Home / Business and Economy / Small Biz Owner: Stamp Duty is 'Immoral Tax'
Small Biz Owner: Stamp Duty is 'Immoral Tax'
25 Nov, 2025
Summary
- A couple wants stamp duty scrapped, estimating it adds £15,000-£20,000 to house moves.
- The business owners cite rising costs of sugar, chocolate, and wages as pressures.
- They also wish for a higher VAT registration threshold for small businesses.
Wesley Thorne, a 52-year-old business owner from near Bristol, has voiced strong opinions regarding current taxation policies. He and his wife Toni, who run an online sweet shop and market stall, believe stamp duty is an "immoral tax" that hinders property transactions. They estimate it increases the cost of moving by £15,000 to £20,000 and are urging for its abolition or a higher valuation threshold in the next Budget.
Compounding their concerns are significant cost pressures impacting their business. Thorne detailed challenges with skyrocketing prices for sugar and chocolate, coupled with increases in the national minimum wage and business rates. These escalating expenses are squeezing their profitability, making their current self-paid salary of approximately £60,000 per year feel precarious.
Beyond stamp duty, Thorne also advocates for adjustments to VAT regulations. Currently, businesses must register for VAT if their taxable turnover exceeds £90,000. He believes this threshold should be raised, providing further relief to small enterprises navigating a difficult economic climate. The couple's experience reflects broader anxieties within the small business community.
