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Irish Angry at U2's Tax Evasion

Group criticized as hypocritical in light of history of activism

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 3, 2009 3:02 PM CST

(Newser) – U2 is under fire for possible tax evasion as the Irish government pushes for a bigger slice of the band’s earnings, the Christian Science Monitor reports. U2 moved its publishing company to Amsterdam in 2006 after a tax bill limited artists’ tax-free earnings to $315,000. With Irish deficits mounting, some fans say U2 needs to pay its fair share.

Despite its humanitarian activism, U2 “is taking advantage of the same tax-avoidance schemes that multinational companies use to deprive developing countries of important revenue,” an Irish economist said. The band claims to be fully tax-compliant. On a personal note, singer Bono said, “the thing that stung us was the accusation of hypocrisy for my work as an activist.”

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

In this photo released by the BBC members of the Irish rock band U2 greet fans when they performed several songs at the top of BBC's Broadcasting House in central London Friday, Feb. 27, 2009. (AP Photo/BBC)

Irish rock band U2 perform at the top of BBC's Broadcasting House in central London, Feb. 27, 2009. (AP Photo)

The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr., Bono, and Adam Clayton perform during a taping of the "Late Show with David Letterman" last night in New York. (AP Photo)

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They are living in Ireland, so they should pay Irish taxes, especially now that the country needs the money.
- Dave Coughlan, Irish U2 fan

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Irish Angry at U2's Tax Evasion