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The voice of Scotland’s vibrant voluntary sector

Published by Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

TFN is published by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6BB. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registration number SC003558.

TFN poll: should charity rules be tightened to stop abuse by tax dodgers?

This poll is about 9 years old
 

Should charity rules be tightened to stop abuse by tax dodgers?

No - they're fine as they are
74
Yes - the system's too easy to abuse
25
Unsure
3

If an organisation wants to set itself up as a charity – with all the benefits that entails, not least in terms of tax breaks - there is a test it must pass.

Legislation passed a decade ago stipulates the criteria groups must meet before they qualify for charitable status.

However, there have been concerns the rules are too lax – allowing too many groups to “jump on the charity bandwagon” for tax purposes.

MSPs on the Scottish Parliament’s public petitions committee argued it was time for a rethink of the “charity test”, which is overseen by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.

The concerns were raised as the public petition committee took evidence on private schools which have charity status.

We want to know what you think – should charity rules be tightened to stop abuse by tax dodgers?

Vote now – and join in the debate by commenting below.

Options
Voting in this poll has now closed
 

Comments

0 0
William Douglas
about 9 years ago
The term 'tax dodger' is pejorative, and so is unsuitable in an unbiased poll. But when has that ever stopped TFN?OSCR, in a recent survey, suggested that anyone who is involved in tax avoidance schemes should be prevented from being a charity trustee. Many lawyers who are trustees also help write wills that encourage charity giving through the government's 10% scheme that reduces inheritance tax. from 40% to 36%. Are those who have money to donate to charity through these schemes 'tax dodgers'? Should we ban lawyers from being Trustees?The poll question refers to organisations, but as a generalisation, the funds in the questionable organisation come from very wealthy individuals who would probably not otherwise make funds available for charitable purposes.So, we need to be careful not to cut off the hand that feeds us.
0 0
Manager
about 9 years ago
Once again a poorly worded question that will only get the answer that suits SCVO needs. Well put comment William Douglas
Commenting is now closed on this post