UK taxation

The government today announced a cut in the standard rate of Value Added Tax, more commonly known as VAT, from 17.5% to 15%. VAT is a tax on most goods and services, although different types of goods attract a different VAT rate. The different VAT rates currently are: Standard Rated - 17.5% (15% from 1 Dec 08) Reduced Rated - 5% Zero Rated - 0% Exempt from VAT Outside the scope of VAT It is not possible to give a list of items that are standard rated as the list would be endless, instead it is better to assume that all goods and services are standard rated, unless there is a provision in law that entitles the good or ...  Read the complete review

Ok, taxation is probably the biggest issue for the different political parties, and from talking to people about this subject, you can usually tell which party they vote for. Personally, I am labour, and for the main reason of taxation. In my opinion, we need taxation, the services which the government pay for with taxes are essential to the country (NHS, police, national defence, etc.). To have good national services, taxes are needed to pay for them. With the theory that more money going into these services, the better that they will be (although you need to spend it correctly - which is another matter). The debate therefore is how to tax. With ...  Read the complete review

I honestly believe that this government cannot see past the end of its nose. The powers that be have decided to tax the most gas guzzling cars off the road.ie:4x4's, and put a showroom tax on new cars, plus increasing the road tax for almost everyone else.Great for the environment which is a real concern to us and our children.BUT, and its a big but, the consequence of that is that people stop buying the big cars, putting thousands of people out of work, from the car salesmen to the people making the chassis.In the long term more will be paid out than they will get coming in, because although money will go into the coffers from these new taxes, a huge number of ...  Read the complete review

I'd like to know a lot more than I do on this subject. When people complain about having to pay tax I always argue with them. Every one of us benefits from the tax system. But while I can clearly see the NEED for a tax system - for schools, free health care etc, I would like to know more about where the rest goes. It seems almost an instinct in some brits to complain about the tax system. Ranting that students don't pay tax and the likes. There is quite a bit of ignorance on the subject. My sociology teacher once complained about having to pay tax, he went very quiet when i asked who would pay his wages if there was no tax. I admit i was ...  Read the complete review

Yes we are living in rip off britain and things can and will only get worse over time. The british public are taxed on everything, starting with the wages we earn, the petrol we use to get to work, the food we eat,the water we drink, the clothes we wear...everything in life is taxed. The vast amount that we pay in tax is beginning to cripple the less well off individuals in Britain. Petrol is taxed so high that over 75% goes straight to the government, then alcohol is another high tax for the public to pay. Their is also Cigerettes and tobacco, for example, golden Virginia tobacco is made in Bristol and then exported, but it is cheaper to ...  Read the complete review