'Should married couples get a tax break?' poll discussion

zygurat789

Gavin83 wrote: »

I don't agree with using taxs to reward lifestyle choices anyway, how people choose to live their life is up to them.

Absolutely not.
Don't be a spoilt selfish brat and think.
Your lifestyle choices may seriously affect others. We all have to live within a society the laws which govern that society are made by an elected body. You have to abide by them or suffer anarchy.

gunnyandbob

How about this idea...we have only one pension income..my other half pays no tax..should her tax allowance be added to mine? This would get round the married/not married question to some extent.
Also means if one partner is made unemployed, their tax allowance would be applied to their partner and ease the financial situation.

zygurat789

alleykat67 wrote: »

Can anyone explain why single parents (who may be alone for all sorts of reasons, not necessarily through their own choice) should be penalised? Bringing up a child is a serious and expensive responsibility and most single parents do the best job they can. Of course it is better in most instances for children to be brought up by 2 loving parents, but sometimes it is not possible. Sometimes it is better for a child to be brought up by 1 loving parent rather than in an unhappy household or with a parent who is abusive and doesn't want to be there.
.

Yes of course but what is required is and effective policy for making the parents fully and financially responsible for their offspring. I am sick of paying for other peoples kids while they swan off for a "new life" with another partner.

jrawle

rogerobh wrote: »

I would agree with the view that marriage should play no part in the tax system but for one fact. If you want it that way why do married people get less old age pension?

Married people get less old age pension? I don't think so. If they've both worked and contributed their whole lives, they each receive the same as a single person. If only one has worked and contributed, a married couple actually receive more than a single person. The world was a different place when those rules were made, and in the future that could be reviewed - that's for discussing another day. But your assertion that married couples receive a lower pension is incorrect.

zygurat789

jrawle wrote: »

Married people get less old age pension? I don't think so. If they've both worked and contributed their whole lives, they each receive the same as a single person. If only one has worked and contributed, a married couple actually receive more than a single person. The world was a different place when those rules were made, and in the future that could be reviewed - that's for discussing another day. But your assertion that married couples receive a lower pension is incorrect.

It already has been. The only people who don't contribute fully are those who paid the married woman's stamp before it was abolished

MORPH3US

anilah wrote: »

I would humbly suggest
3. The most important issue is to urge the current government to stop encouraging single parenthood! (Today's news item: 14 year olds will be taught how to be good parents!!)

Totally agree with this, only problem is a tax break (I presume income tax) wouldn't affect people on benefits so the only people who would effectively lose out would be single people who work...

I'd much rather the spend the money getting lazy long term "able to work but won't work" dossers off benefits and maybe disincentiveise people having people children outside of a stable relationship or when they don't have jobs to support their off spring - such as these young single mothers or unemployed people popping them out for benefits.

WelshGandalf

gunnyandbob wrote: »

How about this idea...we have only one pension income..my other half pays no tax..should her tax allowance be added to mine? This would get round the married/not married question to some extent.
Also means if one partner is made unemployed, their tax allowance would be applied to their partner and ease the financial situation.

Absolutely! This is what the Conservatives are proposing actually. It also works if one parent stays at home and the other stays at home to look after the kids. It's not a huge benefit but it does make a difference. The beauty of this method is that if both parents are working - then there is no tax benefit - and why should there be, they've probably got quite a bit of money coming in. But, if they fall on hard times, the extra cash could ease the strain on the relationship, and it also makes it easier for a parent to stay at home to look after the kid(s) which is absolutely a good thing for society. Children who don't grow up well can become a massive drain on society, via drugs, drink, living on benefits... etc.

I'm amused at all the people saying there's no difference between being married and being in a "relationship" - have you not looked at the figures recently? You can bang on about the divorce rate if you want, but more people break up who are unmarried than who are married you know. :rolleyes:

Matchmade won this thread a while back though tbh.

KayM_2

Tax should be individual. It is not up to HMRC to make moral decisions on peoples marital status. I choose not to marry as we have both been married before, we have been together for 5 years because we choose to stay together. We both earn our own money and pay half the bills each. We expect to be together forever and don't expect to be penalised because we do not have a piece of paper saying we're joined at the hip! We are happier as a couple and as a family ( we have 6 children between us, all grown up) than many married people. We don't claim for any benefits and have always worked. Why should we be penalised for not tying the knot!:j

Ginger_Nut

Yes, I think we should get a break, as my wages aren't that great but the hubby has a good job.

It would be nice for the higher wage earner to have some form of tax break as we all need a tax break some times.

coco1980

Ginger_Nut wrote: »

Yes, I think we should get a break, as my wages aren't that great but the hubby has a good job.

It would be nice for the higher wage earner to have some form of tax break as we all need a tax break some times.

my oh earns alot more than me should we not be entitled to the same ?