Jimmy Carr - I do not pay a penny more tax than I have to.

[Uncle Spielberg]

My point is not whether that is a decent view to take, more that you're aiming your anger at the wrong people. It is a poor state of affairs that they can get away with it, but that's down to the Government who, probably because a lot of their mates benefit, permit it to happen and refuse to legislate against it.

Are you seriously telling me that if you were advised tomorrow that you could pay £200 a month less tax, entirely within the bounds of the law, you'd refuse?

I probably would but that is slightly different to paying 1% tax instead of 40% tax don't you think ?

 

[n1 gull]

My point is not whether that is a decent view to take, more that you're aiming your anger at the wrong people. It is a poor state of affairs that they can get away with it, but that's down to the Government who, probably because a lot of their mates benefit, permit it to happen and refuse to legislate against it.

Are you seriously telling me that if you were advised tomorrow that you could pay £200 a month less tax, entirely within the bounds of the law, you'd refuse?

but that is missing the point. Saving £200 if you are struggling is very different to hoarding cash off shore, whilst judging and criticising the Government for making cuts to nurses, police etc - that is hypocritical behaviour of the highest order

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

But if you earned millions and could save hundreds of thousands in tax, would you do it?

I don't know, maybe I wouldn't.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Seems a bit like all the BBC staff and Civil Servants getting paid direct in to Ltd Companies for tax avoidance.

An unbelievable disgrace. How was that ever thought appropriate ?

 

[Ernest]

I wonder how many MP's, political types and Cameron cronies are going to be outed shortly as tax evaders ? Could be another expenses expose coming up

 

[Lady Whistledown]

but that is missing the point. Saving £200 if you are struggling is very different to hoarding cash off shore, whilst judging and criticising the Government for making cuts to nurses, police etc - that is hypocritical behaviour of the highest order

I completely accept that he's crossing a line if he's commenting in satirical terms about other people doing the same as he is, by the way. I haven't heard what he's supposed to have said, but that's a fair point.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

I wonder how many MP's, political types and Cameron cronies are going to be outed shortly as tax evaders ? Could be another expenses expose coming up

It's not tax evasion though, that's a criminal offence. It's tax avoidance, which is what all these people do, because the Government allow them to do it.

Most Premier League footballers set themselves up as private companies and squirrel their money overseas. You don't think Wayne Rooney or John Terry pay 40% tax, do you? It's always been the way. The richer you are, the less tax you pay.

 

[n1 gull]

I wonder how many MP's, political types and Cameron cronies are going to be outed shortly as tax evaders ? Could be another expenses expose coming up

I think you're right, bring it on! Everyone I know is pissed off with all the politicians on all sides, lets see what they are up to. Can you find out through the freedom of information act? - if so I'm sure there are people on the case

 

[Aadam]

Can't help feeling there's a few high horses being ridden here.

If you could- entirely legally- pay less tax than you currently do, wouldn't you take that opportunity? Sorry, but I'm pretty sure I would. If someone said to me tomorrow that they could save me a couple of hundred quid a month simply by taking advantage of the tax laws, then of course I'm going to do it. I'm not stupid. If, further down the line, the loopholes allowing such activity were closed and I had to start paying the normal amount, I'd just have to shrug and get on with it.

Sorry, but nobody looks at their bank statement and wishes they could pay more tax for the good of the nation. That's crap. Might be morally unpalatable, but it's the truth, and the "outrage" at Jimmy Carr should really be directed at the policy-makers who allow such off-shoring to happen.

I bet plenty of the top footballers are up to exactly the same, not to mention the bankers, actors, mates-of-Cameron, and CEOs raking it in. Blame the Government (past and present) for making it possible, not those who are merely taking advantage of it.

I agree with this. It's the law that's wrong in the most part. What he is doing is not illegal and what is morally right is subjective. Sure the taxes could be put to better use like nurses and police, but just how much of our f***ing taxes are wasted on shite government projects and lazy asses that choose benefits as a way of life?

To be honest, if someone said to me that they could reduce my tax burden, I would do it, if it was legal, and I'm pretty sure most others would too.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

I think you're right, bring it on! Everyone I know is pissed off with all the politicians on all sides, lets see what they are up to. Can you find out through the freedom of information act? - if so I'm sure there are people on the case

These are the circumstances where we need a free and rigorous press.

 

[Aadam]

It's always been the way. The richer you are, the less tax you pay.

I wouldn't agree with this. Sure the tax goes up, they just don't pay as much as a PAYE employee would.

 

[Ernest]

These are the circumstances where we need a free and rigorous press.

Lucky we have the internet until that gets censored too

 

[piersa]

but that is missing the point. Saving £200 if you are struggling is very different to hoarding cash off shore, whilst judging and criticising the Government for making cuts to nurses, police etc - that is hypocritical behaviour of the highest order

You know what, I was on Jimmy's side until that very well made point. I was seeing it from the average man in the streets perspective. If I can save £200 I have had a right touch and it means a fair bit to me. If I had no mortgage and cash in the bank, paying tax would have no real impact on my life and I would like to think i would pay it. However, money breeds greed and corruption and I am not sure I would in reality.

 

[ofco8]

I completely accept that he's crossing a line if he's commenting in satirical terms about other people doing the same as he is, by the way. I haven't heard what he's supposed to have said, but that's a fair point.

I believe in his stand ups he has been criticising Barclays for trying to avoid paying tax. Hypocrite or what!!!

 

[Lady Whistledown]

I believe in his stand ups he has been criticising Barclays for trying to avoid paying tax. Hypocrite or what!!!

In which case I completely accept that he's made himself look stupid.

Sadly, the banks' activities on that front are well documented, but also entirely legal in the main. Until those in power do something about it, these companies and individuals will always do what they are permitted to do.

 

[Common as Mook]

Jimmy Carr showing the showbiz lefties up for what they really are. Stinking hypocrites.

 

[Beach Hut]

Carr has amazing double standards on this however I suspect when you get into the elite earning bracket a lot of companies will probably contact you telling you how you can avoid tax as they make money.

Don't just shoot Carr on this as VodaFone and others large corporations appear to pay very little tax these days however I suspect if these companies guarantee to employ people that do pay tax then that is the trade off.

 

[clapham_gull]

Jimmy Carr showing the showbiz lefties up for what they really are. Stinking hypocrites.

Leftie ? Have you seen his act ?

He is an ex-Shell executive, who decided to make a living out of stand up instead.

HE PRESENTED AT THE JUBILEE CONCERT !

 

[Simster]

Jimmy Carr showing the showbiz lefties up for what they really are. Stinking hypocrites.

You're so predictable. Clearly frothing at the mouth as half of NSC point out the hypocrisy of Cameron moaning at Carr's immoral behaviour while so many of his own mates are doing the same.

So you've got a little dig in at lefties, only it's complete bollocks. You'd love it to be true, but sadly it isn't - as now it turns out Carr is one of these poor little rich kids you had your soppy hissy little fit about because less well off people criticise them. He's not a showbiz lefty at all, he's the son of a millionaire, born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

 

[xenophon]

See. I don't have a problem with people using legal means to avoid tax. The rich and would be rich (the rest of us) would probably seek a way to tweek a bit off the taxman if we could. It's a question of hypocrisy. It's shitbirds like Carr who have lampooned the greedy bankers and taken ostensibly a moral high ground position over the financial crisis (and everything else), while playing the same game as the bankers, that's what f***ing grates. And 'right on' Carr is one of the most prominent PC 'comedians' out there (possibly why he's also about as funny as a motorway smash up), just another hypocritical little shit among a multitude in our celeb/kleptocracy.

Off with his f***ing head