We need comprehensive tax reform to ensure everyone pays their fair share

Politicians, including Prime Minister David Cameron, are lining up to criticise celebrities who have been exposed for using tax avoidance schemes. This is yet more evidence that we need a comprehensive overhaul of our tax system to close loopholes that allow avoidance.

The Single Income Tax as proposed by the TPA's 2020 Tax Commission  provides a detailed plan for radical but realistic reforms that could be implemented by the year 2020. A serious simplification of the tax system would mean HMRC could focus on catching those who won't pay their fair share, rather than administering an overly complex tax code.

The 2020 Tax Commission's final report recommended several measures, including:

- Taxes should be simplified and eight taxes should be scrapped entirely

- There should be a single, low, proportionate income tax

Reacting to tax avoidance stories in the media, Matthew Sinclair, Director of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said:
 “Britain’s increasingly complicated tax code creates loopholes which those with clever accountants can exploit, and means that HMRC has to focus on administering dysfunctional rules rather than chasing those who break them. That is why Ed Miliband is right when he says we need the Government to do more than say this extreme tax avoidance is wrong, they need to change the rules so it is harder, riskier and less worthwhile. With simpler taxes that apply the same single rate to all income, from shareholders’ dividends to workers’ wages, we can ensure everyone pays no more or less than their fair share. A comprehensive overhaul of our tax system is now vital not just to create the conditions for stronger economic growth, but also to restore its legitimacy.”

 Click here to read The Single Income Tax, final report of the 2020 Tax Commission


Politicians, including Prime Minister David Cameron, are lining up to criticise celebrities who have been exposed for using tax avoidance schemes. This is yet more evidence that we need a comprehensive overhaul of our tax system to close loopholes that allow avoidance.

The Single Income Tax as proposed by the TPA's 2020 Tax Commission  provides a detailed plan for radical but realistic reforms that could be implemented by the year 2020. A serious simplification of the tax system would mean HMRC could focus on catching those who won't pay their fair share, rather than administering an overly complex tax code.

The 2020 Tax Commission's final report recommended several measures, including:

- Taxes should be simplified and eight taxes should be scrapped entirely

- There should be a single, low, proportionate income tax

Reacting to tax avoidance stories in the media, Matthew Sinclair, Director of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said:
 “Britain’s increasingly complicated tax code creates loopholes which those with clever accountants can exploit, and means that HMRC has to focus on administering dysfunctional rules rather than chasing those who break them. That is why Ed Miliband is right when he says we need the Government to do more than say this extreme tax avoidance is wrong, they need to change the rules so it is harder, riskier and less worthwhile. With simpler taxes that apply the same single rate to all income, from shareholders’ dividends to workers’ wages, we can ensure everyone pays no more or less than their fair share. A comprehensive overhaul of our tax system is now vital not just to create the conditions for stronger economic growth, but also to restore its legitimacy.”

 Click here to read The Single Income Tax, final report of the 2020 Tax Commission


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