What taxes do we have that other countries don't?

BennyC

BennyC

BennyC

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Having finished University and entered the full time world of work (no longer on a students tax code) I obviously became aware how much tax we pay each week!

Planning for the future, buying my first property (I am aware of the bracket that is excluded from stamp duty) I'm a little shocked how much the government get if I were to purchase a house!

Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Road Tax, Income Tax, VAT are some I've had the displeasure of paying.

I know we're quite a heavily taxed country and I was wondering which tax laws we have that other countries don't?

I'm aware that tax is obviously essential to fund the running of the country and I'm sure we all share similar opinions on it however I don't wish to turn this into a good old bitch about the government or our country.

So if you know of any taxes that only apply to us in the UK I'd be interested to hear what they are!

Yes it's a slow Wednesday in the office! :p

BennyC
 
I had dinner with a guy from Norway last night. I suddenly feel happy about our tax situation (and how we are punished for car related incidents).
 
Ask vonhelmet as I'm pretty sure he's a qualified tax advisor. I doubt you'll manage this thread without people complaining about the government or the country though.

For what it's worth as far as I am aware the vast majority of taxes we pay are replicated to greater or lesser degrees throughout the World.
 
The important thing is not how much any one costs us but the overall tax burden compared to other countries.

I seem to remember we are somewhere in the middle of OECD countries but my quick google couldn't find any nice graphs.
 
Fourstar said:
The important thing is not how much any one costs us but the overall tax burden compared to other countries.

I seem to remember we are somewhere in the middle of OECD countries but my quick google couldn't find any nice graphs.
Click to expand...

Thats my understanding too, it doesn't really matter what reason it is taken for it is the total that counts and we always come out somewhere near the middle.

The Scandanavian countries are generally near the top but then they have incredible standards of public service and education systems that make ours look plain retarded.

The US is always much lower than us but then they have a much much smaller set of public services ie no healthcare!

Oh an off topic who ever it was that said the US have better TV than us have you ever actually been and watched it? The don't have endless wall to wall Lost or Band of Brothers standard programs they have more than enough crap clogging the airwaves!
 
I forgot to mention Council Tax too.

Taxed on your savings, taxed on any property you buy, taxed to live there.

Going to be taxed to take a **** soon!

I really wouldn't mind if on the odd occasion the services that are provided by my tax have actually been remotely useful/helpful (not soley taking a stab at the Police but they're the only one's I've come into contact with!).

Also shocked to find that a death certificate costs £20 per copy! When you need several to send to banks, insurers etc it adds up. Can't believe your family have to pay to prove you're dead!
 
you either have multiple taxes "hidden" away or lose 60% of you pay-packet.

As above we do not pay as much total tax as others.
 
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US telly is dire, only the minority of good shows make it over here.

In Europe I'm fairly sure we're paying a lower tax than the average, U.S. is a bit lower and of course Scandinavian countries are some of the highest taxed.

Inheritence tax is quite unfair, I don't know about many countries but in the U.S. it's much much higher than here.

Capital Gains Tax is roughly the same throughout Europe give or take, lower in the U.S. though.
 
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