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U2 should pay Irish tax say critics

By
DARA KELLY,

Published Thursday, June 24, 2010, 8:37 AM
Updated Thursday, June 24, 2010, 8:46 AM

 

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U2 should play taxes
U2 should play taxes

Well this is a family discussion that's been coming for a long time. U2, the Irish supergroup, are being blasted as sell-outs who have turned their back on their fans and their nation for moving all their key assets offshore to escape Irish taxes.

The bands tax moves comes at a time when Ireland desperately needs the revenue. In recent weeks the band has been subjected to one furious attack after another in the press.

The Irish Independent newspaper commissioned a poll showing that 84 per cent of U2’s fellow countrymen think the band’s business operations should be based and taxed in Ireland.


An editorial in the same newspaper said Bono was in danger of ruining his and the band’s reputation. 'If they don’t act now,' the paper said, 'it could be the biggest PR disaster of their career.'
 
'It's a sticky one for U2. Essentially this is not the most comfortable time to be rich in Ireland. And it seems they know it.'

Manager Paul McGuinness has defended the offshore move as smart business strategy for a band that earns 95 per cent of its income outside Ireland in any case.

But Irish newspaper commentators have denounced the bands moves as exactly the sort of tax dodge multinational corporations engage in to increase their profits at the expense of Third World nations where they conduct business.
 

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Posted by shidoobe on Sep 03, 2010, 10:10 AM EDT
Well The Rolling Stones left UK decades ago and invested with Holland, so whatever... But yes they should pay their fair share
Report abuse
Posted by trashcan on Jun 27, 2010, 06:29 PM EDT
Isn't this story over a year old? What's new? Why are you still printing the same words a year later?
Report abuse
Posted by seanomelbourne on Jun 25, 2010, 11:17 PM EDT
They are a greedy bunch of feckless fools. Plastic Irish gombeens with no honour.
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Posted by ciarrai on Jun 25, 2010, 11:12 PM EDT
Why shouldn't U2 pay taxes on their earnings in Ireland? The country could use a few quid. How about Bono to replace Simon Cowell on American Idol if the back goes on the permanent bum. He could write about it in the New York Times op/ed page.
Report abuse
Posted by KathyCallahan on Jun 25, 2010, 10:33 PM EDT
not to mention extremely hard working Irish American creator.original thinker/counselor toiling away /saving lives healing in the shadows
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Posted by galway2001 on Jun 25, 2010, 10:02 PM EDT
they should be charge with fraud for sending money off shore they are irish citizen so they should pay taxes in ireland how dare they ,they should help their own country, not africa,or any third world country
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Posted by killowen on Jun 25, 2010, 12:54 PM EDT
All but two of the lads can claim to be Irish. When the Tiger roared the successful natives (politicians etal) sought shelter - as we all know, all part of the patriots game.
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Posted by shawnb23 on Jun 25, 2010, 12:37 PM EDT
Sorry. Meant to say Wesley Snipes not Samuel Jackson.
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Posted by shawnb23 on Jun 25, 2010, 12:31 PM EDT
It's interesting that all of the negative posts are directed at Bono. There are 3 other people in the band you know. But then again, this isn't so much about people taking issue with legal ways to reduce ones tax bill but rather another "issue" for the Bono-haters to jump on. It's like me being outraged at my neighbor for him taking legal tax deductions on his taxes. Such a non-issue. Have any of you outraged people contacted your representatives to see about the tax laws being changed?? Taxes aren't for rock gods? Are you missing the point that he PAID his taxes??? Funny that in America people like Samuel Jackson just flat out don't pay their taxes but there is no public outrage over that.
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Posted by KathyCallahan on Jun 25, 2010, 10:53 AM EDT
To hurt is to Steal, Not Attribute, Give even a hint of credit, arrogantly, cruely flaunt it; and not pay your taxes to the country that made you who you are up to a point.
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Posted by Fatherpat on Jun 25, 2010, 10:25 AM EDT
Bono or bonehead as the kids call him. He's against poverty...AIDS...global warming... cancer...leprosy... psoriasis...halitosis etc etc. Who the heck isn't? Was he then and is he now against ongoing serial wars for profit? Is he against the destruction of Palestine the rape and plundering of the Mavi Marmara? Is he against anything that smacks of controversy that just might affect his bottom line? No way Jose.. As he put it on stage with his good ol' buddy Bush the Lesser in Davos that time... "America we got a problem!" And as you can imagine it had nothing to do with aggression, murder or slaughter of innocent people in wars for profit. "street with no name"...that's ol bonehead alright! Taxes...taxes is for wage slaves as Leona Helmsley put it and not for the upper crust elite rock gods that pontificate on high and invest their filthy lucre in the likes of Forbes! Ireland is better off without these sellouts. He croons about Jesus but hangs with some real scary leeches! Birds of a feather flock together as grandma put it and she was bloody right!
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Posted by Derrylass627 on Jun 25, 2010, 09:59 AM EDT
I agree with shawnb23, it's only good business for U2 to move their money to a safe place where it can continue to grow. Sorry to hear that the citizens of Ireland want to get there paws on some of it. U2 do so much for charity causes and the good name of Ireland, why can't you be happy for their success and let them handle their own money as they see fit. You'd do the same if you had any money to invest.
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Posted by shawnb23 on Jun 25, 2010, 07:51 AM EDT
(CONTINUED FROM BELOW) U2 are not obligated to pay any more taxes than the law requires, just the same as you and I. It does not make anyone more patriotic to pay more taxes than required and any person or company that manages their money properly will seek legal ways to reduce their bill. If people really have a problem with this, they need to lobby the government for a change in the tax code not displace their anger at the band. The US modifies it tax code all of the time to close loopholes. Rather than lobby the government for a change in law, people would rather trash a band that, whether you like them or not, has not only paid their very large tax bill but has generated a tremendous amount of tax revenue for governments all over the world. So many people are so quick to criticize Paul McGuiness but the truth is there would be no U2 as we know it without him. People get uncomfortable when money is mentioned in conjunction with art but the reality is that in order for the art to survive and continue the business has to survive and continue. Mr McGuinness has been tasked with managing their business and he has done a tremendous job at it. U2 put their money on the line with each tour. They invest huge sums of their own money to mount the biggest rock shows in history, they keep their ticket prices low, they give back to fans and society every chance they get. They have paid their tax bill. Let it rest. If you have issues with the Irish tax code, then pursue that but slandering the band isn't going to change anything.
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Posted by shawnb23 on Jun 25, 2010, 07:49 AM EDT
I have tried to post a response to this numerous times but it never appears. Apparently, my reply is too long? People should realize there is a difference between tax planning and tax evasion. U2 have paid their tax bill. If you have a problem with how much they paid, then lobby to have the tax laws changed. They are taking advantage of opportunities to legally lower their bill the same as everyone else.
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Posted by shawnb23 on Jun 25, 2010, 07:46 AM EDT
I am not Irish but I am a fan of U2 and am very tired of hearing this story. First of all, just because I am a fan don't think that I never criticize the band because that is false. But as someone who has studied finance and accounting their whole life, this story frustrates me. The distinction between tax planning and tax evasion needs to be pointed out. Tax evasion is not paying your legal obligation under the tax laws. Tax planning is reducing your tax bill within the law. This is what U2's management team are doing. If U2 were dodging their taxes as so many seem to claim, they would be the first ones to be audited and prosecuted by the government. High net worth individuals and companies are always under the most srutiny from the tax man. U2's management are reducing their tax bill much the same way as the rest of us do by deducting mortgage interest, making charitable contributions, etc. There is no difference between a middle class person utilizing such strategies to lower their tax bill or U2 doing what they have done to lower theirs. The only difference is that U2 have a lot more money than the average middle class person and therein lies the emotional response of so many.
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Posted by shawnb23 on Jun 25, 2010, 07:44 AM EDT
You know what is really interesting? I posted a very rational defense of U2 on this message board over 12 hours ago and it has never posted. Guess they only let the negative comments through.
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Posted by Bonohood on Jun 25, 2010, 12:04 AM EDT
And U2 fans say critics should mind their own business.
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Posted by KathyCallahan on Jun 24, 2010, 06:28 PM EDT
I gave up on Bono and Paul McGuinness big time.
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Posted by kateomprint on Jun 24, 2010, 11:31 AM EDT
Can't stand Bono I think he is a self opinated little P***** When I hear that he is going to be interviewed on tv or radio i just leave the room. He has made millions in Ireland and still won't pay taxes. He keeps going on about third world debt and still won't pay taxes in Ireland. He is a silly little rock singer not some great statesman maybe he has delusions of grandeur.
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Posted by irishwxman on Jun 24, 2010, 10:57 AM EDT
They are sellouts. They are dubbed the "Irish Super group" but when are they ever in Ireland?
 


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