You might want to look at the context in which the discussion is taking place, and the arguments put forward...the legally defined context is important as at no point has anyone been referring to Tax Evasion...the thread is about Tax Avoidance particularly concerning Gary Barlow and others, which is defined differently than Tax Evasion, both contextually and legally.
What Kitch9 stated was:
The tax system is geared so the self employed pays tax on their net earnings. Claiming a legitimate expense allowed under law is not tax avoidance.
He specifically stated that claiming a legitimate expensive is not tax avoidance...I pointed out that mitigating your tax liability legally is legitimate, therefore if we assume your correct as regard the context of his use of the term 'tax avoidance' then any legitimate (as in legal) accounting of an individuals tax liability is also legitimate. In the general use of the word 'avoid' then both the use in the sentence: Peter 'avoids' paying tax by claiming legitimate expenditure, and: Paul avoids paying tax by hiding his assets. Is the same, the latter is not Tax Avoidance, but the use of the word 'avoid' is correct in both..however the term 'Avoid' is not the same, nor does it have the same definition as Tax Avoidance'.
However, the actual part that is important in his paragraph is the use of the word 'legitimate', which I replied to in context and within the parameters of his stated position.
Aside from that, I would not use Merriam-Webster as the definitive guide on defining the contextual usage of synonyms.
To clarify
TAX AVOIDANCE: the arrangement of one’s financial affairs to minimize tax liability within the law.
TAX EVASION: The illegal non-payment or underpayment of tax.
LEGITIMATE: conforming to the law or to rules.
As defined by the Oxford English Dictionary.
