This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/apr/22/eric-schmidt-google-tax-affairs-growth

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Eric Schmidt defends Google tax affairs, saying firm was key to UK growth Eric Schmidt defends Google tax affairs, saying firm was key to UK growth
(5 months later)
Google's executive chairman Eric Schmidt has defended the internet giant's tax affairs, saying the firm was playing a key role in the UK's high-tech growth.Google's executive chairman Eric Schmidt has defended the internet giant's tax affairs, saying the firm was playing a key role in the UK's high-tech growth.
The firm paid just £6m in corporation tax in 2011, but Schmidt said the arrangements "fully comply with the law" and it was acting in the same way as other firms.The firm paid just £6m in corporation tax in 2011, but Schmidt said the arrangements "fully comply with the law" and it was acting in the same way as other firms.
The tax arrangements of multinational firms including Google were heavily criticised by MPs in a scathing report earlier this year.The tax arrangements of multinational firms including Google were heavily criticised by MPs in a scathing report earlier this year.
The Public Accounts Committee accused Google, Starbucks and Amazon of "using the letter of tax laws both nationally and internationally to immorally minimise their tax obligations".The Public Accounts Committee accused Google, Starbucks and Amazon of "using the letter of tax laws both nationally and internationally to immorally minimise their tax obligations".
Asked about the £6 million tax bill on BBC Radio 4's World at One Mr Schmidt said: "Of course that omits the fact that we also hire more than 2,000 employees and are investing heavily in Britain.Asked about the £6 million tax bill on BBC Radio 4's World at One Mr Schmidt said: "Of course that omits the fact that we also hire more than 2,000 employees and are investing heavily in Britain.
"Britain has been a very good market for us. We empower literally billions of pounds of start-ups through our advertising network and so forth. And we're a key part of the electronic commerce expansion of Britain which is driving a lot of economic growth for the country."Britain has been a very good market for us. We empower literally billions of pounds of start-ups through our advertising network and so forth. And we're a key part of the electronic commerce expansion of Britain which is driving a lot of economic growth for the country.
"So from our perspective I think ... you have to look at it in totality. You're describing the way taxes work globally. And the fact of the matter is these are the way taxes are done globally. The same is true for British firms operating in the US, for example."So from our perspective I think ... you have to look at it in totality. You're describing the way taxes work globally. And the fact of the matter is these are the way taxes are done globally. The same is true for British firms operating in the US, for example.
"I think the most important thing to say about our taxes is that we fully comply with the law and obviously, should the law change, we'll comply with that as well.""I think the most important thing to say about our taxes is that we fully comply with the law and obviously, should the law change, we'll comply with that as well."
Giving evidence before the Public Accounts Committee last year, Matt Brittin, CEO of Google UK, insisted the firm complied with the law in the UK and had not breached its own "Do No Evil" mantra.Giving evidence before the Public Accounts Committee last year, Matt Brittin, CEO of Google UK, insisted the firm complied with the law in the UK and had not breached its own "Do No Evil" mantra.
But committee chairman Margaret Hodge told him: "We are not accusing you of being illegal, we are accusing you of being immoral."But committee chairman Margaret Hodge told him: "We are not accusing you of being illegal, we are accusing you of being immoral."
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.