Quizzes & Puzzles2 mins ago
Google Tax......
12 Answers
So how will the big boys get around the new avoidance prevention measures?
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In the case of google they can just leave the UK but Starbucks/Amazon etc may find that more difficult, thoughts please
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In the case of google they can just leave the UK but Starbucks/Amazon etc may find that more difficult, thoughts please
Answers
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I suspect there will some lengthy legal challenges to see whether the new UK rules conflict with EU tax legislation.
Personally, I applaud any company that organises its tax affairs in the most efficient manner (which all firms have a legal obligation to their shareholders to do), so I'll happily buy from Amazon and even occasionally buy an over-priced coffee from Starbucks.
Personally, I applaud any company that organises its tax affairs in the most efficient manner (which all firms have a legal obligation to their shareholders to do), so I'll happily buy from Amazon and even occasionally buy an over-priced coffee from Starbucks.
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As Mikey has siad, they will soon find ways of avoiding as much tax as possible and as Buenchico confirms, they have a duty to do so. For as long as there is more than one tax regime in the world big companies will take advantage of those that best suit them
There is nothing "immoral" about reducing one's tax bill to the absolute minimum (whether that is done by a company or an individual). Moving profits offshore is no more immoral than putting one's savings into an ISA. They both avoid tax within the law.
Like it or not the world's customers have big companies to deal with. If you want to sit at home in the dark (because you don't like the "Big Six" energy companies' excessive profits), without using the internet (because of Google trawling your PC), making your own coffee over a wood stove (because you won't use Starbucks), and trudging up and down the High Street among the boarded up shops looking for goods (without being able to stop for a coffee, see above) then that's fine. Personally I like the option to keep all the lights on, surf the net and use Amazon to find the goods which I cannot get elsewhere. I also like to pop down the road for a large Cappuchino when it suits me. I want and expect all the companies that provide those goods and services (some of whom I have shares in) to keep as much of their profits out of the hands of wasteful and profligate politicians. This keeps their prices down, my dividends up and leaves me with more of my own money to spend as I please.
There is nothing "immoral" about reducing one's tax bill to the absolute minimum (whether that is done by a company or an individual). Moving profits offshore is no more immoral than putting one's savings into an ISA. They both avoid tax within the law.
Like it or not the world's customers have big companies to deal with. If you want to sit at home in the dark (because you don't like the "Big Six" energy companies' excessive profits), without using the internet (because of Google trawling your PC), making your own coffee over a wood stove (because you won't use Starbucks), and trudging up and down the High Street among the boarded up shops looking for goods (without being able to stop for a coffee, see above) then that's fine. Personally I like the option to keep all the lights on, surf the net and use Amazon to find the goods which I cannot get elsewhere. I also like to pop down the road for a large Cappuchino when it suits me. I want and expect all the companies that provide those goods and services (some of whom I have shares in) to keep as much of their profits out of the hands of wasteful and profligate politicians. This keeps their prices down, my dividends up and leaves me with more of my own money to spend as I please.
I did not say that nobody should pay any taxes, Sir O.
What I maintain is that people and companies should pay the absolute minimum they need to under the law. I know that in a civilised society there are things that have to be paid for from tax revenue. But there are an awful lot of things that should not be funded compulsorily (and please don't ask me what because the list is endless). My finances are not there to be plundered by wasteful politicians funding their idealogical fancies. They are there for me and my family to use as we think fit.
Tora's question is about companies that reduce their tax bills to the minimum they can. I maintain that that strategy benefits their customers and shareholders and that should be their priority. The State should need no more than about 25% of the nation's income. At the moment it is running at about 40% and the latest "savage cuts" do not even cut it to 35%. Instead of concentrating their efforts on destroying shareholder value and personal wealth by excessive taxation governments need to think up ways to spend less and leave more of people's cash in their pockets for the plain and simple reason that they know how to spend it the best.
What I maintain is that people and companies should pay the absolute minimum they need to under the law. I know that in a civilised society there are things that have to be paid for from tax revenue. But there are an awful lot of things that should not be funded compulsorily (and please don't ask me what because the list is endless). My finances are not there to be plundered by wasteful politicians funding their idealogical fancies. They are there for me and my family to use as we think fit.
Tora's question is about companies that reduce their tax bills to the minimum they can. I maintain that that strategy benefits their customers and shareholders and that should be their priority. The State should need no more than about 25% of the nation's income. At the moment it is running at about 40% and the latest "savage cuts" do not even cut it to 35%. Instead of concentrating their efforts on destroying shareholder value and personal wealth by excessive taxation governments need to think up ways to spend less and leave more of people's cash in their pockets for the plain and simple reason that they know how to spend it the best.
Ummm...we have debated the perfidy of Amazon many times on here before. I have come to the conclusion that they are what they are from speaking to people who have worked in the huge Amazon place here in Swansea.
There has been much more than just one hour-long documentary in the media, and all the info needed is out there for you to find. I really can't be asked to make all my points again.
There has been much more than just one hour-long documentary in the media, and all the info needed is out there for you to find. I really can't be asked to make all my points again.
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