I could be... So when dialogue becomes tedious, it's well worth you trying to squeeze in a personal insult.
However as I consider is every Australian's obligation to AVOID paying taxes, and as it is my expectation and understanding that collectively they all do, my umbrage is slight.
I won't preach to you, as I am sure your earthly salvation is underscored by avoidance's evil.
I imagine you could be of the church of those who will not take their Centrelink payments as;
i) they realise they wittingly are part of the fiscal burden of Australia,
ii) they seek to avoid the burden they impose on others.
[See how this works here? Et tu so I sleight in a slight at your dignity as well, simply to enhance the tenor of our mutual posts.]
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I don't doubt there are very effective avoiders, as much as I don't doubt their are significant number of taxpayers who do engage in outright evasion.
But the distinction between the two is as broad as consensual sex & criminal rape
I question the perception that 'if only the net of fairness' was to be perfectly stretched & knotted a significant trove would accumulate to the fiscus that would resolve the Australian governments 'need to bleed'.
I'd argue that Australia isn't a smart place for wealthy people to find themselves, simply because there are so many countries (tax jurisdictions) that realise what a resource they are, and so offer significant protection for both their capital, incomes, and in many cases their persons too
Taxpayers both individuals & corporations are free to leave the tax jurisdiction of Australia. And many do leave. The hurdle isn't too high before it makes tax sense to pack up your bags & get out of the jurisdiction. There are more opportunities worldwide, than there is capital & expertise to satisfy their need, and besides rocks in the ground not that much that makes Australia special - for the ambitious.
Why deal with the unneeded stress trying to fiddle a system against your own conviction, when there is a large open door that can be stepped across, and a portal to dignity & fairness so easily entered.
In so far as the nasty multinational countries go, doubtless the prima facie net will be closed on avoidance, through pained listing of exactly were profits are to be realized and expenses declined.
Apple serves as an compelling example:- Australia, Japan, & the EU howl that no profits are realised in their jurisdictions, whereas Americans equally bitch that billions upon billions of research and development has been written off in the US, against tax revenues (Apple is accused of by POTUS himself President Obama in offshore locals, and thousands of 'American Jobs', simply to AVOID taxes.)
And Apple contends that it now operates its production in significant part out of China, as the US can no longer supply the highly skilled labour force, in the quantities needed as can be sourced in China?
While a lot of governments greedily eye the multinational's large carcass, as the satiation to their tax whiles & woes. So doubtless taxes will inevitably be foisted on Apple in one way or another. (I suggest archaic tariffs)
In which jurisdiction, nobody knows.
What we do know for sure is that the price elasticity of demand for Apple products is high enough, that any raised taxes on Apple, in whatever jurisdiction, will be almost entirely passed on to the consumer of Apple products. (They must be, as Apple is not a not for-profit charity) Whether they live in Australia, the EU, Japan, or anywhere on this planet.
But the punch line for Australia - Apple products are by and large tax deductible! - yes by & large almost every penny spent on Apple product IN AUSTRALIA results in a tax deduction.
[Huh... could you repeat that?] Yes - Apple products that are by and large tax deductible!
So so much for the grandstanded umbrage by the peeved rent a crowd community.
