AIBU to question people claiming they would happily pay more tax?

[Towerinthegarden]

Yet another thread about should there be tax rises or spending cuts, and invariably you get a host of people coming out saying they are happy to pay more. Well you can https://www.gov.uk/guidance/voluntary-payments-donations-to-government

I’m pretty sure what they actually mean is I am happy to pay a tiny amount more on the understanding others will pay a lot more and then I’ll see the benefit. If that assumption is wrong why aren’t all these people saying they’re happy to pay more doing it?

The uk has few tax loopholes compared to other countries, it’s the massive corps that are based globally but trade tax free that are the issue.

This is a global economic issue that cannot be solved by one country alone

very happy to pay more but fairly.

When there are active tax avoiders why should I pay extra and they practice avoidance (I’m PAYE so can’t avoid it anyway)?

I do think remove the triple lock and count pension in inheritance. NO WAY can my mum spend all her pension allowance.

Agree with this - taxation is around small increases across the board and will align to policy decisions as to where the additional money would be spent. Not one off minor individual contributions that won't have any impact overall. OP post is at best incredibly disengenuous.

Yes - look at most of Europe and you can see how higher taxation benefits public services, but the UK is always about lowest common denominator. And it's not how macro economics work - years of tax reduction and reduction in public spend has lead to where we are today, austerity anyone? Increased taxation and public expenditure feeds into improved economic outlook, it has always been thus that expenditure stimulates economic growth which helps all citizens.

Usually it’s lower to mid income paying higher taxes there. I doubt those groups will be keen.

France is in a terrible state - same issues with lack of GPs in certain areas, A&e shutting overnight due to staffing, their pension timebomb is going to blow soon.

in Germany they are also having trouble with various public services and when DH compares what he pays in tax here to what he would pay there it is more when you take the various reliefs into account. The average effective rate is very similar between UK and Germany but lower/middle taxpayers pay more in Germany

Terrible problems in the US, too. They have people waiting in corridors as we do, and the insurance companies are sacking doctors in hospitals and countermanding medical decisions made by doctors.

So basically you'd pay more if forced to rather than commit tax evasion? 😆

I wouldn't. I don't have nor want children and pay all my rent/bills on my own. I also work next to a migrant hotel full of young men that harass women and am constantly reminded that I'm paying towards that too.

No, because the vast majority of people quality that they would be happy to pay more if it would lead to an improvement of services. You have your very own thread right here to demonstrate that. Paying more as a single individual would not achieve that qualifier.

Do I need to explain it a third time?

You guys should read “we need to tax billionaires”. I’d be content for the richest of us to pay the same rate as the rest of us to be fair, not too keen on them just deciding to opt out.

I have a good salary. ‘Broad shoulders’ according to Burnham, which apprently means I have a responsibility to pay even more tax. Trouble is, I already pay lots of tax and NI to support ‘others’. I’d really rather use these apparently ‘broad shoulders’ to support my own children.

Our taxes are the highest since the war, and already put us at scandinavian levels.

I’d make all benefits means tested. Winter fuel allowance I find particularly galling - paying tax so that wealthy pensioners can overheat their under-occupied large houses while thousands of families live in B&Bs in the middle of a housing, fuel and cost of living crisis. Absolutely obscene.

Yes, Ukrainians look like us, don’t they? I can see why you think it’s OK to help them…..

You can try explaining a third time. But you won’t get through. It’s not that people don’t understand-it’s that they love being able to snipe and evade responsibility.

Who is evading responsibility?

Funny how the same people who complain that taxes stop businesses employing people also think it's easy for young people to just go out and get a job.

And of course stop all benefits except to pensioners! Because no-one under 65 is actually sick or disabled. And there are no associated future costs to children growing up in poverty or not getting the help they need in school.

It’s not funny really. Labour’s NI policy has caused job losses, especially for young people.

you’ve lost me

If you really believe that then you can't complain about young people being lazy if they can't get a job.

Sorry-my post was intended for @Jollygreygiantesswho thinks that Ukraine is the only country entitled to foreign aid.

There’s another thread here where people are talking about how not to pay iht/care fees. But probably the first to shout for a tax increase 🤷‍♀️

Well yes only those very loyal Labour can’t see the impact.

All the posts I’ve put are clear, young people have been let down by the current gov. It’s cost them jobs.

Tbf that poster said Ukraine militarily as they are a buffer for the Uk against Russia. I don’t think there was any suggestion aid should go to Ukrainian individuals.