Amazon’s Slow Retreat From Seattle

[PC2]

That shouldn't exempt them from paying taxes.

Actually it should in many cases... If a corporation doesn't have much of a net income compared to the massive size of their assets or market cap then they won't pay much income tax. If they switch over from maximizing growth to maximizing net income then they would start paying income tax.

[Dald]

Actually it should in many cases... If a corporation doesn't have much of a net income compared to the massive size of their assets or market cap then they won't pay much income tax. If they switch over from maximizing growth to maximizing net income then they would start paying income tax.

In constant growth, while also making record profits every year. Must be nice to have the loopholes that allow them to profit 11bil and still claim they "growing lol, can't pay taxes again this year."

[Phlegethon]

What does a business owe a city?

Should a business relocate for the cheapest rent or should a business stay and pay the city's homeless expenses?

How much does a business benefit from the city services, infrastructure and amenities.

[PC2]

In constant growth, while also making record profits every year. Must be nice to have the loopholes that allow them to profit 11bil and still claim they "growing lol, can't pay taxes again this year."

Well let's look at the numbers. If their annual net income was $10 billion then their pre-write off tax would be only $2.1 billion. By the time they write off the cost of stock payments to employees, credit from prior losses, and new operating investments that could easily wipe out the $2.1 billion.

[Eosia]

Which is often given because the tax revenue the company brings makes up for it.

Yeah... in 30 years maybe.

Take a look at the Foxconn Corporate Welfare scam that Scott Walker made. He offered $3,000,000,000 in tax credits and exemptions to the company to convince it to build a factory in that state. Wisconsin would not see any of that money back until 2042... and is contingent on Foxconn giving all of the 13,000 promised jobs to Wisconsin residents. For the record, Foxconn has only committed to a mere 3,000 jobs. And even if Wisconsin does get that money, it won't be until 2042.

Foxconn's credibility in this area is also not the greatest given what they did in Pennsylvania where they promised to hire 500 workers and build a plant in Harrisburg, PA... a factory that 6 years later is still not built.

In some cases, it is literally a fraud such as when Virginia gave $1,400,000 to a company that used a fake website to get the funding and then promptly pocketed the money.

Smart companies look for things like infrastructure, skilled labor, support services, etc. when selecting a location. Take Ashland Oil for example. It used to be based out of Ashland, KY. But then they had a pattern of executives that would interview for positions, see Ashland, and then decline. It did not help that these candidates would fly into Lexington and see how much better things were there. In 1999, Ashland moved to Lexington. They are now in the process of moving their corporate HQ to Willmington, DE. A move that comes without any financial incentives.

[justandulas]

What does a business owe a city?

Should a business relocate for the cheapest rent or should a business stay and pay the city's homeless expenses?

You can't tax away poverty. Survival of the fittest.

These companies have every right to move to greener pastiers, just like YOU could. Should they be legally forced to stay in dying cities, or cities that have risen their tax rate exponentially to match companies success?

Amazon didn't want to leave SEA, SEA is forcing them out.

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How much does a business benefit from the city services, infrastructure and amenities.

No more so than the average citizen, more than likely, and even if so... there is always a point of no return and SEA has reached that and then some.

We are already overtaxed in this country, both personally and business wise. Why do you think those loopholes for these corporations exist? Otherwise, they'd bankrupt them within half a decade because of how OUTRAGEOUS our taxes are.

Cut the taxes down to 5-10% and all of sudden, these corporations would quit moving and using the loopholes.

It's a two way street

[Vash The Stampede]

You can't tax away poverty. Survival of the fittest.

You can if you redistribute it as social welfare that people need.

These companies have every right to move to greener pastiers, just like YOU could. Should they be legally forced to stay in dying cities, or cities that have risen their tax rate exponentially to match companies success?

They have every right to but other states have every right to tax them as well, which they should totally do. I imagine building a new headquarters every few years is going to be expensive, just to dodge taxes. The dangerous thing here is when Amazon asks for the government to pay to build their headquarters, which makes it easy for them to move around if the situation isn't to their liking. Let them pay for their building and if they don't like paying taxes then they're free to move, and build again at their own expense.

Socialism shouldn't be for the wealthy, it should be for the poor.

No more so than the average citizen, more than likely, and even if so... there is always a point of no return and SEA has reached that and then some.

I paid more in taxes in 2018 than Amazon did and I'm pretty sure Amazon is using the roads and public education more than I am.

We are already overtaxed in this country, both personally and business wise. Why do you think those loopholes for these corporations exist? Otherwise, they'd bankrupt them within half a decade because of how OUTRAGEOUS our taxes are.

Those loopholes exist because our politicians are corrupt and made them exist. I think Amazon can afford to spend 5 billion in taxes.

Cut the taxes down to 5-10% and all of sudden, these corporations would quit moving and using the loopholes.

Or just close the loop holes and get the federal government involved to tax Amazon regardless where they go. Amazon doesn't have a choice, it's not like they manufacture something that can be done in China. They have to operate in the United States and therefore can't avoid taxes. Pay debts or GTFO.

[Phlegethon]

You can't tax away poverty. Survival of the fittest.

These companies have every right to move to greener pastiers, just like YOU could. Should they be legally forced to stay in dying cities, or cities that have risen their tax rate exponentially to match companies success?

Amazon didn't want to leave SEA, SEA is forcing them out.

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No more so than the average citizen, more than likely, and even if so... there is always a point of no return and SEA has reached that and then some.

We are already overtaxed in this country, both personally and business wise. Why do you think those loopholes for these corporations exist? Otherwise, they'd bankrupt them within half a decade because of how OUTRAGEOUS our taxes are.

Cut the taxes down to 5-10% and all of sudden, these corporations would quit moving and using the loopholes.

It's a two way street

I'm not sure if I have to laugh at you or start crying.
This whole everything you say is so stupid...

[justandulas]

I'm not sure if I have to laugh at you or start crying.
This whole everything you say is so stupid...

Maybe you'd understand when you get older, kid.

Ironically, i was just reading an article from a financial institution talking about how SEA's tech bubble burst and was never coming back due to their taxing them out of the market. most of them went to austin texas (apparently that's now a big thing for tech people escaping the west coasts taxes)

SEA will keep losing more and more major businesses until they understand that you can't just tax problems away.

Somehow, i doubt you have enough business prowess or life experience to understand

[Phlegethon]

Somehow, i doubt you have enough business prowess or life experience to understand

That's ok.
I'll stick to laughing then. Your scale is so small, but what did I expect :-) Your map probably doesn't even show anything beyond merrican borders.

[justandulas]

That's ok.
I'll stick to laughing then. Your scale is so small, but what did I expect :-) Your map probably doesn't even show anything beyond merrican borders.

You aren’t the only one laughing. Not once did you dispute what I said, and secondly when it comes to amazon and investing.. yeah America is more important than the rest of the world

If you aren’t an American or don’t invest in stocks; you have no valid opinion. I actually have owned amazon stock since 2004 so I know quite a bit about them. It’s mg job. It’s why I’m retired at 35 and you never will be

[Grapemask]

Maybe you'd understand when you get older, kid.

Ironically, i was just reading an article from a financial institution talking about how SEA's tech bubble burst and was never coming back due to their taxing them out of the market. most of them went to austin texas (apparently that's now a big thing for tech people escaping the west coasts taxes)

SEA will keep losing more and more major businesses until they understand that you can't just tax problems away.

Somehow, i doubt you have enough business prowess or life experience to understand

This idea of "you can't tax us or we'll leave" is mostly just threats because the children don't want to have to do their chores for mom to give them a toy. Of course they say taxes are killing them and the reason X is happening. And of course every business will do everything it can to minimize expenses. That doesn't mean we should race to the bottom.

Companies, especially Amazon, need to recognize that they put burdens on their communities and do better about helping alleviate them. Amazon can move to bumblefuck nowhere and what'll happen as soon as they do? A few million people relocate to bumblefuck nowhere, and suddenly bumblefuck nowhere starts having the same problems as the last place they came from. It's a shell game of dodging the problem they're creating, and it won't end until they help solve it.

Well, more realistically, the end will probably be when they take advantage of technology and stop consolidating all of their resources in small areas. The vast majority of their employees don't need to be right next door to each other. Companies need to think more about being small offices connected by different forms of media instead of monolithic organizations.

[justandulas]

This idea of "you can't tax us or we'll leave" is mostly just threats because the children don't want to have to do their chores for mom to give them a toy. Of course they say taxes are killing them and the reason X is happening. And of course every business will do everything it can to minimize expenses. That doesn't mean we should race to the bottom.

Companies, especially Amazon, need to recognize that they put burdens on their communities and do better about helping alleviate them. Amazon can move to bumblefuck nowhere and what'll happen as soon as they do? A few million people relocate to bumblefuck nowhere, and suddenly bumblefuck nowhere starts having the same problems as the last place they came from. It's a shell game of dodging the problem they're creating, and it won't end until they help solve it.

Well, more realistically, the end will probably be when they take advantage of technology and stop consolidating all of their resources in small areas. The vast majority of their employees don't need to be right next door to each other. Companies need to think more about being small offices connected by different forms of media instead of monolithic organizations.

Amazon will likely move to the east coast or Austin Texas and be better than ever. It isn’t their first choice to abandon Seattle but when their city management is run by lunatics who think you can erase homelessness by overtaxing the rich; a plan that will never work in human history.

Survival of the fittest and all. The only people racing to the bottom are those raising taxes forever. Less taxes are better for everyone. Why do you think there’s a great flight away from the west coast with businesses?

Amazon does fine to help out, they go above and beyond; but when politicians invite all of America’s homeless into their city and then expect corporations to cover the cost,., that isn’t what they signed up for and shouldn’t have to. That’s what certain helpful organizations are for.

I’m of the mindset that we are overpopulated anyway and survival of the fittest is the only way forward

[Ghostpanther]

Amazon will likely move to the east coast or Austin Texas and be better than ever. It isn’t their first choice to abandon Seattle but when their city management is run by lunatics who think you can erase homelessness by overtaxing the rich; a plan that will never work in human history.

Survival of the fittest and all. The only people racing to the bottom are those raising taxes forever. Less taxes are better for everyone. Why do you think there’s a great flight away from the west coast with businesses?

Amazon does fine to help out, they go above and beyond; but when politicians invite all of America’s homeless into their city and then expect corporations to cover the cost,., that isn’t what they signed up for and shouldn’t have to. That’s what certain helpful organizations are for.

I’m of the mindset that we are overpopulated anyway and survival of the fittest is the only way forward

The problem you are having is, liberals also are moving to Texas for the reasons you pointed to Austin. Which is moving more and more away from conservatism. Then they will vote for the candidates which basically stand for the same reasons they left where they use to live in the first place. I do not know a lot about Texas, but correct me if I am wrong about Austin being more liberal than the rest of Texas. However, I do agree with your overall post.

[justandulas]

The problem you are having is, liberals also are moving to Texas for the reasons you pointed to Austin. Which is moving more and more away from conservatism. Then they will vote for the candidates which basically stand for the same reasons they left where they use to live in the first place. I do not know a lot about Texas, but correct me if I am wrong about Austin being more liberal than the rest of Texas. However, I do agree with your overall post.

That’s true but they still have tx state law, and it would take generations of nothing but the most liberal of libs moving and having children there to have a true impact on the state. And if that happened amazon would just move to NC or somewhere else.

I may be a liberal, but the idea that you can tax away poverty is laughable. They literally invited all the homeless into Seattle in the nation then tried to pass the buck onto amazon. They legit made a law that said amazons profits need to go to the homeless. What a crock.

Not all of us liberals are bad with money. Some of us understand that the idea of taxing away the wealth gap into some equal Eutopia is less realistic than everyone in the USA winning the powerball at the same Time