Cyclone Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Is it morally right to deliberatly avoid paying all your tax? One of my friends who is a diversity officer on £45k per annum, believes its the tax avoiders that are bleeding this country dry That's the same amount you used earlier when you were a Gypsy outreach officer (I know this time it's your friend, but it's a coincidence, no?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclone Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 As for not paying tax in order to keep my family clothed and fed - if I were so poor that clothing and food were going to be a problem, I wouldn't be paying tax anyway. Good point, the allowance is what £7500 now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I1L2T3 Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Depends what you mean by tax avoidance love_rat. Certainly discussing tax avoidance can sometimes involve some moral and ethical debate but tax avoidance isn't illegal. Did you mean evasion? If so evading taxes is illegal. What taxes did you have in mind? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
love_rat Posted October 19, 2011 Author Share Posted October 19, 2011 Even if you were being paid £9000 a year, I don't believe that is enough to survive on, its about £172 a week. Although this is a problem affecting the poor, with things going up and up the issue of deliberate tax avoidance to survive will affect many more households within the near future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I1L2T3 Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Even if you were being paid £9000 a year, I don't believe that is enough to survive on, its about £172 a week. Although this is a problem affecting the poor, with things going up and up the issue of deliberate tax avoidance to survive will affect many more households within the near future. But what taxes are you thinking of avoiding, and how? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
love_rat Posted October 19, 2011 Author Share Posted October 19, 2011 Depends what you mean by tax avoidance love_rat. Certainly discussing tax avoidance can sometimes involve some moral and ethical debate but tax avoidance isn't illegal. Did you mean evasion? If so evading taxes is illegal. What taxes did you have in mind? Do you have a moral duty to your family, or do you have a duty to the state? In other words, do you do the right thing but face going under, or do you take steps to reduce your tax burden, to keep a roof over your familys head? There was a programme on Panorama about the haulage industry going to the wall in this country, and many small businesses filling up with illegal diesel (the red stuff) simply to stay afloat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joiner andy Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 do you have a moral duty to your family, or do you have a duty to the state? In other words, do you do the right thing but face going under, or do you take steps to reduce your tax burden, to keep a roof over your familys head? There was a programme on panorama about the haulage industry going to the wall in this country, and many small businesses filling up with illegal diesel (the red stuff) simply to stay afloat. what would you do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I1L2T3 Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Do you have a moral duty to your family, or do you have a duty to the state? In other words, do you do the right thing but face going under, or do you take steps to reduce your tax burden, to keep a roof over your familys head? There was a programme on Panorama about the haulage industry going to the wall in this country, and many small businesses filling up with illegal diesel (the red stuff) simply to stay afloat. I'm just wondering how the avergae family would do it. Like others have said below a certain level you pay no tax anyway. Above that level if you're on PAYE you can't avoid the PAYE. You will also have to pay VAT. And other forms of tax too - car, fuel, TV licence, council tax, etc.... The opportunities for avoiding any of it are limited for a lot of people. Or are you describing a different scenario for the self-employed where there is a chance to get paid without putting it through the books? Or like you say to fill up with illegal (you said it) fuel? If so in both cases it is evasion not avoidance. But if you ask the question would people to it to keep the family fed and sheltered then many would probably do it if pushed to the limit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
love_rat Posted October 19, 2011 Author Share Posted October 19, 2011 what would you do? The welfare of the family would always come first. Food, shelter, that comes first Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarkysod Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Become self-employed. Then it,s, " Do you need a receipt ? ". "For cash I can do it without VAT". " I claim for everything". It,s not just the big boys who avoid paying their tax. If you,re PAYE, you don.t have the choice. I am glad I not the only one who has noticed this. I know a number of self employed, one of whom abuses the status beyond belief. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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