Tax dodging scum

[DimPrawn]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ge-50-tax.html

Many of the BBC's best-paid presenters are classing themselves as freelancers to avoid tens of thousands of pounds in tax.

Big-name stars such as Jeremy Paxman, Fiona Bruce and Emily Maitlis have set up companies to channel their earnings, which will save them from having to pay the new 50 per cent income tax rate on salaries over £150,000.

The BBC is accused of encouraging the arrangement, which saves it millions of pounds a year in employer's national insurance payments, levied at 12.8 per cent of any salary.

More than 20 BBC presenters who are classed as freelance have set up service companies for their earnings.

Service companies pay a corporation tax of as little as 21 per cent on their profits, which can then be paid to the presenter as a dividend - again taxed at a lower rate.

Presenters using a service company can also defer tax and make use of large expenses allowances.



Shame that HMR&C are too busy chasing IT contractors to take any notice of the above?

[original PM]

Of course

They are somebody

You are nobody

HTH

[AtW]

Service companies pay a corporation tax of as little as 21 per cent on their profits, which can then be paid to the presenter as a dividend - again taxed at a lower rate.

So, that's what most people do on here as well right? End tax take will be probably >30%, which beats 3.5% tax dodgy used by that offshore scheme.

Overall >30% vs 40% expected isn't so bad, it's the 3.5% guys HMRC are pissed off about.

[TheFaQQer]

This has been kicking around for ages, but surely a quick investigation would find that they are disguised employees and have to pay the tax?

[PAH]

it's the 3.5% guys HMRC are pissed off about.

Only because there were too many jumping on the bandwagon. Took them long enough to get pissed off didn't it.

This offshore tax haven stuff has been around for ages but until recently only the privileged were allowed or able to exploit it.

As soon as the masses found a way they decided to clamp down on it. Though they'll only be clamping down on the mechanisms open to the masses, not the privileged who are sat in a tax haven pissing themselves at a job well done.

But you continue to focus on the smaller picture if you like.

[Jeebo72]

This has been kicking around for ages, but surely a quick investigation would find that they are disguised employees and have to pay the tax?

It's ok QDOS checked their contract, all is well

[AtW]

Only because there were too many jumping on the bandwagon. Took them long enough to get pissed off didn't it.

Well it costs a lot of money to go to court and stuff, also they certainly hoped people will be sensible enough to stay away from it. As soon as it became clear that damage to taxpayer is high and further inaction will open the flood gates they did act. Is it too slow as some people allege?

Not sure, I'd say it makes sense to avoid giving straight answer every time it's asked - this way they'll spend all their time (and taxpayers money) helping people enrich themselves by robbing the taxpayers.

[DimPrawn]

It's ok QDOS checked their contract, all is well

"Here is the 10 o'clock news, with Fiona Bruce's substitute, Dave"

[Mich the Tester]

Well it costs a lot of money to go to court and stuff, also they certainly hoped people will be sensible enough to stay away from it. As soon as it became clear that damage to taxpayer is high and further inaction will open the flood gates they did act. Is it too slow as some people allege?

Not sure, I'd say it makes sense to avoid giving straight answer every time it's asked - this way they'll spend all their time (and taxpayers money) helping people enrich themselves by robbing the taxpayers.

If the government had spent the last 12 years spending the money they had received instead of spending the money they’d like to have received the UK wouldn’t be in such a bloody mess.

[Mich the Tester]

"Here is the 10 o'clock news, with Fiona Bruce's substitute, Dave"

Kate Silverton