| Archive for Our Scotland - www.our-scotland.org Scottish Politics Discussion Forum / Messageboard - Dedicated to online discussion about Scottish Politics and an Independent Scotland, as well as Scottish Society today. We also have a section dedicated to Banter, Sport and Recommended Sites. |
| Rinty |
what do you do?Folowing ambers recent questions about me, my life, work and history. I thought that it might be good to let each other some details about one another, to whatever degree people feel comfortable with. That way we can happily discuss work, family etc in a friendly manner, separate from the poisonous politically partisan debates.I live in Cumnock Ayrshire and have done most of my life. I was born there and have lived in other places but, on and off, have been here more than half of my life. I have been married for 21 years and have a son who is 19. I work part time in a local small company's office and have caring duties for my son due to health problems that he has. This combination takes most of my time. My wife works in education and training, specifically in building & construction. I am also involved in several community groups and not-for-profit companies, organising educational events, cultural events etc. I do some paid freelance work for other groups such as evaluation reports, business plans, funding applications etc and still some occassional work in publishing that is a hangover from a previous time. |
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| mairead |
Hi Rinty
What a good idea. I am a retired nurse who lives here with my second husband and my son of 42 who has learning difficulties. I am 67 years of age. My first husband died in 1962 of cancer. I have four other sons, and am grandmother to 12, seven of mine and five of my second husbands whom I regard as mine too.. I am very interested in Scottish history. I go to many commemorations for our ancestors and in fact just came back from one at the Falkirk Cairn which was raised a couple of years ago to commemorate the ordinary folk who fought and died at Falkirk and not the commanders of the armies for a change. I enjoy gardening as well but I'm afraid age is catching up on me and I'm not able to do as much as I would like now. I am only slightly interested in politics, but would like to see us gain our independence. |
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| Blackadder |
I'm saying nothing! | ||||
| carol |
that makes a change!
retired community activist, wore myself down stupid with various non-profit making groups etc helped to get a few of the ground at my previous abode. Was also a political activist for a while but became disillusioned with it. Now a lady of leisure in rural Perthshire  I wish!
Nearly 47 although look 10 years younger (don't feel it!), mother of 6 children ranging from 5 - 23, only 4 at home. I stay with my partner, who works in agricultural also a supporter and campaigner of independence for Scotland |
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| Blackadder |
I meant I'm telling nobody anything. You can look me up in Who's Who and that's good enough for you peasants!
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| Alasdair |
God! You're all so-o old! 
I'm a young whipper-snapper of 30 currently staying at home to raise my two kids while the mrs goes out to earn the cash and keep me in the manner to which I am now accustomed ... ... up until three (-ish) years ago I was an HR Officer/Manager and worked for a bunch of fascist pig b****rd scum with one trotter stuck firmly in early 19th century management and employee relations techniques. This has left me somewhat jaded and worn out from attempting to protect 'the masses' from the worst excesses of power crazed senior and middle management. When I return to work it will (hopefully) be for myself. I have an interest in Scottish politics, arts, cooking and baking (although mostly just eating). I do other stuff to, or at least I like to think I do ... ... oh! and I'm one of those irritating pro-independence Scottish Nationalists who doesn't conform with the stereotype that certain sections like to throw about. I don't support any particular political party ... |
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| macnumpty |
Well, I'm clearly the baby of the thread at 25. 
I'm living in Lancashire right now (good for the occasional Wigan game, but its only other bonus is that it's quite easy to get a train to somewhere else), earning my crust as an accountant quite some way down the food chain at a housing association, so I spend eight hours a day processing invoices, sending out snotty memos to area offices that haven't followed procedure and being everyone's point of contact for IT related questions as everyone tries to avoid asking the IT department. Well, actually I spend most of the day gossipping or plotting, but no one seems to mind.
So I try to be interesting in other ways. Obviously the blog is one way, and the Scottish Roundup that I ended up getting involved in. Oh, and I'm now writing a column for Welsh language magazine Barn. Course, not speaking Welsh (apart from 'Mae'r gath wedi scrapio Johnny bach' - 'The cat has scratched little Johnny', in case you're wondering) is a bit of a handicap, so I supply the columns in English. 
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| Blackadder |
Oh alright! Your PMs are SO wearying! This is positively all I'm saying.
Lord Edmund Blackadder XIV, yadda yadda yadda ... aristo with a few other titles, lots of land and buildings and various peasants under my caring wing. CEO of several companies. Seat in the HoL, which I gave up very willingly since I can't stand those old farts. I'm older than a couple of you and younger than the rest. I travel a lot ... well, I did up to the car crash that nearly deprived you all of my wonderful company. One ex-wife, two ex-children (that I know of). Live in a large mansion, on one of three working farms and am a very hands-on kinda guy. Known locally as Uncle Edmund to all the children and My Lord once they reach 16. Am a bit of an artist and published writer ... worked closely as an advisor to Alex at the last election ... but fell afoul of the party hacks soon after. I believe in Independence because ultimately, I will be appointed King, since there are no native Stewarts worthy of the title and you will all be obliged to acknowledge me as your superior, whether you like it or not! Damn peasants! Now stop PMing me.
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| mairead |
wooohoo, and a load of bull that is you snake. I have it on good authority that the adders are bankrupt and penniless and that Baldrick has stashed a way more than you have | ||||
| Blackadder |
You're obviously listening to the wrong people, Mairead. Perhaps your hearing aid needs batteries, or senility has caught you early? 
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| carol |
he's a snake in the grass Margaret even his story twists and turns like one, I can also see him hissing in between the lines
BA re SNP very rarely did i ever toe the party line. I got the impression they don't like people with opinions 
I'm definitely not a political animal. |
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| Rinty |
As age has become the conversation piece I should have added mine, I am 45 this sunday (27th) and my wife was 42 yesterday. We will be celebrating our birthdays in Dublin tomorrow thanks to Ryan Air's brilliant sale recently where no airport charges or tax was added.
So, for 4p the monaghans get to dublin and back. We live quite near prestwick airport so this will be cheaper and quicker than a day out in Glasgow! |
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| mairead |
4p Rinty? Are you kidding? | ||||
| Rinty |
4p in total, no taxes, no airport charges. | ||||
| kathyv |
I live in Oregon, USA. I am 49, have been married to just the one hubby for 31 years. I have 2 daughters, 2 sons in law and two grandsons. (The older daughter's children)
I teach at a small private classical education school. I have various classes there, depending on the year, but at this point I have taught Elementary and Junior High language arts, Elementary history, art, high school physical science, reading and I have subbed for about every other class offered at the school, including Spanish and Latin. I love to read, I play reeds in a local and regional orchestra, the hubby and I raise quarter horses and we drive them, we have 3 dogs and 7 horses. I like to cook and experiment with different kinds of cuisine, I am addicted to chocolate! I enjoy traveling and have been to many places in Europe, with plans to go back to Germany in the next couple of years. We also enjoy fishing on the Snake River and try to do that once a year. I also do some judging for Oregon 4-H and manage the Small Animal barn and show at our county fair. That's coming up in the next 2 weeks actually. In the past I've worked as an educational Interpreter for the Deaf, as an evaluator for the AKC canine good citizen program, and taught community classes in sign. |
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| Blackadder |
That explains a great deal! |
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| kathyv |
Yes, it explains why I am such a perky, friendly, positive and persistent young thing! What is your excuse, other than generations of inbreeding?
I forgot to include that I worked as a Veterinarian's assistant for about 18 months, then the Dr. retired and I moved to eastern Oregon. |
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| Blackadder |
Nope! It explains why you're a persistant harpy, like the rest of your side of the human species! You're an American one!
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| kathyv |
Too bad your ancestors didn't have the luck of being indentured or prosecuted and expelled or even chased out or YOU could have been American as well! Would they have passed up a free one way ticket on a long slow boat across a nice gentle ocean? Mine didn't! | ||||
| Blackadder |
Your criminal ancestors no doubt got what they deserved. It appears to be true for you, that the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree!
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| Reluctant Hero |
I am also an accountant 
Have worked for the NHS for the past 10 years, although I don't know why! I could earn infinitely more in the private sector. Must just be my beliefs! Although I still feel 18, I am actually 32 and am married with a kid. Originally from just north of Inverness, I now live in the safest Labour seat in Scotland, Coatbridge, Chryston etc. |
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| Blackadder |
We all feel we're still 18, don't we??? 
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| carol |
I wish! | ||||
| mairead |
well, age is only a number and even if the body begins to wear there's no reason why the heart and mind has to keep pace.
Shut it Blackadder
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| macnumpty |
You're only as old as the person you feel!
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| carol |
my partner's 54
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| mairead |
Well I've got a toy boy, Mine is only 59. | ||||
| Blackadder |
Accountants!!!
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| Reluctant Hero |
I'm not your typical accountant though
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| macnumpty |
Neither am I!
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| Blackadder |
RH and Macnumpters have been for a dip in an Egyptian river!!!
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| macnumpty |
Nonsense. At work I sit amongst the recycling bins spreading malicious gossip and scaring away the people in Capital Accounts. This is not typical accountant behaviour!
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| kathyv |
I jut finished 12 hours of 4-H record book judging. I did the intermediate aged members, 12-15 years old. One was VERY interesting. A little gal raising a market lamb said the biggest thing she learned this year with her project was how to breed a sheep and how to give birth to a lamb.
I was mature, I didn't ask if it hurt, I didn't even make a comment about modern medical wonders, I just laughed my head off and shared that little morsel with the hubby. I love reading records for just these reasons! This age group is so fun! |
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| Blackadder |
Actually, this IS typical accountant behaviour in my experience! I have a cousin who's an accountant ... he's doing six months inside for being a little too creative in some of his work! Which is where all accountants go eventually! |
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| mairead |
Aye, lots of accountants are incredibly creative. Know of a couple who ended up inside. | ||||
| Blackadder |
It's all those figures ... eventually they become meaningless and accountants start to want them all to themselves. To them, greed is good! | ||||
| Reluctant Hero |
That is an incredibly sweeping statement BA
But if you don't hear from me or macnumpty for 6 months or so, you know where we are
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| macnumpty |
I've already got one Hawaiian island sewn up, I'm only hanging about to grab another two...
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| Blackadder |
But accurate!
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| kathyv |
Oh good, now we'll all have somewhere to go when we need a hide out as well! |
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| Blackadder |
You think the accountants on the Forum would tell us this bit of info ... but no! So I, Lord Edmund Blackadder, am avbout to show you how to avoid tax ....
List of Tax Havens This list of OECD Tax Havens was devised to gain helpful information for the assistance of anyone hoping to become a tax exile! Albania I have been assured that the tax rate is around 7% to 10% in this South East European country, and that tax solutions are possible because of the banking arrangements. Andorra Mountainous country in the Pyrenees between France and Catalonia. Well known for being an independent tax haven nation. Anguilla Does anyone have anything nice to say about Anguilla? Antigua and Barbuda There are some funny laws in Antigua, for example you're not allowed to wear any outfit made of camouflage patterned material, regardless of the style. I wonder when Barbuda will gain its independence. Aruba Aruba is a popular tourist destination, a Dutch island in the Caribbean just off Venezuela. There is almost no crime. Bahamas "Red Carpet Not Red Tape". There are no taxes levied on capital gains, corporate earnings, personal income, sales, inheritance, or dividends. However there is a 1-2% tax/year on property ownership, and a few import taxes. Bahrain An Arabic country which the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) said was a tax haven. I'd tell you more, but when I visited the embassy in London, it was shut, and all the post had been stuffed under the door. Barbados Possibly a low tax country, some sources claiming tax rates to be about 2% or thereabouts. Other info, from several sources, is that Barbados is no longer a tax haven, and that the tax is more like the UK (40%). Belize Current information to hand suggests there is a 6% tax on companies operating within the Belize market, but not international businesses which are encouraged to move there (IBC). Business expenses aren't considered. Also there is some purchase tax, and some import duty, on some items. I was so impressed with the place that I bought a house there. I was so sure Belize was the place for me to emigrate to, that I went there for three months as a test. Unfortunately I was mugged in Belize and subsequently found there was police dishonesty and prejudice, so I'm now looking for a different tax haven to move to! If you can't trust the police, it's a problem. Bermuda Any company in Bermuda has to be 60% owned by Bermudians. We're still not sure if it's possible to become a Bermudian by being granted citizenship or whether you have to be born a Bermudian. British Virgin Islands About 60 islands in the Caribbean, all small. Cost of living is high. Nice place, but I'd question whether this is a tax haven. At 20% tax, it's almost half that of the UK! However, there are some cunning tax solutions which you should consult a tax adviser about. Canada I wouldn't have considered Canada as a tax haven, and I would guess that Canadians would agree with me on that! However, I have been informed "Canada lets you set up a 5 year immigrant trust which is tax free. This basically means that you can move to Canada and, provided you have money, investments or a business already in place, you can set up an immigrant trust and be tax free for 5 years (on all money other than earned in Canada). Because it takes 3 years to become a citizen you can actually get 5 years tax free and change nationality and leave before you get taxed. Once you leave ... you remain Canadian but you are not taxable in Canada. Canadians get special treatment on living / working in USA." ... Interesting? See a tax adviser! Plus, although Canada is often regarded as a nice place, with plenty of open space and fresh air, not everyone likes it. See Not Canada.com Canary Islands The Canary Islands is not a tax haven currently as it's part of Spain. However, after Canary Islands independence, it might be different. Cayman Islands In the Caribbean, just South of Cuba. No income tax, no inheritance tax. Zero percent tax. Some VAT and hotel tax etc. Property price cheaper than in London but more expensive than Up North. Entry requirements: selective. There is a problem however, which is that the place is notoriously not diversity-friendly! Cook Islands You can't own land there, and it's quite difficult to be accepted as a citizen, but there are many good things about the Cook Islands, if your desired life style fits. The place to find out more is: www.cookislands.org.uk Costa Rica Income tax is only charged on income made actually in Costa Rica, with international income being exempt. For migration to Costa Rica a helpful contact is ARCR.NET. Also see Costa Rica Real Estate Cyprus An island in the Mediterranean. Half of it is Greek, and the other half Turkish. The regimes don't get along well with each other, but most of the people just get on with life and don't worry about the politics. Dominica Commonwealth of Dominica. As distinct from the Dominican Republic. It's a small island in the Caribbean. There is no capital gains tax in Dominica. Dominican Republic The people at the Embassy in London are very friendly and welcoming. There's a lot of paperwork to read through, so be prepared for a few tough hours. However there is some conflicting evidence suggesting that the Dominican Republic is not a tax haven. Someone said the tax rate was 35%. Is that true? It may not apply if your income is international. Best to ask. Dubai The built-up city of Dubai and the Emirate of Dubai, part of the United Arab Emirates. It's hot and dry and a place of great prosperity. An attractive place for expats as it is much more tolerant and Westernised than most Arabic places, although still too strict for some. Gibraltar The Rock of Gibraltar, one of the Pillars of Hercules, a the gateway to the Mediterranean. Tax advice given by travel agents suggests this is good, but I'm going to ask my accountants to make sure. Grenada Caribbean island. Guernsey Channel Islands Guernsey / Sark / Alderney. The tax rate in Guernsey is 20%, which is quite high, but not as bad as the mainland UK. Ireland Depending on your line of business, Ireland could be a tax haven. Money made by being an artist is somehow tax exempt! Also a comment received here is "Ireland is pretty low tax provided you funnel everything through a corporation. I think they are down to 12% tax or lower now. (2006) Like England, Ireland is a tax haven if you are not Irish, live there but have domicile elsewhere". But remember: It's not tropical! Isle of Man In the Irish sea between mainland Britain and Ireland, so not exactly tropical! However many tax haven companies are established there, although they don't all live there. If you like the British seaside (in winter as well as in summer), and you don't mind paying 10% tax, the Isle of Man could be a place to move to. Incidentally, most of the hotels on the promenade are now banks! Isle of Wight Although the Isle of Man has special tax haven status, and it might be imagined that the Isle of Wight is a tax haven for similar reasons, the sad fact is that the Isle of Wight is not a tax haven. Perhaps it should be. It would improve the local economy. Jersey One of the Channel Islands, gaining splendid publicity by the television series Bergerac. To buy a house in Jersey requires you to have either: 1. been born there, or 2. lived there for 5 years, or 3. Have five million pounds in the bank. Some people have seriously questioned the merit of Jersey because of archaic laws. Liberia African country, well-known for being a Flag of Convenience. Liechtenstein The Principality of Liechtenstein. A small country in the middle of Europe. I've heard it's expensive to live there, but I'm sure someone will write to me and tell me more about it. Luxembourg A small country in the middle of Europe. Famous for Radio Luxembourg 208. Maldives The Republic of Maldives. Many coral atolls in the Indian Ocean. Pretty, but there are worrying questions about the sea level. Malta Islands in the Mediterranean. Does this count as as tax haven? The tax rate is 15%, but there are special discounts for electronic manufacturing companies because they're the latest fashionable thing! That doesn't include Internet companies, so I have heard, which seems a bit odd. Marshall Islands The Republic of Marshall Islands Mauritius Indian Ocean Island off East Africa - "The Cyber Island" - Permanent residents who invest at least $500,000 welcome. Monaco Monte Carlo, gambling casinos, grand prix racing. The country with the world's highest population density. Current opinion suggests you need to be very rich like me to afford to live there. Montserrat Volcanic island in the Caribbean. Misfortune has struck the place, and the tax haven migration possibilities were diminished when the volcano erupted and destroyed the capital city and the airport. Nauru Still recovering from the frittering-away of the Pacific island's natural resource (phosphates), Nauru is looking for someone with a brilliant idea to put it back on the world economic map. If you travel to Nauru, local people there may ask you "why ever have you come here?" Netherland Antilles The Dutch Antilles. These include St Eustatius, Saba, and Sint Maarten, and in a separate group Curacao and Bonaire. Previously Aruba was also included. New Zealand Although New Zealand is not primarily a tax haven, there are some tax situations in which you can migrate to New Zealand and have a tax-efficient arrangement. Ask a professional adviser! Also, there is a Migration to New Zealand Guide available. Niue It's in the Pacific. Panama The land between North and South America. Famous for being a Flag of Convenience, and for having a canal by which ships can avoid a round-trip round Cape Horn. Upon my visit to Panama I was made welcome, and I get the impression that Panama is a truly International place where culture and business is connected with the rest of the world. I have an affiliate program with the tour operators, whom I can recommend as they organised the travel so well. Samoa * Or Western Samoa. In the Pacific. Very traditional. San Marino Although an independent country, San Marino is entirely surrounded by Northern Italy. Although suggested at some time as a tax haven, I have been reliably informed: "Remove San Marino ... at 50% personal income tax, who would bother moving there?" Seychelles The Republic of Seychelles Sri Lanka There are probably some tax haven like things about the large island of Sri Lanka off India, if you get the tax planning right. Sri Lanka, also known as Ceylon and famous for tea, has an interesting combination of ancient Buddhist culture and old-style British Empire influence. There's an old-style charm about the place, and people are friendly and courteous. Good tea as well. If I was to criticise the place, it would have to be over inflexibility and stubbornness, a problem which has resulted in the troubles with the dispossessed peoples of Tamil Eelam, whose future independence would bring a much more amicable relationship. St Lucia Caribbean island. Regimes take it in turns to rule the place. St Kitts and Nevis Or "The Principality of St. Christopher and Nevis". Apparently more go-ahead than most Caribbean islands. St Vincent and the Grenadines Or "The Republic of St. Vincent" Switzerland I have heard that in Switzerland you can have a business arrangement with the authorities to pay a flat rate and then earn as much as you like. The Double Tax treaty means that you are free to move the money to wherever you want after 12 months. It would be interesting to know what the level of the flat rate might be. Tonga Or The Friendly Islands. About 150 islands in the South Pacific. In my opinion, Tonga looks less good since they invaded the independent country of Minerva Turks and Caicos Many islands south of the Bahamas. Turks and Caicos is a British dependency. From what I've seen, it is very old-fashioned. UK I have been told that there is a perspective in which the mainland UK is a tax haven, provided you are not British. Exactly how this works, I do not know. US Virgin Islands Includes St Croix (famous for golf), St Thomas, and St John. Vanuatu The Republic of Vanuatu. As far as I know, tax rate is 5%. Nice tropical location in the Pacific, but there is a law against foreigners owning land, but I'm not sure if it's possible to cease to be a foreigner by living there a while. Also see the BBCs comments about Vanuatu Hope that all helps.
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