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MSE News: Over half would do a Jimmy Carr on tax, or worse

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in Cutting tax
"Over half of taxpayers would try every trick in the book to wriggle out of tax, or even break the law, our poll shows..."
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If I earned what Jimmy Carr earned then I would be able to afford to pay my full share and I would think that fair. Therefore I would not need to avoid taxes in these ways.
But in my real life where money is tight then of course I would reduce my tax bill if I could.
If other people feel similarly it is difficult to know what these answers represent.
I own a limited company so I pay less tax than I would if I was PAYE. Every year, I sit down with my accountant, and we discuss my expenses. He makes calculations to ensure I pay no more than is necessary within the current law. This is not illegal. It's sensible.
As a result, I compromise job security, sick pay, pension, etc. because I am not an employee. Horses for courses, as it were.
I don't think the amount anyone earns is relevant. The principle should remain regardless.
Legality can't be own only guide when (subjectively) deciding the "right" course of action. Sooner or later the loopholes are closed either by testing the legislation in the courts or rewriting the law as necessary. On the day it happens its hard to say its the wrong thing to do today but right yesterday.
I have an ISA, is that unethical as it is avoiding tax?
I stooze, is that unethical as its costing the bank (partly public owned!) money?
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Inheritance Tax
Stamp Duty
Insurance Premium Tax
Airport Tax
Capital Gains Tax
National Insurance
Income tax
Fuel duty tax
VAT
Council tax
Car tax
Fuel Tax on utilities
Tax on Savings & Investments
TV license
Corporation Tax.
National Insurance paid by employers
Stamp Duty Land Tax.
Stamp Duty Reserve Tax.
I'm sure there are more stealth taxes some where. Feel free to add. I actually wonder how much the average person pays in tax over a year when you consider all of these things.
As a driver.... I feel like a massive cash cow. "Oh lets increase fuel duty"... Yeah thanks. If it went to trying to find greener solutions and technologies that could replace cars it wouldn't bother me so much and the argument of "you're environmentally unfriendly though" would work.
Mortgage free date: Jul 2023.
I wouldn't class ISA as unethical as that account works in exactly the way the law intended. The purpose of the legislation was to create a tax free savings account - within specified limits. No exploitation of loopholes no artificial transaction or disguising what is clearly income ( in the commonly accepted sense) as an interest free loan with no obligation to repay.
Here's the catch - it's probably only worthwile for people earning on Jimmy Carr's level to make use of these schemes. People who might benefit most from a bit of tax reduction, i.e. the 'squeezed middle' are probably not in a position to pay the 'advisors' and 'management' fees that usually come with these arrangements.
Ethical? what about all the 'global' and 'multinationals' that avoid paying billions by registering outside the UK?
There is a clear double standard at work - individuals, especially public figures, are softer targets than corporations with legions of lawyers and accountants who just give HMRC the finger.