...only the rich can afford the best accountants/lawyers for this purpose...
I disagree. I know many working class people who are self-employed and pay for an accountant to do their books for an annual fee, which is often a lot less than you might think. They see it as an investment in itself (and deductible as well!). Many investment plans come with legal services included (paid for via 'adminstration fees') so many people are eligible for access to lawyers in the same way. Rich or otherwise.
Look at Sir Phillip Green - he 'paid' his wife £1bn in 'dividends' a few years back but as she is domiciled in Monaco she paid NOTHING in tax...
Tax evasion is illegal - tax avoidance isn't. If you were in the same position would you not do the same? Do you have an ISA? Or a Children's Saving Bond? They're tax avoidance schemes. Can you declare with all honesty that you have declared every foreign purchase to Customs officers when returning to the UK, or - presuming you are/were serving - that you never "transferred" a warrant to Mrs. Clebbies on deployment, for a few extra quid in your pocket?
I don't buy this bullshit about companies being moralistic about paying their taxes. It's in the executive board's best interest to reduce their outgoings to appease the shareholders. If you want companies to pay taxes change the laws you stupid politicians. Simplify the tax system and make it more transparent. EVERYBODY pays a rate of tax according to their income/profits.
...and in doing that, you drive many companies who
are generating income in the UK overseas. The employees of these very same companies are paying income-based taxes, so by accusing companies of being immoral is disrespectful towards everybody who works for them. And to single out politicians for being responsible for changing the laws, well they are the ones we voted for. If your MP does not speak on your behalf, petition them to do so. The public gets the Government that the public deserves.
