

Shaking down taxpayers is the ultimate gimmick

2:26 AM, May 25, 2013  |  Comments
  • Filed Under

Pity poor Apple. It's only playing by the rules.

Tim Cook claims that Apple doesn't depend on tax "gimmicks" to exploit the U.S. tax code, but doesn't mention the degree to which corporations like Apple have altered the tax system for their own benefit. Not only do they cheat the federal government, they also practice similar tax-avoidance techniques at state and local levels.

Apple's secretive laundering program, Braeburn, is a perfect example of a gimmick. Another is the nefarious award of $90 million in state and local tax abatements promised to the company by Gov. Sandoval. Done secretly, without public knowledge or public input, the extensive tax breaks rely on a long list of Nevada statutes, including tourism-related abatements, to avoid paying taxes in Reno. What does Apple have to do with tourism?

Shaking down federal, state and local taxpayers to sustain your business is the ultimate gimmick. Stashing taxpayer revenue offshore while bellyaching about high taxes may be legal, but it is disgusting. If corporations are people, Apple is a crook.

Tracy Figler, Reno

Real Deals

Deals in Reno, NV



Search RGJ for events:


sign up for home delivery