Spanish Authorities Raid Google Offices Over Tax (reuters.com)

An anonymous reader shares a Reuters report:Spanish officials raided Google's Madrid offices on Thursday in a probe related to its payment of taxes, a person familiar with the matter said, barely a month after the internet company had its headquarters in France searched on suspicion of tax evasion. A spokeswoman for Google said in a brief statement the company complied with fiscal legislation in Spain just as it did in all countries where it operated. The company was working with authorities to answer all questions, the spokeswoman added. Google is under pressure across Europe from politicians and the public upset at how multinationals exploit their presence around the world to minimize their tax bills.

Comments

Re:Shell games and double talk

[Archangel Michael]

wise up and finally start changing the laws to make this sort of tax dodging hard or impossible.

Your #1 flaw in your presumption is you assume that the government has a RIGHT to collect taxes. It does not have that right. It is a necessary evil that we collect taxes, and everyone, everywhere should do everything in their power to avoid taxes, and keep their own money. I would consider it a duty of the citizen to avoid all taxes as legally possible.

Taxes are regressive. All of them.

Re:Yes governements do have the right to collect t

[Archangel Michael]

They do have a right to collect taxes

It is NOT a right of government to collect taxes. It is the consent of the governed that provides that authority. It is a limited power (see below) Consent isn't a right. Taking without consent is what we call "Rape". ;)

In the US this is enshrined in the Constitution [wikipedia.org].

If you're going to refer to an document, and use that to justify taxes, you should also realize that that document limits taxation for only two purposes.

While authorizing Congress to levy taxes, this clause permits the levying of taxes for two purposes only: to pay the debts of the United States, and to provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States.

You might try reading it sometime.

I read it all the time. I actually know what's in it. I use specific words (right, authority, consent etc) on purpose.

Taxes are the price of civilized society.

Civilization and society doesn't require taxes. Taxes should be avoidable, and unavoidable taxes are a violation of the 14th amendment of involuntary servitude. In this case, slavery to the state. You should read it sometime. :)

Re:Yes governements do have the right to collect t

[Archangel Michael]

According to the US government, I am a slave. See the 14th Amendment. I am compelled under threat of government guns to forfeit my wages to support other people. ;) So I am under no illusions that I am a free man.