I would prefer to see a flat rate too. But I also think some kind of wealth tax should exist. We have council tax but even that is capped. Anyone wealthy enough to own bits of the UK should contribute proportionally to its upkeep.

Don't blame him. Take the days off and enjoy the fruits of his labour.

Our class terminology is more based on wealth than income. But even in this example, most people would not call them middle class.

I am self employed and paid by the hour. I don't bother seeking work that takes me over the 40% band. I can live comfortably on what I get (mortgage paid off, wife also earning). To make extra work make sense, taking home 60% rather than 80% of my net rate is like a 25% cut.

Higher than average.

It's still more income than most. But that doesn't make you wealthy. We live in a system that mostly taxes income, unfortunately.

But you will take home more with 155k than 99k, so why try to earn less?

Yes, anyone shocked by this is taking their eyes off the other 99% of working adults in the UK. A privilege to own more than one property.

That's because of the "taper" that gives rise to that effective 60% (or higher) rate.

Yes it's ludicrous. Was that a George Osborne idea?

High earners have been doing that for decades. Once you add VAT and other taxes in to the mix.

It's been like that for decades, though. My parents bought a semi in Sussex in 1960 using a mortgage on 2x my Dad's modest trainee lawyer salary. This is true of many in the 1945-1975 period. After that it's been all about the "housing ladder" and being in massive debt.

What you describe is essentially communism. What most of us want is not that, but one where we don't live in a highly unequal society, where people can at least afford foot, energy and housing.

Pension contributions are pre-tax. A good option especially for higher rate earners.

Exactly. Pensions essentially defer tax liability, till the time when drawing it is probably the only income. Of course it should be taxed.

That's what I did. Then started drawing it at 55 when, as it happened, employment circumstances changed. Best decision I ever made.

Probably true but most people identifying as middle class wouldn't get anything like that as income. That's a very high earning couple.

Thanks ☺️

It was a 50/50 on line 3 😁

Great solve!!