Reply to: Are MPs really that bad or any different.

[HairyArsedBloke]

Virtually everyone wants to increase their bottom line - and will take whatever opportunity is available.

The difference is that MPs do it - and then make exactly the same thing illegal for everyone else.

Then to top it all off - they cast anyone that tries to avoid it as immoral.

MPs do it by increasing the top line, the rest of us do it by trying to move items from below the bottom line to above it so as to minimise the amount confiscated by the state.

[swamp]

MPs' rights are specifically quoted in the tax legislation. It is quite literally one rule for them and one rule for others.

It's as if the statute book stated that stealing was a crime unless your name was Bob and you lived in 97 Accacia Avenue, Surbiton.

So yes, MPs really are that BAD.

[centurian]

Virtually everyone wants to increase their bottom line - and will take whatever opportunity is available.

The difference is that MPs do it - and then make exactly the same thing illegal for everyone else.

Then to top it all off - they cast anyone that tries to avoid it as immoral.

[hyperD]

Where there's a will...

Google "plumpers" and you can see anybodys granny for free. All the wrinkled, sagging 20 stone of fun of 'em.

[original PM]

good effort on spotting the deliberate mistake

the pedantic police will be around to take you away soon..

[TheFaQQer]

I can 'see' my granny for free

Where there's a will...

[TheFaQQer]

I'm just saying everyone takes the p***

Speak for yourself. I don't.

I know many contractors that claim flat rate subsistence, claim even after 2 years at one location and claim for stuff they shouldn't yet tdon't register for a moment this is wrong.

If you feel so strongly about it, then ring HMRC and tell them about it.

Recently a colleague's umbrella told him he could carry on claiming expenses after the 2 year rule...

Hus umbrella company also noted he claimed no fuel to go to work (he lives just 1 mile fom the place), they then proceeded to tell him next time he went away for a weekend to claim the fuel for it.

He's totally screwed if he gets any kind of tax audit. The umbrella company is also screwed because they should be paying NICs on the salary. With the potential clampdown on umbrella companies, we can but hope that they all get shafted royally.

[Tingles]

[QUOTE=original

but there are plenty of people out there who will see their granny for a fiver[/QUOTE]

I can 'see' my granny for free

[original PM]

it is true there is no comparison between MPs claiming out of pocket expenses on top of their salaries and the contractors trying to pay as little tax as possible on their earnings.

the example with the brolly given is rubbish - it is dependant on your place of work not where the brolly is

and no I do not take this p*ss with expenses - something to do with having some morals and not willing to lie to or defraud anyone for a any extra few quid a week.

but there are plenty of people out there who will see their granny for a fiver

[hyperD]

Do any contractors claim the sorts of things MPs have? TVs, gardening, pool repairs, mortgages? I very much doubt it. Most contractors get at least one compliance check by HMRC but do MPs ever get checks apart from by someone in the house?

Most importantly, can contractors make their own laws exempting themselves from rules that apply to everyone else? The only proper term for that is corruption.

The comparison is idiotic.

Agreed. Do contractors carry out the compliance checks with other contractors? No.

Once upon a time, MPs were of honour, integrity and interests for the country before their own.

The fact that they refer to each other as "Honourable Gentleman" - surely that's the real effrontery?

[NotAllThere]

I'm just saying everyone takes the p***, ...

I don't. hth

[Damo1176]

I'm just saying everyone takes the p***, I 'd love to say I never do but I do on occasions. Many people argue that contractors just try to find every legal way possible to reduce the amount they lose to the state but why the hell should they be any different to normal employees who get robbed blind. A lot of contyractors i know do take the p*** and many are through umbrellas and feel protected from legislation because of it. However when HMRC come knocking (if they ever bother) the umbrella will offer no protection.

[HairyArsedBloke]

There is a world of difference! The MP’s are claiming expenses on top of their salaries; it is extra pay for them. Contractors are just trying to reduce the amount that would be confiscated by the state. The two issues are not comparable at all.

I used to push the envelope when it came to expenses. I got a receipt for everything I could and then tried to invent some reason to use it to protect my own earning. Now I don’t need to worry as all of my money is mine and it’s got nothing to do with the UK government.

[xoggoth]

Do any contractors claim the sorts of things MPs have? TVs, gardening, pool repairs, mortgages? I very much doubt it. Most contractors get at least one compliance check by HMRC but do MPs ever get checks apart from by someone in the house?

Most importantly, can contractors make their own laws exempting themselves from rules that apply to everyone else? The only proper term for that is corruption.

The comparison is idiotic.

[northernladuk]

Gotta say I totally agree. Not to dwell on the MP's things but anyone that seriously thought that this wasn't going on on the scale it did really needs a reality check. Wouldn't you have done the same in the their position? But anyway....

Looking at some of questions on here ranging from just not having a clue to the downright devious and convoluted I am sure there is some very artistic expense claiming going on. Before I get flamed I am all for claiming every single penny I am due in anyway legally possible cause they will dam well do the same to take it off me. It just scares me the trouble people I am sure are getting themselves in to, either knowing it or just falling in to a blackhole.

I don't feel that angry about it though, something like this I am sure will come back and bite them a lot faster than the MP's. I like to sleep at night for the sake of a couple of quid.

Saying that there is nothing clever about double standards though. Them in glass houses etc...