The Guardian is running a series of stories looking at the schemes UK companies use to avoid paying their fair share of tax. The names given to these ingenious tax dodges are strangely resonant – things like “The Double Luxembourg” and “Outward Domestication”. In fact, they sound very much like lost B-sides by Manchester songsmiths The Fall.
See if you can tell the difference between a corporate tax avoidance scheme and a Fall song title, by playing our soon-to-be-household-favourite game:
Dodge or Fall?
1. Cross-Border Tax Arbitrage
2. Hybrid Debt Instruments
3. Hexen Definitive Strife Knot
4. Auto Tech Pilot
5. Thick Capitalisation
6. Corporate Inversions
7. Octo Realm Ketamine Sun
8. Intangibles Fragmentation
9. Senior Twilight Stock Replacer
10. Aspen Reprise
11. Dividend Traps
12. Dutch Sandwich
13. Bremen Nacht Run Out
14. Systematic Abuse
15. Swiss Roundabout
16. Imperial Wax Solvent
17. Defeased Leasing
18. To Nkroachment: Yarbles
Either turn your screen upside-down or stand on your head for the answers.
"Intangibles Fragmentation" totally got me! This is the greatest thing ever and I thank you.
Posted by: erik | 12 May 2009 at 03:50
Thanks Erik - Intangibles Fragmentation does sound like a great album.
Posted by: Nick Asbury | 12 May 2009 at 07:48
Hmm, maybe Mark E. Smith is the one secretly behind all these tax dodges?
Posted by: fortuna | 12 May 2009 at 15:27
I was absolutely sure that 'Thick Capitalisation' was a Fall song. And 'Swiss Roundabout'. In fact I'm pretty sure I've got them both in the loft. Brilliant post.
Posted by: Steve Bowbrick | 12 May 2009 at 17:10
Yes, I think Swiss Roundabout really sorts the men from the boys. Dutch Sandwich also sounds like a Fall song to me - an extended grumble about an ill-advised lunchtime purchase while on tour.
Posted by: Nick Asbury | 12 May 2009 at 17:29
I'm irate, and I'm peeved, I'm irate, and I'm peeved, I'm irate, and I'm peeved, bad state bad state - cos I'm...
Posted by: Myhairyarse | 26 October 2011 at 20:12
Carry Bag Man?
Posted by: Sophia Walker | 26 October 2011 at 21:07
These are tracks from the 'Stealing From The 99%' album.
Posted by: Kompani101 | 26 October 2011 at 22:24
How was "English Scheme" overlooked?!
Posted by: Philmaves | 26 October 2011 at 22:37
@Philmaves You're right about English Scheme - a serious oversight in the context of this game. Someone has already been fired for this.
Posted by: Nick Asbury | 27 October 2011 at 09:22
W'itholdin' money?
Posted by: TimB | 27 October 2011 at 12:45
Damn it..only got 7/9.
Posted by: Dfv | 27 October 2011 at 14:47
Failed miserably, but had fun doing so.
Posted by: Judy Wilburn | 27 October 2011 at 17:04
Tax Deduction Hour is arguably The Fall's greatest album...
Posted by: Steve T | 01 November 2011 at 04:10
anyone else grooving to "Greek Bailout"?
Posted by: King Of Hove | 01 November 2011 at 13:11
got em all! not sure if this is something to be proud of, i feel like my brain should be full of things that aren't fall track titles
Posted by: Michael B | 02 November 2011 at 23:12
Pay Your Rates you dodgy bunch!
Posted by: El Noggin | 06 November 2011 at 16:37