Google Tax

Pollycat

LadyDee wrote: »

I'm blaming neither the individual nor the company. I'm blaming the crazy tax system which means that the richer you are the more able you are to be able to avoid paying tax.

How many a/cs are held by politicians in tax havens around the world - little wonder that there would appear to be a general reluctance to actually change anything.

So you're blaming the system that allows companies & individuals to 'get away' LEGALLY with not paying the appropriate amount of tax?

Then you need to lobby the government to tell them that the law needs to be changed.

How hard is that?

Don't bleat about it on a public forum, don't start a poll - take action.

Anne_Marie_2

Have a look at this BBC programme.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b06wrt2d/britains-trillion-pound-island-inside-cayman

POPPYOSCAR

Yes there are loopholes which some seek to exploit and it would seem as soon as one is closed some clever expensive creative accountant find another.


What about morality? Just because it can be done does not mean it should be done. There are many other companies who could do the same but choose not to.


So I do not blame the system entirely, these companies exploiting the system have no morals IMO.

BethanyD

Stories like this one have a habit of rolling on and more facts are unveiled.

"Google is negotiating a tax settlement with France worth three times the amount it paid to Britain despite the internet giant doing more business and employing thousands more people in this country"

Source The Times

LilElvis wrote: »

It's not "unjust". If they were legally obliged to pay it then HMRC could/would have enforced it years ago. Blame successive governments for allowing these tax loopholes to exist and not pulling their fingers out to close them.

Pollycat

BethanyD wrote: »

Stories like this one have a habit of rolling on and more facts are unveiled.

"Google is negotiating a tax settlement with France worth three times the amount it paid to Britain despite the internet giant doing more business and employing thousands more people in this country"

Source The Times

Then who do you think the finger should be pointed at?

The mega-company who is paying the least tax they can get away with or the people representing the 'interests' of the
UK who negotiated the amount they should pay?

BethanyD

I do not blame Google!!!

Pollycat wrote: »

Then who do you think the finger should be pointed at?

The mega-company who is paying the least tax they can get away with or the people representing the 'interests' of the
UK who negotiated the amount they should pay?

BethanyD

Google Inc, a US entity, reported to its US shareholders that it made £4bn in the UK last yearalone. If you apply the margin that Google Inc makes on its revenues (25 per cent) and to the notional result (£1bn) apply the UK rate of corporation tax 20 per cent you arrive at a notional UK corporation tax liability of £200m.

Not sure of the figures for the other 9 years

JJ_Egan wrote: »

What tax amount would they pay in the UK ??
Or have HMRC not assessed them for UK tax ??

stugib

I heard someone (a commentator, not a phone-in nutjob) yesterday on TV arguing that we should take into account that Google provides us with all those services they make "for free" when considering their tax bill :rotfl:

Problem is the tax system is just part of a global marketplace for attracting businesses to bring investment and jobs, so we can't act alone even if it stinks, unless other countries implement similar rules. And we know from the last 8 years who holds the power when it comes to abiding by the rules.

Though for a start I'd ban KPMG etc from getting anywhere near government work. Helping to write the rules that they then advise their clients how to work around. Ridiculous.

takman

BethanyD wrote: »

So Google have agreed to pay £130m in tax for the last 10 years.

Is it just me or does anyone else think this is unjust?

How much extra tax do you pay that you don't legally have to?.

BethanyD

I think it naive to believe that HMRC do not do deals for expediency

This story does keep rolling on and many others plainly believe it to be an unjust if not illegal settlement

takman wrote: »

How much extra tax do you pay that you don't legally have to?.