To think everyone should pay the same income tax?

[bigch]

It seems unfair that the people who payed thousands for university, work full time to earn a higher wage or have their dream job are contributing more of a percentage of their income to the system than those who just wern't bothered or decided to have a lower key job.

20% of 100k is a lot more than 20% of £18k and they don't even use the same services such as public school, benefits, ect.

Not rich myself, decided to become a flight attendant because it was what I wanted, but my more hardworking richer friend shouldn't be paying more for my lazy ass to live, I do it fine on my own.

"Why pay tax at 50% in the UK, when you can pay tax at 40% in New York, 16/20% in Hong Kong and Singapore?"

I find the assumption that the poor should take up low paid work instead of benefits, even if they lose out financially from doing so, because it's doing the right thing for the country very difficult to accept, when it's considered morally absolutely fine for rich people to to find ways of not paying their share of taxes, by moving their businesses abroad or by becoming non-doms.

Why is there no shame attached to rich people not wanting to raise their own country up out of the gutter that it's currently lolling in, even though they can comfortably afford to do so? Why is it considered the duty of the poor to sacrifice their comfort for the sake of the wider economy, and not the rich?

OP

Shagmund

Shagmun, it's because of the principle that your money starts off belonging to you. Labour have signed up to the corrupting principle (as your post seems to a slittle bit) that all money starts off belonging to the government and only becomes yours throgh state generosity. (hence his claim "the govt is writing checques to millionaires")

Sorry, but you're an idiot.

That's all.

YABVU. That is all.

I studied for six years. I have student loans coming out of my ears. I work full time in a stressful job, with a huge level of responsibility. I do not earn a high wage as I work in local government. I find it fairly offensive that you think I should pay more tax so that those who earn more can have more money to play with, as a reward for their industry.

I don't think it's offensive, it's not offensive. It's just that it's a positive civilising force for the rich(er) to pay proportionately more.

20% is still the same proportion whether or not the amount earned is £100k or £10k! The difference is, the higher earner can have all sorts of luxuries and rund a house etc whereas someone on the lower end might not even be able to afford rent on a bedsit.

And what TitWillow said, I have a student loan and graduated 6 years ago. Why the fuck should I have to pay more tax so the richest can stay rich and I can get poorer?

I know I'm saying it should be proportionately more, and most political parties of all colours agree about this.

But they might say, why the fuck should they give up their money for you?

But they might say, why the fuck should they give up their money for you?

So they don't risk tripping over all the starving, homeless people lying in the gutters... The ones who can't pay for basic housing/food costs.

The inequity of income distribution in this country is reaching a crisis point IMO.

And because inequality is a major factor in disaffection. Whether you care about how the poor live or not, it affects not just them but you because it affects how society functions, both economically if the poor can't afford their basic needs, and socially if they decide they'd rather be off their heads on alcohol or drugs, or fighting in the streets at the weekends, because there is no place for them in society.

Op - To think everyone should pay the same income tax?

Fine, as long as we all get paid the same.

The system we currently have is actually not that dissimilar from a flat tax.

Adding up PAYE, employee's NI, and employer's NI, the total marginal tax rate is:
£0 to £8,105 - 0%
£8,105 to £42,475 - 40.25%
£42,475 to £100,000 - 49.03%
£100,000 to £116,210 - 66.61%
£116,210 to £150,000 - 49.03%
above £150,000 - 57.82%

IMO it should be more progressive, and without the kinks.

The changes to come are a new 'kink' around the £60k point as CB is withdrawn, and a reduction for those earning £150k plus.

Thus proving once again that politicians are useless tossers.

Op you are being mightily unreasonable. I can't even be bothered to spend any time arguing the toss as to why...

Making sure everyone gets exactly the same personal allowance tax free (which is enough to live on) and everyone pays exactly the same percenatge marginal tax rate on the last pound they earn would go a long way to resolving the perceived unfairness in the tax system both by rich and poor.

Not read all replies but as far as I know, the higher rate tax in ONLY paid on the amount of income ABOVE that of the standard rate. So, am I right? You pay no tax on a tax free allowance, the same tax on mid range income and higher rate on anything above that.

So - either way you are being vvvvvvu.

That's right CB, except that ppl like my dh don't have a personal allowance so he's taxed on everything iirc.

YABU

Really rich people pay fuck all tax - eg Philip green, BBC presenters paid into service companies, etc...

Until the system has them paying their share, I don't think we can call it progressive.

I'd make them pay the same as everyone else, or have them arrested if they set foot in the country. But the govt don't see it that way.

yabu.

im perfectly happy to pay the tax i do. i dont use state schooling or nhs but i have the option to if i choose.