The burden to pay taxes that generate the funds for a country to supply the services we would like always falls on Mr & Mrs average.
I dont think that this is correct. The top 1% or earners pay 27% of income tax, and the bottom 50% get more benefits than they pay in taxes.
It's a typical "me first" mentality of the wealthy, who still expect the NHS to deliver when the chips are down, and still expect the forces to deliver when necessary.
Do they? I'm not wealthy but if I were, then the last place I would go for medical treatment is the NHS. Just like I wouldnt use state schools or claim social security.
I'll ignore the reference to the forces because I cant imagine them ever "delivering when necessary".
But as for "tax avoidance = tax doidging" then we all do it. Hands up the forum member whose pension is not in a tax free fund - after all we could save for our retirement without using tax free pension funds. Hands up the member who doesnt have an ISA - certainly you can save in a taxed savings account. Hands up the member who doesnt claim his personal tax allowance.
All these are tax avoidance measures but our attitude to them is different. Bit like our attitudes to theft - we condemn someone who steels from the surpermarket but dont think twice about bringing home a pen from work or using works time for private calls etc. All of which are theft.
At the root of this debate ( based on stolen documents by the way) is a feeling of unfairness. Few would defend the actions of the likes of Google or Amazon. But Hamilton and other celebs? Well maybe, maybe not. He would probably not see shelling out tens of millions in income tax as fair
