<p>Accounts for Starbucks's coffee chain's UK operation show it has paid almost no tax on revenues of $5 billion over the past 13 years.<br /><br />In September Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz joined London's Mayor Boris Johnson to reveal plans to hire a thousand new apprentices in the UK.<br /><br />Schultz and Kris Engskov, Managing Director of Starbucks UK, were all smiles for the camera, talking to current apprentices and trying to rustle up a perfect latte.</p><br /><p>But the coffee giant's big boss was not quite as comfortable talking about Starbucks's British tax bill.</p><br /><p>Starbucks Chief Financial Officer Troy Alstead said the company strictly follows international accounting rules and pays the appropriate level of tax in all the countries where it operates.</p><br /><p>A spokesman added, "Starbucks is committed to both paying our fair share of taxes and to maximizing the value of our shareholders' investment."</p><br /><p>But tax campaigners like Richard Murphy find it difficult to reconcile the group's values and the way it files it taxes in Britain.</p><br /><p>Starbucks' ability to avoid taxes on its UK earnings gives it a competitive edge over domestic rivals. Independent cafe owners like David Abrahamovitch can't escape the tax man by shifting profits into offshore tax savings.</p><br /><p>Accounts filed by Starbucks for its UK unit, says it has never made a profit. Meanwhile, management has consistently told investors that the British operation was one of its most profitable.</p><br /><p>Financial analysts say a company's primary responsibility is to its shareholders. And this means, Starbucks has a duty to take advantage of any loophole it can find.</p>
