[harry8]

This is actually incorrect. Investment is not tax deductable. Invest all your salary in an S&P500 index fund as a tax deduction?

Business expenses are tax deductable. Investment is not.

Yes I'm completely aware that this is one of Amazon's stated defences for tax dodging. Tax dodging is their core competency. I hate that.

[mhaymo]

No you're incorrect, and drawing a false distinction between spending company money on growth instead of profits, and other business expenses. There is no distinction for tax purposes, nor should there be.

[harry8]

If you buy assets you can claim the depreciation on them as a tax deductable expense.

If investment was tax deductable no company would pay tax ever. Simply invest all profits in an s&p500 index fund and pay no tax.

There is a distinction between business expenses and investment. There is one for tax purposes. It is abused roundly in tax dodges.

This conversations will now go nowhere. If you care about understanding it you've got some research to do to convince yourself, I will be unable to do so.