Should Private School fee payers get a tax rebate

[Pamplemousecat]

Just following on from another thread. If a child isn’t in the state system should the parents still have to pay the proportion of tax that is taken for education?

Yes.

WTAF? Of course they should pay.

No

Bloody hell, @Pamplemousecat - you’re brave!

Don a bulletproof vest ASAP!

Sorry you’ve asked this question in two different ways.

Yes they should still pay.

No they shouldn’t get a discount!

Think about it - should people without kids get a discount too?

They should not get a tax rebate, no.

Yes

I don’t have children but still pay for others to be educated. My house hasn’t been on fire but I still think the fire service should be funded.

That’s how civilised society works.

Sounds like an easy no, but the point is that everyone pays in so that all children have access to it. Of everyone that had no children didn’t pay in them it would no longer support all children.

A bit like getting some back if you didn’t go to the doctors or hospital? It just couldn’t work.

What about people who dont have kids? Should they pay less tax? Should people who have 6 kids pay more tax than those who have 1?

Some tax goes to the NHS too. Should people who have private healthcare pay less tax? Should people who have a disability pay extra tax?

Starting to sounds very complicated, hard to police and discriminatory dont you think?

Where would it end, child free getting a rebate, those who don't drink, smoke and eat healthy getting a rebate? Of course they shouldn't get a rebate

By that metric, shouldn’t childless people also get one?

That way madness lies.

We pay for education through tax for the benefits it brings to society, to enable us to have a skilled workforce.

Yes, of course! What a dreadful attitude to assume they shouldn't! And I say this as someone who may well end up paying school fees.

No they should not get a tax rebate. My taxes go on many things I do not use, I don't expect a rebate for each thing, that is not how it works.

Hard to say really. I don’t know enough about it. But you could also say people who have private healthcare should they get a rebate for not using the NHS

I see what you mean but it could never work in practice. Way too many variables to take into account. Should healthy people pay less tax? Cancer patients more?

Think about it - should people without kids get a discount too?

Or those who homeschool? Or those with private healthcare, in respect of the proportion that goes to the NHS?

Oh god OP are you mad? You will get roasting with this one

No. That's not how tax works. You are not paying in to fund the bit you personally get out. It is deliberately redistributive. It is intended that the wealthier (which will include those who can afford private school fees) are cross subsidizing those who wouldn't be able to afford education/health/defence etc at all.

Yes we absolutely should all pay.
If we make the choice to educate our children out of the universal system then that’s our choice - but doesn’t mean we get to opt out of contributing to society.
Apart from anything else I want the 90odd percent who aren’t privately educated but will be providing me with services in future to be properly educated.

An excellent idea. Since you’re doing the state’s job for it - only better - a rebate is the least they could do.

The state system is already woefully underfunded, and those who are paying private fees can afford to pay their taxes. So no, they don't need a rebate. Otherwise when does it end?

Should those who chose private healthcare also get a rebate because they don't use the NHS? What about people who are rarely ill? I haven't used my GP or a hospital in the last 10 years bar pregnancy/giving birth, should I get a huge rebate for being lucky enough to have good health?

Of course not. Should we start charging people with serious illnesses extra since they're needing more health care?

What about adults with no children? Should they get a rebate too?
Maybe the blind should get a council tax rebate as they don't get any benefit from street lights.
Or people who don't drink alcohol or smoke get a rebate on their NI contributions.
Older people who don't need care homes get extra pension credits.

It's an insane way of thinking. Society works by everyone contributing.

I’m not saying I think they should either. Just occurred to me after a thread today and hearing a few acquaintances IRL discuss vis a vis loss of rates relief for independent schools

I agree with others that no tax rebate should be due, the same as people without (or with grown-up) children still have to pay.

However, I believe private school fees are subject to VAT - either that or they aren't and there's a big outcry that they ought to be. I disagree that VAT should be paid, if it is charged or being demanded.

In brief, no rebates for not using state schools but no extra tax for using an alternative.