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Ballmer Threatens To Pull Out of the US

Posted by Soulskill on from the tax-schmax dept.

theodp writes "Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is threatening to move Microsoft employees offshore if Congress enacts President Obama's plans to curb tax avoidance by US corporations. 'It makes US jobs more expensive,' complained billionaire Ballmer. 'We're better off taking lots of people and moving them out of the US as opposed to keeping them inside the US.' According to 2006 reports, Microsoft transferred $16 billion in assets to secretive Dublin subsidiaries to shave billions off its US tax bill. 'Corporate tax is part of the overall advantage of doing business in Ireland,' acknowledged Ballmer in 2005. 'It would be disingenuous to say otherwise.'"

11 of 1,142 comments (clear)

  1. In other words by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    corporations corporations corporations corporations corporations corporations corporations corporations corporations...

    this line added for postercomment compression filter

  2. And I'm threatening.. by NervousNerd · · Score: 5, Funny

    And I'm threatening to move to Linux.

  3. Ballmer threatens to pull out? by Alsee · · Score: 5, Funny

    Too bad Ballmer's father didn't pull out.

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    - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
    1. Re:Ballmer threatens to pull out? by pohl · · Score: 5, Funny

      Ugh, thank you. Now I have this image of a sweaty Steve Ballmer Sr. saying "...I...love...this..company...YEAH!...come on baby, give me your face"

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      The "cue the foo posts in 3, 2, 1..." posts will commence with no subsequent foo posts in 3, 2, 1...

  4. Oh come on Steve by Aurisor · · Score: 4, Funny

    Don't tease me like that unless you really mean it.

  5. Move employees offshore by sakdoctor · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's just like moving rack mounted servers offshore. Just box them, ship them, and install in the new offices.

  6. Bonus Fact by qpawn · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's my assumption that while making the threat he was sweating profusely.

  7. Pull out, already by kylben · · Score: 4, Funny
    Pull out, already, Steve. America's asshole is sore enough.

    On the other hand, Steve himself is a good candidate for the title "America's Asshole". I'm all for anyone with financial clout standing up to Obama and congress, but the enemy of my enemy is not automatically my friend.

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    Insightful and funny are really the same thing, except one has a punch line.
  8. Re:Sure, move out. by Trailer+Trash · · Score: 5, Funny

    Perhaps if MS was under the jurisdiction of the EU, they'll do what the DoJ should have done and will break it up into several MiniSofts.

    Those would be "picosofts".

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    Do you have ESP?
  9. Re:Bite the hand that feeds... by imperious_rex · · Score: 4, Funny

    If there were a country with minimal tax, strong protection from the government, freedom to think and act - I know I would move there.
    Better start packing then. This place is a Republican wet dream come true. Minimal taxes, practically no government, and a free market economy! Check out their site for tourists!

  10. Re:Capitalist flight by dem0n1 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Dear Microsoft, You may move your business oversees and we may mandate a transition away from using Microsoft products in all governmental, educational, military and other facilities throughout the US. Thank you. --US Government

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    Why save your soul when you can sell it for a profit?