Prospects for the UK economy versus competitors ...

[doodab]

Really? What is your net take home % after all taxes?

It is difficult to make a straight comparison. As a single person you will pay a bit more, but if you are married with a family then you can go for a joint assessment where your and your spouses income is added together and the tax allowances and thresholds are doubled, in which case you may well be better off.

As a single (for tax purposes) person I considered the extra worth paying in return for everything working quite well and a lack of overcrowding.

[sasguru]

It is difficult to make a straight comparison. As a single person you will pay a bit more, but if you are married with a family then you can go for a joint assessment where your and your spouses income is added together and the tax allowances and thresholds are doubled, in which case you may well be better off.

As a single (for tax purposes) person I considered the extra worth paying in return for everything working quite well and a lack of overcrowding.

Well its a shame that Scooter went to Germany thinking he'd pay 10% less tax than here.

[darrenb]

Scooter, I am in Germany and I think I am paying a bit more tax here than in England. But I am willing to believe that you have a better accountant, as mine is just a lass round the corner. Any tips would be much appreciated.

[sasguru]

Scooter, I am in Germany and I think I am paying a bit more tax here than in England. But I am willing to believe that you have a better accountant, as mine is just a lass round the corner. Any tips would be much appreciated.

You don't get it do you?
Scooter is not paying less tax, he just thinks he is

[scooterscot]

Flight over just returned to the UK for the weekend. What's all this about?

This would be the last place I'd mentioned my income. What I can say is my monthly earnings before tax is a decent 5 figured sum per month, yes before cents. Of that I retain just over 70%. There's no way I could retain over 60% if I were in the UK. I know this to be true, even if I were min salary + dividend route.

The 30% I don't get pays for:

1) My family to have access to one of the best health services in the world, not to mention a top quality living standards.

2) Into the German pension system

The other 70% lands straight into my bank account with absolutely no further taxes to pay. Sweet.

On top of all that the German government is now giving us €500 a month for our new baba until she's 18!

I have my own department here in Munich, people listen with interest, I'd never have that in the UK as a contractor. I agree about the creativity lacking but I think this is more stereotype than fact. One thing I do appreciate of my colleagues is the lack of need to verify their work every five minutes, hardly ever a mistake I've confidence in everything they do.

[scooterscot]

Scooter, I am in Germany and I think I am paying a bit more tax here than in England. But I am willing to believe that you have a better accountant, as mine is just a lass round the corner. Any tips would be much appreciated.

Depends on your tax bracket, if you're single living on your own then you'll probably be taxed more than in the UK, but not much different if you considered all the other benefits I mentioned above.

If like me with a wife who does not work plus with child. The government positively rewards you. There's a real sense family comes first when it comes to earnings.

[Moscow Mule]

Bet you can't get a decent pint of bitter though...

[oracleslave]

Why slog your guts out in Milton Keynes when you can do it in Sydney or Auckland or Singapore or Switzerland?

I went back to Zurich for 2 days of workshops this week. If there is a duller city to live and/or work in than Zurich I'd be astounded. I'd take Milton Keynes over Zurich but draw the line at Swindon

[DimPrawn]

I went back to Zurich for 2 days of workshops this week. If there is a duller city to live and/or work in than Zurich I'd be astounded. I'd take Milton Keynes over Zurich but draw the line at Swindon

Sensible man.

[minestrone]

If like me with a wife who does not work plus with child. The government positively rewards you. There's a real sense family comes first when it comes to earnings.

Yes the UK has a long and fine tradition of negatively unrewarding.

Positively rewards?

Honestly.