Example Email Correspondence
Dear Giles Watling,
I’ve just read the news about Facebook’s tax bill for 2017. And it’s shocking.
I work hard and gladly pay my taxes, so why do these online giants not have to do the same?
I know that Philip Hammond is considering a special new tax on online businesses like Facebook and Amazon. I’ve also seen that more 275,000 people have signed a 38 Degrees petition in support of the move.
The budget is just weeks away. Can you please speak to Philip Hammond and tell him to change our tax rules so that online giants pay their fair share?
My Reply
Thank you for contacting me about corporations paying tax, please accept my apologies for the delay in this reply.
I understand your concerns and completely agree that digital companies must contribute fairly to funding our vital public services, although as I’m sure you will appreciate, I cannot comment on an individual company’s tax liabilities.
The way in which businesses work is changing, which is why I am encouraged that the Government is reviewing the taxation of digital companies, to make sure all businesses pay their fair share. The UK Government is leading international efforts to reform the international rules around where profit is made and where it should be taxed.
Pending this global reform the Government is exploring potential interim measures, such as a tax on the revenue of certain digital businesses. This would be targeted at businesses which derive significant value from users, such as social media platforms and search engines.
However, the Chancellor has been clear that if our country cannot reach an international agreement with other nations over taxation, we will go it alone with a Digital Services Tax of our own.
Additionally, this country has led the way through tough new rules to crack down on multinationals shifting their profits to lower tax jurisdictions. Around £8 billion has been returned by cracking down on large multinational enterprises that are avoiding paying the right amount of tax in the UK. The Diverted Profits Tax has been introduced at a rate of 25 per cent on multinationals that artificially divert profits out of the UK.
I appreciate there is more work to be done, but our country has made great strides towards ensuring businesses pay their fair share and will continue to lead international efforts to reform the international rules.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
