Dear Ms Wise, I’m a hard worker at the height of my career and earn more than $500,000 before tax. I understand the concept of all workers above the lowest income threshold having to contribute to government coffers to pay for essential services, but I begrudge paying 45 per cent – or almost half of my salary – in income tax. Is it possible for me to avoid paying tax altogether? James

The wisdom: First, tax evasion is illegal. Secondly, you would also do well to remember that governments collect tax to fund the services we all benefit from as a society. Check out your annual tax receipt from the ATO to find a table showing how your taxes are allocated to key categories of government expenditure such as health and education.