'Bono Pay Up': art group plans tax protest at Glastonbury

DingChavez · 09-06-2011 01:07PM

Protip: Bono and U2 aren't interchangeable. He isn't God-Emperor of the band, management and everything else related to U2.

alwaystherain · 09-06-2011 01:35PM

meglome wrote: »

Bono lives here so he pays all relevant local taxes. Not sure how much that is but like the rest of us he pays exactly what he's supposed to pay legally and not one cent more. If you don't like the system then campaign to have it changed.

Their company 'U2 limited' or whatever it's called it based in the Netherlands and so pays tax there. Like many many businesses that are not based in Ireland but may be owned by Irish people.

Would I prefer that the company was based here and paid Irish tax... yes I would. Is he doing anything wrong... no he isn't. Can we stfu and stop talking arse. The man has done wonders for charity's and the poor all over the world.

He dont need to go all over the world to help people.
5 Minute walk from his house is Ballybrack.

mstan · 09-06-2011 01:36PM

FFS I'm ready to put my foot through the PC screen out of pure fustration at some of the nonsense and lies being posted here.

BONO DOES PAY HIS TAXES HERE. What he is legally obliged to pay. Same as me. I pay what I have to but not a cent more. And just like Bono I have a right to campaign for a cause I believe the tax payers money should go to. The roads in my area are dreadful. I want the money spent on them. Millions of people in third world countries are living in poverty and Bono wants the money spent helping them. No difference. Both of us pay our taxes and both of us have views on how it should be spent.

omen80 · 09-06-2011 01:48PM

sensibleken wrote: »

That make poverty history was a rousing success wasnt it :pac:

Actually yeah it was a success. Read the newspapers. 23 of the worlds poorest countries had their debts cancelled.
Even if it made no difference, at least he was using his stature to try and do some good for the third world.

ejmaztec · 09-06-2011 02:01PM

mstan wrote: »

FFS I'm ready to put my foot through the PC screen out of pure fustration at some of the nonsense and lies being posted here.

BONO DOES PAY HIS TAXES HERE. What he is legally obliged to pay. Same as me. I pay what I have to but not a cent more. And just like Bono I have a right to campaign for a cause I believe the tax payers money should go to. The roads in my area are dreadful. I want the money spent on them. Millions of people in third world countries are living in poverty and Bono wants the money spent helping them. No difference. Both of us pay our taxes and both of us have views on how it should be spent.

How do you know?

omen80 · 09-06-2011 02:05PM

ejmaztec wrote: »

How do you know?

What a dumb question.

ejmaztec · 09-06-2011 03:10PM

omen80 wrote: »

What a dumb question.

What a dumb response to a question that you weren't asked, which I note was thanked by the poster to whom the question was put, and who appears to have declined to answer it.:rolleyes:

mstan · 09-06-2011 03:36PM

ejmaztec wrote: »

What a dumb response to a question that you weren't asked, which I note was thanked by the poster to whom the question was put, and who appears to have declined to answer it.:rolleyes:

I didnt answer because as Omen said it was a dumb question which I wouldnt even dignify with an answer.

ejmaztec · 09-06-2011 03:43PM

mstan wrote: »

I didnt answer because as Omen said it was a dumb question which I wouldnt even dignify with an answer.

I assumed that you were going to give me chapter and verse to prove that Bono pays tax in Ireland, but you obviously can't back it up, which is probably the real reason for your not dignifying my question with an answer.

Sonnenblumen · 09-06-2011 04:13PM

ejmaztec wrote: »

I assumed that you were going to give me chapter and verse to prove that Bono pays tax in Ireland, but you obviously can't back it up, which is probably the real reason for your not dignifying my question with an answer.

What's this? request time or Education for dummies? BTW can you prove whch/if any taxes BONO does not pay?

The other posters were right, you do ask stupid questions.

ejmaztec · 09-06-2011 04:44PM

Sonnenblumen wrote: »

What's this? request time or Education for dummies? BTW can you prove whch/if any taxes BONO does not pay?

The other posters were right, you do ask stupid questions.

When people make stupid claims that they can't back up, it's only fair that I ask stupid questions regarding those stupid claims.

I don't profess to know how much tax Bono pays in Ireland, as his tax return's not on the list in my filing cabinet, so I won't make a stupid claim either way.

Badgermonkey · 09-06-2011 05:41PM

DingChavez wrote: »

Protip: Bono and U2 aren't interchangeable. He isn't God-Emperor of the band, management and everything else related to U2.

I have read that Bono's activism has been a source of tension within the band.

Principle Management / U2 inc. consist of U2 and Paul McGuinness.

I would imagine their business decisions are subject to vote on matters where agreement cannot be reached.

onemorechance · 23-06-2011 05:23PM

Despite U2 having contributed more to the economy and culture of Ireland, as well as international promotion, than any of these protesters idiots ever have or will, they still expect U2 to give even more.

They are perfectly entitled to handle their finances in whatever legal manner they decide best suits their interest. Just like Ireland is entitled to have such a low corporation tax so that companies set up bases here so they can pay less tax on their earnings!

Not everyone is a fan of U2 or Bono's attitude but if everyone in Ireland was lucky enough to be able to contribute a tenth of what U2 have contributed to Irish society as a whole, we would be living in the greatest utopian society on the planet.

U2's Glastonbury set will be interrupted by an "unmissable" protest against the band's alleged "tax dodge", campaigners have vowed.

Direct action group Art Uncut is plotting a "visual spectacular" during the band's headline appearance on the Pyramid Stage.

The protest is expected to involve a giant inflatable let off by the group. Placards will also be held up declaring "Bono tax dodger" and "Bono pay up".

The group is staying tight-lipped over details of the protest but campaign member Anna Walker, 32, said: "Everyone there will see it.

"If the BBC do not broadcast it, there is little doubt that it will have been an editorial decision."

Fellow campaigner Charlie Dewar added: "U2's multimillion euro tax dodge is depriving the Irish people at a time when they desperately need income to offset the Irish government's savage austerity programme.

"Tax nestling in the band's bank account should be helping to keep open the hospitals, schools and libraries that are closing all over Ireland.

"Bono is well known for his anti-poverty campaigning but Art Uncut is accusing him of hypocrisy."

http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/national-news/u2-face-protest-over-tax-dodge-2804695.html

Maybe they could have given the price of their Glastonbury tickets to the SVP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcGUbL6Vcts

wild_cat · 23-06-2011 05:27PM

Is that you Gavin Friday?

mikemac · 23-06-2011 05:28PM

In before Degsy

fedor.2. · 23-06-2011 05:29PM

They should pay more

onemorechance · 23-06-2011 05:29PM

wild_cat wrote: »

Is that you Gavin Friday?

Bitter much?

Annasopra · 23-06-2011 05:30PM

Brilliant idea from Art Uncut

squod · 23-06-2011 05:30PM

Who?

the groutch · 23-06-2011 05:30PM

same could be said about Mr Magnier, Mr McManus, or any other tax exiles

onemorechance · 23-06-2011 05:31PM

fedor.2. wrote: »

They should pay more

If they want to they should, not because protesters idiots tell them they should.

Annasopra · 23-06-2011 05:32PM

onemorechance wrote: »

If they want to they should, not because protesters idiots tell them they should.

that's bollox - taxes shouldn't be voluntary

onemorechance · 23-06-2011 05:33PM

Johnnymcg wrote: »

Brilliant idea from Art Uncut

Ireland, where being a success is ok, but not too successful for f sake! You owe us bigtime then!

antodeco · 23-06-2011 05:33PM

I love the fact they say it wont be shown on TV, probably due to "editorial reasons". Basically, they wont do it and claim they did, but BBC cut it out.

stimpson · 23-06-2011 05:37PM

As far as I'm concerned, the poisoned little dwarf can keep his hundreds of millions of euro as long as he stops with the hypocritical pontificating whiney sh ite.

onemorechance · 23-06-2011 05:37PM

Johnnymcg wrote: »

that's bollox - taxes shouldn't be voluntary

They contribute tax in Ireland on all the people they employ in Ireland.

Kess73 · 23-06-2011 05:43PM

the groutch wrote: »

same could be said about Mr Magnier, Mr McManus, or any other tax exiles

The same JP McManus who has donated millions to charities around Limerick, millions to the University of Limerick, and who has set up a scholarship fund at his old secondary school so that each year a number of promising students whose families may not be able to afford college get almost €7k each per college year to help them continue their education?

The same man who organises the Pro Am tournament to raise further money for charities.

Granted he only pays tax on his irish based business interests and has not done so on the bulk of his wealth, but then again a large amount of his wealth was not made in Ireland.

proon4 · 23-06-2011 05:45PM

whats to be expected from the little g-b-shi -e......he is so far up his own ass he can lick his beelybutton....from the inside.......

onemorechance · 23-06-2011 05:47PM

While their at their protest over U2, to be fair they should protest Irelands low corporation tax. Actually, this protest would go down much better at a Paris or Berlin gig. Maybe they should save their balloon for that!

The Aussie · 23-06-2011 05:48PM

onemorechance wrote: »

Despite U2 having contributed more to the economy

Have they started paying taxes in Ireland again to help with the mess the country is in, Cudos...

My name is URL · 23-06-2011 05:52PM

I'm no fan of Bono.. think he's a sanctimonious little prick. But this whole outrage which people have about him not paying taxes is stupid. Tax is raised on everything they sell in Ireland, their gigs here draw thousands of people from abroad and they employ hundreds of Irish people. Giving out about their completely legal tax avoidance is the embodiment of Irish begrudgery.

onemorechance · 23-06-2011 05:53PM

proon4 wrote: »

whats to be expected from the little g-b-shi -e......he is so far up his own ass he can lick his beelybutton....from the inside.......

Nearly 30 years of having tens of thousands of people coming to hear him at multiple locations throughout the world, leaders of nations taking heed of and respecting his opinion, ya, he's a regular Silvio Berlusconi.

RachaelVO · 23-06-2011 05:56PM

The protest is a ridiculously stupid idea.

1. Who the fuck is going to pay it a blind bit of notice?
2. U2 do actually pay taxes in Ireland, directly on some of their earning, cos not everything went to The Netherlands. That and the revenue created with the people they employ etc;
3. The revenue that the dutch government are now collecting is not going to bail Ireland outta any sh1te it got itself into.

I genuinely hope those poor deluded protesters either get arrested for making pillocks of themselves (and Ireland), that or they get unbelievably drunk and fall asleep beside the porta loos!

onemorechance · 23-06-2011 05:58PM

The Aussie wrote: »

Have they started paying taxes in Ireland again to help with the mess the country is in, Cudos...

They never stopped contributing taxes in Ireland, they employ people here.

They just decided that they could pay a few million less than the many millions they have already paid in tax in Ireland, thanks to the EU laws which allows foreign companies benefit from Ireland's low corporation tax.

The Aussie · 23-06-2011 06:02PM

Oh so they are paying the smallest amount of taxes in Ireland they can, while using the Irish brand to promote themselves and the cross eyed fools little agenda, once again Cudos...

proon4 · 23-06-2011 06:02PM

onemorechance wrote: »

While their at their protest over U2, to be fair they should protest Irelands low corporation tax. Actually, this protest would go down much better at a Paris or Berlin gig. Maybe they should save their balloon for that!

Are you stupid?????...The low corporation tax keeps thousand and thousand of jobs in Ireland..Bono and U2 usually employs mostly non Iris.. they work cheaper...

RichieC · 23-06-2011 06:03PM

The only thing I blame U2 for is being awful

proon4 · 23-06-2011 06:05PM

onemorechance wrote: »

Nearly 30 years of having tens of thousands of people coming to hear him at multiple locations throughout the world, leaders of nations taking heed of and respecting his opinion, ya, he's a regular Silvio Berlusconi.

Check out his "buddies"... Most of them right wing capitalists.and american republicans... Hes a nasty piece of ****...

stimpson · 23-06-2011 06:16PM

onemorechance wrote: »

They never stopped contributing taxes in Ireland, they employ people here.

When the loophole for artists was closed down they moved their business. They never stopped paying tax because they never were paying it in the first place. They have been freeloading for a long time.

And you are not taxed on your employees - income tax is paid from their salaries.

RachaelVO · 23-06-2011 06:17PM

stimpson wrote: »

When the loophole for artists was closed down they moved their business. They never stopped paying tax because they never were paying it in the first place. They have been freeloading for a long time.

And you are not taxed on your employees - income tax is paid from their salaries.

But who is paying the employees?

The Aussie · 23-06-2011 06:19PM

stimpson wrote: »

When the loophole for artists was closed down they moved their business. They never stopped paying tax because they never were paying it in the first place.

Whats this, Whats this.Is that little twat a bigger twat than i thought, when did this happen, (not from here by the way)

stimpson · 23-06-2011 06:23PM

The Aussie wrote: »

Whats this, Whats this.Is that little twat a bigger twat than i thought, when did this happen, (not from here by the way)

Read all about it here

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/u2-move-their-rock-empire-out-of-ireland-133364.html

stimpson · 23-06-2011 06:26PM

RachaelVO wrote: »

But who is paying the employees?

Do you consider your income tax as your employers contribution?

And who exactly do they employ here anyway?

The Aussie · 23-06-2011 06:31PM

So let me get this right,they got asked to pay taxes for the first time in their lives and fled, but still claim to be "Irish Rockers", whats the bet some people will say its their money they can do what ever they want with it, in my eyes they are no better than Irish Bankers and Irish Politicians who use the system to their own advantage

The northside Dublin rockers were the world's biggest musical earners last year, taking in a whopping ?217m. According to industry sources, they faced a potential multi-million Euro tax bill had their business remained in Ireland this year as a result of royalty earnings from their ongoing Vertigo world tour.

onemorechance · 23-06-2011 06:31PM

proon4 wrote: »

Are you stupid?????...The low corporation tax keeps thousand and thousand of jobs in Ireland..Bono and U2 usually employs mostly non Iris.. they work cheaper...

http://img2.allvoices.com/thumbs/event/900/570/56553613-sarcasm-explained.jpg

TheZohanS · 23-06-2011 06:36PM

Salt of the earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUdrYDk8rVA

Reg'stoy · 23-06-2011 06:41PM

onemorechance wrote: »

Not everyone is a fan of U2 or Bono's attitude but if everyone in Ireland was lucky enough to be able to contribute a tenth of what U2 have contributed to Irish society as a whole, we would be living in the greatest utopian society on the planet.

You do know what an utopian society is OP, maybe yours might involve chasing after bono's wandering cock in Dalkey.

My utopian society would be, one not populated by a two faced p***k who pontificates about world debt while he himself does everything he can legally to pay as little tax as is possible.

As for U2 employing people here, they're employed to increase U2's profits I would presume, which is then shipped overseas.

I just love your logic in complaining about our low corporate tax rates which are paid by companies who in turn employ tens of thousands of 'tax payers' and you use this to somehow defend bono who f**ked off to Holland to pay less tax. I'm confused OP run that by me again.

omen80 · 23-06-2011 06:51PM

It's too much of a leap to say that it's hypocrasy. The protesters are complete idiots.
If any of them work for Google or any other big american country that avoid tax, then they are also hypocrites.

onemorechance · 23-06-2011 06:54PM

Reg'stoy wrote: »

You do know what an utopian society is OP, maybe yours might involve chasing after bono's wandering cock in Dalkey.

My utopian society would be, one not populated by a two faced p***k who pontificates about world debt while he himself does everything he can legally to pay as little tax as is possible.

As for U2 employing people here, they're employed to increase U2's profits I would presume, which is then shipped overseas.

I just love your logic in complaining about our low corporate tax rates which are paid by companies who in turn employ tens of thousands of 'tax payers' and you use this to somehow defend bono who f**ked off to Holland to pay less tax. I'm confused OP run that by me again.

Apologies if the clear sarcasm is so difficult for you to see. If you need it explained then here goes.

U2 are taking advantage of the same EU laws which those companies use to take advantage of Ireland's low corporation tax. Protesting one and and not the other is somewhat hypocritical. Personally I don't disagree with either and thus I would not support a protest either. Is that clear enough for you?

Your utopian society would be full of anger and bitterness it seems!

prinz · 23-06-2011 06:56PM

omen80 wrote: »

It's too much of a leap to say that it's hypocrasy. The protesters are complete idiots.
If any of them work for Google or any other big american country that avoid tax, then they are also hypocrites.

Presumably if they worked for Google they'd be paying PAYE/PRSI/Income tax. For your comparison to work they'd have to own Google. Not only would they have to own Google, but then they'd have to go lecturing national leaders and the public about how tax money should be spent.

Most people counldn't care less if U2 use legal means to minimise their tax bill. It happens. Where the problems do start is when Bono in particular turns about and starts telling our leaders how the tax money that Joe Soap has paid from his weekly paycheck should be used.

'Bono Pay Up': art group plans tax protest at Glastonbury

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