[empira]

Well it all depends on your ideas about taxation, society and the role of government.

It is true that huge corporations already "give back" a lot of the money they collected under various forms (income tax, VAT, etc.)

But if you think that the role of government is necessary, then you agree that it should collect taxe to exercise this role. And money is taken where money is. We tax corporations because they make benefits, and a benefit is just a way of saying that even after deducting everything they can think of, they still have money they don't need. So why not take a part of it and re-invest it elsewhere where it is needed ?

Ultimately there is no proper justification for any tax, except its necessity to let society fonction properly.

[G3rn0ti]

> Ultimately there is no proper justification for any tax, except its necessity to let society fonction properly.

But a tax law should adhere to the same standard of quality as other sections of the law. Under the rule of law I -- for one -- expect tax laws at least not to be arbitrary. Just the fact there is money on the table does not entitle the society to grab it.

[empira]

Of course. And that is not the case at the moment. Microsoft will not get fine for 'avoiding' corporate taxe if what they do is legal. But governments will sure try to change the law so that they grab as much as is needed.