Brits propose that all paychecks pass through government hands.

[Courtesy Flush]

The Tea Party will have a field day with this.

The UK's tax collection agency is putting forth a proposal that all employers send employee paychecks to the government, after which the government would deduct what it deems as the appropriate tax and pay the employees by bank transfer.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/39265847

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

1. I don't liek the sound of that one bit.

If this happens, it'll really bolster activity in the UK barter market.

[hendo]

2. I hope that doesnt happen here.

That's a little too Big Brother for me. Then again, the UK does already have tons of closed circuit cameras to keep all their citizens in check.

[Bitwit1234]

3. Republicans wouldn't like this very much because

that way business would have to pay their share upfront. I think a lot of them fudge out on paying to the proper authorities what they are supposed to have taken out of the employee's pay check...but also it would mean more government interference and more government spending to set up an organization to do this. So you know republicans wouldn't like it. AND WHAT REPUBLICANS DON'T LIKE DOESN'T HAPPEN. I mean look at all the watered down bills that passed in congress. What republicans didn't like didn't get passed and what they didn't like was taken out of the ones that did pass. Get it.

[Courtesy Flush]

4. Did you really just say that Republicans DON'T like big government?

[Davis_X_Machina]

5. Not forwarding PAYE monies to HMRC....

..and pocketing them instead is endemic in the UK.

The PAYE scheme -- withholding, as we know it over here -- was originally rolled out as a convenience to the little guy, who has a hard time getting a lump sum up at tax time, and became a cash-cow for unscrupulous bosses.

Think about it. How do you know your withholding is actually being credited against your liability come April 15 -- because the stub your boss gives you says so?