Microsoft To Get $100M Annual Tax Cut and Amnesty 406
reifman writes "Despite a $2.8 billion deficit, Washington State's House Bill 3176 would provide Microsoft with an effective $100 million tax cut annually and possible amnesty on its $1.27 billion Nevada tax maneuverings. Under current law, all of Microsoft's worldwide licensing revenues of approximately $20.7 billion annually are taxable at .484 percent. Under the new law, only the portion of software licenses sold to Washington state customers would be taxable. Ironically, after slashing Microsoft's tax burden, HB3176 directs the Department of Revenue to crack down on 'abusive tax transactions' like those in Nevada — except for a loophole that may provide Microsoft amnesty on its twelve year practice. The bill's lead sponsor is Ross Hunter of Medina, home to Bill Gates and a number of current and former Microsoft billionaires and multi-millionaires, and other areas around Microsoft's corporate campus."
The best government (Score:5, Funny)
Our system of government may not be the best, but it's the best that money can buy!
I don't see what the trouble is... (Score:5, Funny)
I have no objection to the government taxing my income at 0.484%
Re:every state does this? (Score:3, Funny)
"Ok, I can get how tech companies can relocate if they don't like your local taxes, but home contractors?"
Absolutely this can happen. I contracted to have a house built for me on the west side of Los Angeles and in the middle of it all my contractor just up and moved out of the state. But really, it hasn't been a problem. Except that my house ended up in Iowa.
Re:Free market? Democracy? (Score:3, Funny)
What? Sorry, I was too busy watching Jack Bauer kick the crap out of terrorists on TV.
Ooooh, IDeals. Is Apple going into the coupon business?
Re:Bill's Sponsor Also Ex-Microsoft Employee (Score:5, Funny)
X:How can you shoot women and children?
AM:It's easy. You just don't lead them as much.
Re:The other side (Score:3, Funny)
That would make more sense if Washington actually had income taxes.
Re:Bill's Sponsor Also Ex-Microsoft Employee (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Bill's Sponsor Also Ex-Microsoft Employee (Score:3, Funny)
"I don't get why people don't understand that corporations don't pay taxes."
That's why corporations never lobby against corporate tax increases .. oh wait.
Who says the government can 't do things right? (Score:3, Funny)
1. Accept money from MS competitors
2. Investigate MS
3. Take MS to court and win
4. MS has an epiphany
5. Accept money from MS
6. Profit!
Re:Bill's Sponsor Also Ex-Microsoft Employee (Score:3, Funny)
Actually.. I think it's being designed by secretaries, and written by armies of trained monkeys.
Which explains the bugs.
The janitorial work was outsourced to a contracter that is (secretly) owned by a competitor, a long time ago.