Should Gary Barlow return his OBE?

[elmarko]

How many here would pay more tax than they are legally obliged to ? If loopholes are being exploited then the government should close them.

While it's the governments responsibility to close these loopholes, tax avoidance results in a deficit of government funds which many of the vulnerable in society rely on (as they are the first to face the axe in hard times).

I'd also argue anybody who partakes in tax avoidance is a social leech, reaping the benefits of a society without contributing the 'intended' amount towards its running.

The fact is, we should behave in such a way in society in that if everybody did, it would still function - tax avoidance is subsidised by lower income workers without the means to avoid tax & ethically reprehensible.

Celebrity charity work which results in a net financial gain (due to the exposure, pr & increased chance of renewing contracts) is hardly the pinnacle of philanthropy.

 

[easyrider]

While it's the governments responsibility to close these loopholes, tax avoidance results in a deficit of government funds which many of the vulnerable in society rely on (as they are the first to face the axe in hard times).

I'd also argue anybody who partakes in tax avoidance is a social leech, reaping the benefits of a society without contributing the correct amount towards its running.

Celebrity charity work which results in a net financial gain (due to the exposure, pr & increased chance of renewing contracts) is hardly the pinnacle of philanthropy.

 

[easyrider]

In truth, many of the Public, if not most do avoid paying taxes at some juncture.

Elaborate?

And I don't mean cheap duty free

 

[Hades]

Elaborate?

And I don't mean cheap duty free

Extra pension contributions?
Use an ISA?
Save As You Earn employee scheme?
Etc...

 

[Destination]

Elaborate?

And I don't mean cheap duty free

working families tax credit, child benefit payments, income tax threshold allowances

It is basically the same rules of the same tax system applied to different people
many of these 'rich' make themselves employees of their own companies, and then take a basic wage, and on top of that pay themselves a dividend of the profits, these are taxed much lower than the same direct income if they were paid employees.

It is all how you move money around and work the system.
The system is the issue easyrider, not someone's OBE.
You seem to have issues with tax loopholes and people using them, and also have a hate for Gary Barlow as he is successful and asks people to give to charity.

You've linked the two in a thread, and seem to assume the two should be directly linked.
As I told you before, vote for a party who will close the loopholes.
That isn't labour, even thought they are currently claiming it.
They had 10 and 11 years to do so, they didn't bother. They don't care, Blair and his wife utilise the system, as Ken Livingstone did. Left and Right of the labour party, using the same legislation as your friend Gary.

 

[Surfer]

Extra pension contributions?
Use an ISA?
Save As You Earn employee scheme?
Etc...

Conflating one action with another. Arguing that both are the same ergo are ok.

Are you and Castiel (by omission as he hasnt further explicated examples) seriously comparing having an ISA with the lengths some companies and people go to to avoid paying tax. e.g. hiring a firm of accountants who orchestrate "income" to come in via a number of tax loophole operations.

One is clearly organised tax avoidance with the intent of NOT paying tax...the other is merely saving money.


Pretty sure you know this already...so my next question is... why are you trolling?

 

[BuffetSlayer]

While it's the governments responsibility to close these loopholes, tax avoidance results in a deficit of government funds which many of the vulnerable in society rely on (as they are the first to face the axe in hard times).

I'd also argue anybody who partakes in tax avoidance is a social leech, reaping the benefits of a society without contributing the 'intended' amount towards its running.

The fact is, we should behave in such a way in society in that if everybody did, it would still function - tax avoidance is subsidised by lower income workers without the means to avoid tax & ethically reprehensible.

Celebrity charity work which results in a net financial gain (due to the exposure, pr & increased chance of renewing contracts) is hardly the pinnacle of philanthropy.

Or perhaps it is the government who are the leeches, reaping the benefits of other peoples hard earned money and managing the country in a lazy and self serving fashion?

True, taxation is needed, but considering the bloated self serving nature of most local authorities and government departments one has to wonder why we should pay the amount of tax we do. A lot of our tax is wasted which means everyone has to pay more in order to sustain the essentials. Yet the focus seems to be vilifying the people who are legally avoiding it. Why are we not focused on the people who are legally squandering it?

As for philanthropy, surely if the end result is that more money is raised and more children are helped it matters not if some of the celebs make a bit themselves? It is a means to an end, and as distasteful as some may find it, the net result is more help for those in need. The alternative would most certainly mean less help.

 

[robfosters]

I suspect OP is an X-Factor reject, taken apart by Barlow after warbling A Million Love Songs in tribute to his hero.

 

[easyrider]

The alternative would most certainly mean less help.

I don't know...Maybe not give India 1.4 billion by 2015?

I mean 31 Million is chicken feed is it not?

That's what this years Children in need raised.

 

[BuffetSlayer]

I suspect OP is an X-Factor reject, taken apart by Barlow after warbling A Million Love Songs in tribute to his hero.

By Jove, I think you've got it!!!

 

[easyrider]

I suspect OP is an X-Factor reject, taken apart by Barlow after warbling A Million Love Songs in tribute to his hero.

No I actually sang

 

[CorrectHorseBattery]

If there is a legal loop hole, then why shouldn't people such as Barlow take advantage of it?

Arguably, they're just pointing out the holes in the system!

 

[BuffetSlayer]

I don't know...Maybe not give India 1.4 billion by 2015?

I mean 31 Million is chicken feed is it not?

That's what this years Children in need raised.

Yes, and that is Gary Barlow's fault is it? Or the fault of the governing elite who like to give our money away to people in foreign countries before fixing things on our own shores?

 

[Surfer]

working families tax credit, child benefit payments, income tax threshold allowances

It is basically the same rules of the same tax system applied to different people
many of these 'rich' make themselves employees of their own companies, and then take a basic wage, and on top of that pay themselves a dividend of the profits, these are taxed much lower than the same direct income if they were paid employees.

Well heres a crazy idea ...lets all make ourselves a company of 1 and when we work we are working for our own Company. That way the employer can pay our company and our company can pay us a minimum wage (minimum tax) and we can just do as you say and grab a dividend from company funds to top up the income.

 

[Participant]

Government doesn't deal with tax avoidance.

It does though, by legislating.

The rich avoid tax.

As would anyone else if they were rich.

Country goes down the pan.

Commonly espoused, rarely explained.

People don't care because it's legal and law is their bible.

Well the law is quite important in society, yes!

Bash benefit claimants legally claiming £50 a week instead.

People bash lazy benefits claimants that could be working and didn't try hard enough at school.

 

[easyrider]

Yes, and that is Gary Barlow's fault is it? Or the fault of the governing elite who like to give our money away to people in foreign countries before fixing things on our own shores?

My point is...We don't need Children in need. Its a conspiracy by the BBC to tick the charity public service remit.

I'm sick of celebs telling me things.

 

[CorrectHorseBattery]

I suspect OP is an X-Factor reject, taken apart by Barlow after warbling A Million Love Songs in tribute to his hero.

That is brilliant! Funniest comment I have heard this week!

Maybe you should go on BGT .

 

[easyrider]

As would anyone else if they were rich.


People bash lazy benefits claimants that could be working and didn't try hard enough at school.

My Brother in Laws daughter Just got a degree and can't find a job so claiming benefits.

She got 5 A levels at school....

Your first point is pure BS

 

[BuffetSlayer]

Well heres a crazy idea ...lets all make ourselves a company of 1 and when we work we are working for our own Company. That way the employer can pay our company and our company can pay us a minimum wage (minimum tax) and we can just do as you say and grab a dividend from company funds to top up the income.

My wife is 'self employed' and pays less tax in a year than I pay in a month. Very annoying!!

But she works no less hard for it. Often 7 days a week, and her gross wages are not great. For her to pay the kind of tax I do, it would not be worth her going to work.

 

[Bear]

I'd also argue anybody who partakes in tax avoidance is a social leech, reaping the benefits of a society without contributing the 'intended' amount towards its running.

The fact is, we should behave in such a way in society in that if everybody did, it would still function - tax avoidance is subsidised by lower income workers without the means to avoid tax & ethically reprehensible.

You have said this social leech thing before, I can't see how you can say that without knowing how much they put into the tax system. The intended amount is the amount set out under law, if you are complying with that then you are paying the intended amount.

If you look at the situations with contractors for instance, I say this as I am one. You are expected to pay as a temporary worker, corporation tax, employers NI, income tax, employees NI. Why should someone who is a temporary worker be expected to pay more types of tax to a person they are sitting next to and is it wrong to avoid some of that if it is within the law?