Amazon.co.uk pay ZERO tax in the UK. Why are people more annoyed about the bloke down the road maybe getting a benefit that he shouldn't than that. I don't understand.

Just as an aside, Henry Boot's grave is in Jersey. Perhaps he wasn't as high minded as you thought?

You've got to be careful if you start looking at where companies "ought" to be based. Because it goes both ways - I'm sure UK was delighted when HSBC left HK to list in London.

Well Henwelly it seems that certain MN'ers believe anyone who tries to make a profit is a tax dodging poor hating Tory.

There was the recent greedy landlord bashing, many of whom are essentially one man band businesses.

Corporation tax is only a small amount of our overall tax revenues. What I'd rather see is a cut in corporation tax for those companies who create new jobs in the UK. Income tax and national insurance are the government's big earners so I'd rather see more people employed and more taxes come flowing as a result. Rather than see companies leaving in droves or worse still not coming in the first place because of the negative tax regime.

pag if that meant your DH business would thrive and he could employ more staff, expand etc is it such a bad thing. (Bermuda aside!!)

Is it just big companies that offend? At what point does a company become a huge money grabbing beast?

If you are in a shop and an item has two prices, your not going to offer to pay the higher one so the shop has increased profits and the staff might get their bonus - you would argue for the lower price. Its a nice thought but it jusst wouldnt happen. Business is ruthless and out for itself.

Yep, Ponders

Take a look at the Targets listed on the right: ukuncut.org.uk/targets

Follow the links if you want - the facts are authoritative.

I didn't know Boots do that!

Amazon was set up and incorporated in America. That remains the HQ. They pay tax in America AFAIK. They were not moving their headquarters or ceasing to pay tax in their home country when they set up amazon.co.uk. They trade in lots of European countries and could choose where to register. Not surprisingly, they chose the most financially beneficial option. That is not the same as setting up a company here originally, then later transferring it to Bermuda or wherever for tax purposes.

Much as I dislike it, it's difficult to stop Amazon doing what they've done. For Boots to claim they are an international company based in Switzerland is a whole different kettle of fish though. It makes me furious. Boots employ thousands of people - most of whom were educated by the British taxpayer, dispense prescriptions paid for by the British taxpayer, have shops on British high streets, managed, swept and maintained thanks to the British taxpayer. Their profitability is entirely a function of British society and the taxpayer's role in that. How dare they refuse to contribute their share in return? The original founders of Boots, who were traditional paternalistic employers of the sort we used to have, would be turning in their graves.

A company dh recently had dealings with was based in A, incorporated in B, accounted for in C, despite having operations in X,Y and Z.

It's just how business is done. UK is deeply unattractive for business, which is why so many of my friends live in different parts ofthe globe. Tax free economies are very attractive for self supporting families. 3 years paying zero tax on a high salary can boost a pension very nicely. In fact a few years not paying VAt on petrol can turn into a saving of thousands. Paying for Health Insurance is often cheaper than the tax they would have to pay here, the same with School Fees. Often these will be paid for as part of an ex pat package. When overseas governments target a particular industry or skill set they will often offer attractive tax reductions and caps.

Let's go after Air France! They have a UK part of their website, theiving bastards.

Unfortunately, corporation tax, who pays where and what not is not simple. The UK has a very unattractive corporate tax regime, which means that companies would think twice before setting up business here. What you want to do, to encourage companies to set up business in a country, and therefore provide jobs, pay tax (e.g. VAT, corporation tax etc.) is have a favourable tax regime, in amongst other things. there was an article on the BBC recently about why the US has more entrepreneurs than the UK, and one of the reasons is the unfavourable tax regime, across all levels, but in particular for start ups.

I'm annoyed by both. Not everything is black and white. I think big business should be regulated and taxed much more stringently. But I also think the welfare state needs serious reform and I support the cap. We need to address the issues at both ends of the spectrum.

Yeah total bastards.

How DARE a company based in Luxemburg not pay UK taxes!

How DARE they sell stuff to us in the UK just because that's the whole damn point of the European Union & single market?

How DARE they employ people in the UK who can now pay NI, income tax whom otherwise wouldn't have a job and claim benefits?

Oh and let's neatly ignore the fact they collect VAT on all the stuff they sell which goes to the treasury, just so we can get all indignant over the fact they don't pay corporation tax.

Next target. Why does Air France not pay UK taxes? The tax dodging bastards.

Amazon's profit warning is likely in response to the eye-watering numbers of kindles they sold at Xmas - each and every one being a physical loss-maker. The profits will be clawed back via the sales of ebooks.

But yes, it fucks me off that Vodafone paid less in tax in LU last year than I paid in tax last month (not in Lu).

ChickenLickn Wed 01-Feb-12 21:59:44
Is moving threads the new censorship?

I agree. I will never purposely post in the politics section if I can avoid it because it always turns into a bunfight. Unlike AIBU which is of course full of flowers, cogent argument and pixie dust

benefit thread are now moved to politics.
it is lovely

'Is moving threads the new censorship?'

you cynic, ChickenLickn.

I can't remember any other threads having been moved to Politics apart from these benefit ones. It seems that less people will find these threads buried within Politics as opposed to being in AIBU.

having spent this morning trying to get the Jeff in contact with Amazons accounts, in order to get them to PAY MY CLIENT who has been supplying them for 6 months without their crappy system paying him...

i am quite happy to rant about Amazon. vendor Jeffing portal FFS.

they did however issue a profit warning this morning, they are not perfectly rated.....they do enable plenty of small UK (and other european) businesses to sell to customers they wouldn't otherwise have. My client pays tax on his profit in the Uk, if you buy his stuff from their website.

whenever corporate tax comes up: i will always argue it is best for the UKs rate to be set at a level that keeps companies based here. That's better for the treasury. some companies can pick and choose: Amazon is one of them.

Good point Henwelly.

I know I would be happy for my parents to do this, in fact my step dads father died recently, and he was able to prevent my step dad having to pay inheritance tax. I fully intend to do the same for my children.

I don't think it should have been moved , Chicken

Is moving threads the new censorship?

Ok (sorry if someone else has mentioned this) what about this scenario.

Your family home is still lived in by your parents. Nice place worth a bit of money that would make a good deal of change to yours and your childrens lives.

They are concerned about the implications of inheritance tax and take legal advice. There is very simple, legal ways of reducing the exposure of their children to this tax.

They worked hard and want their children to benefit from the property in the event of their death. Would you advice them against it? It is tax avoidance, but you could lose a substantial amount of money - that your parents want you to have. Can you honestly say you would say no?

It's legal because of EU legal obligations on tax, and the elimination of dual taxation within EU. I suppose we could try to renegotiate, but I think we'd be on a road to nowhere. There is no loophole here within the unilateral power of the UK Government.