There is nothing either moral or immoral about taxes. They are the law and if you break the law you get fined or go to jail (unless your a friend of the President or his Administration). If you don't like the tax code then blame the creators, Congress. If you don't like who gets caught and who doesn't then blame the President and the Attorney General. That is the smart and correct approach anyway.
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Tim Cook Calls Apple's Tax Avoidance Accusations 'Total Political Crap'
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Remind us which taxes are they not paying?
I agree. Any good tax consulting will offer its clients any possible tax evasion options. And every business company will use all options, simply because it's legal, and because any business competitor does the the same.
Apple does it, Google does it, Amazon does it – any big company does it. They all just play the system. Any working business model is based on profit, not welfare.
Cook is right, our current tax system has its roots in the industrial age, and as long as it's not going to change globally you can't blame Apple (or any other company) for playing by the (global 'Monopoly') rules.
Apple does it, Google does it, Amazon does it – any big company does it. They all just play the system. Any working business model is based on profit, not welfare.
Cook is right, our current tax system has its roots in the industrial age, and as long as it's not going to change globally you can't blame Apple (or any other company) for playing by the (global 'Monopoly') rules.
There is no contradiction in his statements. What he said is: Apple is paying the US government the taxes it owes under the current tax laws. They are breaking no laws. Under the current law you may ELECT to bring those monies back to the US and pay 40% of it in taxes. In his other statement he said: electing to do so would be foolish - and as a stock holder I agree. If the US government wants that money they should change the law.
Apple employs thousands in Ireland. What do you think they do? Try some research. If it was a shell, and not their Operations for the region, then the offices would be empty. They do real work, and you are insulting those hard workers by claiming otherwise with ZERO evidence
LOL. What's immoral is taking 40% of something someone else has earned to pass around to those who haven't contributed anything at all.
They are a company not a non-profit. Please learn the difference. Even their charities are there only to generate more profits.
Not to split hairs, but I disagree. People accuse them of using a tax haven, which is a legal way to avoid taxes. Rather than issues denials, they should say yes we legally use a tax haven. If somebody "accuses" someone of planning their estate to save taxes, they should "admit" that too.
in one sentence he says, that he doesn't want to pay taxes in the u.s. because they'd be too high, in the other one he says that the accusation of tax avoidance is total political crap.
that sounds like total political crap to me. either say it out loud that you'll go where you pay the least taxes, so the least people can benefit from those taxes, or pay your taxes, no matter, how high.
dark side or light, responibility they should take.
that sounds like total political crap to me. either say it out loud that you'll go where you pay the least taxes, so the least people can benefit from those taxes, or pay your taxes, no matter, how high.
dark side or light, responibility they should take.
That is not a contradiction. Avoidance implies an improper construct for reducing a tax bill. He is following the law to a T.
Explain to me why you believe that profits earned overseas, that are taxed overseas, should be taxed here as well???
Completely agree here. Just because they were smart and figured out a way to legally manage their tax situation, it shouldn't fall on them or be investigated. I am sure there are hundreds of other big name companies that do the same thing.
I don't like what Apple did, but regrettably I do not get a vote in Ireland, or the EU. You should note however, Apple has been investigated in various countries for this scam (let us call it what it is).
I would object less to this tax-avoidance scam if the 'research' in Ireland actually produced better Apple hardware and software. How many years have we had a Finder that doesn't automatically adjust column width to display full files names? How many power supplies for the MacBook have you gone through because the cable strain relief is inadequate? (I am on number three for my kid's MacBook)
If Apple isn't careful, it is going to loose its halo. Tim Cook can weave and dodge all he wants, but when he tries the Big Lie like this, it makes me lose respect for Apple.
Why give 40% of the money they worked for to the Empire when they could just hold on to it? It's their responsibility to minimize their tax burden. Just as it is for you to take as much deductions as you can. Unless, of course, you volunteer to pay without taking any deductions and you pay all state sales tax on online purchases?
Tim, I have no issues with you avoiding tax, go ahead, you can do it "legally", though at the same time drop the crap about being so ethical about the environment, racism, sexuality etc. The hypocrisy is that the money you refuse to give to the government , could be spent on initiatives you pretend are so important.
Next time you voice you opinion about social issues, let's see some $$$$$$ behind those words. Right now you are putting the shareholder first!
People do realize that taxes pay for roads, schools? when big companies avoid them, it is us In fact that miss out. Go ahead and defend apple, just passing the money to the shareholders instead to your own communities.
Next time you voice you opinion about social issues, let's see some $$$$$$ behind those words. Right now you are putting the shareholder first!
People do realize that taxes pay for roads, schools? when big companies avoid them, it is us In fact that miss out. Go ahead and defend apple, just passing the money to the shareholders instead to your own communities.
Why should Apple take the money "Home", where is home if you are a global company!
I am not expecting anything from Shell, a Dutch oil company and also a global company, why should shell take all profits back to the Netherlands.
The company "belongs" to the shareholders, are they all american, guess not.
I am not expecting anything from Shell, a Dutch oil company and also a global company, why should shell take all profits back to the Netherlands.
The company "belongs" to the shareholders, are they all american, guess not.
What tax haven are you referring to? Please state the country, the method employed, and how it is improper
Lol!!!! You are equating your personal problem with Finder to your imaginary belief that Apple's Opetations in Ireland should fix it and therefore make it ok to pay taxes there???
Dear Tim,
To use your own tone of voice: That is total crap. Apple pays almost zero tax in most european countries, yet Apple earns a lot of money in every single one of them.
I am fully aware that most other multi-national companies are using the exact same tax-loopholes as Apple. But that doesn't make it right.
To use your own tone of voice: That is total crap. Apple pays almost zero tax in most european countries, yet Apple earns a lot of money in every single one of them.
I am fully aware that most other multi-national companies are using the exact same tax-loopholes as Apple. But that doesn't make it right.
Yes... lets see... pay 40% more... or find another route to avoid paying that which in turns creates more jobs and products. Any business owner or half smart person would do the same. I don't know why liberals think business owners are bad people and they all hide their money under their beds. WRONG. Business owners invest their money to create more money! which stimulates the economy and creates jobs! If you tax them, they can't do that!
No one says "OH LOOK A 100 DOLLAR BILL! I'm gonna sit on it and hide it rather than growing that 100 into 100,000!"
No one says "OH LOOK A 100 DOLLAR BILL! I'm gonna sit on it and hide it rather than growing that 100 into 100,000!"
The tax practice of all major companies is morally condemnable, unfortunately legal.
But what do you think they do with that saved money? They invest it into their businesses which creates jobs and opportunities... and INNOVATION.