Whilst I dont agree with the amount of tax companies like Amazon pay I dont agree with the view that they just decided not to pay taxes. they work within the rules the government set out and pay exactly what is required within the rules.
So, as an example… One part of the company (the UK bit) pays bogus “royalties” to another part of the company for the right to use the company name. (Both parts owned by the same company obviously)
The part of the company receiving the royalties, just happens to be based in a tax haven.
The “royalties” paid just happen to equal all the profits of the UK part of the company, every year.
So they pay no tax in the UK at all. Ever. No matter how much actual profit they make.
Seems legit.
(It fictional obviously, but it’s within the HMRC rules)