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IRISH TAX OFFICIALS are looking at files linked to the Luxleaks scandal to work out any implications for companies’ local dealings.
It comes after the latest raft of leaked documents implicated more household names, like the Walt Disney Company and Microsoft, in siphoning their profits through Luxembourg to slice their tax bills.
Several of the companies featured in the leaks over the past month have significant operations or subsidiaries in Ireland, including Kilkenny-based global food player Glanbia and the Microsoft-owned Skype.
The tax deals, while legally-approved in the tiny duchy, allowed many firms to pass billions in profits through the country while paying a pittance in tax.
The latest documents published by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) revealed Disney paid less than 1% tax on profits of over €1 billion funnelled through Luxembourg.
A Revenue spokeswoman said officials were currently looking at material on the ICIJ’s website to “identify interactions with the Irish tax base”.
At this point we have not sought material directly from the Luxembourg tax authorities— but we will not hesitate to do so if necessary,” she said.
Pressure mounting on Jean-Claude
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who was Luxembourg’s prime minister when many of the advance-ruling tax arrangements were struck, has been under pressure after the first ream of leaked documents were published last month.
But yesterday he hinted the scandal was being used to damage his personal standing as he again denied any personal involvement in the tax deals with multinationals.
Juncker said tackling tax avoidance had been one of his key promises before taking the presidency and he would push ahead with plans for tax harmonisation across Europe.
- with AFP; originally published at 10.28am
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There are idiots still out there that believe in the Trickle down economy. People being kicked out of their houses and all round tax increases for the working people. water charges, privatization.
The 1%ers are running the show and our so called Governments are spittle licking scabs colluding in the enslavement of the people.
There are also idiots such as you out there who believe that everything should be provided for the state free of charge.
I work very hard and pay tax and through paying tax I expect something in return from the Government. This present government are using my hard earned cash to prop up their corrupt quangos and I object to that, but then I would not expect a scab like yourself to understand that.
Here’s one of the 1% breaking ranks and explaining that:
“rich people don’t create jobs, consumers do………..pointing out that companies don’t actually like to employ people. Only consumer demand can force corporations to take on more staff, and clearly consumer demand is dependent on whether we have money in our pockets to spend. Hanaeur advocates the Middle-Out school of economics, rather than the dis-proven Top-Down myth we are used to. His argument is refreshingly simple.
“The twisted irony is, when you work more hours for less pay, you hurt not only yourself, you hurt the real economy by depressing wages, increasing unemployment and reducing demand and innovation,” writes Hanaeur, although his motives are not entirely selfish: “Ironically, when you earn less, and unemployment is high, it even hurts capitalists like me.”
That is so true Slugger – Henry Ford understood this implicity when he paid his employees well !
hmmm , the gubberment robs middle earners more than any perceived underpayment by those evil capitalists.
Something something Irish Water, something something Bono…………..
You left out Facebook !
something something Google, something something Twitter……….
That’s better !
Glanbia – Golden Ticket !
Should be sifting through Ansbacker for the real tax evaders
Nobody should have to pay taxes. Everything should be free. SF will give everything to everybody.
Better than giving everything to unsecured Bondholders isn’t it ….no ?
According to SF apparently there is one lad on Ailesbury road has agreed to pick up the tab for everyone, for everyone else its free living
This story really has sod all to do with SF – yet the FG trolletariat struggle to make a comprehensible link.
The issue is Juncker, his commission and its historical brevity.
This story was posted thirty minutes ago according to my super smart phone? Yet comments are up
To five hours old?? My smart phone is not as smart as some
have your say