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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.'"

6 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. 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?
  5. 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?