Soldiers in war zones to be exempt from paying income tax

[Always_a_Civvy]

Armed forces pay - soldiers in war zones to be exempted from income tax. This will of course mean that the anomolous situation will arise whereby the junior ranks pay 11% National Insurance whilst those in the higher tax band pay 1% NI! A case of discriminating against the lowest paid ranks still! An improvement nevertheless.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,171-2385487,00.html

 

[hobbit]

Re: Soldiers in war zones to be exempt from paying income ta

What a great idea although I prefer the flat tax ie 5% for all essential services including police. In the case of the UK army the 5% tax to cover the NI. These people deserve consideration and this would improve moral and make service life more attractive maybe,
8)

 

[Clouseau]

Re: Soldiers in war zones to be exempt from paying income ta

Armed forces pay - soldiers in war zones to be exempted from income tax. This will of course mean that the anomolous situation will arise whereby the junior ranks pay 11% National Insurance whilst those in the higher tax band pay 1% NI! A case of discriminating against the lowest paid ranks still! An improvement nevertheless.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,171-2385487,00.html

There is another option being considered - A pay rise for the lower ranks. Could even being a combination of of both. Tax relief and operational bonus.

 

[SILVER_FOX]

Re: Soldiers in war zones to be exempt from paying income ta

Now that is interesting. It's always been talked about on the fringes on the basis of "why don't we get tax relief" but to have the two main political parties talking about it at the same time would suggest that something might actually come of it in say, a hundred years of so. Nice one.

SF

 

[janner]

Re: Soldiers in war zones to be exempt from paying income ta

Read the article carefully, its being looked at, nothing has been decided, yet more spin by the Murdoch press on behalf of New Labour

 

[Always_a_Civvy]

Re: Soldiers in war zones to be exempt from paying income ta

Read the article carefully, its being looked at, nothing has been decided, yet more spin by the Murdoch press on behalf of New Labour

Oh don't spoil the fun Janner! You're right though - well spotted - it will probably be ruled out as other low paid public sector workers would, quite understandably, want it. It was also be difficult to politically justify giving more highly paid officers the concession - yet not to do so could lead to some morale damaging anomalies in remuneration.

 

[SILVER_FOX]

Re: Soldiers in war zones to be exempt from paying income ta

It is the X Factor mate. The non contributory pension scheme which we know and love so well and has just been replaced by the all new improved?scheme.

Don't think it's 13% anymore either and pretty certain that there were a couple of phased reductions in this amount a few years ago - applicable to new bods, not those in service.

Also not sure what the future is wrt it is. Perhaps someone could clarify on this - scribes?

SF

 

[asst_dep_to_dep_asst]

Re: Soldiers in war zones to be exempt from paying income ta

The AFPRB certainly think that the X factor has had its day, but then they also think that remuneration for Service people is good in comparison to civvy street. They quote positive responses to questionnaires that ask things like: Do you think that 13% of the military salary is sufficient as the X factor? It's only sufficient if the salary is enough in the first place and, why should we compare remuneration for Servicemen and women with anybody in the first place?

How many of those in the comparison groups sign up to be put in the proverbial "harm's way", or even to replace firemen when they go on strike? Joe Public is encouraged to believe that Service Personnel get a good deal, so questions are never asked.

A private soldier or scabby AB is worth at least as much as an MP, so UK plc has its priorities all wrong!

 

[Lingyai]

Re: Soldiers in war zones to be exempt from paying income ta

Even the most low paid civvy seafarers can get their tax back after 183 days out of the country, why should Jack be any different?
13% of shit is shit!

 

[Always_a_Civvy]

Re: Soldiers in war zones to be exempt from paying income ta

A private soldier or scabby AB is worth at least as much as an MP, so UK plc has its priorities all wrong!

Do you know what an MP earns? Compare it to the private sector.

MP's Remuneration as of April 2005

Members' Parliamentary Salary £59,095
Staffing Allowance £84,081 (maximum)
Incidental Expenses Provision (IEP) £20,000
IT equipment (centrally provided) [worth circa £3,000]
Pension provision for Members' staff Group Stakeholder Arrangement
London Supplement £2,613
Additional Costs Allowance £21,634*
Winding up Allowance £34,694 (maximum - one third of staffing provision plus IEP)
Car Mileage First 10,000 miles 40p per mile
In excess of 10,000 miles 25p per mile
Motorcycle allowance 24p per mile
Bicycle allowance 20p per mile

*The Additional Costs Allowance reimburses Members with constituencies outside inner London for expenses incurred in staying overnight away from home whilst performing parliamentary duties.

source: House of Commons Library Research Paper 05/42

For more on Pension provision, etc see The Green Book.

 

[geoffrey]

Re: Soldiers in war zones to be exempt from paying income ta

Armed forces pay - soldiers in war zones to be exempted from income tax. This will of course mean that the anomolous situation will arise whereby the junior ranks pay 11% National Insurance whilst those in the higher tax band pay 1% NI! A case of discriminating against the lowest paid ranks still! An improvement nevertheless.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,171-2385487,00.html

Erm - AFAIK higher rate taxpayers still pay 11% NI up to the Upper Earnings Limit (about the same as the higher rate band) and then pay 1% above that - an innovation of that Tartan Thief at No 11 that further erodes the difference between NI and Income Tax.

So everyone who earns more than another, pays more NI than that person. So, Steve, I think you're being a tad disingenuous on that one....

 

[SILVER_FOX]

Re: Soldiers in war zones to be exempt from paying income ta

He's called you a big word. Are you going to let him away with that? 8O

SF