Does Amazon Pay Taxes or Get Away with No Federal Taxes?

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Explore the detailed texture of an Amazonian giant water lily leaf with its spiky red edges, floating serenely.
Credit: pexels.com, Explore the detailed texture of an Amazonian giant water lily leaf with its spiky red edges, floating serenely.

Amazon's tax situation is a complex topic. The company has been accused of getting away with no federal taxes, but the truth is more nuanced.

Amazon has a significant presence in the US, with its headquarters in Seattle and numerous fulfillment centers across the country. In fact, Amazon's operations are so vast that the company has been estimated to employ over 750,000 people in the US alone.

The company's tax situation is influenced by its status as a multinational corporation, which allows it to take advantage of various tax breaks and loopholes. According to the article, Amazon has been able to reduce its tax bill by leveraging these loopholes.

A unique perspective: S Corp Business Taxes

Amazon's Tax Liability

Amazon's tax liability is a complex issue, and it's fascinating to see how the company manages to pay less tax than expected.

Amazon's pre-tax profits in Britain increased from £24m in 2016 to £72m in 2017, but its tax bill fell from £7.4m to £4.6m.

Credit: youtube.com, How Amazon Paid $0 Federal Income Tax in 2018

The company's tax bill has been deferred for much of the amount, meaning it will only have to hand over £1.7m to the taxman.

Amazon has been paying employees in the form of shares, which is an expense it can offset against corporation tax.

This practice is completely legal and has been in place since 2000, when the Labour government first introduced it as a way to encourage companies to give shares to workers.

The workforce at Amazon UK Services Limited went up by more than 5,000 in 2017, which means more money from income tax, national insurance, and VAT is flowing to the Exchequer.

As a result, HMRC is missing out on corporation tax and the taxes it would have got if the money had been paid as part of a salary.

A unique perspective: Do I Pay Tax on Stocks and Shares

Companies That Avoid Taxes

Amazon isn't alone in paying minimal taxes, as 30 of the most profitable companies paid no federal income taxes in 2018.

Credit: youtube.com, How Companies Like Amazon, Nike and FedEx Avoid Taxes

Some of these companies include EOG Resources, Occidental Petroleum, and Honeywell.

These companies also received tax rebates, which can be used to reduce their tax burdens in other years.

For example, EOG Resources and Occidental Petroleum, both received tax rebates that could be used to reduce their tax burdens.

In fact, some of these companies even received rebates that exceeded 50% of their tax burden.

How Has the Company Lowered Its Tax Bill?

Amazon has been paying employees in the form of shares, which is an expense it can offset against corporation tax.

This practice is completely legal and was first launched by the then-Labour government in 2000.

Current rules allow employees to be awarded £3,600 a year tax-free.

Amazon's share price has more than trebled in the last three years, so few employees given shares are likely to be complaining.

The workforce went up by more than 5,000 in 2017, which means more money from income tax, national insurance, VAT flowing to the Exchequer.

This means the company is still contributing to the government's coffers, just not through corporation tax.

Companies That Paid No Federal Taxes

Credit: youtube.com, 55 Huge Corporations Paid ZERO Taxes

Some of the most profitable companies in the US paid no federal income taxes in 2018.

These companies include EOG Resources, Occidental Petroleum, and Honeywell.

In many cases, these companies received tax rebates that could be used to reduce their tax burdens in other years.

Companies like Deere & Company and American Electric Power also managed to avoid paying federal taxes in 2018.

This is not an isolated incident, as these companies have a history of paying little to no federal taxes.

Public Service Enterprise Group and Prudential Financial are also among the companies that paid no federal taxes in 2018.

Principal Financial and Devon Energy are two more companies that managed to avoid paying federal taxes that year.

Gannett and Pitney Bowes are also on the list of companies that paid no federal taxes in 2018.

These companies may have taken advantage of tax loopholes or deductions to reduce their tax burdens.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Amazon pay after taxes?

Amazon's after-tax income for the most recent fiscal year is $30.44 billion, reflecting its net earnings after paying taxes. This figure provides insight into Amazon's financial performance and profitability.

How much does Amazon pay in federal taxes?

Amazon pays approximately 6% of its profits in federal corporate income taxes, which translates to around $2.1 billion in 2020. However, without tax breaks, the company would have paid over $7.3 billion.

Felicia Koss

Junior Writer

Felicia Koss is a rising star in the world of finance writing, with a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics into accessible, engaging pieces. Her articles have covered a range of topics, from retirement account loans to other financial matters that affect everyday people. With a focus on clarity and concision, Felicia's writing has helped readers make informed decisions about their financial futures.

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