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Why does anyone defend a multi-billion dollar company from paying their taxes considering how much they benefit from the rest of society?

I'll never ever understand the conservative mindset, it's rather nutty.

And that mindset depends on the company involved. People love their Apple toys, so they will rush to defend them. If this was an oil, pharmaceutical or insurance company, I'm sure their outlook would immediately change.
 
Keep breaking the law. f***-it. the settlement is always far lower than the back taxes owed. When will a government finally make an example out of cooperate greed? At some point, these companies need to learn they aren't in control, the people and their government are. Pay your fair share or you can no longer exist.
 
It's actually quite simple: why pay $10 billion in taxes when you could just as easily set up shop in Ireland and pay $2 billion and get the same services? (I'm making up the numbers, but you get the gist)

Lol it seems as if the original commentator is confused as to why a company would seek to reduce its tax burden (while he/she probably and rightfully minimizes his/her own personal tax burden). I've given up on these people.
 
Whomever thought that the EU would release a finding that said:

"while we deplore Apple's business practices those practices do fall within the laws as written"

is totally ignorant.

Of course they'll find that taxes are due, EVEN IF the laws were more beneficial to companies.

[Palpatine] "I will MAKE it legal" [/Palpatine]





_
 
... Or not allow countries with inconsistent laws into the EU in the first place.

That is, if the EU wanted to make the Union more consistent business environment, they should perhaps have more consistent tax policies/tax incentives among it's membership countries. (ie, part of the membership is to have a consistent tax policy or else you are out)... maybe they have this already, I'm not sure.

The problem is that the EU is a lot like the articles of confederation, the central government of the US before the Constitution. On the one hand, it's one political unit, we're all part of a greater whole, etc. On the other hand, each country is independent, can control what goes on within its borders, their own tax policies, even if desired their own currency. It didn't work well in North America, and it's showing severe stress in Europe. The US was able to say "this isn't working, we need to be a nation with a strong federal government" (and compared to the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution set up a very strong federal government). I am far from convinced that Europe can do that.
 
So the country of Ireland decided that 1.8% was fair and Apple has paid that. Where does the argument go from here?

Yes, I agree. But Tim saying he's in Ireland for anything other than the 1.8% is pure garbage. If Ireland only wants 1.8%, go nuts. I have no problem with that. But don't lie to me and say you are in Ireland for the shamrocks.
 
I LOVE MacRumors!!! So many experts here - tax experts in this case... especially ones that know all the ins & outs of European tax law!!!

Don't need to be an expert to know a company is trying everything it can do NOT to pay taxes, even if legal.
 
Well in the U.S. conservatives generally seem to not feel like the government should get any money. Or at least they feel like the government should get a lot less money to use.

You're right about that for classic conservatives. Modern conservatives are just as tax and spendy as democrats.

Classic fiscal conservatives would rather see the government downsized since the government has a well-established track record of squandering citizens money to waste, fraud, and abuse.
 
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Why does anyone defend a multi-billion dollar company from paying their taxes considering how much they benefit from the rest of society?

I'll never ever understand the conservative mindset, it's rather nutty.

The same reason why you and I would jump head first through whatever tax loophole our accountants find for us if it means we get to keep a little bit of our money.
 
EU is thinking somebody's gotta pay off that Greek debt..somehow

Who said that the money goes to the EU? If it is illegal state aid then the money would be collected by Ireland if recovery is ordered.
 
The 1.8% tax rate is ********.

The state/Federal tax in the USA is 40%.
45% of Apple's profits is US
55% is foreign



If you do the math Apple's non-USA tax rate is 13%.

I'm going to use $100 billion as Apple profits as an example.

$100 billion x 45% (USA profits) x 40% (USA taxes) = $18 billion in taxes
$100 billion x 55% (non USA profits) x 1.8% = $1 billion in taxes
Total tax rate = 19%
WRONG. Apple's tax rate worldwide is 25%

$100 billion x 45% (USA profits) x 40% (USA taxes) = $18 billion in taxes
$100 billion x 55% (non USA profits) x 13% = $7 billion in taxes
Total tax rate = 25%

So Apple is paying close to 13% tax rate on foreign profits.

Incorrect. Page 61 of their SEC filing in 2012 is where the 2% headline figure comes from. It breaks down their foreign taxes paid along with foreign pre-tax income. 1.9% is the correct figure for foreign profits. Apple stopped breaking down their provision for income taxes and in their most recent filing, they only report the total provision instead of domestic and foreign.

I wonder why.
 
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Why does anyone defend a multi-billion dollar company from paying their taxes considering how much they benefit from the rest of society?

I'll never ever understand the conservative mindset, it's rather nutty.

Because if you bend over backwards hard enough and pray to the CEOs devoutly enough, then maybe you get a brand new iPhone.

Only business hating communists pay taxes, don't you know?
 
Don't need to be an expert to know a company is trying everything it can do NOT to pay taxes, even if legal.

When you fill out your taxes, are you going to say (to yourself or whoever prepares them) "Hey, don't worry about finding me deductions, I'm happy to pay whatever in taxes"? Or will you look for every deduction you qualify? Maybe you made some deductions before the end of the year to qualify for the deduction?
 
Why does anyone defend a multi-billion dollar company from paying their taxes considering how much they benefit from the rest of society?

I'll never ever understand the conservative mindset, it's rather nutty.

Why do you consider it "defense" to point out that a. Apple is one of the more responsible tax paying companies in the US and b. these aren't taxes unless they are actually owed. It's not a conservative mindset at all, it's called law and order.
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Yes, I agree. But Tim saying he's in Ireland for anything other than the 1.8% is pure garbage. If Ireland only wants 1.8%, go nuts. I have no problem with that. But don't lie to me and say you are in Ireland for the shamrocks.

Uhh, he never said anything otherwise, nor should he be ashamed of that...
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Incorrect. Page 61 of their SEC filing in 2012 is where the 2% headline figure comes from. It breaks down their foreign taxes paid along with foreign pre-tax income. 1.9% is the correct figure for foreign profits. Apple stopped breaking down their provision for income taxes and in their most recent filing, they only report the total provision instead of domestic and foreign.

I wonder why.

Because it was an obvious target for more "Apple is bad" headlines?
 
Ah, I see you're an expert in European law, and work both at Apple (to know they aren't breaking any law) AND the government, since you seem to have a pretty good picture of how it works there.

Just do a little research. There is nothing secret about any of this, no inside information needed.
 
Ahhhhh...... The only thing tangible to come out of this thread is how little people know about EU..... And why all the big companies are based out of Ireland..... It's not cause of the culture !

Is Ireland and tax haven? Is the pope Catholic ? The answer is the same , though cause apple is involved with all the other giants , let's see how many people will disagree about Ireland .....

My point of view, go for it apple and others, but be prepared to be chased.....
 
The EU should really stick to what it does well and keep its hands off countries tax policies.
How come the same people, who claim the EU has way too much power, always seem so utterly surprised when the EU commission executes its authorities over member states? I hope you don't think, Ireland is a sovereign country independent from Brussels.
 
When you fill out your taxes, are you going to say (to yourself or whoever prepares them) "Hey, don't worry about finding me deductions, I'm happy to pay whatever in taxes"? Or will you look for every deduction you qualify? Maybe you made some deductions before the end of the year to qualify for the deduction?

Again, NOT the point. Apple should, within the law, find every loophole and legal avenue to avoid paying taxes. That's smart business. My beef is that Tim lies to the public, and calls it "crap" when we point out he is in Ireland simply to pay the LOWEST amount of taxes he can. Period.

My argument is not "what's fair." My argument is that Tim is not being honest. That is all. Tim would like 0% tax, but since he can't have that, Ireland is the next best thing at 1.8%.
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Big fan of tax avoidance, I'm going to be doing some of my own come March.

Audit flags just went up in DC...
 
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No, Apple should pay fair taxes in countries where they operate, now they don't.

Apple will pay this from petty cash if they have to.

On the subject of FAIR: That has been discussed and businesses are not legally obligated to be FAIR.

They are run to make money, for shareholders, owners etc.

Also, all laws and tax codes will be taken apart by much smarter people than those who write them, especially outdated laws and regulations.

And, for those who think it's a European issue, read up on how US companies pay NO taxes through INVERSION.
They save BILLIONS.

The lawmakers will never be able to block every loophole.
 
Is Ireland and tax haven? Is the pope Catholic ? The answer is the same , though cause apple is involved with all the other giants , let's see how many people will disagree about Ireland .....

My point of view, go for it apple and others, but be prepared to be chased.....

Precisely. It's never sunny out when the sun isn't out. And Apple isn't in Ireland because of the sweet workforce. In all these posts, I've yet to see someone explain to me the benefit of Apple being in Ireland, OTHER than the 1.8% tax rate.

And for me, that's the point. Apple <3 Ireland ONLY for 1.8%. I would think you would do better with your European hub in say London...
 
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