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Report: Starbucks may reconsider U.K. tax payments
New York -- Starbucks Coffee Co. is considering changes to its tax practices in the U.K. in the wake of criticism from lawmakers, tax campaigners and the media, according to Reuters.
A Reuters examination of Starbucks accounts that was made public in October showed that the chain had reported 13 years of losses at its U.K. unit, even as it told investors the operation was profitable and among the best performing of its overseas markets, the report said.
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Dividend angst leads to unconventional actions
Walmart moved its quarterly dividend payment up a few days so it would fall in 2012, but Costco took tax avoidance to a new level this week.
In anticipation that tax rates on dividends will rise next year as the federal government flounders for ways to raise revenue rather cut spending, a flurry of companies are paying one time dividends or adjusting payment dates. Walmart falls into the latter camp and said its 39.75 cent per share payment scheduled for January 2 would instead be paid on December 27.