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The is no such thing as _legalized_ tax evasion, nor fair share. There is compliance with tax laws or noncompliance.

by thrill 12y ago

DanBC 12y ago
There's the grey area where companies are exploiting tax schemes in unusual ways and the tax authorities have not yet declared whether those complex schemes are legal or not. Immensely wealthy multinational corporations have a lot of money to spend on lawyers and accountants, so while these companies are probably not evading tax the avoidance schemes they come up with are sometimes not legal requiring them to repay. Don't forget that tax is part of law and so there is what's written and how that's interpreted by the courts. Until you've had case law there are areas of uncertainty.
deleted 12y ago
[deleted]
Nursie 12y ago
Of course there's such a thing as a fair share - what society thinks you and others in y9ur situation should pay to take part. It's not a hard number but perceptions of fairness are certainly important in how democratic countries formulate tax law.
- DanBC 12y ago
  Certainly in the UK there's a big difference in public perception between different levels of tax avoidance. Someone who reduces their tax burden to about 30% - fair enough. The same person who reduces their tax burden to 1%? They're taking the piss. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taking_the_piss http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taking_the_piss (first sentence: unreasonable).
- vixin 12y ago
  There is no such thing as society. There are individuals who have views which may or may not be properly or partially informed. So whose view shall we take on fairness? Whatever let's stop talking about 'what society thinks'.
  - Nursie 12y ago
    OK, let's redefine 'society thinks' as - "The prevailing opinion of the voting public in a democratic nation, whom the nation is allegedly run by and for." Perhaps you'd prefer to use the term 'electorate'. Regardless, the meaning was clear and your objection rather ridiculous.

The is no such thing as _legalized_ tax evasion, nor fair share. There is compliance with tax laws or noncompliance.

by thrill 12y ago

The is no such thing as _legalized_ tax evasion, nor fair share. There is compliance with tax laws or noncompliance.

DanBC 12y ago

There's the grey area where companies are exploiting tax schemes in unusual ways and the tax authorities have not yet declared whether those complex schemes are legal or not. Immensely wealthy multinational corporations have a lot of money to spend on lawyers and accountants, so while these companies are probably not evading tax the avoidance schemes they come up with are sometimes not legal requiring them to repay. Don't forget that tax is part of law and so there is what's written and how that's interpreted by the courts. Until you've had case law there are areas of uncertainty.

deleted 12y ago

[deleted]

Nursie 12y ago

Of course there's such a thing as a fair share - what society thinks you and others in y9ur situation should pay to take part. It's not a hard number but perceptions of fairness are certainly important in how democratic countries formulate tax law.

DanBC 12y ago
Certainly in the UK there's a big difference in public perception between different levels of tax avoidance. Someone who reduces their tax burden to about 30% - fair enough. The same person who reduces their tax burden to 1%? They're taking the piss. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taking_the_piss http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taking_the_piss (first sentence: unreasonable).
vixin 12y ago
There is no such thing as society. There are individuals who have views which may or may not be properly or partially informed. So whose view shall we take on fairness? Whatever let's stop talking about 'what society thinks'.
- Nursie 12y ago
  OK, let's redefine 'society thinks' as - "The prevailing opinion of the voting public in a democratic nation, whom the nation is allegedly run by and for." Perhaps you'd prefer to use the term 'electorate'. Regardless, the meaning was clear and your objection rather ridiculous.