Overseas companies trading in the UK do benefit the UK economy, even if they don't pay much tax directly. VAT, for example, is paid on many of the products they sell, and their UK employees pay income tax and NI.
I'm not going to start paying more for my books in the vain hope of making Amazon feel the pinch, and David Cameron is one of the last people I would take shopping advice from.
Overseas companies trading in the UK do benefit the UK economy, even if they don't pay much tax directly. VAT, for example, is paid on many of the products they sell, and their UK employees pay income tax and NI.
I'm not going to start paying more for my books in the vain hope of making Amazon feel the pinch, and David Cameron is one of the last people I would take shopping advice from.
Yes, this.
Also, there is quid pro quo in respect of UK companies trading abroad, where they pay tax in the UK where they are registered, not necessarily in the contries where they are trading.
So to sum up the argument for the likes of Amazon, eBay etc: it's alright that these companies trade and earn profit in the UK but don't pay tax in the UK because a) they employ people so the employees (how many on crappy minimum wage?) can pay tax instead; b) they levy VAT on what they sell so the customers can pay tax instead; and c) they do pay tax somewhere you know, honest, only not in the UK.
Tax is only paid by little people and little companies.
i don't think they were saying it was ok..just not as bad as people are screaming about..and that just because they don't pay tax that doesn't mean they contribute nothing to the UK.
if i could choose between a non tax-paying Amazon being based in the UK and not being based in the UK I would choose the former. n.b. there is a major depot in my county which employs several friends of mine.
of course i'd like it if they were good eggs and volunteered to pay the statutory amount of tax. i'd also like to sleep with fiona bruce but all things are not possible.
I'm not sure that they do contribute much to this country, Dude. They don't create jobs, they employ people to meet demand. If Starbucks were to vanish tomorrow there would be plenty others willing to sell us overpriced crapuccino on the high street and some of them might pay tax on their UK profits.
Ditto books and other mail-order stuff from Amazon, etc.
Meanwhile, I wonder how many employees of the tax-dodging companies receive benefits, like eg tax credits ... if any of them do, then we're contributing to the companies!
That's why Argos have announced that they are closing 75 stores this morning ? Cos eveyone is buying from the internet..... and of course not having to pay the overhead of ever increasing business rates.
Comments
Perhaps you are a closet communist ?
Now do be quiet it's University Challenge
Boots? Why would I shop in there?
Only if you want to. I just wondered what made you think I was the sort of person who shops in Boots, and what exactly was wrong with that if I did.
The reality is that I do very little shopping.
You haven't really explained anything....
All you keep saying is "some unnamed people, say some companies aren't paying fair shares of tax"
But you come up with a woolly "I'm going to take my ball home" as the only answer ( if indeed an answer is really required)
Keep saying some people, fair share, my government a lot isn't really a conclusive argument... Rather just a lot of words !
Must remember not to shop in Boots next time I'm out
I agree with Colin!
I'm sure you will get over it
Overseas companies trading in the UK do benefit the UK economy, even if they don't pay much tax directly. VAT, for example, is paid on many of the products they sell, and their UK employees pay income tax and NI.
I'm not going to start paying more for my books in the vain hope of making Amazon feel the pinch, and David Cameron is one of the last people I would take shopping advice from.
Yes, this.
Also, there is quid pro quo in respect of UK companies trading abroad, where they pay tax in the UK where they are registered, not necessarily in the contries where they are trading.
So to sum up the argument for the likes of Amazon, eBay etc: it's alright that these companies trade and earn profit in the UK but don't pay tax in the UK because a) they employ people so the employees (how many on crappy minimum wage?) can pay tax instead; b) they levy VAT on what they sell so the customers can pay tax instead; and c) they do pay tax somewhere you know, honest, only not in the UK.
Tax is only paid by little people and little companies.
I wish I was rich enough not to have to pay tax.
i don't think they were saying it was ok..just not as bad as people are screaming about..and that just because they don't pay tax that doesn't mean they contribute nothing to the UK.
if i could choose between a non tax-paying Amazon being based in the UK and not being based in the UK I would choose the former. n.b. there is a major depot in my county which employs several friends of mine.
of course i'd like it if they were good eggs and volunteered to pay the statutory amount of tax. i'd also like to sleep with fiona bruce but all things are not possible.
And sod all anyone can do about it....
I'm not sure that they do contribute much to this country, Dude. They don't create jobs, they employ people to meet demand. If Starbucks were to vanish tomorrow there would be plenty others willing to sell us overpriced crapuccino on the high street and some of them might pay tax on their UK profits.
Ditto books and other mail-order stuff from Amazon, etc.
Meanwhile, I wonder how many employees of the tax-dodging companies receive benefits, like eg tax credits ... if any of them do, then we're contributing to the companies!
how is employing people (to meet demand or not) not job creation?
I refer the honourable gentleman to my previous post ... it's all there
i know, and you're right really. i'm just trying to look on the bright side
You can't say that! You're supposed to be arguing!
Pffffft.
That's why Argos have announced that they are closing 75 stores this morning ? Cos eveyone is buying from the internet..... and of course not having to pay the overhead of ever increasing business rates.
Listens to the sound of amazon quaking in it's boots................