STARBUCKS has announced it plans to pay “somewhere in the range of £10 million” in UK corporation tax over the next two years.
• The business will not claim tax deductions for royalties or payments related to intercompany charges in 2013 or 2014
• The proposal had not been discussed with HM Revenue & Customs
The announcement comes after it emerged that the coffee chain, which has more than 700 outlets in the UK, paid just £8.6 million in corporation tax in 14 years of trading in Britain.
In a report by the Public Accounts Committee, the chain was accused of “immorally” minimising UK tax bills.
Starbucks UK managing director Kris Engskov told the London Chamber of Commerce: “I am announcing changes which will results in Starbucks paying higher corporation tax in the UK – above what is currently required by law.
“Specifically, in 2013 and 2014 Starbucks will not claim tax deductions for royalties or payments related to our intercompany charges.
“In addition, we are making a commitment that we will proposed to pay a significant amount of corporation tax during 2013 and 2014 regardless of whether our company is profitable during these years.
“These decisions are the right things for us to do. We’ve heard that loud and clear from our customers.”
Mr. Engskov said that the proposal had not been discussed with HM Revenue & Customs, saying: “With the backdrop of these difficult times, in the area of tax, our customers clearly expect us to do more.”
He said that the company had always organised its tax affairs “according to the letter of the law” and added “the emotion of the issue has taken us a bit by surprise”.
“These decisions are the right things for us to do.” he said.
“We’ve heard that loud and clear from our customers. And today, we’re taking the actions necessary to pay more corporation tax in the UK.”