An outrage

IN this space yesterday I highlighted the outrageous cost of being self-employed in the Balearics. Every sole trader has to pay a minimum of 256 euros a month in taxes, which is an incredible sum especially in these hard economic times. But some people have to pay even more. Yesterday, I received a telephone from a bar owner in Calvia who says that as he is retired and receives part of a Spanish pension, he has to pay more than 300 euros a month for his sole trader licence or autonomo. He told me that it is cheaper for him to close the bar in the winter so that he is struck off the sole trader list and therefore does not have to pay the 300 euros. All this at a time when the local authorities are trying to encourage bar owners to stay open during the winter and attract more tourists! “I would open but it is simply not worth the money. I would be lucky to make the 300 euros I would need to pay in tax for my licence,” he told me. “You are  going to have to sell alot of beer and coffee just to pay the tax.” The whole situation is a complete nightmare and sole traders, who are at the heart of the economy and who will make or break Spain´s future prospects, are being penalised with senceless taxes and red tape. If the Spanish government wants to finally wave goodbye to the economic recession then it should cut taxes for the self employed because it will be them who will help reduce the massive rate of unemployment and it will be them who will nurse Spain back to economic health.