Kitz Forum

Announcements => News Articles => Topic started by: sevenlayermuddle on January 22, 2016, 10:45:56 PM

Title: Google to pay tax
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on January 22, 2016, 10:45:56 PM
But just a tiny, tiny, pittance of their UK business. :(

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35381130

Is it just me, or is the Google spokesman in the BBC clip trying hard, and failing at times, to suppress a giggle at how stupid he thinks we all are? 
Title: Re: Google to pay tax
Post by: Chrysalis on January 23, 2016, 12:07:01 AM
HMRC doing public crackdowns which are all resulting in very small partial payouts a fraction of what should be due.

Either its a publicity stunt they doing to assure people they clamping down, or its a strategy akin to "one step at a time" as I guess if a government tried to be agressive these companies would threaten to leave the uk altogether.

The only real solution to this is if a worldwide agreement came to play that got rid of tax hideaways and forcing companies to pay tax on sales in the country they take place instead of where they registered.
Title: Re: Google to pay tax
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on January 23, 2016, 12:36:24 AM
In fairness to Google, they are only doing what any thinking company or person would do... They are looking for ways, within the law, to minimise the tax that they pay.  Many of us do exactly that, for example  balancing pension contributions/withdrawals, or even charitable donations, etc,  against tax.

The real fault lies with governments that set the legislation, that leaves gaping loopholes open.  But even that's not so easy, as closing loopholes encourages Google and the likes to base themselves elsewhere, a big loss to the economy.

If they came clean and said "Yeah we've hired skilful lawyers and they've found an angle and beat the UK system", then I would begrudgingly respect them, and respect their lawyers too.  But it is the pretence of 'decency' that bugs me, especially when the Google spokesman just can't stop smirking. >:(
Title: Re: Google to pay tax
Post by: phi2008 on January 23, 2016, 07:52:52 AM
The government has taken some action with the ''diverted profits tax'', in place since April -

Quote

It imposes a punitive 25% tax on groups deemed to be artificially routing profits overseas.


http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/may/23/amazon-to-begin-paying-corporation-tax-on-uk-retail-sales


Title: Re: Google to pay tax
Post by: kitz on January 23, 2016, 04:19:14 PM
Quote
Is it just me, or is the Google spokesman in the BBC clip trying hard, and failing at times, to suppress a giggle at how stupid he thinks we all are? 

It appears at times that he is smirking.  :no:
Title: Re: Google to pay tax
Post by: Chrysalis on January 23, 2016, 06:37:17 PM
well yeah they know they getting away with murder.