Are you like a 'benefit cheat'... - Page 2

Angua · 21-09-2010, 16:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNorm

No. He should ensure the laws are written to stop this sort of thing from being legal.

There again NOT declaring income in order to avoid paying tax on it should be just as illegal as claiming benefits you are not entitled to, even if it was only because the forms are so complicated you have made a genuine mistake. The person committing the former offence will be held up as a jolly clever chap, where the latter is considered ****. Yet both have committed an offence.

**Hugh** · 21-09-2010, 16:14

Not by HMRC - they will fine you, and add penalties, for undeclared income.

LondonRoad · 21-09-2010, 16:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

Laws have a spirit as well as a letter. Hence the phrase 'that's just not cricket'.

I don't thinkg cricket is the sport to use as model of honest and trustworthy behaviour anymore.

Surely it should be 'that's just not snooker.'... perhaps not.

It is the tax laws that need to be changed. If profits are earned in this country then an appropriate level should be paid on here. It shouldn't be allowed to be paid tax free to the MD's spouse who happens to have a main address in taxhavenia or one of it's off shore principalities.

Lord Nikon · 21-09-2010, 16:20

Then the onus is on the law to change to prevent such occurrences.

Angua · 21-09-2010, 16:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

Not by HMRC - they will fine you, and add penalties, for undeclared income.

Good! It doesn't address the point of public opinion favouring the tax dodger over the benefit cheat though.

Sirius · 21-09-2010, 16:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramrod

My accountant uses every legal loophole he can to minimise my tax bill. I feel no guilt over that as I feel I pay too much tax already and get far too little in return.......apart from a warm fuzzy feeling that I'm helping people like this

Ramrod · 21-09-2010, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

There are therefore certain ways to avoid tax, legally, that were not intended to exist. It may be legal to take advantage of them, but it IMO it is morally questionable, especially when those who are able to exploit such unintended loopholes tend to be those who can afford to pay an accountant to find them and arrange their affairs accordingly.

There are some of us who feel we are taxed far too much (especially when we consider what uses the tax money is often put to) and therefore have no moral qualms about ensuring we pay no more than we strictly have to.....

---------- Post added at 16:29 ---------- Previous post was at 16:28 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angua

There again NOT declaring income in order to avoid paying tax on it should be just as illegal as claiming benefits you are not entitled to.

afaik, it is

21-09-2010, 18:10

Our tax rules are over complicated and extremely confusing to deal with and whilst i personally see tax evasion as the same as benefit fraud i don't see people saving themself from paying more tax then they have too in the same light. I think it is time for a complete rewrite of the tax legislation with many of the worst loopholes being closed as right now people not paying tax they should account for a far bigger loss to this country then benefit fraud ever will. Someone already paying highish amounts of tax and trying to save themselves a few quid is clearly not in the same league as fraud of any type.

Hom3r · 21-09-2010, 18:19

No, but I have been cheated out of money by the unfair system.