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Re:Why Dropbox decided to build its own infrastructure and n... by lobsterloga on Friday September 15, 2017 @09:33PM (#15262280)
Maybe but OpEx is tax deductible. CapEx is not.
Re:Why Dropbox decided to build its own infrastructure and n... by mbesto on Friday September 15, 2017 @11:37PM (#15262702)
Huh? You deduct CapEx cost over the depreciation period (server hardware is usually 3-5 years). Not sure what you mean by "CapEx is not".
Re:Why Dropbox decided to build its own infrastructure and n... by CodeWriter23 on Friday September 15, 2017 @09:36PM (#15262294)
CapEx is deductible over the amortization period.
Re:Why Dropbox decided to build its own infrastructure and n... by qaq on Friday September 15, 2017 @09:46PM (#15262320)
I am pretty sure if they desire they can convert CapEx into OpEx.
Re:Why Dropbox decided to build its own infrastructure and n... by toomuchtodo on Friday September 15, 2017 @10:15PM (#15262429)
Sure, if they sell the storage system to someone and arrange a leaseback.
Re:Why Dropbox decided to build its own infrastructure and n... by 0xbear on Friday September 15, 2017 @10:37PM (#15262523)
That's how Microsoft manages its campus real estate. :-)
Re:Why Dropbox decided to build its own infrastructure and n... by dx034 on Saturday September 16, 2017 @07:43AM (#15264173)
Nearly every company does that. It's amazing how little many companies actually own. I've worked in offices where everything from building over furniture to even the plants was leased. The company ran with close to zero assets (services business). Pretty sure that this wouldn't make any sense if it wasn't for tax purposes.
Re:Why Dropbox decided to build its own infrastructure and n... by qaq on Friday September 15, 2017 @10:19PM (#15262444)
and that someone can be their own subsidiary in a jurisdiction with dif. tax treatment
Re:Why Dropbox decided to build its own infrastructure and n... by toomuchtodo on Friday September 15, 2017 @10:21PM (#15262452)
Can be within the same taxing authority. I've facilitated facility transfers and leaseback agreements in the US.

Edit: Yes, you can't seize what isn't owned.

Re:Why Dropbox decided to build its own infrastructure and n... by tw04 on Saturday September 16, 2017 @03:38AM (#15263445)
You also can't silently seize what is owned. Which is, generally speaking, the bigger issue.
Re:Why Dropbox decided to build its own infrastructure and n... by qaq on Friday September 15, 2017 @11:08PM (#15262624)
I would also guess you could also shield assets this way from lawsuits etc