Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2001/11/28/freeserve_fingers_chancellor_in_vat/

Freeserve fingers Chancellor in VAT ad

'Come on Mr Brown!'

By Tim Richardson

Posted in Legal, 28th November 2001 12:14 GMT

Freeserve's taken out ads in today's newspapers urging Chancellor Gordon Brown to close a tax loophole it claims is favouring AOL.

Underneath a picture of a tight-lipped Mr Brown clutching his famous budget box the ad screams: "Every month our case is getting bigger." (Case, box, geddit?)

It goes on:

Every year at least £30 million is lost to the Treasury because AOL, a $36 billion turnover corporation, doesn't pay VAT on its ISP business in the UK. Every month that the Government shies away from action and does nothing to close this loophole, more money is lost that could be used for hospital beds, bobbies on the beat or teachers for Britain’s primary schools. You don't need to be the Chancellor to work out who's benefiting.

At Freeserve we're all for freedom, but freedom from paying VAT? Come on Mr Brown! Isn't it about time you made a decision?

Be free to choose an ISP that supports the UK economy.

Earlier this month Freeserve threatened to sue the Government unless it resolved the matter swiftly. ®

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