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Re:Spanish authorities raid Google offices over tax by ori_b on Thursday June 30, 2016 @03:49PM (#12011153)
The argument that these large corporation's lawyers are putting forward is that the taxes aren't imposed on them by the tax code because the US government only taxes money when it is brought in to the US, and therefore, they aren't evading taxes.

Whether that's true or not is a task for the courts to decide, but considering that there is a long history of the US government not taxing overseas profit until it comes to the USA, I'd say that this is an indicator that the government has, to date, agreed with the corporations on this.

Re:Spanish authorities raid Google offices over tax by ransom1538 on Thursday June 30, 2016 @04:05PM (#12011250)
Courts? Why? There is a simple fix:

Since these are felony allegations (criminal not civil) IRS investigators should sit a few of these CFOs down in a cement room and ask: "Does any of this money come back to the US?"

Then the CFO has a few options: 1) lie to a federal agent (not a good plan) 2) plead the 5th (not a good plan) 3) state to a federal officer that none of the money is used, transferred, or used to pay employees of said corporation by proxy.

I would assume these wouldn't go well at all.

Re:Spanish authorities raid Google offices over tax by linkregister on Thursday June 30, 2016 @04:11PM (#12011288)
When the funds come back to the U.S., Google is taxed on them. But they haven't returned yet. Have you missed all the news stories talking about how many of these companies keep the funds outside the U.S. for this purpose?
Re:Spanish authorities raid Google offices over tax by disordinary on Thursday June 30, 2016 @05:37PM (#12011973)
Who cares about the taxes returning to the us? They're making money in foreign territories and should pay tax there. For instance here in nz Google reportedly only pays 200k in tax which is obviously outrageously low.
Re:Spanish authorities raid Google offices over tax by linkregister on Thursday June 30, 2016 @06:00PM (#12012149)
I think you didn't see the rest of the comment chain. The issue that we're discussing is the suggested U.S. government's involvement.
Re:Spanish authorities raid Google offices over tax by disordinary on Thursday June 30, 2016 @06:18PM (#12012281)
Yes I read it, but its irrelevant.
Re:Spanish authorities raid Google offices over tax by ransom1538 on Thursday June 30, 2016 @04:23PM (#12011365)
linkregister

Yes I am well versed in the new stories. The entire point is to move funds out of the country and avoid taxes. They aren't investing in Spain's tech future. They will use this money (stolen from the US people) illegally to: produce products overseas by proxy, perform HR functions by proxy, marketing by proxy, etc. All these products/services are then sold under the company and for more US profit.

Re:Spanish authorities raid Google offices over tax by linkregister on Thursday June 30, 2016 @04:34PM (#12011440)
I agree that Spain, EU Parliament, and the European Council should enact meaningful legislation and trade agreements to mitigate this tax loophole.

The crux of my argument is that you won't find a U.S. felony here, no matter how bad you want it.

Re:Spanish authorities raid Google offices over tax by ori_b on Thursday June 30, 2016 @04:22PM (#12011361)
Or point to the accounts that live outside of the USA, and say that the money is kept outside of the USA to legally avoid taxes.