WHY are there such different rules with regard to taxes for businesses and the general public?

For instance, the public is taxed on income, NOT on the amount of money left over (profit) after all their outgoings are paid, unless they invest that profit in the hope of increasing their income, which income is then taxed.

So why are companies not taxed in exactly the same way? That is, taxed on their income and taxed again on their profit? After all, what business is it of the Government to ensure companies are profitable? If they are not profitable they wouldn't exist. Economists will no doubt explain in words of one syllable why this is such a bad idea.

BARRY BURTON, Fareham.