UK tax collection agency wants all paychecks to go them first

[Geee]

Washington Examiner:

UK tax collection agency wants all paychecks to go them first
By: MARK HEMINGWAY
Commentary Staff Writer
09/20/10 5:10 PM EDT

Well, this sounds utterly terrifying:

The UK’s tax collection agency is putting forth a proposal that all employers send employee paychecks to the government, after which the government would deduct what it deems as the appropriate tax and pay the employees by bank transfer.

The proposal by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) stresses the need for employers to provide real-time information to the government so that it can monitor all payments and make a better assessment of whether the correct tax is being paid.

Currently employers withhold tax and pay the government, providing information at the end of the year, a system know as Pay as You Earn (PAYE). There is no option for those employees to refuse withholding and individually file a tax return at the end of the year.

Who even thinks this kind of idea is acceptable? The idea that the government has first crack at everything you earn is not just Orwellian, but it would massively increase the non-taxable, underground economy.

[AceRimmer]

In a US job, the payroll taxes are deducted before you get your paycheck. Has the UK failed to do this for nearly a millenium? This is the sort of moronic idea that leads to Tea Party movements.

 

The thing that scares me is Geithner and Obambi might get wind of this and be inspired to follow another European example of stupidity.

[clearvision]

I'm sure the IRS is paying close attention.

[Stella]

I never thought something like this could happen in the US until Obama was inaugurated. He has shown he will do whatever he wants to do. One more appointment to SCOTUS and this could become reality here. Obama doesn't believe in the Constitution or even going through Congress if he doesn't feel like it.

[Guest AnneV]

Funny/sad thing is..I've been saying for the last 20 months (since Obozzo entered the White House,) that it is only a matter of time before he, or TurboTax Tim, orders the IRS to take everyone's paycheck...take out the taxes, fees and other charges and leave us with however much "pocket money" they think we should have!!!

 

A note about the Inland Revenue in Britain...for years, they have been a joke!

We sold our last property in England about four years ago. In the previous 11 years we only had to pay minimal, 'owner' insurance. One year we forgot to send the check, and received a very nice letter asking us, if we "wouldn't mind" sending our check at our earliest convenience!!!!

Maybe the IR in England will become more like the IRS here...no more nice letters, asking for payment, but of of a size 16s in the front door, demanding payment!!!!