Microsoft's New Nickname: East Bangalore?
Microsoft has long been an international company. It has operations overseas and hires a ton of international workers. That's why Bill Gates has always been so concerned with expanding H-1B visas. And if the Obama administration and Congress have their way on taxes, more Microsoft employees than ever could be in other countries.
At issue are taxes on foreign profits, which legislators are trying to raise. Steve Ballmer isn't happy, arguing these higher taxes "make U.S. jobs more expensive." As the head of a public company, Ballmer needs to look at costs, and would opt for more of these less-expensive foreign jobs.
For those that think this is all just posturing, Ballmer believes the tax hikes could reduce profits up to 15 percent!
Posted by Doug Barney on June 10, 2009