This is a post I wrote for the LSE Policy & Politics blog. Google’s executive chairman Eric Schmidt will stand up to give a talk at the LSE this evening after a week of unprecedented criticism of the search giant. I wonder if he still feels the same way today as he did last October,… Continue reading Clamping down on Google’s tax avoidance: don’t hold your breath
Tag: Google
Why I don’t agree with UK Uncut’s critics
In this post, I’m going to let you into a little secret about tax avoidance campaigners. But I’ll come back to that in a bit. In a week bookended by the Public Accounts Committee’s criticism of Starbucks, Amazon and Google, and UK Uncut’s planned action in Starbucks stores, the usual criticisms of ‘name and shame’… Continue reading Why I don’t agree with UK Uncut’s critics
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?
Is eBay avoiding tax? (In which I endeavour to improve on a post by Mr Tim Worstall)
On Monday I discussed how I think most of the real debate about corporate tax scandals is about people’s normative interpretations of the tax system, not the technicalities of the particular structures. Then I read this: Another day, another report of an internet company avoiding taxes in the UK. This time it’s eBay, to follow… Continue reading Is eBay avoiding tax? (In which I endeavour to improve on a post by Mr Tim Worstall)
Martin Hearson 