We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
Debate House Prices
In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non MoneySaving matters are no longer permitted. This includes wider debates about general house prices, the economy and politics. As a result, we have taken the decision to keep this board permanently closed, but it remains viewable for users who may find some useful information in it. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide
Married couples 'punished by tax system'
Comments
-
Totally true - There was a problem with lone parents struggling, so Gordy fixed it and created a new problem. The trick is for single mother to get Council house, then working partner moves in, but stays registered at an alternative address, usually parents. Single parents benefit PLUS a wage = very comfortable lifestyle. It is wrong, but no different from the way that the wealthy exploit tax loopholes, or MP's exploit unaudited expenses. It will get worse as Gordy continues ending child poverty, as he fails to realise that 'child poverty' is caused more by incorrect expenditure (drink, fags etc) rather than lack of income.
Yes. I know someone who did this. They had a average house but big mortgage, always were arguing about money problems, overstretched. So they sold the house, they both went and moved to respective parents. She went to the council, and said I'm a single Mum please house me. She got a nice 2 bed flat, and he lives there most of the time with her. No more money problems now. This government pay you to live together apart and its hard for anybody to check up on these types of benefit claims - almost legit.
It has to be wrong that married couples are financially worse off than singles. Money does lead to arguements and break ups. Bring back the married couples allowance!0 -
-
MiserlyMartin wrote: »It has to be wrong that married couples are financially worse off than singles.
they aren't though. they're only financially worse off than "singles" who are breaking the law by illegally claiming benefits to which they are not entitled.0 -
People do what is best for themselves. It's human nature and has been going on for centuries. Conscience and guilt rarely come into it when bringing up a family are concerned. If the ability to do something exists, it will be exploited. Ask any accountant, lawyer, sole trader or benefit 'thief'.
And before I get hounded, no I do not claim benefits of any kind, have children or a council house. I just see it from a more rational perspective.I'll have some cheese please, bob.0 -
everything this govt does is designed to help ne'erdowells and scum and punish those that work.
I work and my wife stays at home to raise our child. she doesn't work because child care costs would outweigh her salary, so it would be pointless.
However, i firmly believe that I should be entitled to receive the benefit of her tax free allowance each year (if not all of it, then most of it). Its a crime that I am not entitled to.
But then, why should I get help, I commit the crime of working and I pay my taxes.
Stupid lefties. Always worrying that it might offend single mothers. Lefties are the scourge of the world.0 -
You can, just go self employed and do it that way.The_White_Horse wrote: »However, i firmly believe that I should be entitled to receive the benefit of her tax free allowance each year (if not all of it, then most of it). Its a crime that I am not entitled to.Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.0 -
This article fails to mention that a couple living together saves money on a lot of things. Rent, gas, electricity, food bills etc are all lower for 2 people living together than 2 people living in different places.
House-sharing is cheaper as well, but it's not the same as living with a partner. If she's able to get council housing then him move in then that's a flaw.
White_Horse, I disagree that you should be entitled to tax concessions because your wife doesn't work. That would just discourage women from work even more.0 -
Whats all this talk about marriage?MiserlyMartin wrote: »It has to be wrong that married couples are financially worse off than singles. Money does lead to arguements and break ups. Bring back the married couples allowance!
Isn't living together a big enough step, isn't having children together and living with them proof enough of a desire to provide a stable home for your family.
What has being married got to do with it?
Bring on a new allowance, couples with children allowanceFreedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.0 -
The_White_Horse wrote: »
I work and my wife stays at home to raise our child. she doesn't work because child care costs would outweigh her salary, so it would be pointless.
However, i firmly believe that I should be entitled to receive the benefit of her tax free allowance each year (if not all of it, then most of it). Its a crime that I am not entitled to.
But then, why should I get help, I commit the crime of working and I pay my taxes.
Well said!
We have the luxury that I earn a good wage, my wife doesn't work and has stayed at home to look after our kids.
I earn above the 40% tax bracket.
If we both worked and we both earnt 50% of what I do now, we would both be below the 40% tax bracket and would both have a tax free allowance aswell as more of the salary being taxed at the lower rate.
Our net income would increase by approx £8k
The tax rates should (in my view) be based upon the household income of a couple (married or living together). It'd be a nightmare to implement but would be a much fairer implementation.0 -
When are we going to see benefits and tax advantages for a working single person with no kids? It's us that are paying the highest costs of all with no handouts. No Child Tax Credits, Child Benefit, Council Tax benefit (except a miserley 25% discount for sole occupancy), we have to pay for prescriptions, etc etc etc.
A simple solution would be to tax everybody the same and at a lower rate and give no state benefit to anybody. That way, if you can't be bothered to work and spend all day in bed producing more offspring, you have to earn something to keep them.
A simplistic view but it works for me.I am a Mortgage Consultant and don't like to be told what I can and can't put in a signature so long as it's legal and truthful.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 354.3K Banking & Borrowing
- 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 455.4K Spending & Discounts
- 247.2K Work, Benefits & Business
- 603.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 178.4K Life & Family
- 261.5K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards