Yes, I pay less tax thanks to splitting my income with my wife. A *lot* less tax - people who aren't doing this would be shocked at how little tax I pay, and I even get free NHS prescriptions to boot.

Technically we are both 50% shareholders and both deserve 50% of the dividends. We both take the same risks in the business, after all. The law was profoundly unfair (according to we who stood to lose because of it!) Glad that the Tories will be in before Darling can execute, which means it won't happen until the next Labour government, around 2020 or so.

Posting anon in case this is prima facie evidence of intent for when they do finally bring the law in. Oh, and because this is going to seriously piss off anyone who's a basic employee. To those people I say this: quit, and become a contractor.

It's not a loophole. Why shouldn't a spouse who owns half the company receive half the profits?

We moved away from the feudal practice of taxing the wife as her husband's property long ago, this was always a retrograde step.

just think once the government owns the banks, and all the data within them then we are all f***ed.

they'll be able to setup the Direct Debit into your account without even asking.

If you complain then you will be sent to some island of the North of Scotland, where they probably tested anthrax nearly 70 years ago.

the future is bleak , the future is labour totalitarianism.

To think I actually voted for these muppets. Can I ask for forgiveness from those that didn't?

Paris , because even she wasn't as deluded as I (and lots of the rest of Britain) previously was.

I forgive you..

As long as you have learnt your lesson.. I wish people had learnt last time in 2005 but they didnt.....

What I find odd is that on the one hand, the Government says the unemployed partner of someone in full time employment cannot claim benefits, but on the other hand, they cannot transfer their unused tax allowance to their employed partner.

Perhaps they were just being equitable; they don't go after their billionaire tax fiddling mates, so it's only fair to extent this to the little bloke.

Mines the one with the "florida swamp for sale" leaflet in the pocket

Thank you for highlighting the most annoying and offensive Americanism in existence. The use of "much?" following a noun.

Instead of "paradox much?" might I suggest "A birrova paradox, innit?"

"Oh, and because this is going to seriously piss off anyone who's a basic employee. To those people I say this: quit, and become a contractor"

Child abuse really pisses me off - your remedy would be "become an abuser"?

>Darling also announced that the government will make available £1bn for small businesses in need of funds...<

'Looks up, suddenly interested' Uh, I'm a small business, I want on this gravy train - where do I sign up?

I still say that's the answer to all this contractor stuff. Abolish the NI which is purely a tax on employment, and equalize the corporation and personal income tax rates.

And since when is "working the system to your advantage" a crime?

Not exactly a paradox:- just an example of the inequitable and iniquitous but deliberate machinations of our revered rulers.

Would that it were possible to forcibly and effectively remind them that they have been elected as our employees to administer our country, and not as latter-day feudal lords.

Short of explosions (controlled or otherwise), barricades in the streets and AKs all round, I cannot think of any pragmatic way of achieving this.

Karl H, I also extend my forgiveness to you, but you must promise to never ever do it again. I suppose when you were bombarded with warblings of "Things can only get better" you didn't realise they meant for them, and not for us.

As for things developing into a fairer and better system for us proles, I believe there's a greater likelihood of seeing Ian Paisley celebrating mass in St Peters Basilica.