Grand Theft Auto game creator RockStar hasn't paid corporation tax for 10 years

[cybershot]

Grand Theft Auto maker has paid no UK corporation tax in 10 years – report

 

[equationgirl]

Grand Theft Auto maker has paid no UK corporation tax in 10 years – report

Ok, but what are your thoughts on the subject? Good? Bad? What?

A bit more context would enable a more productive discussion.

 

[cybershot]

Officially, they are doing nothing wrong from what I can tell.

But perhaps there should be a line drawn when your raking in as much as they do, but then they would just move out of the UK completely probably, because shareholders and parent companies!!

 

[editor]

Ok, but what are your thoughts on the subject? Good? Bad? What?

A bit more context would enable a more productive discussion.

I've got an opinion. Make the fuckers pay up. Double.

Rockstar North, the Edinburgh-based developer of Grand Theft Auto, has paid no corporation tax over the past 10 years, despite making billions in revenue for its parent company Take-Two Interactive, while claiming more than £42m in tax relief.

 

[equationgirl]

I've got an opinion. Make the fuckers pay up. Double.

It's your site FAQs that state no links should be posted without a brief explanation.

And yes, they should pay corporation tax, and a healthy chunk at that.

 

[Jon-of-arc]

Here's Jim Sterling - a very good gaming youtuber - commenting on this story. Worth a watch.

 

[stavros]

Officially, they are doing nothing wrong from what I can tell.

Wrong and illegal are not wholly equivalent.

Slightly off-topic, my understanding is that the UK is responsible for more tax havens than just about any other country, stemming from the days of Empire. Unilaterally closing the loopholes that exist there is, as far as I know, within our legislative capabilities. There would still be Luxembourg, Monaco, Delaware, etc, but we would be limiting the choices available to multinationals.

 

[Sasaferrato]

Wrong and illegal are not wholly equivalent.

Slightly off-topic, my understanding is that the UK is responsible for more tax havens than just about any other country, stemming from the days of Empire. Unilaterally closing the loopholes that exist there is, as far as I know, within our legislative capabilities. There would still be Luxembourg, Monaco, Delaware, etc, but we would be limiting the choices available to multinationals.

Lichtenstein is where the Amazon profits are (barely) taxed.

 

[keybored]

I for one am amazed, that a company who releases games in which you can earn bonuses for running over and stabbing sex workers would do something this low.

 

[Ming]

Wrong and illegal are not wholly equivalent.

Slightly off-topic, my understanding is that the UK is responsible for more tax havens than just about any other country, stemming from the days of Empire. Unilaterally closing the loopholes that exist there is, as far as I know, within our legislative capabilities. There would still be Luxembourg, Monaco, Delaware, etc, but we would be limiting the choices available to multinationals.

This is a great book on the subject.
Treasure Islands: Tax Havens and the Men Who Stole the World - Wikipedia

 

[Dandred]

I haven't paid for any for their games.

 

[Badgers]

I worked on a short contract with Electronic Arts at their UK office. They had the front to demonstrate their offshore tax office structure to us as part of an induction programme.

Most the new staff were impressed at their efficiency and the presenter was smug as fuck.

Great office, great pay and perks but I did not last long.

 

[tommers]

I worked on a short contract with Electronic Arts at their UK office. They had the front to demonstrate their offshore tax office structure to us as part of an induction programme.

Most the new staff were impressed at their efficiency and the presenter was smug as fuck.

Great office, great pay and perks but I did not last long.

Similarly my last job's registered office was in Switzerland. In the induction I asked if that was to avoid paying tax and the accountant said something about doing the best by our shareholders.

Bleuch.

 

[equationgirl]

My last employer denied the Luxembourg parent company was anything to do with tax avoidance.

Nobody believed them.

 

[8ball]

My last employer denied the Luxembourg parent company was anything to do with tax avoidance.

Nobody believed them.

Did they offer an alternative explanation?

 

[equationgirl]

Did they offer an alternative explanation?

Some bullshit about simplifying the corporate structure, which made no sense and was clearly utter bollocks iirc.

 

[8ball]

Some bullshit about simplifying the corporate structure, which made no sense and was clearly utter bollocks iirc.

The "U2 defence", as I believe it's called.

 

[stavros]

Some bullshit about simplifying the corporate structure, which made no sense and was clearly utter bollocks iirc.

It does simplify matters for them: they simply pay very little money in the country in which they're in reality operating.

 

[equationgirl]

It does simplify matters for them: they simply pay very little money in the country in which they're in reality operating.

I'm aware of their motivations, it was some years ago so can't remember the details but the parent company was completely artificial.

 

[D'wards]

I for one am amazed, that a company who releases games in which you can earn bonuses for running over and stabbing sex workers would do something this low.

Well, its clear you've never played a lick of gta

 

[keybored]

Well, its clear you've never played a lick of gta

Is that a compliment or an insult?

 

[D'wards]

Is that a compliment or an insult?

Neither. Just pointing out that this is "fake news" spread by the tabloid press. Anyone who's played GTA knows its untrue.

Still, a lie races halfway around the world before the truth has got his strides on, etc

 

[keybored]

Neither. Just pointing out that this is "fake news" spread by the tabloid press. Anyone who's played GTA knows its untrue.

Still, a lie races halfway around the world before the truth has got his strides on, etc

Have you never played GTA IV?

 

[Artaxerxes]

Well, its clear you've never played a lick of gta

You can get your health back from a car quickie then beat the woman up and get your cash back.

So.

 

[D'wards]

You can get your health back from a car quickie then beat the woman up and get your cash back.

So.

You can beat anyone up to get cash off them at any time. You get no "bonus" for beating up or killing prostitutes.

All the hysteria was over GTA V too, in which there are no prostitutes.

If you can point me at any evidence that anyone killed or beat up a prostitute because of gta I'm happy to read it.

 

[pesh]

How is getting their cash not a bonus?

 

[D'wards]

How is getting their cash not a bonus?

You get everyone's cash you beat up/kill.

Ok you've convinced me, lets call for censorship and a ban

 

[Gromit]

I support Rockstar not paying tax.
Their games are fucking awesome and if it speeds up the next GTA release then all the better.

Same goes for Ubisoft. Giz us another Assassin's Creed now!

 

[Gromit]

How is getting their cash not a bonus?

The level of cash received vrs the time expended is lower than practically all other endeavours on GTA.
It's not a bonus because they've wasted time that they could have been using to make the big bucks. Not this nickle and diming.

 

[Rivendelboy]

Here's Jim Sterling - a very good gaming youtuber - commenting on this story. Worth a watch.

I used to think he was a complete cock, but happily I've been proven completely wrong. I don't have much time for video games/gamer at all these days, but his content is leaps and bounds above the rest of the (racist and sexist) crowd.

I've long suspected R* as being wholly up their own arses. RDR2 was made off the backs of a shit ton of exploitation and I doubt it's the first time. Awful company that seems to think hamfisted satire gives shady practice a pass.