Is Europe Honest Enough To Deal With Tax-Dodgers?

The EU tax rulings against Starbucks and Fiat Chrysler are but trifles compared to the ones extant against Apple and Amazon.

Everyone lies about tax. Holland said it followed international tax standards when everyone knows it’s a corporate tax haven. That’s why ST has its HQ there.

Ireland and Luxembourg also deny offering illegal tax treatment to companies. Apple is registered for non-payment of taxes in Ireland and Amazon makes its non-payments in Luxembourg.

Unfortunately EU President Jean-Claude Juncker is a Luxemburger who set up loads of cushy tax deals for companies when he was PM.

If the top guy is dodgy what hope is there?

Every now and again an honest politician comes along who brings hope. Neelie Kroes did it in liberalising telecoms to benefit consumers, now Margethe Vestager seems to be a straight arrow in dealing with these tax-dodging multi-nationals.

It’s interesting that whatever structures the authorities build to administer government it all comes down to a handful of honest people for the structures to work as intended.

This is a chance for the EC to devise, impose and enforce a common tax structure across Europe.

The question, like’s God’s question about Sodom, is: Are there enough honest people in Europe to do it?

With the European elite’s addiction to non-transparency and non-accountability, it seems unlikely.

The stakes are high. According to the OECD, there’s $240 billion in annually evaded tax to be garnered.

Enough to educate a few people who may become the employees of multinationals.