tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17934023.post585727616205575783..comments2024-03-20T12:28:00.031+00:00Comments on Liberal Bureaucracy: Michael Ashcroft and a few errors of judgementMark Valladareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15773193846795037711noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17934023.post-32323736050621140432010-03-03T14:03:34.831+00:002010-03-03T14:03:34.831+00:00Gentlemen,
I'll take those points in order.
...Gentlemen,<br /><br />I'll take those points in order.<br /><br />Anonymous, Lord Ashcroft does have dual nationality (British/Belizean) and is entirely entitled to that status. However, his claims to expenses are irrelevant if, as I believe, he should not be there in the first place. Your suggestion is rather akin to claiming that "well, he was kind to his mother". It isn't good enough.<br /><br />Watchman, you clearly have little grasp of tax law as it relates to residency and domicile (that makes you pretty normal, I admit). It is clear from William Hague's statements at the time that he expected Michael Ashcroft to pay considerably more tax (tens of millions, it was claimed) than he had been up until then. If I have income overseas, I am expected to declare it in my annual tax return, and pay tax on it. Yes, I can claim double taxation relief, deducting foreign taxes paid, but I must pay the equivalent of the appropriate UK tax rate. That's because I'm domiciled in the United Kingdom.<br /><br />Lord Ashcroft is resident in the United Kingdom, and is therefore taxed in Belize accordingly. Non-residents of Belize are only taxed on income received in Belize, and at 15%. As he would be paying 40% in the United Kingdom, he is effectively saving five-eighths of the tax which would be paid if he was domiciled here.<br /><br />Effectively, he's having it both ways, as good tax planning will enable you to do. It isn't illegal. It is, if you are a British parliamentarian, immoral.Mark Valladareshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15773193846795037711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17934023.post-55994717316261755002010-03-03T13:23:31.907+00:002010-03-03T13:23:31.907+00:00A slight logical problem here, since Lord Ashcroft...A slight logical problem here, since Lord Ashcroft pays his taxes on money earned in Britain. How is it right we should demand he pays taxes on money earned elsewhere: the tax should surely be paid there?Watchmannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17934023.post-14405537728005080952010-03-03T08:56:00.423+00:002010-03-03T08:56:00.423+00:00You are right - it is clearly wrong for someone to...You are right - it is clearly wrong for someone to make laws for a country they do not want to live in, even if they consider themselves a citizen of that country only. Does Ashcroft have Belize citizenship? However, please remember that he has not claimed a penny of expenses and it is right for the Tories to point out that the Labour lords have.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17934023.post-9799773804820862232010-03-02T14:09:50.084+00:002010-03-02T14:09:50.084+00:00Paul,
Many thanks, it's nice to get some feed...Paul,<br /><br />Many thanks, it's nice to get some feedback!Mark Valladareshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15773193846795037711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17934023.post-59976421883370062142010-03-02T10:05:02.025+00:002010-03-02T10:05:02.025+00:00Well written, MarkWell written, MarkPaul Walterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00525444717679391831noreply@blogger.com