Jimmy Carr: 'I've made a terrible error of judgement'

[doodab]

Unlike you I feel I am entitled to ask the people to who I pay £2000 per month to what exactly is happening to my money and for them to prove to me that it is being spent effectively. You seem to think that we should simply "pay the money" and not ask questions.

No Dodgy, I don't feel that at all. I do want to know where the money comes from and goes to, which is why I actually bother to find out, and perhaps why I appreciate that although there is some waste and some things that need improving there is actually rather a lot of good stuff done as well. So I simply have a slightly more balanced view than you rather than ranting about what awful useless tosspots public servants are at every opportunity.

I think it's more of a philosophical difference.

I believe in seeking value rather than simple cheapness, in many cases as a consumer I see that the cheapest option is amongst the worst as it often fails to meet minimum required standards for usefulness, and having lived in a country where I paid more tax than I do here, and worked in countries where I would pay none, I'm of the opinion that paying less tax (i.e. choosing a cheaper option) isn't always going to improve my quality of life. That isn't to say that I believe paying more tax will automatically improve my quality of life, but that I'm wary of people promising more for less, as they usually fail to deliver.

You on the other hand seem to think that the less we pay the better it will be, no doubt bouyed by your positive experiences with tesco extra value sausages and beans.

[The_Equalizer]

This whole argument really annoys me. If it's illegal then fine, do him for it but it's not. It's perfectly legal. Why shouldn't people arrange their affairs to ensure the best possible net outcome for themselves.... within the law as it stands?

There are lots of things that are quite legal, but it doesn't mean that's the way to behave. It really does boil down to what kind of society you want to live in.

[SupremeSpod]

No Dodgy, I don't feel that at all. I do want to know where the money comes from and goes to, which is why I actually bother to find out, and perhaps why I appreciate that although there is some waste and some things that need improving there is actually rather a lot of good stuff done as well. So I simply have a slightly more balanced view than you rather than ranting about what awful useless tosspots public servants are at every opportunity.

I think it's more of a philosophical difference.

I believe in seeking value rather than simple cheapness, in many cases as a consumer I see that the cheapest option is amongst the worst as it often fails to meet minimum required standards for usefulness, and having lived in a country where I paid more tax than I do here, and worked in countries where I would pay none, I'm of the opinion that paying less tax (i.e. choosing a cheaper option) isn't always going to improve my quality of life. That isn't to say that I believe paying more tax will automatically improve my quality of life, but that I'm wary of people promising more for less, as they usually fail to deliver.

You on the other hand seem to think that the less we pay the better it will be, no doubt bouyed by your positive experiences with tesco extra value sausages and beans.

Can you show me where "In Law" it is written that I cannot mitigate my tax liability using legal methods and instruments?

Also, how much do I need to pay to ensure that I remain on the moral high-ground?

[doodab]

I pay more in tax and national insurance than most people earn a month. a significant amount of the money I earn and am taxed on is earned abroad from foreign companies, not in the UK.
I pay tax on everything I use, everything I purchase and everything I do, I pay high taxes on fuel and clothing, transport and hotels, I pay for private dentistry, private medical etc. etc. etc.

My Welsh family tree can be traced back as the 16th century and genetically back to prehistory. why should I leave the UK, if you are English I can pretty much guarantee that my ancestors were here long before yours

All of that may well be true but the simple fact is that it's the price you pay for living here. If you don't feel that it's worth it, you have a choice to stop paying and risk sanction or to leave.

BTW, you choose to pay for private dentistry and medical care, this isn't forced upon you and you can stop paying for it at any time.

[DodgyAgent]

No Dodgy, I don't feel that at all. I do want to know where the money comes from and goes to, which is why I actually bother to find out, and perhaps why I appreciate that although there is some waste and some things that need improving there is actually rather a lot of good stuff done as well. So I simply have a slightly more balanced view than you rather than ranting about what awful useless tosspots public servants are at every opportunity.

I think it's more of a philosophical difference.

I believe in seeking value rather than simple cheapness, in many cases as a consumer I see that the cheapest option is amongst the worst as it often fails to meet minimum required standards for usefulness, and having lived in a country where I paid more tax than I do here, and worked in countries where I would pay none, I'm of the opinion that paying less tax (i.e. choosing a cheaper option) isn't always going to improve my quality of life. That isn't to say that I believe paying more tax will automatically improve my quality of life, but that I'm wary of people promising more for less, as they usually fail to deliver.

You on the other hand seem to think that the less we pay the better it will be, no doubt bouyed by your positive experiences with tesco extra value sausages and beans.

In my view "some good stuff done as well" is simply not good enough. When you think that these public sector institutions are monopolies upon which so many of the poorer sectors of society rely (education being the prime one) wishy washy standards of performance (particularly when they come from people who go out of their way to avoid having to rely on public sector services) are totally unacceptable.
When taxpayers see their money being poured into institutions who's prime interest is in preserving their own jobs and feathering their own nests within a monopolistic service environment, it is no wonder we feel no conscience about depriving governments from tax revenues.

[Diver]

No Dodgy, So I simply have a slightly more balanced view than you rather than ranting about what awful useless tosspots public servants are at every opportunity.
.

These wouldn't be the same tosspot public servants that will get a better pension than me despite paying only a quarter of what I do in tax and NI, and who are governed by the more senior tosspot double standard public servants that fiddle their expenses and taxes at every opportunity?

[doodab]

Can you show me where "In Law" it is written that I cannot mitigate my tax liability using legal methods and instruments?

What has that got to do with my explaining to dodgy why I feel that I should pay my taxes? Or have you just posted without actually bothering to read a single word I wrote, which has at no point mentioned the legality of anything?

[SupremeSpod]

These wouldn't be the same tosspot public servants that will get a better pension than me despite paying only a quarter of what I do in tax and NI, and who are governed by the more senior tosspot double standard public servants that fiddle their expenses and taxes at every opportunity?

Not a very catchy headline for the papers that though is it?

The HMRC, via the Government are slowly but surely blurring the line between avoidance and evasion and using the "hard of thinking" in today's society as a tool in their machinations.

Open message to David Cameron, "How much tax did your father pay on the money that was eventually handed to you as part of your inheritance?"

[doodab]

These wouldn't be the same tosspot public servants that will get a better pension than me despite paying only a quarter of what I do in tax and NI, and who are governed by the more senior tosspot double standard public servants that fiddle their expenses and taxes at every opportunity?

They will get a better pension than you, despite the fact that you pay for a private pension? That sounds like a data point in favour of the argument that private citizens are no better at spending money wisely than the government are to me. You woz robbed mate.

Edit: And no they wouldn't be the same ones. They would be the ones whose salaries are covered two or threefold by your taxes.

[SupremeSpod]

What has that got to do with my explaining to dodgy why I feel that I should pay my taxes? Or have you just posted without actually bothering to read a single word I wrote, which has at no point mentioned the legality of anything?

Don't use selective quoting.

I asked...

Can you show me where "In Law" it is written that I cannot mitigate my tax liability using legal methods and instruments?

Also, how much do I need to pay to ensure that I remain on the moral high-ground?

The two questions are connected.