gaining customers by your 'skills' in form of services or products, you are forced to deal with higly complex and quite boring matters which is discouraging to many. Additionally what is lacking most at that stage is capital, by which it can become difficult and risk-rising to hire professionals like lawyers and other expers to help with tax related matters. And the moment you are going to hire employees it becomes even more complicated...

    This creates a downwards spiral at the sorce of energy where it has to lead upwards.

    I am convinced that tax-law does not need to be as complex and cryptic as it is and could be reduced changed, if wanted, at any time.

    Therefore I like your idea of gradual confrontation with the inevitable torture of the mind, which would give time to breath and to focus to stabilize within the saddle first.

    Since centuries we have a debate in Germany to get all of tax-related matters fit on a single 'beer mat', but we are still getting quite drunk to make up for even more space needed... :o)

  • Barry Palmer 50+

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    Jun 30 2012: Classes for people to learn all the government forms to start a new business.

    Sounds like a business opportunity. Maybe throw in a few other lessons, like constructing a business plan.
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    Bharath Kumar Kunjibettu 10+

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    Jun 30 2012: Well Jeff,
    I really wish that was possible , but governments all over the world goes about taking loan from world bank and then gets into debt and the loan interests are massive . Passing such a petition is in one way going to taking time for approval.

    A better idea would be to conduct some sort of an audition for these start ups so that government officials can encourage only those small business that are surely going to click and offer them subsidy in taxes

    Hope it helps
    Regards,
    Bharath
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    pat gilbert 50+

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    Jun 30 2012: They are a pia but anyone who is serious about business is not going to be stopped by the forms. That being said the bigger disincentives revolve around money. The government stupidly thinks that the higher the taxes or license or regulatory fees result in high tax revenue what instead occurs is that someone who wants to start a business simply starts the business elsewhere.

    In other words the way to encourage small business is to stop discouraging them.

    • Jeff Dumas

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      Jun 30 2012: Thank you for commenting. I think you are right. A lot of small business, though, are started by individuals in small towns and those people aren't likely to move just to start a business. They just have an idea and want to have a go. I wonder how many of these companies might be viable, but are killed in their early stages because they don't understand what to pay and when to pay it. I certainly don't know all of the ins and outs of taxes and how it all works, but, that's kind of the point I'm trying to make. I think a lot of regulations and licenses are set up by 'connected' businesses to stop competition. I think there are a lot of attorneys and cpa's out there that don't know what they are doing or just don't give a crap about their new small client and that new business can get into trouble real fast. Anyway, it's just an idea.
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        pat gilbert 50+

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        Jun 30 2012: The business world is definitely hard ball no matter what, I suppose it reflects life?

        I think that something like 80% of businesses fail in the first year and 80% of the remainder fail in the next 5 years.

        Besides the forms most people don't understand business.

        The conspiracy thing is more fiction than fact. The only conspiracy I see is the government, and I can assure that is plenty real and a VASTLY bigger threat than any conspiracy.

        The attorneys are a problem regarding Tort law and that needs some changes or else business will become or remain more difficult than it needs to be.

        I have been jacked up by one CPA but for the most part they are good people.

        In my opinion business is a game the key to this game is to learn the marketplace and find what is wanted by your fellows and give them what they want plus a little more.

        Secondly business is a game learn the rules.

        I have been in business for over 3 decades and have the scars to prove it you can take what I say or leave it but at least consider it before you dismiss it.
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