I couldn’t watch yesterday’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing. From what I could gather over Twitter it was a lot of fun, but didn’t shed any light on anything significant…and what we can learn from the evidence will I’m sure be covered on blogs elsewhere. What I did hear, though, was a fascinating ten minute… Continue reading Why the Public Accounts Committee should call the OECD to give evidence
Category: Tax avoidance
Questions for the Public Accounts Committee today
This afternoon, Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will be discussing “Taxation of Multinational Corporations” with Matt Brittin, Chief Executive Officer of Google UK, Troy Alstead, Starbucks Global Chief Financial Officer and Andrew Cecil, Director of Public Policy at Amazon. The Guardian reports that Starbucks may already have sustained lasting damage to its brand image from… Continue reading Questions for the Public Accounts Committee today
What makes Bradley Wiggins and Jimmy Carr different?
Compare and contrast: I had a small investment in Twofold, following guidance from my professional advisers. I had, however, claimed no tax relief of any amount in regard to this investment. Given the concerns raised, I have now instructed my advisers to withdraw me from the scheme with immediate effect. That’s Bradley Wiggins in an… Continue reading What makes Bradley Wiggins and Jimmy Carr different?
On the contribution of corporate tax scandals to debate
My post last Tuesday provoked a disgruntled email from a tax academic. “I do not feel qualified to say whether the Starbucks royalty is excessive or not,” wrote my correspondent. “I think that is HMRC’s job. Do you feel qualified to say it is excessive? If so, on what evidence?” This is a fair question,… Continue reading On the contribution of corporate tax scandals to debate
Has Starbucks dragged Fairtrade into a tax avoidance scheme?
In the aftermath of the excellent Reuters story about Starbucks’ tax dodging in the UK, some columnists (best pun: ‘Starbucks makes a mochary of tax law’) have picked up on the apparent hypocrisy of the biggest buyer of Fairtrade coffee in the world also employing tax avoidance schemes. Take note, however, that the link is… Continue reading Has Starbucks dragged Fairtrade into a tax avoidance scheme?
Martin Hearson 