Fujitsu as a Sponsor?

[John Upham]

I am aware of at least one event on February 21st 2004 that was part sponsored by Fujitsu.

Can you think of a chess event sponsored or part sponsored by Fujitsu?

I'm sure most of you will know that ICL was lead sponsor for the Hastings Congress many years ago.

[Joey Stewart]

Pretty standard practise these days for evil corporations to attempt to "sports wash" away their horrible deeds with a paltry attempt to donate charitably (which in itself is a farce as they will claim it back as a tax write off, so it was money they never owned in the first place)

Still, it's not like good sponsors are forthcoming in the chess world, we have to take the blood money wherever possible or go wanting.

[Roger Lancaster]

Pretty standard practise these days for evil corporations to attempt to "sports wash" away their horrible deeds with a paltry attempt to donate charitably (which in itself is a farce as they will claim it back as a tax write off, so it was money they never owned in the first place)

Well, yes, charitable donations can be offset against corporation tax but in what sense is it "money they never owned in the first place" ?

[Joey Stewart]

They are making a supposedly charitable gesture but in reality they are paying for it with tax offsets, I.E. the public money, and taking the credit as though they did something really generous - true charity would be to give a donation out of company profits

[Ian Thompson]

They are making a supposedly charitable gesture but in reality they are paying for it with tax offsets

Only a quarter of it. The remaining 75% is coming out of company profits.

[Roger Lancaster]

They are making a supposedly charitable gesture but in reality they are paying for it with tax offsets

Only a quarter of it. The remaining 75% is coming out of company profits.

Exactly - my point earlier.

[David Williams]

They are making a supposedly charitable gesture but in reality they are paying for it with tax offsets, I.E. the public money, and taking the credit as though they did something really generous - true charity would be to give a donation out of company profits

I assume when you make a charitable donation you do not tick the Gift Aid box, choosing instead to donate 25% more than you otherwise would have to make up the shortfall.

[John Upham]

They are making a supposedly charitable gesture but in reality they are paying for it with tax offsets, I.E. the public money, and taking the credit as though they did something really generous - true charity would be to give a donation out of company profits

I assume when you make a charitable donation you do not tick the Gift Aid box, choosing instead to donate 25% more than you otherwise would have to make up the shortfall.

An excellent point well made David.

[Roger Lancaster]

They are making a supposedly charitable gesture but in reality they are paying for it with tax offsets, I.E. the public money, and taking the credit as though they did something really generous - true charity would be to give a donation out of company profits

I assume when you make a charitable donation you do not tick the Gift Aid box, choosing instead to donate 25% more than you otherwise would have to make up the shortfall.

An excellent point well made David.

Yes, although Gift Aid relates to individuals' relief from income tax. That's distinct from companies' relief from corporation tax although in both cases, and contrary to what someone said and then repeated earlier, the greater part of the donation comes from the donor's own resources.

[David Williams]

I think it's actually a common misconception that when something is 'written off against tax' that means reducing your tax bill by the amount you are paying for that something, leaving you no worse off. It's also perfectly understandable. That's the interpretation most people would give to the actual wording of the expression. It's just that it isn't true.

[Geoff Chandler]

Fujitsu as a Sponsor?

That is OK. Someone should approach them, they could do with some good PR just as long as they do not insist we use one of their programs to make the pairings.

[John Upham]

For those who do not know Fujitsu part sponsored the successful February 21st 2004 attempt to break the world simultaneous display record.

Other sponsors included:

Baxter Neumann
Meditor
The British Chess Federation