Guess which US tech giant was just hit with a $137m tax bill in China? The Chinese government doesn't want to embarrass whichever US multinational it just slapped with a US$140m bill in back taxes – but let's just say it's large and its name begins with the letter "M." OK, it's Microsoft. But neither China nor the software giant are coming right out and admitting it. According to a story from …
I'm Shocked, SHOCKED!, that anyone would level such a claim against such a fine, upstanding, ethical, moral, never Evil, tiny little company like Microsoft.
They've never hurt anyone, never done anything that didn't put their customers first, and always always always Does The Right Thing.
China must be jealous of Microsoft's laudible & exemplary actions...
*Head explodes from the sarcasm*
*Dies laughing*
Fuck Microsoft.
Fuck 'em with The Great Wall.
Sideways.
With backspin.
Repeatedly.
I wonder if Microsoft will pay their tax in a timely manner or whether they will appeal and litigate for 10-20 years. A couple of questions: Have Microsoft paid their EU fines yet? And does the browser choice screen still appear? As it's over 5 years now, and they promised they would extend the 5 years by 18 months, the period they failed to meet their obligations.
It's a fair question. The longer Microsoft can delay payment the better the chances that the amount of money in question will be less meaningful. Microsoft will grow as a company (in theory, anyways) and inflation will make tomorrow's billion worth less than today's. As long as the interest charged is less than inflation, litigation is a good bet in these situations.
M$ and the PRC had a dispute on how much the chinese central and local government would pay for the privilege to use Windows and Office. This is the rebate they "negotiated"
According to an earlier article (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/07/29/china_microsoft_monopoly_probe/) the government was to "spend millions" on licences. Now they have the money
Those three words have different semiotics than that which you might believe they mean for a UK or US jurisdiction
Having worked with a couple of Western companies to try and recover they records in Guangdong province after the tax authorities asked for some money my experience is its easier to admit to a specious accusation, pay the money and move on
The people doing the asking were smart enough to ask for an amount that was payable without hurting too much
And to the idiot at the top of this comment column - grow up, get out and experience the world more.
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