Chancellor Needs Help

[gramps85]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/tax/income/rachel-reeves-claimed-1225-expenses-help-tax-returns/

It seems that the Chancellor needed to employ an accountant to help her complete her tax return. Can we trust somebody who needs this help, to manage the countries finances?

[Sinead_O]

It just doesn't add up :)

[gramps85]

I should have added that she claimed £1225.00 expenses for doing so.

[maggiebee]

Don't trust any of them as far as I could throw them.  

[ynnafymmi]

You should see the SNP thieves up here in Scotland Maggie.

[lolasmam]

Thousands of people rely on others to handle their tax returns; that’s precisely why we have accountants. The fact that she employs an accountant doesn’t imply she’s incapable of doing it herself. Rather, it signifies she has more pressing matters to attend to.

[naomi24]

I'm not sure she should be charging us for it.

[lolasmam]

If it’s a legitimate business expense, then why not? Regrettably, the article is behind a paywall, so I’m unable to read it.

[naomi24]

She's an employee - she's not in business. 

[DTCwordfan]

well, I am not surprised - how does one write off a £4000 heating claim for your second home......?

[Peter Pedant]

 how does one write off a £4000 heating claim for your second home.....

erm i dont think we were writing it off

we were claiming it as an expense, werent we? (  the two are completely different - the write off is a loss you cant claim anywhere as an expense ) - and an expense is something that er you can - [OK forget  that last bit]

[Peter Pedant]

She's an employee - she's not in business. 

oh come on come on -as an employee you dont have expenses? well you do but they are very limited - the MP account seems to be difft with gtr expenses allowed

and the employment position of an MP is NOT as an employee or else someone wd be able to fire them. They cant. and  They wd be able to claim in employment tribunals. They cant .jesus

 can mods bear in mind, the crushing one liner may not be the accurate one liner

Members of Parliament (MPs) are not employed in any legal sense of the word. MPs are elected to their position by the electorate after putting themselves up as ...

we all really knew that - didnt we and were just quipping and one-lining

[curlyfries81]

Doesn't say much about her financial acumen and doesn't bode well for the rest of us. And why should we pay for her expenses relating to her tax returns?

[Peter Pedant]

You should see the SNP thieves up here in Scotland Maggie.

yeah foo !

Ay did not steal that mobile home: may husband did

[Peter Pedant]

And why should we pay for her expenses relating to her tax returns?

completely garbled rubbish - chrissakes

[gulliver1]

How come Labour MPs pay tax when the Tory MPs avoided or evaded paying any over the last 14 years..

[davebro3]

who said she paid tax - this is about completing her tax return

[lolasmam]

Naomi: Mp's are not employed they are elected to their position by the public. MPs are office holders, which means they are not employees or workers. Office holders are not under the close supervision or control of the appointing body, and they do not have a contract or service agreement. 

MPs receive a salary and expenses to cover the costs of running an office, employing staff, and traveling. They also pay Class 1 National Insurance contributions on their earnings. The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) sets and administers MPs' pay and taxes their taxable expenses. There is no shame in employing someone to file your Return, I hazzard a guess Lord Sugar does not do his own!

[naomi24]

MPs are elected to represent their constituencies and they can be dismissed.  They do not generate their own wealth as people in business - like Alan Sugar - do.  They receive a fixed salary paid for from the public purse.  Yes, she can claim expenses for running an office, just as employees elsewhere can claim expenses for business trips for example, but completing her tax return is a personal matter and if she decides she needs help to do that, it's her choice and she should pay for it. 

[lolasmam]

Naomi, you mentioned ‘she was an employee’. This is not accurate as MP's are not employed in any legal sense of the word. While she may not be ‘in business’, she does indeed undertake work outside of Parliament on a self-employed basis. It is important to note that the House of Commons is not responsible for a Member’s salary and expenses; these are managed by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA).

[naomi24]

She's paid - by us.