flat tax system

[ratewhore]

Because I can't be bothered searching the interweb for the answer, I thought I'd put my question out here instead:

What is the governments argument against a flat tax system?

I'm sure somebody here will know. Failing that, I'm sure someone will act in the true interests of CUK and make something up...

[DimPrawn]

Because I can't be bothered searching the interweb for the answer, I thought I'd put my question out here instead:

What is the governments argument against a flat tax system?

I'm sure somebody here will know. Failing that, I'm sure someone will act in the true interests of CUK and make something up...

It's not "fair"

HTH

[basshead]

Its not complicated enough.

[shaunbhoy]

Because I can't be bothered searching the interweb for the answer, I thought I'd put my question out here instead:

What is the governments argument against a flat tax system?
I'm sure somebody here will know. Failing that, I'm sure someone will act in the true interests of CUK and make something up...

It would be far too easy to implement and manage, and would therefore result in massive job losses at HMRC. Non-starter I am afraid. The Unions would not stand for it.

[ASB]

Because I can't be bothered searching the interweb for the answer, I thought I'd put my question out here instead:

What is the governments argument against a flat tax system?

I'm sure somebody here will know. Failing that, I'm sure someone will act in the true interests of CUK and make something up...

No proof of effectiveness in a developed economy (but Hong Kong has a flat tax system)

One bizarre one (from the left) was that increasing the personal allowances would have the effect of taking a lot of poorer people out of the tax system and they would then be stigmatised as non contributing members of society.

[Spacecadet]

it would much minimise the possibility of tax errors so HMRC chasing people for 88p would be a thing of the past

[MrRobin]

It's too simple, and therefore doesn't need an army of public sector workers to administer it all which would raise unemployment.

New Labour = make things as complicated, lengthly and costly as possible to hide incompetence and fiddle figures.

[ratewhore]

No proof of effectiveness in a developed economy (but Hong Kong has a flat tax system)

One bizarre one (from the left) was that increasing the personal allowances would have the effect of taking a lot of poorer people out of the tax system and they would then be stigmatised as non contributing members of society.

Yes, that is bizzare. As I assume they currently receive more than they put in, I'm sure this would affect them greatly.

[shaunbhoy]

the effect of taking a lot of poorer people out of the tax system and they would then be stigmatised as non contributing members of society.

They already ARE in my book. Parasites!!! Grrrrrrrrrr

[ratewhore]

hmmm, I see a pattern forming. It confirms my suspicions...