Bono/U2 tax avoidance schemes
Posted by: Simon Perry on 11 August 2006
What do people think about this then?
Posted on: 11 August 2006 by Rasher
I suppose it makes good business sense and they shouldn't be critisised for it. If our government were making a significant contribution to ending world poverty, then I agree that they would be hypocritical, but that isn't the case, is it.
However, I still think Bono is a numpty.
However, I still think Bono is a numpty.
Posted on: 11 August 2006 by Mick P
Chaps
Seeing as we taxpayers are propping up every useless chav going, I cannot blame anyone for tying to evade it.
Regards
Mick
Seeing as we taxpayers are propping up every useless chav going, I cannot blame anyone for tying to evade it.
Regards
Mick
Posted on: 11 August 2006 by arf005
Agreed.
Posted on: 11 August 2006 by erik scothron
There is tax avoidence and tax evasion. One is legal and the other is not. If the numpty is not doing anything illegal then good luck to him says I.
Posted on: 11 August 2006 by Martin D
But...........
Dont you think its a bit crass when say, you've 20 mill in the bank to be worried weather you would pay 24% or 40% tax if i did i wouldnt give a shit frankly even 10 mill in the bank at 4.75% is 40k a month. I read an article about phil collins sending bunches of lawyers to moroccon markets to stop cassette sales - FOR F$%^K SAKE. of course he didnt marry that young bird for the swiss passport though. Now divorced I see.
PS Boneo had a hat sent first class by air as he left it behind - kinda somes the wanker up really
Martin
Dont you think its a bit crass when say, you've 20 mill in the bank to be worried weather you would pay 24% or 40% tax if i did i wouldnt give a shit frankly even 10 mill in the bank at 4.75% is 40k a month. I read an article about phil collins sending bunches of lawyers to moroccon markets to stop cassette sales - FOR F$%^K SAKE. of course he didnt marry that young bird for the swiss passport though. Now divorced I see.
PS Boneo had a hat sent first class by air as he left it behind - kinda somes the wanker up really
Martin
Posted on: 11 August 2006 by erik scothron
I dont begrudge anybody the money they make as long as they do so legitimately and as long as they remain within in the law etc. However, if I had such sums in the bank I would be concerned about paying 40% if I could pay only 24% because that would give me more money to give to those who need it more than I do.
On the whole I think it is best to rejoice in the good fortune of others rather than the reverse but I do think it is a shame that someone who can bang on about cancelling third world debt would be so crass as to fly a hat first class which is perverse IMO.
I saw Bono regularly when I lived in Dublin as he drank in my local - everytime he walked in he was mobbed like the second coming and seemed to enjoy it. I wonder why? He is just a singer in a band isnt he? I mean, its not as if he has discovered a cure for cancer, HIV or Alzeimer's or brought about world peace. People have weird priorities IMO.
On the whole I think it is best to rejoice in the good fortune of others rather than the reverse but I do think it is a shame that someone who can bang on about cancelling third world debt would be so crass as to fly a hat first class which is perverse IMO.
I saw Bono regularly when I lived in Dublin as he drank in my local - everytime he walked in he was mobbed like the second coming and seemed to enjoy it. I wonder why? He is just a singer in a band isnt he? I mean, its not as if he has discovered a cure for cancer, HIV or Alzeimer's or brought about world peace. People have weird priorities IMO.
Posted on: 11 August 2006 by Steve S1
quote:kinda somes the wanker up really
Yep. He's right up himself. Shame, given that his band are excellent.
Take the point about "good luck to anyone avoiding tax" - but isn't it a bit of a slap for fellow tax-payers? Those who pay by PAYE and can't afford a bunch of tax lawyers?
If you earn it, pay it.
Many of us pay through the nose and enjoy it no more than Bono, but we accept it as the price of being fortunate enough to be well paid.
Steve
Posted on: 11 August 2006 by u5227470736789439
Or even just paid!
I believe there is a strong case for one tax rate (slightly higher than the current standard rate), and somewhat more generous personal allowances. This would simplify tax collection and the army of tax collectors could then devote almost all their efforts to the nailing of the tax evaders!
I never think tax avoidance is particualarly admirable, given that tax is what funds so many essentials like the Fire Bragade for example, which would never be filled in by Capitalist means. Can you imagine checking the account details of the person before despatching the latest and most fantastic engine to make sure the person could afford the bill after their burning house was saved - or not, assuming there was no money or insurance!
It seems crazy that those at or below the poverty line should find themselves paying tax, and then expected to apply for tax credits - a course of action I am congenitally incapable of!
Fredrik
I believe there is a strong case for one tax rate (slightly higher than the current standard rate), and somewhat more generous personal allowances. This would simplify tax collection and the army of tax collectors could then devote almost all their efforts to the nailing of the tax evaders!
I never think tax avoidance is particualarly admirable, given that tax is what funds so many essentials like the Fire Bragade for example, which would never be filled in by Capitalist means. Can you imagine checking the account details of the person before despatching the latest and most fantastic engine to make sure the person could afford the bill after their burning house was saved - or not, assuming there was no money or insurance!
It seems crazy that those at or below the poverty line should find themselves paying tax, and then expected to apply for tax credits - a course of action I am congenitally incapable of!
Fredrik
Posted on: 12 August 2006 by Big Brother
Ladies and gentelmen let me explain something, every time the rich get a tax break, you and I must fill the gap!!
Posted on: 12 August 2006 by u5227470736789439
Dear Big Brother, My second point exactly. Fredrik
Posted on: 15 August 2006 by Sloop John B
I look upon offshore tax evaders as akin to traitors.
We have quite a few in Ireland, Sir Tony, Smurfit, O'Brien and Magnier and they are feted by the press and politicians (for their wealth presumably)
The logic of it "I've got too much fcuking money to pay tax like the others"
When they are in their corporate box when the National anthem is played I wonder what's going through their minds?
SJB
We have quite a few in Ireland, Sir Tony, Smurfit, O'Brien and Magnier and they are feted by the press and politicians (for their wealth presumably)
The logic of it "I've got too much fcuking money to pay tax like the others"
When they are in their corporate box when the National anthem is played I wonder what's going through their minds?
SJB
Posted on: 15 August 2006 by erik scothron
Re. Irish tax
When I worked in Dublin I was allowed to bank offshore (AIB in the Isle of Man)and only due to pay tax on the money I remitted back into Ireland. The cash that remained in the Isle of man was subject to UK capital gains tax.
As I had never heard from the Irish tax office I contacted them by phone, fax, and e-mail to request forms so that I could pay my tax but in over one month of trying I never got a tax form and never paid a penny tax whilst I was still in the country.
I even wrote to them from the UK on several occasions and told them I wanted to pay my tax and enclosed my UK address and I never heard from them until a year after leaving Ireland. They estimated I owed them x which I duly paid but I could easily have ignored them and not paid them a penny. I find it amazing that some people are too incompetant even to take money when it is offered to them.
I can only assume they are as lazy and inefficient as their Garda (Police).
I doubt Bono's tax laywers have to work very hard in reducing his tax liability in Ireland.
When I worked in Dublin I was allowed to bank offshore (AIB in the Isle of Man)and only due to pay tax on the money I remitted back into Ireland. The cash that remained in the Isle of man was subject to UK capital gains tax.
As I had never heard from the Irish tax office I contacted them by phone, fax, and e-mail to request forms so that I could pay my tax but in over one month of trying I never got a tax form and never paid a penny tax whilst I was still in the country.
I even wrote to them from the UK on several occasions and told them I wanted to pay my tax and enclosed my UK address and I never heard from them until a year after leaving Ireland. They estimated I owed them x which I duly paid but I could easily have ignored them and not paid them a penny. I find it amazing that some people are too incompetant even to take money when it is offered to them.
I can only assume they are as lazy and inefficient as their Garda (Police).
I doubt Bono's tax laywers have to work very hard in reducing his tax liability in Ireland.