Monday 3 December 2012

Beware the Tax Collector's Dog!

Whilst looking for accountants jokes to post on my blog earlier today, I came across the following:

What's the difference between a Doberman and a Tax Inspector?
A Doberman will eventually let go!

A funny enough joke in itself and I was pleased that I'd found one that was at the expense of the tax man rather than myself, but more interesting was the anecdote attached to it.

Did you know...


According to various websites I discovered, the Doberman dog breed was created by a tax collector!

Sources suggest Herr Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann (1834-1891) had a number of professions including dogcatcher, night watchman and tax collector, the latter two of which involved some risk to life and limb.

With ready access to a supply of dogs, he set about breeding a watchful, sharp, brave and intelligent dog to accompany him on his rounds.

His aim was to create a guard dog with a strong mouth, good nose, courage, hardness and a highly developed protective instinct. The result was the Doberman Pinscher.

Want to know more?


A quick search on Google pulled up the following websites that appear to corroborate the story to some degree or another:


So, if the thought of the tax man knocking on your door makes you nervous, give Fiona Wills a call. I'm good with dogs!



Taxman by The Beatles

With all the current talk about taxes on the rich and offshore accounts, it is easy to forget an earlier time when four working class lads from Liverpool were genuinely shocked to see how much of their money was going to the tax man.

Forget the 45% or 50% high tax rate that Labour and the Conservatives are arguing over at the moment. Back then Harold Wilson's Labour government had introduced a 95% supertax rate!

Taxman


The Beatles hit back on their 1966 album 'Revolver' with the song 'Taxman'. Written by George Harrison, he said of the song, "Taxman was when I first realized that even though we had started earning money, we were actually giving most of it away in taxes."




Well, we all know The Beatles didn't do too badly overall, but as long as their are excessive taxes, there'll always be plenty of accountants.

So many thanks to HMRC for providing me with a living!

Lyrics


For those who can't make them out from the song, the following are the lyrics:

Let me tell you how it will beThere's one for you, nineteen for me
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don't take it all
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah I'm the taxman

If you drive a car, I'll tax the street,
If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat.
If you get too cold I'll tax the heat,
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet.

Don’t ask me what I want it for
If you don't want to pay some more
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

And you're working for no one but me.

Note the line "There's one for you, nineteen for me" reference to Wilson's 95% tax rate.

Tax Advice


If you're liable for higher rate tax of 45%, give Fiona Wills a call for personal, business or corporation tax advice.