Tax - on what?

[Daisy]

We all pay all sorts of taxes, but if you had your way what would you tax and why and what taxes would you change or abolish? You can be as imaginative (and silly) as you like.

[Plantaholic]

Mmmmm must think about that

[Mimi]

I would abolish tax on
1 Tampons and sanitary towels.
2 Disabled ads such as rail grips ,chair raisers etc
I would lower tax on basic food items such as milk, bread, fruit and veg

I would raise tax on
Luxury goods , high end of the market for TVs , mobile phones, computers. (I think if anyone is considering buying these that can't be short of a bob or two )
Confectionery, crisps and fizzy drinks

[Gemini]

Those are good ones Mimi. I will have a think for some more.

[Daisy]

Mimi - good suggestions. I think basic food for humans is zero-rated (which isn't the same as VAT-free, apparently!) but thinks like sweets, crisps, snacky treats etc are subject to VAT.

There are some really silly VAT decisions, like monkey nuts in their shells aare zero-rated, but salted peanuts have VAT charged. Books are zero-rated - except e-books!

I would raise the level at which people paid income tax. At the moment the 20% tax rate kicks in at £11,000 and I think it should be quite a lot higher, say £15,000. It might make it a bit easier for youngsters starting out in life.

I would definitely raise the tax on luxury goods, close the loopholes clever accountants seem able to find for their rich clients, and devise a way of second home owners helping first time buyers, perhaps through a one-off tax payment which would be ring-fenced for a help to buy-type scheme. I'd make sure large corporations didn't wriggle out of paying fair taxes on their profits, too.

[ZIZI]

I agree with sanitary products. I wrote to the prime I minister about that once and received a letter back saying that because it was a European directive there was nothing that could be done about it. I didn't think you paid VAT on disabled aids if you are registered disabled, I only say that because three years ago when husband had both his knees done at the same time I hired a wheelchair for him for Time to Shine and we only paid VAT because he was not registered disabled. I didn't think we paid tax on food items unles they are classed as a luxury like chocolate biscuits etc.

I too would raise tax on luxury items such as TVs but only the really big posh ones. Lots of people depend on their TV for company so wouldn't want to make thjngs more difficult for the less well off. Same as mobiles and computers, there should be a threshold where the tax goes up.

Personally I would put higher tax on things like Botox and unnecessary surgery - not surgery or treatment that is necessary such as corrective facial surgery or the like but vanity surgery if you know what I mean. Tax McDonald's because I am sick of the McDonalds packets being chucked out of car windows in my village, we have only had a McDonald's a mile away for 18 months but you can tell the difference. Tax ice cream more as I sometimes do a bit of a raid on my expensive ice cream and that might make me think twice! I love good vanilla ice cream with a good olive oil and sea salt. I know it sounds quite disgusting but it isn't.

[Plantaholic]

I would also cut it out on sanitary goods, the WI are fighting for that. Children's clothes should be zero rated

[ZIZI]

I thought children's clothes were already zero rated? Or are they less than the normal VAT?

[Plantaholic]

You are probably right Zizi,

Just looked it up Zizi you are quite right