Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be confused by 'high earners' complaining about taxes?

981 replies

tutuland · 10/02/2026 18:25

So high earners pay lots of tax. The top 20% pay for 70% or whatever the numbers are.

But (beyond printing more money) isn't the money there high income people make just coming from the paying public? No matter who you work for, your company's profit is just an accumulation of normal people paying for things.

So ultimately, isn't it all our money anyway? Just beacuse the game is rigged and you get paid 400K for management whatever, it doesn't mean you're more deserving of that money than anyone.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Original poster
tutuland · 12/02/2026 15:28

nomas · 12/02/2026 15:07

It was a Google AI summary of the article, I also posted the link.

It’s bizarre that as someone who runs a fin tech startup-up that you haven’t got to grips with the use of AI yet.

Show quote history

They're all LLM and use the same mechanisms.

So you googled a response to what I said, and then pasted the AI response for me to read? You couldn't even condense your cheat sheet- so you presented me with a wall of text.

If you cant be bothered to think your own thoughts and structure them into sentences I don't want to engage with you.

OP posts:
Original poster
tutuland · 12/02/2026 15:22

nomas · 12/02/2026 15:09

It’s very telling how defensive and enraged you get when asked about your own potential tax pitfalls.

I can just picture you sputtering with rage.

Do you think tax is just something salaried people should pay?

Show quote history

Oh no, I'm not enraged at all. I was finding you amusing but now its getting tedious if anything. I just don't want to help you understand difficult things by answering your questions. I'm sure you can find the answers you need on the internet xxx

OP posts:
nomas · 12/02/2026 15:09

tutuland · 12/02/2026 14:51

You're trying to argue against the point that this post makes by making it about me. Even if I had my money in a tax haven, its doesn't mean my point is not valid.

It's pathetic that you think you're being clever. And the insidiousness of your mannerisms really makes my skin crawl.

Show quote history

It’s very telling how defensive and enraged you get when asked about your own potential tax pitfalls.

I can just picture you sputtering with rage.

Do you think tax is just something salaried people should pay?

nomas · 12/02/2026 15:07

tutuland · 12/02/2026 14:48

What is slop is what you've copy pasted from chatgpt.

Show quote history

It was a Google AI summary of the article, I also posted the link.

It’s bizarre that as someone who runs a fin tech startup-up that you haven’t got to grips with the use of AI yet.

angelos02 · 12/02/2026 15:06

The older I get and the way things seem to be going, I'm sure some people seem to think that those that work hard at school, graft and get a good job, shouldn't expect to have a lifestyle vastly different to those that don't. It should be worlds apart but it is getting less and less so. Be a lazy so and so but don't worry, those that work will prop your lifestyle up. I wish we could scrap the word 'free'. Someone, somewhere is paying for it - be it breakfast clubs, school meals etc.

Original poster
tutuland · 12/02/2026 14:51

nomas · 12/02/2026 13:43

London and Partners is not 'slop', it's a growth agency that works with the Mayor of London.

The key points are:

  • Half of start-ups are not paying the correct amount of tax
  • Many start-ups use legal means to lower their tax bill
  • Some are engaging in aggressive strategies and tax evasion, such as:
  • Profit Shifting - transferring profits to lower-tax jurisdictions.
  • Artificially declaring insolvency to avoid paying tax debts then reforming as the same company
  • Under declaring income

The question is how are you managing your tax payments? How do you ensure that you are not one of the start-ups avoiding tax?

Show quote history

You're trying to argue against the point that this post makes by making it about me. Even if I had my money in a tax haven, its doesn't mean my point is not valid.

It's pathetic that you think you're being clever. And the insidiousness of your mannerisms really makes my skin crawl.

OP posts:
Original poster
tutuland · 12/02/2026 14:48

nomas · 12/02/2026 13:43

London and Partners is not 'slop', it's a growth agency that works with the Mayor of London.

The key points are:

  • Half of start-ups are not paying the correct amount of tax
  • Many start-ups use legal means to lower their tax bill
  • Some are engaging in aggressive strategies and tax evasion, such as:
  • Profit Shifting - transferring profits to lower-tax jurisdictions.
  • Artificially declaring insolvency to avoid paying tax debts then reforming as the same company
  • Under declaring income

The question is how are you managing your tax payments? How do you ensure that you are not one of the start-ups avoiding tax?

Show quote history

What is slop is what you've copy pasted from chatgpt.

OP posts:
Original poster
tutuland · 12/02/2026 14:47

stargirl27 · 12/02/2026 13:55

To be clear: at no point did I ask OP or anyone else to explain taxation or the extent to which high earners are deserving of their income, nor a basic explanation of how society works. I asked OP whether her issue is with high earners or with those who are unhappy about their taxation (or indeed both)? I'm still awaiting an answer.

Show quote history

Also I've made it clear. It's why other posters kindly tried to explain my stance to you. Then you threw an aggressive hissy fit. So frankly I have no interest in engaging with you. This is what I'd call childish..

OP posts:
Original poster
tutuland · 12/02/2026 14:46

stargirl27 · 12/02/2026 13:49

Please reread my post! This is so boring!

Show quote history

God, nothing is more boring than you trying to make this thread a personal attack.

OP posts:
Papyrophile · 12/02/2026 14:43

Exactly! I need my cataracts doing. I could wait until I can't drive and get the NHS to do them, but I shall pay and get them done quicker. At a cost of £4000 per eye. I shan't even need a hospital bed unless something goes wrong. Oh, and I can choose the best and most experienced opthalmic surgeon.

stargirl27 · 12/02/2026 13:55

stargirl27 · 12/02/2026 13:49

Please reread my post! This is so boring!

Show quote history

To be clear: at no point did I ask OP or anyone else to explain taxation or the extent to which high earners are deserving of their income, nor a basic explanation of how society works. I asked OP whether her issue is with high earners or with those who are unhappy about their taxation (or indeed both)? I'm still awaiting an answer.

stargirl27 · 12/02/2026 13:49

glitterpaperchain · 12/02/2026 13:48

You explicitly asked OP to explain what she means and specifically mentioned taxation and the idea that higher earners don't necessarily deserve more income so that's what I talked about!

Show quote history

Please reread my post! This is so boring!

glitterpaperchain · 12/02/2026 13:48

stargirl27 · 12/02/2026 13:35

Ah ok. Was there a reason for your random explanation of how society and taxation work and the fact that hard work doesn't necessarily determine how much you earn? All of which were obvious points?

Show quote history

You explicitly asked OP to explain what she means and specifically mentioned taxation and the idea that higher earners don't necessarily deserve more income so that's what I talked about!

stargirl27 · 12/02/2026 13:45

tutuland · 12/02/2026 13:37

Yes, because you've been here for two days being aggressively confused. You don't have to attack the person making an argument that makes you uncomfortable. You'd think you'd know that being a solicitor and all.

Show quote history

What part of her argument made me uncomfortable? I said I agreed with her but her contribution had no relevance. I'm still waiting for you to explain what point you're trying to make with this thread though. You'd think you'd know that running a fintech startup though.

nomas · 12/02/2026 13:43

tutuland · 12/02/2026 13:35

Um no. I'm not reading slop generated to validate a prompt you've given a LLM. If you cant tell the difference between a well phased comment or question and that nonsense I cant help you.

Show quote history

London and Partners is not 'slop', it's a growth agency that works with the Mayor of London.

The key points are:

  • Half of start-ups are not paying the correct amount of tax
  • Many start-ups use legal means to lower their tax bill
  • Some are engaging in aggressive strategies and tax evasion, such as:
  • Profit Shifting - transferring profits to lower-tax jurisdictions.
  • Artificially declaring insolvency to avoid paying tax debts then reforming as the same company
  • Under declaring income

The question is how are you managing your tax payments? How do you ensure that you are not one of the start-ups avoiding tax?

Original poster
tutuland · 12/02/2026 13:37

stargirl27 · 12/02/2026 13:35

Ah ok. Was there a reason for your random explanation of how society and taxation work and the fact that hard work doesn't necessarily determine how much you earn? All of which were obvious points?

Show quote history

Yes, because you've been here for two days being aggressively confused. You don't have to attack the person making an argument that makes you uncomfortable. You'd think you'd know that being a solicitor and all.

OP posts:
stargirl27 · 12/02/2026 13:35

glitterpaperchain · 12/02/2026 13:14

I dont see where I assumed anything about your views? I've posted a couple of times and OP has responded in agreement so I think my interpretation is pretty accurate. This is a public forum where multiple people are allowed to join the conversation so that's what I did

Show quote history

Ah ok. Was there a reason for your random explanation of how society and taxation work and the fact that hard work doesn't necessarily determine how much you earn? All of which were obvious points?

Original poster
tutuland · 12/02/2026 13:35

blueshoes · 12/02/2026 12:15

OP, answer the question.

When someone gives a sensible list you cannot reply to, you pull the ChatGPT trick to evade taxes.

Show quote history

Um no. I'm not reading slop generated to validate a prompt you've given a LLM. If you cant tell the difference between a well phased comment or question and that nonsense I cant help you.

OP posts:
Original poster
tutuland · 12/02/2026 13:34

glitterpaperchain · 12/02/2026 13:14

I dont see where I assumed anything about your views? I've posted a couple of times and OP has responded in agreement so I think my interpretation is pretty accurate. This is a public forum where multiple people are allowed to join the conversation so that's what I did

Show quote history

@glitterpaperchain Thanks you've explained my my point perfectly.

I'm not sure if they're confused or just being obtuse because they have no logical retort to my point.

OP posts:
NorthXNorthWest · 12/02/2026 13:27

What's your view on the Norwegian model of taxation / benefits/ support (ignoring the wealth fund) @tutuland

glitterpaperchain · 12/02/2026 13:14

stargirl27 · 12/02/2026 12:32

You have provided me with your interpretation of what OP is saying along with some of your opinions (which I agree with). Respectfully, I have asked OP to explain her point, not others to provide their view on what she is saying. I'm also not sure why you appear to make several assumptions about my views in your pp.

Show quote history

I dont see where I assumed anything about your views? I've posted a couple of times and OP has responded in agreement so I think my interpretation is pretty accurate. This is a public forum where multiple people are allowed to join the conversation so that's what I did

stargirl27 · 12/02/2026 12:32

glitterpaperchain · 12/02/2026 12:29

Fair enough about the term sweetie!

Just answering as you're unclear on what OP is saying and I think it's quite clear

Show quote history

You have provided me with your interpretation of what OP is saying along with some of your opinions (which I agree with). Respectfully, I have asked OP to explain her point, not others to provide their view on what she is saying. I'm also not sure why you appear to make several assumptions about my views in your pp.

glitterpaperchain · 12/02/2026 12:29

stargirl27 · 12/02/2026 12:25

I'm using OPs own language as she keeps patronisingly calling people 'sweetie'. Please read the thread.

I'm aware of how our taxation system works and I am pro taxation, including increasing tax for the wealthy or super rich. I find the level of tax for those earning £125-150k extremely unfair and unpalatable.

I also haven't said that high earners are more deserving of money than anyone else or that hard work isn't the determiner of how much you earn. I'm very aware of different factors which contribute to 'success'.

Thanks for your contribution but I'm unsure of the relevance to my post.

Show quote history

Fair enough about the term sweetie!

Just answering as you're unclear on what OP is saying and I think it's quite clear

stargirl27 · 12/02/2026 12:25

glitterpaperchain · 12/02/2026 12:10

Your condescending 'sweetie' really churned my stomach I have to say

I think it's quite clear what she is saying by 'it's all our money anyway', she means essentially that companies generate revenue through selling things in exchange for our money. Make a profit by using our labour.

That's essentially our system is to extract resources from masses and keep profits. Which is why we need taxation, to get some of those resources back into the system.

And by high earners aren't more deserving of more money than anyone else - we don't live in a meritocracy. There are many wealthy people who work extremely hard, some who've got a lot of family money and had an easy ride, just as there are many low earners who work extremely hard like nurses and care workers, and some who don't work so hard. Hard work often isn't the determiner of how much you earn.

Show quote history

I'm using OPs own language as she keeps patronisingly calling people 'sweetie'. Please read the thread.

I'm aware of how our taxation system works and I am pro taxation, including increasing tax for the wealthy or super rich. I find the level of tax for those earning £125-150k extremely unfair and unpalatable.

I also haven't said that high earners are more deserving of money than anyone else or that hard work isn't the determiner of how much you earn. I'm very aware of different factors which contribute to 'success'.

Thanks for your contribution but I'm unsure of the relevance to my post.

thehorrorspersistyetsodoi · 12/02/2026 12:22

Its not about paying the tax, its about where the tax is going to.

If i felt like my tax was being put to good use, funding the NHS, social housing, mental health care, ensuring families had enough food to put on their table and heat their homes in winter.

However right now i dont feel like that, our mental health is failing, our country is in an absolute crisis and i see no improvement.

And im in scotland, my tax is higher.

I also own the business,i take on all the risk, pay my staff well but i also deserve to earn what i earn