Not like the rest of the world at all though; how many average working class people have a 'wealth creation' specialist come to them and say "how would you like to pay less tax? I have this scheme...?"

As with many things in this country, the system is geared up to make the very wealthy extremely wealthy, whilst the working classes shoulder the burden; the rich get richer, and the poor go to food banks. Yay the system.

Said it before me Bren,these outlets are created for the rich to steer round what normal hard working call paying their dues.It will never change as these people look after one another I'm afraid.Away from my little rant,I hope the Steve Presscot charity is well contributed by any fund raising past or present.

But that isn't Gary Barlow's fault.

Don't be ridiculous of course it's his fault he employed someone to try and break the law - he failed.

By what appears to be your logic if I break into your house and murder you it's your fault because you didn't fit good enough locks - think about it

Your right bren, he would have bought the horse anyway, he's just bought a bit of goodwill by calling it Steve Prescott.

but the winnings wouldn't have gone to the SP Foundation

It wasn't breaking the law (as I understand it) they have changed the law as this was a way around it.

Just the same as if you put "use of home as office" at 25% when you actually don't ever work in the house or when you or getting set the wrong PAYE code and not telling the tax office.......or at the other end of the scale (which will make me unpopular I'm sure) Starbucks.
If the rule is set and then someone follows the rule but makes it work for them, that isn't breaking the law. That is the government department not being good enough.

I'm all for highlighting it and even making them pay under the new rules but I think the gov are a bit tight effectively saying we weren't as good as your accountants and missed something but that's your fault for getting away with it.

To say that Barlow isn't as good as he makes out because even though he does tonnes more charity work than anyone else he dodged some tax is not right in my opinion.

I'm with PopTart on this one. What he did was not breaking the law.

Ask yourself this - if there was a LEGAL way for you to pay less tax would you take it? I certainly would.
Anyone who says no is quite frankly, in my opinion, a liar.

The government have now closed the loophole but to say he broke the law is in fact wrong.

I certainly would not, it's theft and it's theft from yourself and the vulnerable. To me it's one of the most disgusting act a person can carry out and I would personally Jail the scumbag Barlow.

Tax pays for everything, if you don't like how it's spent then that's fine vote in a party that will cut government expenditure. Some will cut to the point where children starve to death, the elderly get no care and rich folk drive past in their limos, if that's what you want.

By the way he broke the spirit of the law and you know it.

Please tell me why the scumbag Barlow needs that kind of money or in fact why anybody does - why did he feel the need to pay less than most ordinary people whilst having far far more, the man is an utter low life - unless your claiming he is so stupid he didn't know what he was doing.

Bit over dramatic I know but the point stands

Of course I know why we pay taxes, and as I'm all PAYE I have no way out, but pretty much everything else you say on that post I disagree with.

You can't judge someone differently because they have too much money. He earned it fair and square same as we did.
From that point on there are tax rules that apply in different ways.

If you have kids you are allowed to pay nursery fees without paying tax. Is that unfair compared to those without kids, or older kids who have to pay tax on thiose earnings?
Pension the same.
Higher rate of salary tax the same.

You are told the rules by HMCE and you should follow them. If you have an advantage over someone else you either do the something else yourself, live with it, or vote someone in to power who likes different rules.

Tax avoidance and tax management, one is legal one isnt and its a fine dividing line.
Most self employed people reduce their liabilities as best they can either themselves or through professional assistance.
As with everything else in life there is a shiz load of grey in between the black and white.
Either put everyone on PAYE and increase income tax etc or take everyone off and put cigs, beer, fuel etc up 20%.

I agree with this, dont blame the player blame the game etc.

There is a lot of wealth envy in this country which clouds peoples judgement on these issues. You should only pay as much tax as you are legally required to do. The legal bit needs sorting out and the government should create a simpler system eg a flat rate tax on everything but they wont because the rule setters are part of the people who benefit from a complicated system which can be worked around if you have the money/knowledge ie not the masses.

For proof check Vodafone and Starbucks out. Vodafone have cosy dinners with HMRC top boss to come up with a solution that fits and Starbucks picked a number out of the air and volunteered to pay that as tax instead of the previous big fat 0 they were paying both of which the government accept because it is legal.

My advice is we should learn to play the game as the rules are not changing.