Closed petition Relax working tax credit claim criteria for self-employed freelancers, artisans

Closed on 16 September 2016

Changes to the eligibility for working tax credits for the self-employed will have a devastating effect for the artisan, freelancer, sole trader, cottage industry and other very small, lesser commercial business for whom working tax credits are vital to survival.

Small businesses do not make regular profit or have regular working hours, or can not be run on a larger scale commercial basis due to the need to keep overheads low. There is a definite gulf between the small, artisan or freelancer, and a larger commercially run business, such as a shop. In order for the lone worker to survive tax credits can be a vital resource to keep them afloat. A lone worker may also not be able to produce the proof necessary to back up their business. Relax the criteria.