Should marriage be an issue for the tax system?

Hecateh · Should marriage be an issue for the tax system?

Should the tax system promote marriage?

A cabinet minister has said that the tax system should reward married couples.

Andy Burnham, who's Chief Secretary to the Treasury, told the Daily Telegraph he believes there's a "moral case" for using tax to promote the traditional family unit.

The interview comes a few weeks after the Tories pledged to change the tax system to encourage couples to marry.

What do you think about the proposal? Should tax reflect marital status?

dragonfly

I beleive marrage is a fashion thing rather than moral these days as divorce is way too easy.
I dont see how or why that should reflect income tax.

Davbro

I certainly do not feel there should be any monetary incentive for marriage. It should be an institution that stands or falls on its own merits and not be determined by the fact that getting married helps to the house deposit.

Hecateh

I don't think there should be any taxable gain by being married.

Maybe it is too easy to get divorced these days but on the other hand is staying together for financial reasons a good thing - especially if it means that either partner is staying in a physically or emotionally abusive relationship because they can't afford to get away.

I got divorced as my partner was constantly putting me down, rubbishing anything I did or tried to do and was so jealous that he couldn't bear me to do anything independantly of him. Not only was this not good for me I didn't think it was a positive or healthy environment for my kids to grow up in.

dingsy

dragonfly

does sound more like a mobile phone contract than an act of love eh!!

(ooo wonder what the upgrade be like!!)

Davbro

Gives a whole new meaning to "trading in for a newer model".

Guest

I do not believe that there should be any difference at all in the tax system for individuals whether they are a married couple or otherwise. The only additional allowances should be given to those with children where one partner is at home and I think that should equate to the allowance that the other person was given whilst they were working.

I am not a fan of "rewards" in any way like this. They create feelings of "unfairness" and dis-satisfaction throughout the population. For me it is a political decision and I don't believe that we have seen where this particular idea is taking us, I think that there is a great deal of debate to be had out of it the political parties will each have a different spin/viewpoint that they will be arguing.

I still believe in the value of marriage (she says having never been married!) but I think that this tax incentive will not encourage those who do not marry or do not wish to marry to do so. I think that co-habitation is now so acceptable, that where as in my parents generation it was absolutely unacceptable to live together. that there is little to be gained from trying to force this issue, yet again.

In addition, I do not believe that this is something that I want to be subsidising - because let's face it - we will all have to pay for the additional benefits to be given to a married couple!

dingsy

Do agree that the focus/importance of marriage in society today has changed radically. Both Jennifer and Iain -at the moment-have no plans to marry-even if they were with a partner they considered they would stay with "for life". So far, only one of their friends has plans to marry-a schoolfriend of Jennifer, and she'll be attending the wedding next weekend in Glasgow.

Feel this is a sad development, and can see things going full circle within a few generations. The whole concept of marriage incurring a financial gain sounds cynical and counter productive, and imagine that socity as a whole would suffer because of it.