Tax Credits

setmefree2

Mistermeaner wrote: »

First time I've agreed with anything you've said!

I was just about to post the same.

Tax credits probably need scrapping because they are wide open to abuse. They are also a disincentive to work harder which is another reason to scrap them.

Very damaging politically to the Tories though.

Tory voter berates minister on Question Time over tax credits - BBC News

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwfoP0DshgQ

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/i-feel-sick-tory-viewers-6643701

setmefree2

Graham_Devon wrote: »

I've just looked this up and you are correct. You can have whatever amount of savings you like and it doesn't effect tax credits.

You live and learn. How very bizzare for this particular part of the welfare system to ignore svaings when other parts which have a far greater impact on people have limits of just 6k in some scenarios. It's only savings interest income that counts (and presumably careful planning there with kids accounts can sort a lot of that).

And apologies for my loaded comment. I will edit and retract.

It's becoming clear to me that the tax credit system sucks and does need abolishing.

zagfles

setmefree2 wrote: »

I was just about to post the same!!!!

Tax credits probably need scrapping because they are wide open to abuse. They are also a disincentive to work harder which is another reason to scrap them.

Very damaging politically to the Tories though.

Tory voter berates minister on Question Time over tax credits - BBC News

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwfoP0DshgQ

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/i-feel-sick-tory-viewers-6643701

This is just the usual political sh*t stirring. Here's the conservative manifesto. I can't find a promise not to cut tax credits.

https://www.conservatives.com/manifesto

What I can find is a promise to cut welfare by £12 billion. Where exactly did this woman think this £12 billion was going to come from? Someone else but not her?

setmefree2

wotsthat wrote: »

The aim in all these arrangements is to reduce the overall tax burden to the individual. Getting upset because getting free school dinners is 'worse' somehow than getting pension tax rebates I just don't get.

I suppose everyone has a different idea of what morality is and thinks their idea trumps someone else's. That's why we have rules.

You really don't get it? Getting free schools meals is worse.

It's because you are taking money that was meant for POOR PEOPLE and you're NOT POOR.

It's immoral.

It's like taking money of the collection plate in church or stealing out of a charity box.

zagfles

Graham_Devon wrote: »

The most bizzare thing about all of this is all those that are supporting this "scheme" are vehemently apposed to stuff such as council housing, which they see as people getting a "subsidy". Hypocritical beyond belief.

Oh do we all really? Show me where I've written anything "vehemently apposed (sic)" to council housing. Or are you just making it up?

setmefree2

zagfles wrote: »

This is just the usual political sh*t stirring. Here's the conservative manifesto. I can't find a promise not to cut tax credits.

https://www.conservatives.com/manifesto

Unfortunately that article in The Mirror includes a video which does appear to have Cameron doing just that.

zagfles wrote: »

What I can find is a promise to cut welfare by £12 billion. Where exactly did this woman think this £12 billion was going to come from? Someone else but not her?

Exactly.

zagfles

setmefree2 wrote: »

You really don't get it?

It's because you are taking money that was meant for POOR PEOPLE and you're NOT POOR.

It's immoral.

It's like taking money of the collection plate in church or stealing out of a charity box.

Rubbish. Tax credits were never meant only for poor people. When they were introduced everyone with a baby could get them on incomes below £66,000. You reckon that's "poor"? And that's without any attempt to manipulate income.

You may as well argue the personal allowance is only for the poor and anyone else should be ashamed to get it.

Tax credits are payable according to rules concerning income, children etc, and pension contributions are fully deductible subject to limits, and that was specifically legislated for. Just like ISA limits etc. You may as well argue that anyone using their full ISA allowance is immoral.

setmefree2

zagfles wrote: »

This is just the usual political sh*t stirring. Here's the conservative manifesto. I can't find a promise not to cut tax credits.

https://www.conservatives.com/manifesto

Unfortunately that article in The Mirror includes a video which does appear to have Cameron doing just that.

zagfles wrote: »

What I can find is a promise to cut welfare by £12 billion. Where exactly did this woman think this £12 billion was going to come from? Someone else but not her?

Exactly.

setmefree2

zagfles wrote: »

Rubbish. Tax credits were never meant only for poor people.

My post was about working the system to claim free school meals.

Keep up

You can't tell me that free school meals are intended for anyone other than the poor, surely.

setmefree2

zagfles wrote: »

Rubbish. Tax credits were never meant only for poor people. When they were introduced everyone with a baby could get them on incomes below £66,000. You reckon that's "poor"? And that's without any attempt to manipulate income.

You may as well argue the personal allowance is only for the poor and anyone else should be ashamed to get it.

Tax credits are payable according to rules concerning income, children etc, and pension contributions are fully deductible subject to limits, and that was specifically legislated for. Just like ISA limits etc. You may as well argue that anyone using their full ISA allowance is immoral.

As I stated you misunderstood my post.

But your post raises interesting points. Do / did we need such a complicated system?

Why does someone on £66k need tax credits??? Especially has the taking away of those tax credits creates a disincentive to work.

What's the highest amount of income that attracts tax credits now?