Amazon "amazes" on Corporation Tax

I think we should send Amazon a clear message today, " pay your fair share of tax based on the economic activity and profit you make in this Country." Amazon are reported to have sales of 4.2 billion pounds in UK. Isn't it amazing that this multinational company manages to pay only 2.4 million pounds in UK Corporation Tax. It also now appears that Amazon has received some amazing support from the UK in grant hand outs. It pocketed 10.4 million pounds from Scotland in financial support for sites in Fife and Edinburgh in 2011 and 2.5 million from British tax payers in 2012.g. Lets hope Matt Britten, Googles vice-president, amazes the Commons Public accounts committee today and offers to pay up. Now wouldn't that be amazing! George Crane Fryent Councillor (See previous post on Corporation Tax in June and Nov last year.)

Starbucks, Amazon and Google - avoid corporation tax.

Every now and then I have a rant about large multinational companies avoiding tax, it's perfectly legal but socially immoral. Starbucks, Amazon and Google are now in the frame and join the ranks of Vodafone, (see blog June 2012). 

I read with interest calls for boycotts of the 3 companies and have some sympathy with this approach. I have already stopped using Starbucks. Somehow I don`t think it will have much impact on coffee drinkers, internet searchers and book buyers.

The real question must be what are the Government doing to make sure companies pay more corporation tax on profits earned in the UK? Why can`t they stop multinationals just shifting profits around the world to avoid tax?  John Lewis recently called for action to put everyone on a level playing field. At the very least the Government should publish who pays and who avoids, or who are the most creative. I think we have the right to know.

I was going to Café Nero but just heard on the radio that they are tainted to, so I am off to Costa for a coffee..

Cllr George Crane

VADAFONE PAY NO UK TAXES

It was reported by the Sunday Times over the weekend that Vodafone have avoided paying any corporation tax in the UK for 2011. Despite having a massive presence in the UK with a large customer base, they avoided paying tax by using off shore companies mainly in Luxemburg. Vodafone only made profits of 402M up 16% on the previous year and in 2010 its tax bill was 140 M

In 2011 Vodafone Tax bill -  Nil, zero, nothing.

Those profits came from individuals and companies, most if not all, will pay UK taxes. I think it’s time Vodafone customers in the UK send this company a message by signing off and joining a network that does contribute in the UK and pays UK Tax.

George Crane