5 ms·

But how is that going to work out if Ireland can simply use its tax policy to circumvent EU competition laws? I am sure part of the deal that the EU would stay

by Svip 10y ago

But how is that going to work out if Ireland can simply use its tax policy to circumvent EU competition laws? I am sure part of the deal that the EU would stay out of Irish tax policy was that Ireland would not use tax policy to circumvent other EU laws/regulations/treaties.

neximo64 10y ago
The basis of the agreement that the EU would not interfere with tax policy was precisely so that states could compete against each other. This means the basis the commission is using, unfair competitive advantage, goes against the basis of this tax treaty. If Ireland was to circumvent other treaties that is an issue, but on the basis of competition it is most definitely unfair to the Irish state. This isn't the first time the EU has intervened with taxes in Ireland, the other is the water levy. It's getting ridiculous now. Its a country gradually being micromanaged.
- Svip 10y ago
  > so that states could compete against each other. To a point. One thing is maintaining a low corporate tax (no one in the EU has a problem with Ireland's 12.5% corporate tax), another thing - and entirely distinct - is giving select companies tax rebates for no other reasons other than to encourage those companies to operate in Ireland. That's an unfair state subsidy and that's not cool in the EU. Because the same deal is not offered to other companies.
  - neximo64 10y ago
    If it's unfair, why cannot someone challenge it in an Irish court to get the same treatment, where does this whole EU business come in? Why should the EU have a say in how a country sets its tax affairs? This is contrary to the treaty. This is an Irish issue where it could be challenged in an Irish court, now Ireland is challenging this in an EU court - what?
    - Svip 10y ago
      I assume because no one in Ireland was doing it? It's clear Ireland has no interest in taking up the case. And who in Ireland has the time and money to take on both Apple and the Irish state in court?
      - neximo64 10y ago
        They could have set a precedent by challenging it in an Irish court, to extend the benefits to all businesses in Ireland. They instead challenged Ireland in an EU court.
throwaway1974 10y ago
removed, no point talking politics on a tech site
- Oletros 10y ago
  > To turn around now and assert the later is a slap on the cheek and potentially the beginning of a slippery slope to a United States of Europe. They are not doing that. And the ruling explicitly say that they don't have a problem with the Irish tax policy
- NetStrikeForce 10y ago
  How would Texans feel if th federal government slapped the state government in the wrist because the state government restricted the right to bear arms to only the super rich? How defenceless would the average Joe feel? If you're going to do analogies, first please understand the topic you're talking about.

by Svip 10y ago

neximo64 10y ago

The basis of the agreement that the EU would not interfere with tax policy was precisely so that states could compete against each other. This means the basis the commission is using, unfair competitive advantage, goes against the basis of this tax treaty. If Ireland was to circumvent other treaties that is an issue, but on the basis of competition it is most definitely unfair to the Irish state. This isn't the first time the EU has intervened with taxes in Ireland, the other is the water levy. It's getting ridiculous now. Its a country gradually being micromanaged.

Svip 10y ago
> so that states could compete against each other. To a point. One thing is maintaining a low corporate tax (no one in the EU has a problem with Ireland's 12.5% corporate tax), another thing - and entirely distinct - is giving select companies tax rebates for no other reasons other than to encourage those companies to operate in Ireland. That's an unfair state subsidy and that's not cool in the EU. Because the same deal is not offered to other companies.
- neximo64 10y ago
  If it's unfair, why cannot someone challenge it in an Irish court to get the same treatment, where does this whole EU business come in? Why should the EU have a say in how a country sets its tax affairs? This is contrary to the treaty. This is an Irish issue where it could be challenged in an Irish court, now Ireland is challenging this in an EU court - what?
  - Svip 10y ago
    I assume because no one in Ireland was doing it? It's clear Ireland has no interest in taking up the case. And who in Ireland has the time and money to take on both Apple and the Irish state in court?
    - neximo64 10y ago
      They could have set a precedent by challenging it in an Irish court, to extend the benefits to all businesses in Ireland. They instead challenged Ireland in an EU court.

throwaway1974 10y ago

removed, no point talking politics on a tech site

Oletros 10y ago
> To turn around now and assert the later is a slap on the cheek and potentially the beginning of a slippery slope to a United States of Europe. They are not doing that. And the ruling explicitly say that they don't have a problem with the Irish tax policy
NetStrikeForce 10y ago
How would Texans feel if th federal government slapped the state government in the wrist because the state government restricted the right to bear arms to only the super rich? How defenceless would the average Joe feel? If you're going to do analogies, first please understand the topic you're talking about.