LondonMix Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > It isn't equivalent because using offshore > structures isn't illegal unlike what the plumber > is doing. In fact, the only reason it works is > because this country (as is the case with most > countries) have specific tax treaties with certain > offshore jurisdictions that make the entire > structure work. > > It is more equivalent to the self employed person > taking dividends-- and every self employed person > I know does that. No one pays more tax than they > are legally obliged to. > > The only solution if you don't like the status quo > is to end all of the treaties but that would need > to be done by not just the UK but every country > globally to have the desired effect. > > Jeremy Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > IMO it's ethically equivalent to the plumber > who > > asks to be paid cash, or the IT contractor who > > avoids tax by paying himself dividends. Almost > > everyone who can, does - so to blame the > > individuals seems rather pointless. Like BB > says.. > > you need to close down the loopholes... I agree that the loop holes need to be closed. It is not true however that everyone who can avoid tax does. Many people take a principled position on it.