Tax Exemption - Lobby your MP
Thread Starter
Tax Exemption - Lobby your MP
There are, as we are all aware, lots of grumblings from the military (myself included) that time on operations is steadily increasing for the majority of folk. The government values us soooooooo much that we get the "operational welfare package" and LSSA to compensate us for time away from loved ones. I have just returned from away (again) where the US troops get tax exemption for their operational time away (each and every month away even if they only spend 1 day of the month in theatre) and now the Canadians have followed suit after lobbying their government....... The French on ops get allowances AND time and a half towards their pensions!!!!!! In some operations double time towards their pensions!!!
So let's get to it and lobby our government to get the UK military on a par with our allies and get some recompense which means something. Perhaps even backdated to the beginning of TELIC? As if!
Link to Constituencies and MP's e-mails http://www.parliament.uk/directories/hciolists/alcm.cfm
So let's get to it and lobby our government to get the UK military on a par with our allies and get some recompense which means something. Perhaps even backdated to the beginning of TELIC? As if!
Link to Constituencies and MP's e-mails http://www.parliament.uk/directories/hciolists/alcm.cfm
Last edited by Big Unit Specialist; 30th Jun 2004 at 09:54.
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BUS
I wish you luck, but fear you not get far.
This has been looked at on several occasions and has always drawn a blank. The reason? the good old X-factor. And like it or not, that is what you will be told by those in high places.
My sqn and I looked into this matter several years ago, when we were spending 8 - 9 months out of the country each year in Bosnia and Kosovo. My particular winge was regarding Car Tax and Car insurance and I spoke to HMG and my insurance co' about these very two points, pointing out that as I couldn't use my vehicle, can I have a rebate of sorts?
The answer from HMG was ''Don't you get the x-factor to cover these sorts of things?' and the reply from my insurance co' was slightly more disturbing in that that they were considering 'loading' me because of my lack of regular driving experience in the UK!! (I didn't pursue either!)
Good luck tho' and I'll gladly liobby my MP for you.
Kind regards
The Swinging Monkey
I wish you luck, but fear you not get far.
This has been looked at on several occasions and has always drawn a blank. The reason? the good old X-factor. And like it or not, that is what you will be told by those in high places.
My sqn and I looked into this matter several years ago, when we were spending 8 - 9 months out of the country each year in Bosnia and Kosovo. My particular winge was regarding Car Tax and Car insurance and I spoke to HMG and my insurance co' about these very two points, pointing out that as I couldn't use my vehicle, can I have a rebate of sorts?
The answer from HMG was ''Don't you get the x-factor to cover these sorts of things?' and the reply from my insurance co' was slightly more disturbing in that that they were considering 'loading' me because of my lack of regular driving experience in the UK!! (I didn't pursue either!)
Good luck tho' and I'll gladly liobby my MP for you.
Kind regards
The Swinging Monkey
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BUS
Presume you joined and were not pressganged, so you have the option to leave if you don't like the terms.
Perhaps there's a Mrs BUS, and little BUSlets - who is going to pay the the BUSlets school/health whilst you aren't paying tax, and if Mrs BUS is a stay at home mum, who is going to cover her health etc?
If you want to be paid tax free, then you could leave MoD and work in the Middle East, but I can't see Dodgy Military Contracts Ltd paying Mrs BUS a widow's pension if you get slotted.
FYI the French military are on very poor pay compared to the rest of NATO.
Presume you joined and were not pressganged, so you have the option to leave if you don't like the terms.
Perhaps there's a Mrs BUS, and little BUSlets - who is going to pay the the BUSlets school/health whilst you aren't paying tax, and if Mrs BUS is a stay at home mum, who is going to cover her health etc?
If you want to be paid tax free, then you could leave MoD and work in the Middle East, but I can't see Dodgy Military Contracts Ltd paying Mrs BUS a widow's pension if you get slotted.
FYI the French military are on very poor pay compared to the rest of NATO.
Thread Starter
AA,
You seem to have missed the point - only tax free when we are being shot at etc. I know it's my job etc but at least Bodyguards are Us pay rates of $1000-00 per day AND have an insurance scheme that makes PAX Plus look like the joke it is.......
Mrs BUS works and pays tax so that takes care of the BUSlets healthcare and she is a teacher so that's covered too.....
The French military are paid a comparable rate to our own - discovered last month while chatting with a French chap whilst being rocketed by some nasty men.
How many months away from home have you spent in the last six years where people have been actively and enthusiastically trying to kill you?
I know, I signed on the dotted line a long, long time ago but what irritates me is the steady erosion of all the benefits I signed up for, not the increase in time away or the number of nasties we have to deal with. This tax thingy at a stroke would make an awful lot of servicemen and women more content with their lot 'cos the above mentioned packages (LSSA and OWP) are p!$$ poor and LSSA is taxed (give with one hand take away with the other).
Incidentally I have just been given a cunningly worded invitation to go to a hot sandy place next week for a bit to see if I can get my head chopped off while paying taxes for thieving immigrants (particular ones I have met in Dover) to live in a B&B and get benefits so they can fight extradition......
Rant not over but you're probably all bored now......
You seem to have missed the point - only tax free when we are being shot at etc. I know it's my job etc but at least Bodyguards are Us pay rates of $1000-00 per day AND have an insurance scheme that makes PAX Plus look like the joke it is.......
Mrs BUS works and pays tax so that takes care of the BUSlets healthcare and she is a teacher so that's covered too.....
The French military are paid a comparable rate to our own - discovered last month while chatting with a French chap whilst being rocketed by some nasty men.
How many months away from home have you spent in the last six years where people have been actively and enthusiastically trying to kill you?
I know, I signed on the dotted line a long, long time ago but what irritates me is the steady erosion of all the benefits I signed up for, not the increase in time away or the number of nasties we have to deal with. This tax thingy at a stroke would make an awful lot of servicemen and women more content with their lot 'cos the above mentioned packages (LSSA and OWP) are p!$$ poor and LSSA is taxed (give with one hand take away with the other).
Incidentally I have just been given a cunningly worded invitation to go to a hot sandy place next week for a bit to see if I can get my head chopped off while paying taxes for thieving immigrants (particular ones I have met in Dover) to live in a B&B and get benefits so they can fight extradition......
Rant not over but you're probably all bored now......
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Just becuase Mrs BUS is working does not mean you can be absolved from paying for the little ones' school/health as/when you're off in the ulu dodging the incoming. I take it you do give Mrs BUS some beer/Chanel tokens at the end of the month?
It's not the tax you mind about, it's the fact that you are getting paid the same (less flying pay) what a blunty is getting for counting blankets, in which case you are back to taking the dirty money for a very dirty job in a sandy place, if what you want is danger money.
The BGs I know are earning the dosh - an ex-colleague working for a reputable firm got fatally hit last week - leaving a wife and son, but she's certainly not going to get what Auntie Liz would have paid.
It's a while since anyone aimed a shot at me - I took the view that I'd like to see all of my kids growing up, so I've been wearing a proverbial bowler hat for a while now, but it was my choice, and you have that also. See the civvy BBs on PPrune for the perils of working for the private sector (one month's notice and all that...)
Gordon won't wear it - the next thing he'd have all kinds of other special cases (some of whom can go on strike) claiming special treatment.
Save your MPs time for something he/she can vote on that makes a difference.
It's not the tax you mind about, it's the fact that you are getting paid the same (less flying pay) what a blunty is getting for counting blankets, in which case you are back to taking the dirty money for a very dirty job in a sandy place, if what you want is danger money.
The BGs I know are earning the dosh - an ex-colleague working for a reputable firm got fatally hit last week - leaving a wife and son, but she's certainly not going to get what Auntie Liz would have paid.
It's a while since anyone aimed a shot at me - I took the view that I'd like to see all of my kids growing up, so I've been wearing a proverbial bowler hat for a while now, but it was my choice, and you have that also. See the civvy BBs on PPrune for the perils of working for the private sector (one month's notice and all that...)
Gordon won't wear it - the next thing he'd have all kinds of other special cases (some of whom can go on strike) claiming special treatment.
Save your MPs time for something he/she can vote on that makes a difference.
Thread Starter
and another thing....
the point of this post was to garner support for a bit of equality among the allies(?), and to show that a bit of effort from the electorate (albeit in Canada) can get things changed to the benefit of the country's servicemen who are increasingly expected to go away at the behest of the government for protracted periods of time - some of my colleagues are on their third 4 month tour in Iraq!
What do you suggest I get my MP to do, attempt to change the archaic child access laws that favour embittered mothers....but that's another rant (and that was Mrs BUS v1 - mad as a hatter I tell you!)
Oh and it is the tax I mind about 'cos no bu##er emptied my bin, I had to dig my own toilet, the roads were full of holes (mainly mines) and the police were as likely to shoot at me as the rest of the nasties! Those who count blankets or mozzie nets in nasty places deserve the tax back aswell! So there!
the point of this post was to garner support for a bit of equality among the allies(?), and to show that a bit of effort from the electorate (albeit in Canada) can get things changed to the benefit of the country's servicemen who are increasingly expected to go away at the behest of the government for protracted periods of time - some of my colleagues are on their third 4 month tour in Iraq!
What do you suggest I get my MP to do, attempt to change the archaic child access laws that favour embittered mothers....but that's another rant (and that was Mrs BUS v1 - mad as a hatter I tell you!)
Oh and it is the tax I mind about 'cos no bu##er emptied my bin, I had to dig my own toilet, the roads were full of holes (mainly mines) and the police were as likely to shoot at me as the rest of the nasties! Those who count blankets or mozzie nets in nasty places deserve the tax back aswell! So there!
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AA
Come on old chap, give BUS a break! The points he makes are extremely valid, and I for one agree with him. This is NOT about Mrs BUS or their offspring, it's about the continued erosion of what (very) few benifits we had, being further lost.
Why should we have to pay income tax when we spend so much time out of the country?
Why should we not get a rebate on our council tax, car tax and insurance costs?? Whats wrong with that?
As for your comments about blunties - well I can only assume that such a sad statement can only have come from an ex Bluntie?? Is that the case AA??? if so, bu$$er off - this is an aircrew forum!
The fact is, people like BUS (and many more) are risking their necks for the likes of imigrants, asylum seekers and goodness knows who else. He sees all of his benefits rapidly being lost, and yet the benefits of those others rapidly increasing. Ultimately IT IS NOT FAIR and frankly it needs to stop, fairly soon I would suggest.
BUS, as I said earlier, I doubt you will get anywhere, 'cos it will cost £££££ and thus you are on a loser! Nevertheless, you win the morale argument every time, and fools like AA only prove the point.
Kind regards to you and Mrs BUS!
The Swinging Monkey
Come on old chap, give BUS a break! The points he makes are extremely valid, and I for one agree with him. This is NOT about Mrs BUS or their offspring, it's about the continued erosion of what (very) few benifits we had, being further lost.
Why should we have to pay income tax when we spend so much time out of the country?
Why should we not get a rebate on our council tax, car tax and insurance costs?? Whats wrong with that?
As for your comments about blunties - well I can only assume that such a sad statement can only have come from an ex Bluntie?? Is that the case AA??? if so, bu$$er off - this is an aircrew forum!
The fact is, people like BUS (and many more) are risking their necks for the likes of imigrants, asylum seekers and goodness knows who else. He sees all of his benefits rapidly being lost, and yet the benefits of those others rapidly increasing. Ultimately IT IS NOT FAIR and frankly it needs to stop, fairly soon I would suggest.
BUS, as I said earlier, I doubt you will get anywhere, 'cos it will cost £££££ and thus you are on a loser! Nevertheless, you win the morale argument every time, and fools like AA only prove the point.
Kind regards to you and Mrs BUS!
The Swinging Monkey
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When I mentioned blunties I meant the (increasingly rare) ones who don't leave the UK except on a booze cruise or to go to Costa del Carlsberg. I'm just as full of admiration for all those in the sandpit, regardless of rank/trade.
As for it being an allies thing, well, the good ol' US of A does a whole load more for its vets than we will ever do - free college (university to UK) if they serve I think five years in the ranks. Their National Guard get pensions (pro-rata) and vet's health care. Some of that goes back to the abolition of the draft, when they had to make it an attractive option.
As for child access, I do agree (Mrs AA is the mk1 version, I add), but I have too many mates who have suffered. Get up a crane or chuck a purple prophilactic at A Bliar Esq if you want to get very annoyed.
I'm too old to be anything but cynical. If I don't like something I vote with my feet/wallet, but I appreciate it's not that easy for a serving guy to risk all in that way.
Swinging Monkey, check yr PM
As for it being an allies thing, well, the good ol' US of A does a whole load more for its vets than we will ever do - free college (university to UK) if they serve I think five years in the ranks. Their National Guard get pensions (pro-rata) and vet's health care. Some of that goes back to the abolition of the draft, when they had to make it an attractive option.
As for child access, I do agree (Mrs AA is the mk1 version, I add), but I have too many mates who have suffered. Get up a crane or chuck a purple prophilactic at A Bliar Esq if you want to get very annoyed.
I'm too old to be anything but cynical. If I don't like something I vote with my feet/wallet, but I appreciate it's not that easy for a serving guy to risk all in that way.
Swinging Monkey, check yr PM
Last edited by airborne_artist; 30th Jun 2004 at 15:04.
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I agree with the logic behind tax free for those deploying to the world's hot spots ( would certainly make my time out there feel a little more positive, rather than costing me my own money as it does at present), however the RAF/Treasury has very recently studied the feasability of the Tax Free wages option and conclusively said no. The reason? Compared to the USAF and RAAF we get paid higher rates across the rank structure and are welfare package/benefits are much more comprehensive! That 5 day old newspaper and generous 20min phone card a week are certainly equal f***ing alternatives!
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How would you handle this:
Northern Ireland - part of the UK, but an operational tour for some, still, despite the best efforts of all concerned.
tax free or tax paid?
Northern Ireland - part of the UK, but an operational tour for some, still, despite the best efforts of all concerned.
tax free or tax paid?
Thread Starter
NI - now there's a challenge. Any suggestion is going to be difficult but how about if you are on a tour not accompanied by your family? This then raises the question of what's the difference in the threat environment etc, etc oh, and what about the Royal Irish?
NI is unique and should have a unique benefits package - see, I told you it was easy!
AA, do you work in the treasury?
NI is unique and should have a unique benefits package - see, I told you it was easy!
AA, do you work in the treasury?
Back in GW1, the politicos were able to do something for those of us who'd been away.....
Wrote to the local council asking about refund of poll tax. The astonishing answer I received was that by leaving my property empty whilst away, it would be considered a second residence and I would have to pay a higher rate of tax.....!!! As if I was some tax exile.
But Hesseltine then announced unequivocally that all those who'd been away would have their poll tax refunded. So, off went another letter and eventually I received the tax refund.
Somehow I can't really see the slimy gang in power at the moment lifting a finger to ease the taxation burden on those sent away for another of Trust-me-Tone's come-as-you-are-and-bring-a-bottle wars.
Wrote to the local council asking about refund of poll tax. The astonishing answer I received was that by leaving my property empty whilst away, it would be considered a second residence and I would have to pay a higher rate of tax.....!!! As if I was some tax exile.
But Hesseltine then announced unequivocally that all those who'd been away would have their poll tax refunded. So, off went another letter and eventually I received the tax refund.
Somehow I can't really see the slimy gang in power at the moment lifting a finger to ease the taxation burden on those sent away for another of Trust-me-Tone's come-as-you-are-and-bring-a-bottle wars.
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AA,
Your catch all "if you don't like it just leave" is a very valid one...but with just two teeny weeny flaws....
a) most people who want to leave are prevented from doing so by pvr waiting times
and b) almost everyone is doing just that!
Its a good job they are reportedly wanting an RAF of only 40,000 people because the way they treat the majority of personnel they will have no problem achieving that figure.
BUS is simply stating his view that he (along with a great many others) doesn't feel he is being valued/remunerated/looked after by our IIP masters. Yes we would all like more dosh, whatever our job, but remember that a lot of the highly skilled aircrew and support staff cannot be replaced in a matter of weeks if we vote with our feet.
Your catch all "if you don't like it just leave" is a very valid one...but with just two teeny weeny flaws....
a) most people who want to leave are prevented from doing so by pvr waiting times
and b) almost everyone is doing just that!
Its a good job they are reportedly wanting an RAF of only 40,000 people because the way they treat the majority of personnel they will have no problem achieving that figure.
BUS is simply stating his view that he (along with a great many others) doesn't feel he is being valued/remunerated/looked after by our IIP masters. Yes we would all like more dosh, whatever our job, but remember that a lot of the highly skilled aircrew and support staff cannot be replaced in a matter of weeks if we vote with our feet.
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BUS
I'm in the ranks of the self-employed - playing devils advocate on this occaision.
Autorev
Basically you've boiled it down - people feel underpaid for their hours/risks/responsibilities - entirely understandable. I accept that this only applies to pilots, but have you seen the rates now being paid in civvy street by the likes of Ryanair? Not the good pay/conditions of even 10 years ago. Expansion of the EU is only going to keep the lid on those rates.
See it from the outside - Gordon gives the services a "Risks and responsibilities" award - so why not policemen, and then....
I joined well before Maggie T was elected in '79, and gave us a 40% pay rise because we were so far behind - so I do know what it's like to do a lot for knack all.
I'm in the ranks of the self-employed - playing devils advocate on this occaision.
Autorev
Basically you've boiled it down - people feel underpaid for their hours/risks/responsibilities - entirely understandable. I accept that this only applies to pilots, but have you seen the rates now being paid in civvy street by the likes of Ryanair? Not the good pay/conditions of even 10 years ago. Expansion of the EU is only going to keep the lid on those rates.
See it from the outside - Gordon gives the services a "Risks and responsibilities" award - so why not policemen, and then....
I joined well before Maggie T was elected in '79, and gave us a 40% pay rise because we were so far behind - so I do know what it's like to do a lot for knack all.
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I agree with Busses Idea,why not give our service personnel tax free wages whilst abroad? it"s not as if this Country cannot afford it! I cannot understand why there is a comparison with other nations salary levels it is really not relevent in this discussion.I left the RAF 15 years ago and if I work out of the Country for a certain period then my salary is tax free and is not compared to any other nationality this concession is perfectly legal and is implemented by a tax coding on my wage slips instead of a figure code the letter NT are there (meaning no tax)so if it"s okay for me as a civilian as a British citizen working overseas(not resident overseas)then why not for services people?to determine whether the tax free situation is valid or not,well the criteria is simple:is the theatre of operations within Great Britain or Northern Ireland(as in your passport) if yes then pay is taxed,if no your pay is tax free,simple really.
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"should have a unique benefits package "
You have. No other employer offers the package which you currently enjoy. Yes you have a point about being shot at, bombed etc. but lets face it you volunteered for just that. Which other company offers a 38/16 year exit point on full pension AND full backdated inflation increase at age 55? As said above try RyanAir or BMI for example, you may just get a shock. 10 out of 10 for trying though
You have. No other employer offers the package which you currently enjoy. Yes you have a point about being shot at, bombed etc. but lets face it you volunteered for just that. Which other company offers a 38/16 year exit point on full pension AND full backdated inflation increase at age 55? As said above try RyanAir or BMI for example, you may just get a shock. 10 out of 10 for trying though
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Good on you BUS, it is about time that people decided to make their views known and your MP is a good start. I also feel that spending significant amounts of time away warrants an improved package.
My father used to say "the squeeky gate gets the oil!" (no Iraq pun intended)
SIA
My father used to say "the squeeky gate gets the oil!" (no Iraq pun intended)
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Just a little information for you all.
The Canadian Armed forces will shortly stop paying tax for each day spent in a operationonal theatre.
Heard it from a Canadian Admin Officer the other day.
The Canadian Armed forces will shortly stop paying tax for each day spent in a operationonal theatre.
Heard it from a Canadian Admin Officer the other day.
I do vaguely remember something coming 'round about this a while back..possibly an AFBLT visit. They had completed a survey after The Commons had issued a directive regarding this very issue. It concluded that as a whole we are in most respects better off than most of our NATO/EU allies. My fellow POW (Yank) out here confirmed today that they only get paid their wage Tax-Free to a specified limit, that being the most that a WO class 2 (US) could expect to take home Tax-Free.....still,however, not an inconsequential amount! The French are the poorest paid out of the lot (excluding former WarPac Nations with whom we now work), but the Frog POW on my unit hinted that they do take 'Troop Entertainment Facilities' i.e a 'Battle Field Brothel' when they deploy large amounts of troops! Come on Buff how about it? (I sincerely hope Mrs Huey doesn't read this!!!!!!!!!)
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Civillian Tax Breaks
Just to throw in one thought, anyone working in the Merchant Navy only pays tax for the percentage of the year they are actually in the UK. If I remember rightly that counts even if you are in UK national waters.
Somehow I think opinions may change rapidly if we ever needed our armed forces to defend the UK!
Somehow I think opinions may change rapidly if we ever needed our armed forces to defend the UK!