To me, a load of stupid hot air. Obviously everyone wants to pay as little tax as they legally can, and quite right too. If Government wants more taxes, change the law; don't bleat on about morals (hate Cameron). And individuals? Donate to causes or charities of your choice, preferably anonymously; that's where the monies you save from sensible budgeting can go.

As for Carr/Barlow etc... it's the meejah, of course, after a good story (and, as I well know from my columnist years, righteous indignation is a wonderful commercial populist approach).

For one comedian or singer, how many thousands of businessmen and corporations use this legal loophole. It really is a scandal - not that people use it, but that it exists at all. Meanwhile, benefits are being cut left, right and centre. It's a bit sanctimonious to chide the Greeks when such massive black holes exist in the tax regime in the UK.

Up to Cameron & co to change the law,not bleat on about people taking advantage.It's all for publicity anyway,wonder how many Tory donors do the same thing?

Michael wrote:
It really is a scandal - not that people use it, but that it exists at all.

Both of these schemes are apparently quite new ... and everytime the Government close a loophole the accountants invent a new one (which is, largely what they are paid for !!!!)!

The only way to tackle these crafty abuses is to have an all-encompassing General Anti-Avoidance Principle written into law. Thus, whenever an individual or business entity sets-up an artificial structure to avoid tax, it can all be ignored and all income be treated as being gotten in the UK. I get the distinct impression though, that the Tories want only the worst offenders to be tackled (Jimmy Carr et al, all paying 1%), whilst leaving a huge gap open for legalised tax avoidance to occur. By the way, the PM's father built a £10 million family fortune offshore when he was a stockbroker.

They are not "crafty abuses" - they are sensible ways to avoid paying too much tax. When I had my first hit in the 60s the tax paid was 95%. Most simply left the country in those days. For me, 5% of a fortune at that age was fine. I never made music to make money - nor films or writing or anything else. My deal with the BBC for running Eurovision was a tiny salary and decent expenses but a huge bonus if or when we won (we did - eventually).

Taxes must be necessary but also an incentive. Nothing to stop people pissing off to Monaco or somewhere and contributing to their preferable society. We are all human beings. Reward good work.

The problem I have with Jimmy Carr is the hypocrisy of the man. Week after week of posturing on a pedestal about how corrupt the Government is whilst doing dodgy deals on the side. His career is Heading for Lenny Henry status.

To true.

One of the reasons why I freelance is because I'm control of the tax I pay (which at the moment is nothing). I have everything I can legally on expenses and pay myself enough to live. When I finally expand I will incorporate my business and pay myself via corporation tax, which means again I will pay less tax.

It's being sensible and working within the law.

JK2006 wrote:
When I had my first hit in the 60s the tax paid was 95%.

Thats loony Labour for you !!!

Well said, JK
One more thing ... the tax system should be flexible enough not to over-penalise those who may have a large income over a short period and then little or nothing thereafter (ie one hit wonders !)

Ireland, I believe, has such a system where tax can be "spread" and averaged over several years.

In The Know wrote:
JK2006 wrote:
When I had my first hit in the 60s the tax paid was 95%.

Thats loony Labour for you !!!

Well said, JK
One more thing ... the tax system should be flexible enough not to over-penalise those who may have a large income over a short period and then little or nothing thereafter (ie one hit wonders !)

Ireland, I believe, has such a system where tax can be "spread" and averaged over several years.

It was the same under Heath!

In The Know wrote:


Ireland, I believe, has such a system where tax can be "spread" and averaged over several years.

I think Ireland changed this law some years ago. That's the reason why Bono & Co are now a dutch corporation.

If everybody paid their fare share the tax rate would be around 12%. Are you sure Jimmy and his ilk are still doing the right thing?