Do you support the married couples tax break?

dastep

Everyone knows the solution to solve Britain's economic problems, that's not the dilemma.

The conundrum is actually finding the courage to do it.

Mojisola

bugslet wrote: »

Being married is not the only way of expressing commitment

But it is useful for the legal protection and tax breaks that come with it.

pennypinchUK

A few years ago the government were congratulated for separating the tax affairs of couples, so people could submit their own tax return privately if they wished. This was hailed as a giant leap in women's rights, as a woman was now treated for tax on the same level as a man. Women in poor relationships, who may have been subject to domestic abuse, hailed the reform as an opportunity for them to maintain financial privacy from their abusive spouse and even take steps to secure their childrens' welfare. Research also showed that many other married people were supportive of the change, simply because they did not want their spouse to know about their financial matters.

This may be counter logical to how many people see marriage (share and share alike, no secrets, etc.) but research showed there are many people who want to maintain privacy.

However, with this latest announcement we appear to have gone full circle. Couples will now need to discuss their financial arrangements between them. This will not be a problem for the large majority, but it will be a backward step for many vulnerable spouses, male or female, or those who simply want their financial matters to remain private.

Nicky101

since i plan to eventually get married i am all in favour

bugslet

Mojisola wrote: »

But it is useful for the legal protection and tax breaks that come with it.

oh, I don't know, when Mr Bugs had a mad moment a decade ago for a couple of months and wandered off, legally I was better off as the house was solely in my name. All that marriage stuff and we'd have actually split up, whereas because he was financially unable to leave, he eventually saw her for what she was. ( I met her and pretty much her first question was how much of 'my' firm he owned.). We went on to have some happy years together until his illness.

legally there are all sorts of ways to protect yourself if you enter into a long-term partnership, but most people don't think of them until it's too late. I had POA for health and finances for him, so when he fell ill, it was pretty straightforward.

Sorry, bit of a wander off topic there!

pennypinchUK

The UK tax system is one of the most complex in the world. There are an almost limitless number of tax breaks, allowances, exceptions and exemptions. Such a tax system may guarantee work for accountants but it leads to inequity and imbalance.

Surely, the best and most transparent thing to do, rather than introduce yet another tax break, is to simplify the tax system.

1. Why not make it a target to say "For every £1 you earn, you will pay X in tax." ?
2. Why not merge income tax and national insurance? I've no doubt there would be huge hurdles in the way, but it's the role of government sometimes to take on big challenges for the benefit of the citizens.
3. Why not merge the rates for Corporation Tax and Income Tax to become the same, so private individuals don't feel the need to set up bogus companies to gain from lower Corporation Tax?
4. Why not set a target to reduce the number of tax allowances by 10% every year, in the same spirit the government is targeting red tape and bureaucracy.

Announcing a tax break for any reason at the beginning of your party conference is political grandstanding. It's not what this country needs right now. There are few occasions in political history when it's possible to take bold steps with the economy. Right now is one of those times.

But modern political parties are too meek - pandering to tomorrow's headlines - rather than having the courage to weather a short term storm for the long term benefit of the country.

tom717

I am completely against the government trying to reward couples for being married, although I would benefit from this measure.

I would rather working tax credits were extended to under 25s, but we're not a big enough voting group for any party to care about us. Actually I would rather see a complete overhaul of the tax system but that's never going to happen.

Person_one

Opposed.

Its completely ideological, the Tories want all households to be made up of married couples where the man works and the woman cooks and makes babies.

They're just letting those of us who don't fit their stereotype know what they think we're worth.

The earlier poster made a very good point about cohabiting couples being considered the same as married ones for benefit purposes.

seven-day-weekend

molley wrote: »

I believe that was the case or ,at least ,something very similar,before they split things up and treated each as individuals . Trouble might have been that "non-married" couples did not benefit from this arrangement .

So they have the choice to marry (or civil partner), don' they? If they want to benefit from the legal bits, they should BE legal.

(42nd Wedding Anniversary today )

bugslet

happy Anniversary 7 day

I agree completely - one of the reasons that we have never married is to create our own framework.

Still think it's a bit tough now that I am living on my own though!