Who is to blame for Google's tiny tax deal? Readers share their thoughts

Whose fault is it that Google only paid £130 million in back taxes for the past decade? Here's what you had to say.

Google's recent tax deal caused a furore among the public and public figures alike.

The online behemoth only paid £130 million in back taxes for its past 10 years of operation in the UK, amounting to an effective 3% tax rate. After a six-year open audit, HMRC deemed that Google's tax activity was legal and didn't impose an additional tax on profits from its UK advertising.

We wanted to find out who you thought was to blame for the tiny tax bill.

The results are indisputable: an overwhelming 90% of you think it’s the Government’s fault that Google got away with paying such a meagre amount.

Haven’t had your say yet? Head over to Who is to blame for Google’s tiny tax deal? or comment below.

Former Chancellor Lord Lawson has also weighed in on the subject, arguing that the whole situation makes clear that corporation tax is out of date and should be replaced with a tax on sales. He also points out how unfair it is to smaller businesses who can't shift their profits between jurisdictions in different countries with the same ease that multinationals can.

Lawson said that the UK should lead the way by implementing this reform, but would it be enough?

Tell us what you think in the poll below.

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