More dosh, less tax
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Portsmouth
Age: 57
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not yet. To protect my Source (who is several ranks higher than me, and therefore realistically to protect my arse!), all I can say is that they are hoping to get a clarification out shortly by way of IPR and Galaxy Notices. It's frenzied by the Embankment at the moment, so they need a bit of space to tie up all the loose ends and to clarify the contradictory parts of the speech.
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: firmly on dry land
Age: 81
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have the MOD bulletin 25/06 written 8/10 with the last line before the speech stating (check against delivery). Then the speech.
This is dated as an oral delivery and again says check against the speech. The whole was last updated 11/10.
Now has it been checked against the speech?
This is dated as an oral delivery and again says check against the speech. The whole was last updated 11/10.
Now has it been checked against the speech?
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Belfast
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Check my maths someone (maybe I shoulda took sum of them GCSE fings):
£0-2150 @ 10% = £215
£2151-£21536.40 @ 22% = £4265
((4265+215)/365)x31=£380(for a 31 day month)
If I'm right, that equates to a Level 9 LCpl on lower band, or a Level 5 Pte/LCpl on higher band. That's not even taking into account the tax they'll be paying on their LSSA/LSA or, as potatoman said, NI contributions.
Not yet. To protect my Source (who is several ranks higher than me, and therefore realistically to protect my arse!), all I can say is that they are hoping to get a clarification out shortly by way of IPR and Galaxy Notices. It's frenzied by the Embankment at the moment, so they need a bit of space to tie up all the loose ends and to clarify the contradictory parts of the speech.
And then of course there is the article in Today's Times
So Peter and Paul springs to mind. The Treasury and that thieving wanabe Brown will get the money back somehow.
Don't ever forget Gordon Brown DOES NOT like and DOES NOT like paying for HM Forces!!
Britain
The Times October 11, 2006
Troops serving in warzones to get tax-free bonuses
By David Robertson and Michael Evans
TROOPS who serve for six months in Iraq and Afghanistan are to receive a tax-free bonus of £2,240, after a campaign to give them a better financial deal.
The new arrangement will cost the Treasury between £60 million and £70 million this financial year.
The announcement came on the day Treasury and Ministry of Defence officials revealed that there were tough negotiations under way over the future of some key procurement programmes.
Treasury officials engaged in spending-round negotiations for next year’s budget settlements highlighted three projects that could be vulnerable: the acquisition of two Type 45 destroyers, each valued at £605 million; the development of a new generation of armoured personnel carriers, known as FRES (future rapid effects system), costing £12 billion; and a 25-year private finance initiative scheme for a new tri-Service training programme, costing about £10 billion. The Times learnt yesterday that the Treasury is demanding that the MoD cut one major project plus the order for the two destroyers. MoD sources said that the contracts, along with other procurement projects, were being looked at under the negotiations but said that there would be no decisions until next July.
Meanwhile, the Treasury has committed itself to providing extra money for the bonus scheme, which will benefit thousands of Service personnel. There are currently 7,200 troops in Iraq and 5,600 in Afghanistan.
The Times October 11, 2006
Troops serving in warzones to get tax-free bonuses
By David Robertson and Michael Evans
TROOPS who serve for six months in Iraq and Afghanistan are to receive a tax-free bonus of £2,240, after a campaign to give them a better financial deal.
The new arrangement will cost the Treasury between £60 million and £70 million this financial year.
The announcement came on the day Treasury and Ministry of Defence officials revealed that there were tough negotiations under way over the future of some key procurement programmes.
Treasury officials engaged in spending-round negotiations for next year’s budget settlements highlighted three projects that could be vulnerable: the acquisition of two Type 45 destroyers, each valued at £605 million; the development of a new generation of armoured personnel carriers, known as FRES (future rapid effects system), costing £12 billion; and a 25-year private finance initiative scheme for a new tri-Service training programme, costing about £10 billion. The Times learnt yesterday that the Treasury is demanding that the MoD cut one major project plus the order for the two destroyers. MoD sources said that the contracts, along with other procurement projects, were being looked at under the negotiations but said that there would be no decisions until next July.
Meanwhile, the Treasury has committed itself to providing extra money for the bonus scheme, which will benefit thousands of Service personnel. There are currently 7,200 troops in Iraq and 5,600 in Afghanistan.
Don't ever forget Gordon Brown DOES NOT like and DOES NOT like paying for HM Forces!!
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Portsmouth
Age: 57
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When I worked it out I got the break even point as £21536.40?
Check my maths someone (maybe I shoulda took sum of them GCSE fings):
£0-2150 @ 10% = £215
£2151-£21536.40 @ 22% = £4265
((4265+215)/365)x31=£380(for a 31 day month)
If I'm right, that equates to a Level 9 LCpl on lower band, or a Level 5 Pte/LCpl on higher band. That's not even taking into account the tax they'll be paying on their LSSA/LSA or, as potatoman said, NI contributions.
Check my maths someone (maybe I shoulda took sum of them GCSE fings):
£0-2150 @ 10% = £215
£2151-£21536.40 @ 22% = £4265
((4265+215)/365)x31=£380(for a 31 day month)
If I'm right, that equates to a Level 9 LCpl on lower band, or a Level 5 Pte/LCpl on higher band. That's not even taking into account the tax they'll be paying on their LSSA/LSA or, as potatoman said, NI contributions.
The key here is to forget about the "tax" word. This is a bonus which is designed to be around the same figure as the tax paid by Pte/LCpl, not to meet a tax bill. It's a nice figure that they plucked out of the air which was deemed to be affordable, and which they could spin as "almost like" a tax rebate. They've sold it wrong (again), as they should have simply called it an "in-theatre hazardous duty bonus" - this would recognise the inherent dangers of serving in certain areas, and would not have fired off all the calculations whereby everyone over the OR1 level thinks they are being seen off. The same IPR team as Pay2K, obviously.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Bristol
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well not a prob we had a couple of exchange RAAF/RAN most FC's but there was a pilot later who was in time for post 9/11, who had the same money sounds every time we'ed rotate for a Mission over the FRY/Kosovo. Still the bloke had a good reason as his Grand Dad was shot down over the Ruhr n killed.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Bristol
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On the subject of the "bonus" IMHO its the usual fiddle by the Gov to look like they are caring sharing ETC but in reality couldn't give a hoot about the troops in harms way. It just grates when you compare the support that any other Western nation for its troops, to that of UK PLC.
A lot of the time UK forces deploy without proper kit, or the same scale as the other nations. I know that we're supposed to help UK jobs but how many times do we enter into dodgy equipment UK/Joint projects only to see the costs spiralling out of control.
If we concentrated on a particular part of the market and sold that kit to the buyer then maybe we could then buy the best kit on the market for the areas we don't build in.
Ok so we buy SU27's or Arleigh Burke destroyers loosing UK jobs in those areas, but as we are buying off the shelf we save. With the savings we could set up servicing bases for the equipment we buy and off set the losses that way. With all the money we fail to waste then we could afford body armour for all ETC and even Tax Free inside a combat zone. Or even something akin to Veterans Administration in the USA with guaranteed Medical cover and benefits,
Yes I am bitter and twisted and yes I left but it still grips when the country asks it's Forces to do the job on a shoe string.
A lot of the time UK forces deploy without proper kit, or the same scale as the other nations. I know that we're supposed to help UK jobs but how many times do we enter into dodgy equipment UK/Joint projects only to see the costs spiralling out of control.
If we concentrated on a particular part of the market and sold that kit to the buyer then maybe we could then buy the best kit on the market for the areas we don't build in.
Ok so we buy SU27's or Arleigh Burke destroyers loosing UK jobs in those areas, but as we are buying off the shelf we save. With the savings we could set up servicing bases for the equipment we buy and off set the losses that way. With all the money we fail to waste then we could afford body armour for all ETC and even Tax Free inside a combat zone. Or even something akin to Veterans Administration in the USA with guaranteed Medical cover and benefits,
Yes I am bitter and twisted and yes I left but it still grips when the country asks it's Forces to do the job on a shoe string.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ask OPS!
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Firstly, I think this will be a great benefit to those serving in these s**tholes who thoroughly deserve any bonus they can get imho.
Unfortunately the usual government spin and bulls**t has been applied in order to detract from the woeful underfunding of our increasingly overstretched armed forces.
The Defence Ministers bland statement that our armed forces are 'among the best paid in the world' was a classic as he went on to compare GI for Squaddie on pay. How he can compare the two is beyond comprehension!!! Anyone who has been 'State side' can see the difference instantly. On one side you have a soldier/airman/sailor who has the backing of his/her entire country/community, excellent military equipment and second line support, discounts in most major store chains, lower tax bill (no tax when deployed on the countries behest), low state taxes and a high standard of living regarded as an upholder of the countries beliefs.
On the other hand you have a £2000 a year better paid soldier/sailor/airman living in one of the most expensive countires in europe. Paying stealth taxes to the same government who won't provide adequate equipment due to the sweeping military spending cuts required to try and sort the NHS out. Paying said taxes whilst being deployed to every conflict area on the globe. Overstretched with multiple back to back tours, whats a family got to do with it? Servicemen shouldn't have them. Council tax, accomodation and food charges etc... Lack of second line support and, in many cases, lack of secondline employment opportunities (all outsourced now, it's cheaper). Little regard from most of the public and most stores will laugh/ charge double if the think you're in the military.
It was sad/laughable to see the boys in Kabul on national TV say that it was great to get the money but they were sure the MOD would claw it back somehow!
How can it be so complex to repay the tax for serving armed forces personnel? The pusser supplies service numbers, rank/rate and deployment dates to the tax man and the tax man sorts the rebate out. PAYE functions and the rebate could be timed to be paid in December as a christmas sweetner to those who have put their lives on the line for the politicians whim.
Rant over, thank F**k I'm retired!!!
Best of luck to all those abroad.
Unfortunately the usual government spin and bulls**t has been applied in order to detract from the woeful underfunding of our increasingly overstretched armed forces.
The Defence Ministers bland statement that our armed forces are 'among the best paid in the world' was a classic as he went on to compare GI for Squaddie on pay. How he can compare the two is beyond comprehension!!! Anyone who has been 'State side' can see the difference instantly. On one side you have a soldier/airman/sailor who has the backing of his/her entire country/community, excellent military equipment and second line support, discounts in most major store chains, lower tax bill (no tax when deployed on the countries behest), low state taxes and a high standard of living regarded as an upholder of the countries beliefs.
On the other hand you have a £2000 a year better paid soldier/sailor/airman living in one of the most expensive countires in europe. Paying stealth taxes to the same government who won't provide adequate equipment due to the sweeping military spending cuts required to try and sort the NHS out. Paying said taxes whilst being deployed to every conflict area on the globe. Overstretched with multiple back to back tours, whats a family got to do with it? Servicemen shouldn't have them. Council tax, accomodation and food charges etc... Lack of second line support and, in many cases, lack of secondline employment opportunities (all outsourced now, it's cheaper). Little regard from most of the public and most stores will laugh/ charge double if the think you're in the military.
It was sad/laughable to see the boys in Kabul on national TV say that it was great to get the money but they were sure the MOD would claw it back somehow!
How can it be so complex to repay the tax for serving armed forces personnel? The pusser supplies service numbers, rank/rate and deployment dates to the tax man and the tax man sorts the rebate out. PAYE functions and the rebate could be timed to be paid in December as a christmas sweetner to those who have put their lives on the line for the politicians whim.
Rant over, thank F**k I'm retired!!!
Best of luck to all those abroad.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Muscat, Oman
Posts: 604
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Or simply do as the Spams do and make it tax free for the entire month, whether you're there for one day or the whole month. Makes it a lot easier on PAYE and (possibly) even JPA could cope with a change of tax code for one month.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Portsmouth
Age: 57
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Better off filling out one online form giving dates spent outside UK territories, getting that authorised, and letting them adjust the tax for the next financial year. Because, as we all know, we are supposed to be spending two years between deployments.......
I am beginning to think that rostering a couple of weeks in the COs Staff car might be a better option here.......
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Portsmouth
Age: 57
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Firstly, I think this will be a great benefit to those serving in these s**tholes who thoroughly deserve any bonus they can get imho.
Unfortunately the usual government spin and bulls**t has been applied in order to detract from the woeful underfunding of our increasingly overstretched armed forces.
The Defence Ministers bland statement that our armed forces are 'among the best paid in the world' was a classic as he went on to compare GI for Squaddie on pay. How he can compare the two is beyond comprehension!!! Anyone who has been 'State side' can see the difference instantly. On one side you have a soldier/airman/sailor who has the backing of his/her entire country/community, excellent military equipment and second line support, discounts in most major store chains, lower tax bill (no tax when deployed on the countries behest), low state taxes and a high standard of living regarded as an upholder of the countries beliefs.
On the other hand you have a £2000 a year better paid soldier/sailor/airman living in one of the most expensive countires in europe. Paying stealth taxes to the same government who won't provide adequate equipment due to the sweeping military spending cuts required to try and sort the NHS out. Paying said taxes whilst being deployed to every conflict area on the globe. Overstretched with multiple back to back tours, whats a family got to do with it? Servicemen shouldn't have them. Council tax, accomodation and food charges etc... Lack of second line support and, in many cases, lack of secondline employment opportunities (all outsourced now, it's cheaper). Little regard from most of the public and most stores will laugh/ charge double if the think you're in the military.
It was sad/laughable to see the boys in Kabul on national TV say that it was great to get the money but they were sure the MOD would claw it back somehow!
How can it be so complex to repay the tax for serving armed forces personnel? The pusser supplies service numbers, rank/rate and deployment dates to the tax man and the tax man sorts the rebate out. PAYE functions and the rebate could be timed to be paid in December as a christmas sweetner to those who have put their lives on the line for the politicians whim.
Rant over, thank F**k I'm retired!!!
Best of luck to all those abroad.
Unfortunately the usual government spin and bulls**t has been applied in order to detract from the woeful underfunding of our increasingly overstretched armed forces.
The Defence Ministers bland statement that our armed forces are 'among the best paid in the world' was a classic as he went on to compare GI for Squaddie on pay. How he can compare the two is beyond comprehension!!! Anyone who has been 'State side' can see the difference instantly. On one side you have a soldier/airman/sailor who has the backing of his/her entire country/community, excellent military equipment and second line support, discounts in most major store chains, lower tax bill (no tax when deployed on the countries behest), low state taxes and a high standard of living regarded as an upholder of the countries beliefs.
On the other hand you have a £2000 a year better paid soldier/sailor/airman living in one of the most expensive countires in europe. Paying stealth taxes to the same government who won't provide adequate equipment due to the sweeping military spending cuts required to try and sort the NHS out. Paying said taxes whilst being deployed to every conflict area on the globe. Overstretched with multiple back to back tours, whats a family got to do with it? Servicemen shouldn't have them. Council tax, accomodation and food charges etc... Lack of second line support and, in many cases, lack of secondline employment opportunities (all outsourced now, it's cheaper). Little regard from most of the public and most stores will laugh/ charge double if the think you're in the military.
It was sad/laughable to see the boys in Kabul on national TV say that it was great to get the money but they were sure the MOD would claw it back somehow!
How can it be so complex to repay the tax for serving armed forces personnel? The pusser supplies service numbers, rank/rate and deployment dates to the tax man and the tax man sorts the rebate out. PAYE functions and the rebate could be timed to be paid in December as a christmas sweetner to those who have put their lives on the line for the politicians whim.
Rant over, thank F**k I'm retired!!!
Best of luck to all those abroad.
This document is a little on the long side, but is very interesting with the comparison of terms of service, pay, etc. Obviously does not factor in the hardship of actually getting face to face with the enemy, as some of our NATO/UN friends don't, but interesting and myth-busting nonetheless.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Bris Vegas Australia
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well not a prob we had a couple of exchange RAAF/RAN most FC's but there was a pilot later who was in time for post 9/11, who had the same money sounds every time we'ed rotate for a Mission over the FRY/Kosovo. Still the bloke had a good reason as his Grand Dad was shot down over the Ruhr n killed.
At least I had the decency to wait until we were actually sausage-side before kerching-ing!
Was this pilot 'Axe' ?
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Nomadic
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Slightly off thread but in line with the pay bit,
A note of caution to all thse Squaddie about to get their millions:
From the Courier Mail (Brisbane):
Diggers fleeced by lovers
By Edmund Burke
October 15, 2006 12:00am
Article from:
Font size: + -
Send this article: Print Email
AUSTRALIAN troops are returning from war zones to discover they've been fleeced by gold-digging wives and girlfriends.
An investigation by The Sunday Mail has found some soldiers have had up to $50,000 taken from joint bank accounts by greedy partners.
The problem has become so widespread the Defence Department now gives departing troops advice on how to protect their cash while they are overseas.
"It is out of control. You will not meet a single soldier that doesn't know someone this has happened to," one Iraq veteran told The Sunday Mail.
"It is terrible for morale because no matter how much you trust your partner . . . that fear is lurking in the back of your mind. You don't want to be watching your back in some desert and worrying about what's going on back home."
An army private can make about $2000 a week during a tour of duty in deadly war zones, such as Iraq and Afghanistan. During a six-month deployment in a war zone, a private can make more than $50,000 tax free.
Pls make note of the amounts that the Aussie lads actually get (and deserve)
Proving that the MoD has failed far short of going one better (as quoted by Def Sec)
A note of caution to all thse Squaddie about to get their millions:
From the Courier Mail (Brisbane):
Diggers fleeced by lovers
By Edmund Burke
October 15, 2006 12:00am
Article from:
Font size: + -
Send this article: Print Email
AUSTRALIAN troops are returning from war zones to discover they've been fleeced by gold-digging wives and girlfriends.
An investigation by The Sunday Mail has found some soldiers have had up to $50,000 taken from joint bank accounts by greedy partners.
The problem has become so widespread the Defence Department now gives departing troops advice on how to protect their cash while they are overseas.
"It is out of control. You will not meet a single soldier that doesn't know someone this has happened to," one Iraq veteran told The Sunday Mail.
"It is terrible for morale because no matter how much you trust your partner . . . that fear is lurking in the back of your mind. You don't want to be watching your back in some desert and worrying about what's going on back home."
An army private can make about $2000 a week during a tour of duty in deadly war zones, such as Iraq and Afghanistan. During a six-month deployment in a war zone, a private can make more than $50,000 tax free.
Pls make note of the amounts that the Aussie lads actually get (and deserve)
Proving that the MoD has failed far short of going one better (as quoted by Def Sec)
Last edited by L J R; 14th Oct 2006 at 19:32. Reason: Spelling (hic!)
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Bristol
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not his Nom De Guere at Waddo (he was B707 Tanker driver) but boy did he snore. The Kerchings were based on the fact that as soon as we were "wheels in wells" we logged time as "NATO mission" so therefore the $64 went in the bank. Shortest was a 10 minute followed by heavy weight land due to smoke n fumes. Follwed by a mass dismount aware from some V warm brakes.
Last edited by trap one; 16th Oct 2006 at 01:50.
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: England
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bannock
No great detail as yet (it's still being worked out), but there was a limited release on the Defence Intranet today. They say the figure of £2,240 for 6 months was chosen to offset the tax liability of a Level 5 private soldier on his pay and allowances during his 6 months on ops. So, here goes:
Private Level 5 (High Band!) = £58.79 per day = £21,458 per year.
Personal Allowance for one year = £5,035
Next £2,150 of taxable income taxed at 10%: Tax = £215
£21,458-£5,035-£2,150 = £14,273: Tax at 22% = £3,140.06
One full year's tax = £215 + £3,140.06 = £3,355.06
Therefore 6 months tax = £1,677.53
But, add 6 months (182 days) LSSA, taxed at 22%:
It only comes close if you assume at least Level 3 LSSA (£12.82 per day, already completed 700+ qualifying days at start of op det:
182 * £12.82 = £2,333.84: tax at 22% = £513.31
Therefore total tax due on the op det = £1,677.53 + £513.31 = £2,190.84
Close - ish
Regards
Ginseng
Private Level 5 (High Band!) = £58.79 per day = £21,458 per year.
Personal Allowance for one year = £5,035
Next £2,150 of taxable income taxed at 10%: Tax = £215
£21,458-£5,035-£2,150 = £14,273: Tax at 22% = £3,140.06
One full year's tax = £215 + £3,140.06 = £3,355.06
Therefore 6 months tax = £1,677.53
But, add 6 months (182 days) LSSA, taxed at 22%:
It only comes close if you assume at least Level 3 LSSA (£12.82 per day, already completed 700+ qualifying days at start of op det:
182 * £12.82 = £2,333.84: tax at 22% = £513.31
Therefore total tax due on the op det = £1,677.53 + £513.31 = £2,190.84
Close - ish
Regards
Ginseng