Comments | studyinsherlock: Death and taxes?

ars_longa in studyinsherlock

Death and taxes?

Nov 09, 2010 09:31

I just saw a question in one of the Russian-speaking communities: did Sherlock Holmes pay taxes? And if yes, how much? All of a sudden I can't wait to see this question answered, because I absolutely can't remember that issue mentioned anywhere, starting from Baring-Gould and ending up with fanfiction. And if he, indeed, paid them, then how much ( Read more... )

Comments 32

mallyns November 9 2010, 17:23:58 UTC

Define tax. On income it depends on how much he made (and the different changes in the laws over the years). On VAT it depends on how much he buys(and when). Council tax might be included in the rent, but I'm not sure.

He doesn't drive so no tax there.

ars_longa November 9 2010, 18:51:24 UTC

(sigh) The original Sherlock Holmes. Does anyone remember anymore that it's, actually, a book?

claralamora November 9 2010, 18:56:41 UTC

A book?!
NO WAY!
Where do I get my hands on this 'book'? xD

ars_longa November 9 2010, 18:58:52 UTC

Impossible, yeah. A book, such a ridiculous concept. :)

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claralamora November 9 2010, 18:48:29 UTC

If he did, he would technically be giving money to his brother. XD

ars_longa November 9 2010, 18:54:12 UTC

True. :) I doubt that he would be personally exempt as Her Majesty's Omniscience's little bro. :) It begs a more interesting question, tho, you're right - did Mycroft pay taxes? :)

claralamora November 9 2010, 18:55:55 UTC

Oooh, that's interesting indeed!
He probably did, being all Yay England.

tweedisgood November 9 2010, 19:31:47 UTC

He wouldn't have been given the choice. Only the monarchy was exempt from taxes (and it isn't any longer)

tweedisgood November 9 2010, 19:28:10 UTC

*Puts on historian's hat ( ... )

ars_longa November 9 2010, 19:35:43 UTC

I'd love them, as long as you don't mind that I'm probably not going to put this info to a meaningful use - I don't write SH. But it's definitely an interesting question and a one that I'm almost ashamed to mention hasn't occurred to me (princesses don't crap mindset, I think).

tweedisgood November 9 2010, 20:52:33 UTC

History being put to meaningful use? That'll be the day ;-)
The ref in Second Stain was to general income tax, agreed, but I think Holmes was by that stage very likely to be a taxpayer at least in good years. If he earned above the threshold he wouldn't get to choose to pay that extra penny in the pound.
BRB after trying to get a timeline from say, 1874-1929 (based on Baring Gould assumptions about Holmes' lifespan).

ars_longa November 10 2010, 04:22:01 UTC

Thank you. I would have loved to research that myself, but between work and college...

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