[netfire]

It's relevant because companies that are not multi-national can't afford to engage in these sort of tax reducing practices. If you want to get rid of corporate taxes altogether, that would be different, but suggesting that it's okay for Facebook to pay less than other companies because their employees pay income tax doesn't make sense. The tax code should provide a level playing field for all companies. You shouldn't get a break just because you can afford to move money around the globe.

[marknutter]

If we got rid of corporate taxes altogether it would be different, and it would likely "provide a level playing field for all companies". And I'm not sure why companies that are not multi-national can't afford to do this too.. if their corporate taxes are absurdly high like they are here in the U.S., they are free to offshore their operations just like U.S. companies do, or lobby their government to reduce or eliminate corporate taxes altogether. In that respect, the playing field is level because the global economy is now the playing field.

[netfire]

This just isn't true. Small businesses can't afford to hire accountants and set up and manage global offices and tax codes. That means small companies are disproportionately taxed for their profits.

In addition, isn't the whole point of corporate taxes to provide money to the country in which that business is making a profit? We may live in a global economy, but we don't all live in a single country. Businesses should be taxed appropriately for their revenues in a country or not be taxed at all. Saying that it's okay to avoid paying taxes because you can afford to move money offshore is hardly a level playing field and gives money to countries based on their advantageous tax codes, not to the profits achieved in that country.