Tax evasion

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Lanolin

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
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Just wondering what everyone thinks of this

Is it right to evade taxes or hide money so as not to pay taxes? Apparently lots of business do this as they think it's normal.

Different countries have different tax brackets and ways of calculating tax. What do you think is fair?

Do you agree with what your country spends it on?

Would you rather live somewhere where you pay little or no tax, no matter what your income is?

Do you donate to charities and claim tax rebates as a result? As its gift and not a source of income for charity...but some charities rely on donations or regular contributions for cash-flow or income. What do you think of this?
 
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Lanolin said:
Just wondering what everyone thinks of this

Is it right to evade taxes or hide money so as not to pay taxes? Apparently lots of business do this as they think it's normal.

Different countries have different tax brackets and ways of calculating tax. What do you think is fair?

Do you agree with what your country spends it on?

Would you rather live somewhere where you pay little or no tax, no matter what your income is?

Do you donate to charities and claim tax rebates as a result? As its gift and not a source of income for charity...but some charities rely on donations or regular contributions for cash-flow or income. What do you think of this?
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Tax evasion is sin. Lord Jesus told us to "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar." However, legal tax minimisation is fine.

A fair tax? I do not believe there is such a thing. The world system runs on money and governments are of the world. Some are worse than others.

I don't agree with everything the government here finances. I don't get a say, so the point is moot.

I live where I believe the Lord Jesus wants me to live.

I donate to charities. The government permits tax deduction for most, so I declare that on my income tax return.

The government benefits from charities. Charities in Australia are "not for profit" so make no income. The government does not have to fund what the charities take care of. I understand that church donations are tax deductible in America. Not so here.
 
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There is a difference between "tax avoidance" and "tax evasion".

Tax avoidance is when an individual (or a business) does legal things to reduce tax liability. Claiming dependents, deductions and credits are a few examples of this.

Tax evasion is not paying taxes you legally owe. Which is a type of tax fraud and a crime.
 
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NotmebutHim said:
There is a difference between "tax avoidance" and "tax evasion".

Tax avoidance is when an individual (or a business) does legal things to reduce tax liability. Claiming dependents, deductions and credits are a few examples of this.

Tax evasion is not paying taxes you legally owe. Which is a type of tax fraud and a crime.
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What about having secret bank accounts? eg Cayman Islands or Switzerland. Is that avoidance or evasion?

Or buying huge amounts of gold. IDK
 
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Lanolin said:
Just wondering what everyone thinks of this

Is it right to evade taxes or hide money so as not to pay taxes? Apparently lots of business do this as they think it's normal.

Different countries have different tax brackets and ways of calculating tax. What do you think is fair?

Do you agree with what your country spends it on?

Would you rather live somewhere where you pay little or no tax, no matter what your income is?

Do you donate to charities and claim tax rebates as a result? As its gift and not a source of income for charity...but some charities rely on donations or regular contributions for cash-flow or income. What do you think of this?
Click to expand...
Romans 13:1-7

You tell me how you read that.
 
Not filing your return is tax evasion I suppose

What about not charging GST. I personally think some things should not have GST on them, live basic necessities, food, water etc.

I heard in Australia, they don't charge GST on unprocessed food. Like fresh fruit and veges, so that people can afford to feed themselves.
 
Roman's 13:1-7

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

NIV.
 
hmm in KJV it's tribute, in NIV it's tax.
KJV it's custom, in NIV it's revenue

Revenue is the same as tax, because we call the tax department the IRD (Inland revenue department)

Local government also has rates, which is the same as tax, but its rates are depending on where you live, not your income. The government also values your house, and the land it sits on.

So what happens when businesses flout the law? I guess they get liquidated.
 
What about the mega churches that don't pay tax.

Churches in NZ don't need to pay property tax. But I wonder about the income some pastors receive. Is that taxed? IDK
Some churches rent out their property. Should that be taxed?

What about businesses that employ sweatshop workers overseas? They don't need to pay tax or PAYE for their workers.
 
Lanolin said:
Just wondering what everyone thinks of this

Is it right to evade taxes or hide money so as not to pay taxes? Apparently lots of business do this as they think it's normal.

Different countries have different tax brackets and ways of calculating tax. What do you think is fair?

Do you agree with what your country spends it on?

Would you rather live somewhere where you pay little or no tax, no matter what your income is?

Do you donate to charities and claim tax rebates as a result? As its gift and not a source of income for charity...but some charities rely on donations or regular contributions for cash-flow or income. What do you think of this?
Click to expand...
In America Income Tax is actually Indentured Servitude. As are property taxes.

However, the beast system here persists.

I'm all for anyone who keeps their money to themselves.
 
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Bible_Locket said:
In America Income Tax is actually Indentured Servitude. As are property taxes.

However, the beast system here persists.

I'm all for anyone who keeps their money to themselves.
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oh ok
I don't think it's the same way in New Zealand. People just resent what the tax money is spent on. If it's wasted on things they don't want or need. Depending on who is in power at the time and controls the purse strings and budget.

I think the things that need the most are public hospitals and schools, as everyone needs free healthcare and education. And things like police, public transport, to name a few. But the money needs to be spent wisely.

I'm all for money spent for the benefit of the least who need it the most (children, elderly, disabled) and caring for the environment.
I'm not a fan of selfishness. But I think it's a good thing to earn money with an honest job.

Otherwise we would ALL be working under the table.
 
Lanolin said:
oh ok
I don't think it's the same way in New Zealand. People just resent what the tax money is spent on. If it's wasted on things they don't want or need. Depending on who is in power at the time and controls the purse strings and budget.

I think the things that need the most are public hospitals and schools, as everyone needs free healthcare and education. And things like police, public transport, to name a few. But the money needs to be spent wisely.

I'm all for money spent for the benefit of the least who need it the most (children, elderly, disabled) and caring for the environment.
I'm not a fan of selfishness. But I think it's a good thing to earn money with an honest job.

Otherwise we would ALL be working under the table.
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This is the second key argument against income tax - the government (or anyone, actually) will always spend money more carelessly than those who actually have to work for it.

The first is the point raised above - that income tax effectively reduces those subject to income tax as slaves, which is inconsistent with any government purporting to be a democracy or representing a free people. If the Western countries admitted they were really tyrannies, and income tax required as tribute owed by their subjects/slaves - it would be morally repugnant, but legally justified.
 
True
they should try other ways of tax revenue
GST is one... tolls another
or taxing profits of businesses, not the income of the workers. If they give their proceeds/profits to charity, they should be able to get a rebate

Here landlords are very against Capital Gains Tax, especially the flippers, speculators and absentee ones.
 
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Lanolin said:
True
they should try other ways of tax revenue
GST is one
or taxing profits of businesses, not the income of the workers. If they give their proceeds to charity, they should be able to get a rebate

Here landlords are very against Capital Gains Tax, especially the flippers, speculators and absentee ones.
Click to expand...
They don't need income tax. They just print money when they want it (inflation is a tax on everyone using cash). Income tax is to keep workers poor, while inflation is to keep everyone poor.
 
Print money? Isn't all money electronic/digital now?

Besides our coins and some notes still have the Queens head on it. I don't know how much longer those will be legal tender.
 
When all money is digital you can't play 'heads or tails' anymore
And I don't know how anyone will play cricket
I guess they will just need to play paper, scissors, rock instead of flipping a coin...
 
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