Gary Barlow - should he keep his OBE?

Although it is wrong, I kind of get it when the self employed avoid paying what is due, maybe down to cash flow problems or lack of work whatever. When it comes to those who live in a different world from the mainstream public my attitude tends to change. If you are living a multimillionaire lifestyle and all the privileges that go with that way of life then there really is no excuse of not paying what is due. Just how much does one need or want to have in their bank account? It ends up being about greed. At the end of the day we all employ accountants to keep on top of our finances, if not then generally we end up in a mess. We also employ them to do things and give us legal advice as far as tax / HMRC is concerned. I think if accountants were more accountable and legally resposible for both their actions and the information they provide their customers, then there will be a lot less tax avoidance. It really is no good them waiving a disclaimer in the air once the crap hits the fan.

As for the OBE and all the other gongs that get handed out, I think its a thing of the past and pretty much meaningless in my eyes.

However when we get to the likes of Lord Hanningfield who is still entitled to sit in the house of Lords and vote on the laws and constitutional affairs of the country, having already been convicted of stealing from the taxpayer and sent to prison, I would much prefer the media to concentrate on getting him chucked out of the Lords than I am of them concentrating a singer's OBE which in reality is not much different than the gold star I used to get from my teachers at school....  

I never got them at school - fortunately my dad was a deputy head so helped myself to his stash in his brief case to make my books look better  dont think he ever clocked that one lol 

I believe (rightly or wrongly ) that he has been given some bad advice and like all the other so called "stars" that have previously been found out, just let him pay his dues and move on.

Go one step further, just assume for one second he is guilty - if thats the case is he any worse than the MP's that lied about their expenses? 

I am going to play devils advocate here. I know if I am truly honest with myself, if I could avoid paying less tax "legally" then I probably would. That probably makes me sound greedy or unethical. I believe in helping good causes, and helping others. However, I do not believe in how half the charities operate, and I also believe the people at the top, the so called friends of the MP's and the so called "connected" get away without paying millions and sometimes billions - and all legally. I really resent paying quite a lot of tax. That's not to say I would do something illegal to avoid paying tax, but I would want my accountant to give me the best tax saving advice possible. 

One other thing. I found through recent research, that if you are in the middle, like most of self employed guys or business owners, you are neither here nor there. Basically what I am trying to say is, to get the really good tax advice, or really benefit from the really big tax savings you often need to be in the millionaires league. Then it makes financial sense to employ such a professional, and the savings make sense. When you are in our leagues, you get taxed properly, and there are only limited options available to you. That's why the majority of tax in the UK are paid by the people in the middle - you and I. 

That's my opinion anyway. 

Look, mere mortals who work for a living have no choice but to pay tax so why should Barlow and the rest get away with paying less than their fair share. The middle classess are getting squeezed between the greedy rich and the work-shy benefit cheats.

there will come a day when I decide to retire then the country will be buggered without my contribution, 

Thats a fair point Ray, but at least he has stayed in the UK, unlike others who live in tax havens and duck paying any Tax what so ever, just duck in & out the UK to suit.

Still believe he has been badly advised by his management, who coincidentally have also been caught up in this!

Another name has emerged in this scandal, Gabby Logan.

She was reportedly in the same scheme up until 2012, but since left but has vowed to repay any Tax due .

She is also quoted as saying that she was advised of a business opportunity around 6 years ago, which kind of echos what i suspect about the others.

It was a loop hole that has now been shut, and as Ryan said above lets all be honest, if someone advised you of a scheme that helps you keep more of your money and at the time is legal, wouldn't you take it?