To think Reeves is missing a trick here?

[Marshmallow4545]

Every single thread on taxation has numerous posters gleefully asserting that they would be delighted to pay more tax. Why on earth doesn't Rachael Reeves publicise the fact that anyone can volunteer to pay more tax if they are that way inclined and that there are already mechanisms to do this? You could even give everyone that donates additional tax a little sticker or certificate so that they can prove they're morally superior to the rest of us and just how much of a better citizen they are.

I would expect to raise at least a few billion from this if everyone put their money where their mouth is and the donors would be in a far better position to preach about the virtues of high taxation if they could prove that they were actually walking the walk.

AIBU?

Yes there’s a lot of soft soaping of tax rises. Those who want to pay more can, as you say Reeves can launch a voluntary scheme.

To stick to the manifesto leave the rest of us out of that.

?!

It isn’t ‘targeting’ and that’s the issue isn’t it? A total failure of a social compact, of patriotism (because someone patriotic should want to invest in their country) and of morality (because hoarding wealth is immoral).

Charity is a cold grey loveless thing. If a rich man wants to help the poor, he should pay his taxes gladly, not dole out money at a whim.
Clement Attlee

Patriotism surely involves us all doing our bit? Not just the rich or people richer than us. There are an awful lot of people contributing absolutely nothing to society in any tangible way and yet they are taking an awful lot from it. No, I don't mean the genuinely disabled and very vulnerable but we all know that there are an awful lot of people that could be doing an awful lot more if they wanted to be true patriots.

You can't in this context expect everyone to pay astronomical taxes gladly. The social contract is broken because people no longer trust the state to act in their best interests and to not treat them like a cash cow.

Those that are happy with what the state is funding are absolutely at liberty to volunteer to pay more taxes. That's what this thread is about. What they can't do though is constantly demand that everyone else must pay ever increasing amounts to fund a social project that the majority don't buy into.

Is there a word for conversation by bus ?

If there is, I imagine it's German.

Not sure why that image for those posts but that funding has happened more than Labour’s pledge below.

I find this so interesting- I'd love to have a day called 'The Great Wealth Transfer' where millionaires from each county compete to donate the most to their counties' charities and most in need, with totalizers as a pp suggested a la Blue Peter

When I used to read the Readers Digest, there was an end "filler" that posited that idea.

It pointed out that withing a few hours there would be inequality and by the end of the day you'd have people in poverty and people with much more than they started with.

And that things would just move from there to here.

Oh no, serendipity, I'll go back to the drawing board on that one! But it would be nice to have something like that

Absolutely not unreasonable. I’ve often wondered why the strongest advocates for higher taxation don’t simply make voluntary contributions through the HMRC system. It’s entirely possible to do — though I suspect it’s a little less satisfying if it can’t be performed in public view.

The sticker idea actually made me smile. A discreet enamel pin reading “Voluntary Tax Hero” would be a lovely way to recognise those who feel strongly about paying more.

Until that day, I can’t help noticing that the loudest voices calling for higher taxes seem to be the same ones quietly discussing “tax efficiency” with their accountants.

For context, I’m a stay-at-home mum with passive income and a high-earning husband. We’ve worked hard to build and protect what we have through saving, investing, and generally being sensible. Taxes already take a significant portion, and next year looks set to be even tougher. We’re simply making careful, lawful decisions to ensure we’re not paying more than we need to — not out of greed, but out of prudence.

I genuinely don’t see that as hoarding wealth. To me, it’s about encouraging others to create and manage their own prosperity rather than resenting those who’ve done so. A healthy economy needs people who are willing to build, invest, and create opportunity — not punish them for doing it well.

What's your passive income? I'm always dying to know how to acquire one of those.

https://theconversation.com/only-the-richest-ancient-athenians-paid-taxes-and-they-bragged-about-it-147249

If we want to look to the past we could also look at sortition to clean up politics.

(Now you know why learning is so despised among the rich ...)

@ThisTicklishFatball presumably to pay less % tax on your passive income than you would if it were income from going out to work? Do you think that’s fair (in comparison to a worker)?

Sounds like you don't like paying tax. Just pay your taxes mate.