Ebele Exactly! The key point here is as assessed, full stop. Ali Hussein Principal Hussein & Associates +254 0713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." ~ Aristotle Sent from my iPad
On 23 Mar 2017, at 11:07 AM, Ebele Okobi via kictanet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
This is a very interesting and timely discussion. I think it's important to clarify that it is not Facebook's position to withhold payment of taxes assessed, on the basis of subjective opinions of how validly assessed tax revenue is allocated. A company's obligation is to pay taxes as assessed, full stop, and it's the right/duty of citizens to then hold their governments to account.
It's also important to clarify that Facebook pays all taxes that are assessed.
That said, it's clear that global tax regimes have not evolved to keep pace with the nature of business today, and that governments have an opportunity/responsibility to work together to create a globally consistent taxation regime that doesn't stifle innovation, that doesn't choke progress/entrepreneurship/investment in emerging markets, and which is fair.
Best, Ebele
Ebele Okobi | Public Policy Director, Africa m. +44 (0) 771 156 1315 10 Brock Street | London | NW1 3FG ebeleokobi@fb.com
On Mar 23, 2017, at 6:24 AM, Ahmed Mohamed Maawy via kictanet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
As much as I agree with you Mr. Ali but there is one very good point Patrick has raised.
You can only be given the respect of a preacher if you actually practice what you preach for.
On Thu, Mar 23, 2017 at 8:46 AM, Ali Hussein via kictanet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: Patrick
You raise an interesting issue. However that should not divert us from the main point that Victor is making.
Are multi-nationals paying their fair share of taxes?
Here' an interesting story that is related to this.
Apple's tax headaches
This problem emanates from the Principle of Transfer Pricing. In a nutshell Transfer Price is the price at which divisions of a company transact with each other, such as the trade of supplies or labor between departments. Transfer prices are used when individual entities of a larger multi-entity firm are treated and measured as separately run entities. This is where it gets interesting:-
So let's say Multi-National X has an operation in Kenya but all invoicing is done in say Ireland (sound familiar for those who deal with Multi-Nationals in the Tech Space?) but then the said Multi-National also invoices itself (ok, its 'subsidiary') for 'Management Fees' and other 'expenses'. The ultimate effect is that profits declared are at a minimum. And this practice is perfectly legal. :-)
In Apple's case they even went ahead and negotiated a minimum tax of 3%!!!
We are all equal..Except others are more equal..
Ali Hussein Principal Hussein & Associates
Tel: +254 713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim
13th Floor , Delta Towers, Oracle Wing, Chiromo Road, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya.
Any information of a personal nature expressed in this email are purely mine and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the organizations that I work with.
On Thu, Mar 23, 2017 at 8:05 AM, Patrick Mathenge via kictanet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
That's quite interesting. However, and with all due respect,if anyone was genuine and honest, they would address and ensure that the taxes already paid are put into proper use in the first instance. Otherwise it's not in the interest of anyone to pay taxes that more often than not end up in a few people's pockets. Again I wouldn't speak am not speaking for Uber but that's just my very humble opinion, a tax paying Kenyan.
Regards, Patrick
On 23 Mar 2017 7:05 AM, "Victor Kapiyo via kictanet" <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
Dear Listers, Parliament has questioned the small amount of tax paid by app-hailing taxi firm Uber, suggesting that the bulk of the profits is repatriated outside the country. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) told MPs Tuesday that Uber had paid Sh30 million in taxes since 2014.
http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/corporate/MPs-question-Uber-s-Sh30-millio...
Just how much do companies such as Uber, Google, Facebook, Twitter etc. make from Kenya, and how much do they remit in taxes locally?
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