Simplistic
 

Joblow, your argument about taxes is rather simplistic. Steve the Pirate has a valid argument. And what about about State pensions? Some people live for years after retirement whilst others die shortly thereafter. Yet they might both have contributed equally to the scheme. Should the estate be awarded a refund if the full pension benefit is not enjoyed?

Life is not always fair, but generally you win some and you lose some.

You appear to think that those who have children benefit unfairly. Children, believe it or not, are necessary to promulgate our species and are also our future tax payers.

Personally, I'm rather happy that my parents chose to have children, I've had rather a good life - so far!

Allowance
 

@joblow

That's not actually true. The cost of employment will be higher for the employer but the employee with children will still earn the same as the childless employee.

STP

Don't forget you need to pay tax on the education allowance and make up the shortfall between what Cathay pay and the actual fees (which can be substantial if you don't get an ESF school place). It all adds up... Times that by 3-4 kids and you get the picture.

Couple that with the tax due on the housing allowance (treated as a cash benefit by IRD if you use it to pay a mortgage) - with govt rates, rent and management fees on top, and you find that a rather large chunk of your income goes before you see it.

Just sayin'...

Too many kids?
 

Curtain Rod, quote:- "Nobody is worried about the world running out of volunteers producing enough new kids..."

Whilst I have no argument with your post, I am not sure about your last comment. We should all be worried.

The number of children being produced who will eventually contribute towards the finances of their country is decreasing, whilst the number of children who will forever be a demand on their country's resources is increasing alarmingly.

The demand then stretches beyond those country's borders in the way of International Aid, donated from other taxpayers' contributions.

But what to do? I quite resent my hard earned income being given away to those that seem determined to procreate themselves into eventual oblivion.

HK has almost a trillion US dollars on account. Surely they can use some of this to provide sufficient schooling (at a reasonable price) to the different expat groups. HK has relied on expats in many areas since it's creation, and owes it to those currently here to help in such an important area of development.