Really off topic question

[swimusa]

This is a really off topic question that deals with government. In the United States, every state has representation in the Legislature. The Senate is made up of 100 members (2 from each of the 50 states) and 2 shadow Senators with no voting power from Washington, DC. The House of Representatives is made up of 435 members from each of the 50 states (based on population) and 4 non-voting representatives from Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands. DC, PR, Guam, and USVI essentially lack full representation in Congress in that they cannot vote on legislation. To compund matters, DC is the only entity of the group that has to pay a federal income tax. So we're being taxed without representation. There is now a campaign in the city to either give us full voting rights or do away with our income tax. My question is in Greater London and the Australian Capital Territory, do you have full representation in Parliament where your MPs can vote on legislation. And do you have to pay a federal income tax? Or is Washington, DC an anamoly?

[landlubber]

Originally posted by swimusa
This is a really off topic question that deals with government. In the United States, every state has representation in the Legislature. The Senate is made up of 100 members (2 from each of the 50 states) and 2 shadow Senators with no voting power from Washington, DC. The House of Representatives is made up of 435 members from each of the 50 states (based on population) and 4 non-voting representatives from Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands. DC, PR, Guam, and USVI essentially lack full representation in Congress in that they cannot vote on legislation. To compund matters, DC is the only entity of the group that has to pay a federal income tax. So we're being taxed without representation. There is now a campaign in the city to either give us full voting rights or do away with our income tax. My question is in Greater London and the Australian Capital Territory, do you have full representation in Parliament where your MPs can vote on legislation. And do you have to pay a federal income tax? Or is Washington, DC an anamoly?

All parts of Great Britain & Northern Ireland pay income tax, which is collected at national level (equivalent to your federal level). The Scottish Parliament has tax varying powers, which they haven't yet used. This means that they can vary the basic rate of income tax by up to 1% from the rest of the UK. I don't know what would happen if they used these powers. I assume that if they increased the tax rate they'd be able to keep the difference for purely Scottish spending - I don't know what would happen if they decreased the rate.

These tax varying powers are not available to the Welsh National Assembly or the GLA (I don't know about the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly).

Apart from London, no part of England has a tier of government equivalent to the GLA or the National Assemblies - yet. In a way, England (apart from London) is in a similar situation to Washington DC in that it pays the same taxes as the rest of the country but has less representation. I suspect though that there is little appetite for creating assemblies in England just to have the same number of politicians as the rest of us. if creating more politicians is the answer then maybe we're asking the wrong question :D

I don't think that the Channel Islands and Isle of Man send MPs to Westminster or pay UK taxes - there are others here better qualified to answer that.

If Washington DC is being taxed without representation, maybe you should declare independance? I believe that there's a 226 year old precedent ;)

[swimusa]

Originally posted by landlubber



If Washington DC is being taxed without representation, maybe you should declare independance? I believe that there's a 226 year old precedent ;)

That's the whole argument. My country was founded because we were taxed and not represented. Now the nation's capital is being taxed without being represented. So either give us representation or take away our being taxed.

[Bazza]

The channel islands and the IOM are tax havens to my knowledge.:D

[swimleeds]

It seems a very unusual situation for the residents of Washington DC.

My only visits to the USA have been to Florida where I found that the price tags on goods weren't the price I had to pay at the till due to local takes on top.

Is this unique to Florida or is it the same for the other states?

Does each state have the right to levy this type of "purchase tax"?

[Chris]

Originally posted by bazzaroodoo
The channel islands and the IOM are tax havens to my knowledge.:D

Oh, we still pay tax .... just not very much :D

I am employed in the business of providing tax efficient structures for the wealthy people who are unhapy with the taxation levels in their countries. If you have a seven figure sum sat in the bank, I'll let you know how you can limit your exposure to Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax and income tax ....

[BigFish]

Originally posted by Chris
If you have a seven figure sum sat in the bank ...

Hmmm, if we include pennies in those 7 figures do we still qualify for your advice?

[landlubber]

Originally posted by BigFish


Hmmm, if we include pennies in those 7 figures do we still qualify for your advice?

Can I include the decimal point, £ sign and minus sign? Then I qualify :)