Paying taxes

[Oneeyedvic]

There is of course that old adage of two certainties in life - death and taxes. I don't mind paying taxes as I do see myself as part of a community and contributing as such. How far would you go though:

http://news.bbc.co.uk...ld/europe/8321967.stm

group of rich Germans has launched a petition calling for the government to make wealthy people pay higher taxes.

The group say they have more money than they need, and the extra revenue could fund economic and social programmes to aid Germany's economic recovery.

Germany could raise 100bn euros (£91bn) if the richest people paid a 5% wealth tax for two years, they say.

Would you want to pay more that you need to contribute back to society?

[sp1814]

OEV

I would counter that those who are on PAYE pay more in tax because their tax rate is higher than those who are economically less advantaged (the higher tax rate for those who earn over a certain amount).

I would also argue against the statement "The group say they have more money than they need".

At every stage of my life, I've needed all the money I earn. When I was in my early 20s, I was in a flat with a cheap mortgage, and my salary covered that and other outgoings...but as one gets older, you need more money (to cover school bills, higher energy outgoings, bigger cars, higher mortgages etc).

So people generally need more money the older they get...

...apart from Simon Cowell, who could spare a few bob.

[Ankou]

i'm not sure it'd work. those that have the money (can you define 'rich'?) will take all their money out of our economy and place it ina country with a lower tax burden.

[VHG]

Why do we always think paying more tax is the answer to our problems.

I read the other day that Housing Benefit in this country pays out 15 BILLION a year to people to help them pay their rent.

There is HUGE fraud in housing benefit (people claiming their house is rented when they own it, or two people who own a house living in each others houses and claiming the housing benefit - a well know scam amongst some immigrants here in Birmingham).

Lets tighten up on benefit fraud before getting people to pay even more tax.

[VHG]

In fact go into Google, search on "Housing Benefit Fraud" then choose the "News" tab at the top.

The list of people done for housing benefit fraud goes on for page after page.

The amount of housing benefit fraud is frightening.

[R1Geezer]

I might if I had any confidence that the money would be used wisely. In reality we already pay far to much tax an most of it get's pi55ed away on red tape and workshy layabouts. The public sector should be as small as possible. The public sector is full of people who wouldn't last 5 minutes in a proper job, people who think the job exists just to be a job, It's function is secondary. I reckon ours could be trimmed by 80%. Anyway rich people already pay more, a percentage of a lot is more than a percentage of a little.

[ParulA]

Paying taxes is important as it helps in further development of a country. Be it infrastructure or education. Came across an interesting initiative by an agency which explains the benefits of paying tax. Have a look - http://www.dignitasdigital.com/about-us/tax-as-thanks-initiative/ #TaxAsThanks