Voluntary taxation

Linton

Graham_Devon wrote: »

Because it's not really a loophole. We live in the EU. EU holds free trade. Companies are free to harbour in any country they see fit.

Microsoft are being set upon now, as their offices are in Ireland, and haven't paid any UK tax.

Next it will be HP set upon....

Theres nothing illegal going on. Politicians seem to talk as if we can just demand our taxes. People are then going round saying "just make them pay UK taxes". It's not as easy as this, and I have no idea what Policitians are making out that the current government can just put a stop to it. We'd have to get EU laws changed, or pull out.

I've seen people and commentators suggest they should pay extra to have their business in the UK. But guess what, as soon as one of those companies (Starbucks) DOES voluntarily pay extra taxes, the same people set upon them branding the companie as playing games, choosing how much they owe etc. I mean, what do people actually want? As soon as they get what they did want, it seems it's wrong again. Some it seems won't be happy until the company leaves the UK, damaging us further and leaving all those with Franchies bankrupt.

Only then, will some, it seems, see themselevs as sucessful....but the government will be blamed!

I dont see why the EU should be blamed. Global companies have great freedom to move their profits anywhere round the world. Even the USA failed when it attempted to tax local companies on their global profits. Large supra national organisations like the EU present the only practical opportunity for elected governments to have some control.

mroing

Linton wrote: »

I dont see why the EU should be blamed. Global companies have great freedom to move their profits anywhere round the world. Even the USA failed when it attempted to tax local companies on their global profits. Large supra national organisations like the EU present the only practical opportunity for elected governments to have some control.

That's the opposite of the case. Elected governments have the opportunity to impose tarrifs and charges on international trade. They don't within the EU.