Tax avoidance versus tax evasion, very different things. If you have an ISA you are avoiding tax, I suspect a few of us have one. Also if interested, check out Tony Blair’s current business interests.
Sorry @Hostafan1 but if you have never voted red or blue, then you will probably have wasted your vote.
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
I know technically they're different. But if you're trying to tell me that by using a company to buy a flat isn't just using a privilege that others don't have, then I give up. Ditto for his public speaking tax 'avoidance' - what he did with his company was allowed - fine - was it right? Was it right for a Tory? What about a socialist? Offshore companies aren't evasion. Are they right though? Isn't all just privileged people getting away with stuff that Joe Bloggs just can't do. Try not filing your income tax return, or saying to the taxman when on PAYE, '...sorry, I've offset my house heating and maintenance against my tax and I've found you owe me money, so I'm not going to pay tax..' - oh, I forgot you can't. You have no option.
The poorer in society, get paid - it gets declared, they pay tax through PAYE with no option. The richer employ tax consultants to allow them to 'avoid' paying tax. Wasn't it £315k on £12m? What would that be at 20% PAYE - even allowing for travel expenses and his tax free allowance?
As me old dad used to sing '...the working class can kiss my ar**, I've got the foreman's job at last...'. All a bit Animal Farm eh?
I know technically they're different. But if you're trying to tell me that by using a company to buy a flat isn't just using a privilege that others don't have, then I give up. Ditto for his public speaking tax 'avoidance' - what he did with his company was allowed - fine - was it right? Was it right for a Tory? What about a socialist? Offshore companies aren't evasion. Are they right though? Isn't all just privileged people getting away with stuff that Joe Bloggs just can't do. Try not filing your income tax return, or saying to the taxman when on PAYE, '...sorry, I've offset my house heating and maintenance against my tax and I've found you owe me money, so I'm not going to pay tax..' - oh, I forgot you can't. You have no option.
The poorer in society, get paid - it gets declared, they pay tax through PAYE with no option. The richer employ tax consultants to allow them to 'avoid' paying tax. Wasn't it £315k on £12m? What would that be at 20% PAYE - even allowing for travel expenses and his tax free allowance?
As me old dad used to sing '...the working class can kiss my ar**, I've got the foreman's job at last...'. All a bit Animal Farm eh?
I'm not sure if it's another verse of the same song but "The workers flag is deepest red, I'll draw the dole and stay in bed" works to the same tune :-)
I find that so depressing. I know some people just don't want to work - I accept that, but I would guess that for every person who doesn't want to work, there are 10 who can't afford to work. That sounds insane eh? But how on earth can anyone work on zero hours contracts when you can't guarantee how much money you'll have to pay the bills?
I've been fortunate, my family have been fortunate - but it's only a twist of fate - my 'story' has been lucky. The idea that 'you work hard and are diligent' means you get a decent wage just doesn't work.
I agreed with Maggie on the closure of the mines, but I didn't agree on then not providing alternative employment for the poor sods affected. Maybe all those people should have got on their bikes and looked for work elsewhere eh?
I'm going to smile in a few years when AI hits all areas of society and people are seriously bleating about not being able to find work. I wonder if the people affected will be willing to get on a plane (if they can afford it) and go where AI hasn't hit yet? And post covid any company that has any sense will be hedging against losing employees through pandemic and illness by reducing the need to employ.
The problem going forward is that capitalism relied on money filtering back down the pyramid from the company owners to their employees, to taxes, shops andservices. But as automation takes up more jobs, either the apex of the pyramid pays itself more, or the services/products get cheaper. But that don't happen. The filtering mechanism changes. So all you see is a greater disparity between the richest and the poorest - and the poorest 'drawing the dole and staying in bed'.
So which do you class as worse, the man not wanting to work and staying in bed (and not then paying taxes), or the man who earns the money and doesn't filter it down to those worse off?
I know technically they're different. But if you're trying to tell me that by using a company to buy a flat isn't just using a privilege that others don't have, then I give up. Ditto for his public speaking tax 'avoidance' - what he did with his company was allowed - fine - was it right? Was it right for a Tory? What about a socialist? Offshore companies aren't evasion. Are they right though?
There is obviously a difference between legality and illegality - tax avoidance and tax evasion. But surely ethics/morals come into this too ? So many international corporations are, quite rightly, consistently berated for not paying what many see as their due tax but all they are actually doing is taking advantage of the legal get outs which our government - of whatever colour- still allows. It's hardly a no brainer that UK citizens will follow suit if they are in a position to be able to do so. Again, is it morally correct even tho it may be legal ? No Tory, Labour or Liberal party could be said to be absolutely "clean" in this respect. From a strictly personal point of view, I have never understood why those of a Socialist bent are happy to accept "titles" and therefore continue to reinforce the class structure. An outmoded system and designed for division.
Posts
Also if interested, check out Tony Blair’s current business interests.
Sorry @Hostafan1 but if you have never voted red or blue, then you will probably have wasted your vote.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
I'm not sure if it's another verse of the same song but "The workers flag is deepest red, I'll draw the dole and stay in bed" works to the same tune :-)
Just checked. Citizen Smith
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Possibly, but I can't be sure.