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AIBU?

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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:
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Jellycatspyjamas · 10/02/2026 18:33

I’m not on £400k, but I pay a lot of tax because I’m in Scotland. I’m happy to pay tax as part of a social contract that provides a safety net to vulnerable people or people who need that safety net, on the understanding that when I need it, it’s there for me too. Increasingly people are finding their tax payments don’t amount to the safety net being there for them too and so object to increasing taxes for provision that they can’t access.

And it’s not everyone’s money - I pay tax on money I’ve earned, I agree to provide my labour for payment and that money becomes mine to do with as I please. Unless you’re saying that because the money belongs to everyone I can take a share whenever I like and for whatever reason.

Jamesblonde2 · 10/02/2026 18:32

How much tax do you pay OP for education, health and roads? Where would we be without high earners do you think?

Furlane · 10/02/2026 18:30

I don’t think all high earners complain. It’s just a few and people generally complain about things on here rather than start a post saying, ‘I love paying tax’. Same with people complaining about their partner, the majority of people I know are very happy with their partner and it would be a bit of a boring and pointless thread just to say, ‘my partner is wonderful and I’m so happy’.

Doranottheexplorer · 10/02/2026 18:30

You do know that higher rate of tax doesn't start when you earn 400k a year right?

Elgenius · 10/02/2026 18:28

Im a high earner, no we absolutely are not all equal and yea I do deserve it more than some

Benjithedog · 10/02/2026 18:27

here we go