What Everyone Needs to Know about Tax: An Introduction to the UK Tax System

by James Hannam

You are paying much more in tax than you think you areWhat Everyone Needs to Know About Tax takes an entertaining and informative look at the UK tax system in all its glory to show you just how much you pay, how the money is collected and how it affects ordinary people every day. Giving context to recent controversies including the Panama Papers, tax avoidance by multinationals, Brexit and more, this book provides a straightforward explanation of tax and the policy behind it for non-specialists -- no accounting or legal knowledge is required. The system's underlying logic is illustrated through three 'golden rules' that explain many of the UK tax regime's oddities, and the discussion focuses on the way things are rather than utopian ideas about how they might be. Case studies show how the VAT on a plumber's bill all adds up; why fraudsters made a movie to throw HMRC off their scent; how a wealthy couple can pay so little tax on a six-figure income; and the way tracing the money you paid for your iPad sheds light why the EU is demanding Apple pay billions extra in tax.Ever the political battlefield, tax is too important for you to rely on media hype for information. It affects everyone, every day, and it pays for voters and taxpayers to know more. This book leaves aside technical detail and the arcana of the tax code to give you a real-world look at how tax works.Learn about the many ways that the tax system separates us from our money Discover how Brexit could change the way we pay taxes Understand how changing tax policy affects people's everyday lives See through the rhetoric surrounding controversies in the media With tax, we have to admit that there are no easy answers. No one enjoys paying them, but without them, the Government would shut down. Seeing through politicians' cant and superficial press coverage is critical for your ability to make the decisions that benefit you; What Everyone Needs to Know About Tax gives you the background and foundational knowledge you need to be a well-informed taxpayer.

Genres: Finance

168 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2017

About the author

Dr James Hannam is a British historian of science who lives in Kent with his wife and two children. James majored in Physics at Oxford and has a PhD in the History and Philosophy of Science from Cambridge.

His articles have boon published in magazines such as The Spectator, New Scientist, Standpoint and First Things.

Reviews

[I Read, Therefore I Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Hannah has spent 20 years working as a tax adviser and in this fascinating and informative book that’s designed for casual readers and which explains complex financial and political issues really well, he describes how taxation works in the United Kingdom (including how and why non-dons are treated as they are and the difficulties of taxing multinationals) and why it is that ultimately, it’s ordinary people who ultimately pay.

[Oleksandr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tax?

Fantastic book on tax. I gained valuable insight on tax that I haven't known before. 1 thing that hooked is tax on playing cards. I always wondered why Ace of spades is different from other suits and now I know. It a great book to read if your on your journey of financial education.

[André Pinto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short book that shows how messy, manipulative and extensive the tax system is. Read this to get a real understanding of how the state collects your money and how often it does so, why is the system structured the way it is, why so many fail to reform it and how many try to avoid it.

[Zubair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written book on this difficult topic.

[Carl Meanwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never thought I would find tax this interesting, and some really valuable information to boot. Also does well to maintain a neutral political voice, well worth the read.

[Stratos Kirtsios · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to understand the general structure of the UK tax system. The book delivers what it promises. Its for starters not accountants

[Luke Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an easy read and gave good insights into the tax system that everyone needs to learn.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Covers all ground on U.K. tax & how we always have to pay the cost in the end

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an excellent read and easy to follow. I never thought learning about the UK Tax system could be so interesting!

[Lime Street Labrador · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very annoying and digressive tax book

[Indee3 · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok book for getting a start in underatanding the british tax system but I felt it lacked detail. Could have used some specific examples involving numbers and rates for each tax

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Consolidated my belief that they should teach more about tax in schools.

[Brian Chalmers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, clear, and entertaining, perfect intro to UK tax.

[Raiyhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Context: I'm an ACA (chartered accountant).
This is easily one of the best if not best book I've read on finance let alone tax (which I appreciate is quite a niche topic). This is a must read book, for anyone who lives in the U.K., it would certainly stop 90% of the mindlessly dumb tweets people unaware of basic tax concepts spout on twitter.

[Harry Harman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A historic, reasoned, and simplified teaching of the UK tax system.