'Should married couples get a tax break?' poll discussion

A question about : 'Should married couples get a tax break?' poll discussion

Poll between 05-11 Jan 2010:

Should married couples get a tax break?

It's hit the political headlines, but is it right for the tax system to reward the institution of marriage?

Which of these is closest to your view?

A. Yes. Marriage should be rewarded. - 66% (14364 votes)
B. No. Though stable relationships, married or not, should be rewarded. - 9% (1981 votes)
C. No. Relationships shouldn't play any role in the tax system. - 25% (5564 votes)

This vote has now closed, but you can still click 'post reply' to discuss below. Thanks

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Best answers:

• it is more a case of you are penalised for being married , by the tax system /benefits system , why should your husband/wifes income matter to a person personally regarding benefits or tax?
• What bigblackdog said.
  This government has been anti-marriage.
• we would also need a break for civil partnerships, as well as one for athiests who would be discriminated against by imposing this terrible idea.
  Now imagine when someone really genuinely posts something like this!
  marriage is the bedrock of a well functioning society, directly contributing to the economy (one at home, one working or both working), pension pots( employment deductions), family values (proper unit, plus discipline) etc etc and should be rewarded by a 50% tax reduction.
  in short, marriage breakdown is one of the main causes of crap societies because of the knock on effects which are becoming apparent and moreso in the next 20 years. ho hum.
• Government, family, communities and religious institutions invading and running every aspect of our blessed lives isn't exactly looking funny. So, privatise marriage Belonging to just one person or a particule sex isn't grand either for many as we can see when we look around. So, save tax for something else and don't dictate lifestyles thankyou very much.
• I voted for marriage to be supported through tax relief- perhaps bring back MIRAS for married couples- supporting sustainable households- that surely has to be good for society.
  And before you ask, I am happily married and could do with a break!
• Hi - there's an interesting discussion on this on my facebook page too...
  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Martin...43864&comments
  Though I'd repost a suggestion I'd made there...
  "One small note from a personal perspective. I lost my mother just before I was 12 - had this system existed, I suspect that meant that on top of the real horror we were in, this system could be adding a further financial impact - not only did we lose my mothers income but as tradgedy had forced my father into becoming a single parent he would've ... See Morelost the tax break for being married too on top of the family losing my mothers income.
  Now I don't believe that we should legislate for the exceptions, but I do think it is important we establish that the 'traditional family' model is quite far from the norm in modern society."
• I voted B
  If A said marriage or civil partnerships I would have voted A.
• I voted for C. Not everyone wants to get married; some people are in lifelong relationships without wanting to marry; why should they be penalised?
  I also agree with the poster who says that this government have discriminated against married couples anyway, such as with benefits where the amount one person can get is related to their partner's income.
  And Martin, thanks for sharing. Can't have been so easy.
• why should you pay less tax when your bringing in 2 incomes? makes no sense to me. I think its a very old fashioned idea and in a way a penalty for being single!
• Why is it that people in relationships think that they should be rewarded financially? We all pay our taxes; why should some of mine be given to married / civil partnered people?
• I would humbly suggest
  1. Married couple should get a tax break
  2. Cohabitation is difficult if not impossible to prove. Giving tax breaks for cohabitation will encourage some (many!) to claim dishonestly. Marriage on the other hand is a legal status and easy to prove.
  3. The most important issue is to urge the current government to stop encouraging single parenthood! (Today's news item: 14 year olds will be taught how to be good parents!!)
• Why shouldn't stable couples get a break?
  Or even single working parents?
  I'm new to this, please forgive me for sounding a bit daft